The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-10-23 00:00:00

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, 4

AWISRICAS RBI GLUTION. .•-
,
SKETCH Or TOE LIFE AND C1T..% ft SCTER Olt
rtttek
(Continued from our error of itaeidAy.) •
It *as from the body of the ,eousenrs, *hollidlye
Correspondent represents as " looking askshce4 at
those above them, that Mr. Henry proceeded. He
belonged to the body of the People.. His bittbt
ede'cation, fortune, and manners, made him one of
themselves. They regarded him, therefdre, Is their
own property, and sent to them for the porpose of
humbling the pride of the mighty, and smelting the
honour of his own class. •
Mr. Henry had too much sagacity hot to see this •
advantage, and too mock good sense not to keep and
to improve it. lie seems to hate forthed to himself,
very early in life, just views of society, and to ,d
acted upon the* with the most laudable system and
perseverance. He regarded Government as ittstitete
ed solely fur the good of the People; and not foe
the benefit of those who had contrived to make a
job of it. He looked upon the body of the Peoples
therefore, as the basis' of society, the
.fountain of,
all power, and, directly and indirectly, of alt
offices and honours, which had been instituted oda,
ginelly for (heir use. He made it nh secret, therefore,
nay he made it his boast, that Ain every occasion,
".he bowed to the majesty of the People." With
regard to himself, he taw very distinctly, that all hie
hopes.rested on .the People's •favoor‘ Ile shtlsef.re,
adhered to them with unshaken fidelity. lie retain-
ed their manners, their customs, all their modes of
life, with religious caution. tie dressed as plainly
as the plainest of them; ate only the homely fare,
and drank the simple beverage of the country ; mixed
with them on a footing of the most entire and perfect
equality, and conversed with- them, even in their owa
vicious and depraved pronunciation.
If this last were the effect of artful compliance, arr
had been strenuously affirmed, it was certaialy care
eying the system farther than dignity would warrants
Mr. Henry should have been the instructor as wells!,
the friend of the People, and by his trample, have
corrected, instead of adopting their errors. It IS
very certain, that by this course he disgusted many -of
those whom it was often his business to persuade;
out because they considered it as a pryof of vulgarity
and ignorince, hut because they regarded it as a pre.
mediated artifice to catch the favour and affectlone
of the People. That it was so, lam not disposed to
believe. I think it much more probable, tbst thole
sorer' of pronanciation were the effect of early and
inveterate habit, which had become iiscorable before
he was informed of big mistske. fie hod ton occasion
to resort to such petty artifices, either to gain or to
hold the affections of the People. He held them by
a much higher and a much firmer title—the simpli-
city of his manners—the benevolence of his disposie
tine—the integrity of his life--his real devotion to
thrir best ititetests—thet uecommou stig•scity which
enabled him to discern those irsteresis in every 'ilea-
tinn—and the unshaken constancy with which tie
pulsated them, in spite of every ditficel!y and danger
thst could threaten him. Item the print of timeliest
which we ere now speaking, i 1 is eery c-it:•in that tit •
suffered, no gala of fortune, potterer light or • pro's'
sperous, to separate him from tire People. Fier did
the People, on their part, eves desert him., He *Ai
the man to whom they looked in every crisis of dies,
culty, and the fasoutite on whom they were eveve
toady to lavish all the honours in their gift.
Middleton, in his life of Cicero, tells us that lb*
first .speech of that orator, his defence of Bristles tfite
actor, was made at the age of 'went, sseven.; , she, •
same age, he adds, at which the learned have remarks
ed, that Demosthenes distinguished himself in the
assembly of the Athenians:—'s As if this were the
age (I quote his own words) at which these great ge.
nios regularly bloomed towards maturity." It is
rather curious, than important, to observe, that Mr.
Henry furnishes another instance in support of this
theory ; since it was precisely its the same year of his
life, that his talents first became known to himself
and to the world. Nor let this admirer of antiquity
revolt at our coupling the name of Henry, with those
of Cicero and Demosthenes; it can be no degrada-
tion to the orator either of Greece or Rome, that his
name stsods enrolled, on the ssme page. with that of
a man of whom such a judge of eloquence es Mr.
Jefferson has said, that " he was the great...et orator'
that ever tired."
But the taste of professional fame, which Kr.
Henry had derived from the " persons' cause," et.
qeisite as it must have beets, was not sufficient to in•
spire him with a thirst for the learning of Iris profes-
sion. Ile had en insuperableaversion to the old black
letter of the lore books (which was often a topic of
raillery with him), end he was ',ever able to eulogiser
it, except for ;nervation in some particular causeos—
No love of distinction, 110 necessity, however sespe,
were strong enough to bind him down to a reenter
course of leading. Ile could net brook the cotifinee
ascot. reasoniog of the law was trio artificial,
and too much cramped for him. Whilit unevoid.
ably engaged in it, he felt as if manacled. His mind
was perpetually struggling to break away. Hot 0e
isius delighted in liberty and space, in which it might
roam at large, and feast on every variety of intellec-
tual eejnyment. Hence be was never profound in the
learning of the law. One question wordy legal, his infe-
riors, in point of talents, frequently embarrassed and
foiled him ; and it required all the resources of his
extraordinary mind,sto support the tilaitictisso which
he had now gained. -
The most successful practice in theCcittv* Courts,
was in thoas days, hot a slander dependence for a
family. Not eit Intending therefore, the -great addi-
tion to bis'busirress which we have noticed, Mr.
Witty seems tn, have been pressed by want.--
Mgt the tfope ofimprnting his sitosyren, he remov-
'esl,Jo the year 1764, to the coonty of Louisa, awl
resided ate Place celled the Itoundaboot. Here I
'haat-learned nothing remarkable of him, unless it
may be thooght so, that he pursued (xis favourite
amusement of hinting with increased ardour. 66 Af-
ter bis removal to Louisa," says my iofor moat. 64 het
kits been known to hunt deer, frequently for 'leveret
dataynsigthoaceetihKstral, p
ping in t e worto,v4isil.itosAssoletrh hthitessehoesslunt
was over, he would go from the ground to Lousier'
:Court, clad in a coarse cloth colt, stained with all
the ttophies of the chase, greasy leathc" breeches or•
liansented in the same way, leggings-for boots, and
pair of saddle:4:lgs or; his atm. I bus accoutred* he

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Court-house, take op The first of his
bored to be called, acid if there was soy
Talent, throw his adversary in-
ind, and astonibh both Court and
)werfal effusions of his World *to-
-4;rr,...• •st Hein. ,iessi.•'.)
hare' been ehmethilng irtresislibly lisp+
Henry's mode of speultirre, even on:
arthiects._ Thit hie Jot* 14ofie has..
say of hitmaelf,,*;while. practising with
that ho'could write.* latter, or 4risw•
view nt the bar,-with as Muth sineu•
ill his office, ender-tat tircatnstanges,
air ick rose tw speak'; but, that wises-
diouth it night .he en so trig/nig.,
summons and petition;. for. twenty sitil4
liligPd to lay dirwichistetv,.and conk*
'titer word, boa the *speech was finish-
the •charm.of hie voice and manneei
'Jug originality of .his caner ptiows
cif 1764; Mr. Heuer brad an oppor,
icing himself om tt soar' /lteatre. A
heed in thrt ildbeirdothliorgessee, so.
lr. James J ttls eke the returned
he coutrry:iof Hanover. The riga!
• Petitieltef 'ass Nutheilel West
'he charge-.,egaitist Mr.; • Littlepage
salt kntroptlon. Thtelpetties: were
their Coihtlet, before ,Itlisrn.tesokoktee
,d !Erotic:os,-. and M. litthalmilmon
ilil. Mr. & . , . .
or)(14 manage. -•
saes the oral el Geweranseot,. was the fetus 4
fife_ Tire residence of lee Goveraur (the imp
rotative of the Siivereiga), the royal date id
the polite and brilliant circle:whirls be always
labeled theirinlinence through, the city and the
try, aukllllol,VVill.arnsburg with a degree
and elegaace, of Which we can form toi
ontppettrances of the present day. Oering the
House of Burgesses. toe, these stately,elodev of
richest forms; he town was filled with ii COO.
, as well as citizen*, 'attired in their gayest
Metes,' exhibited a. continual. aces, of. lunmixed
f‘pli house. o( costly. profasicr,
!rue in which Mr. Henry was Ito* tiatcdnpon
to make• iris appearance. He shade 4io pre.
hid a ea( down just ID the aim/ cif garb he had
to exhibit all Ins life, and is built to bare went,
perticularly, a snit which had striceitSl ,ery
the service. -The contrast *Micah' exhibited,
elegance of Ate plate„nas sq striltipAl ps rn call
es of all the curious and the misentevoask and,
iwardir about, its leis tearse And Bayed torre
introance of ahstraettelvand •la4al7lwwnntern
as pawing around him ,(ioteressiog as if seemed to
se). he w ir% smite(' at by some as 'st prodigy, and
attest, es an IlDfOr.ellat* being, mimic teases Sere
\sten he Noe% eft .astemi the Cemensitlee of ,Privi-
lions._ the ata.ter was 6011 worse. " the proud
1," says 3 u.& e Tyler, detsidiiig•this • isseideeit
life, 'i added le the dignified loras•of float
f, ware tilVl,ll 19 have. 14011 Led any man, pot-
mess and independence of spirit thhn Mr.
ushered %lib gArat, stale and cri eiauny into
.Committee, whime:.l,...lmisnaaa „a= Colotol
Jolty sy9s tressed is vsrycearse apparel ; !moue
•of him, and scarcely was he treated wall de„:
any OOP e‘eept the Cluttiritlarl,*abo chald not
luebleitamme ashis.feelinpand principles, as to depart,
Irma she delicacy of the Gentleman. But the
was soon changed into as goons' admiration ;
istiaguisbed himself by a copious 11W brilliant
'rent sattvect of the rights of suffrage, superior to
4 been heard before wi lan those walls. Such a
',from a mast so veey plain and ordinary in his
_the C4llollitier with ;grimier/rent; so that a deep
'see took Voce during the speerh,and not ts sound
was to tie heard hi the room.' So far, Judge
reiptiag the same ineident, says, "Same
flier of arst !louse, speakiug.to me of this oe-
. .„ had, for a day or two, observed sa iitatiresSid
sauntering in the lobby; diet he seemed as he's
s every body, sad 4,e had asst the cariosity tn..essqulee
; hoc, that astaarting whoo.4467etree. of the Catiftrsleil
came on, he wits surprised to find this wine perfon
of the parties; and still move so, when he de-
'meat superior to any thing hr
.(sail ever heard. '
lag so the !Lepmt of she Cotnnsittee of I'l.o.
lion*, is not once %%With seers 14 present much,
y huerestitig discussion; hat Mr. Henry's was
ands which impart littered to every subject they
,1764. in memorable for the•briglitation of that
,hich led filially tit else ladepettdence of she
It has been said by a Gentleman, at least as
a judge as any other now take. that Mr. 'Henry
the first impulse to the ball of the Itevolution."
- the correctness of this posiskua. it is proper to
recite point so which the controversy with Great
ranted, when Mr. Henry first presented himself
• of a Statesman. ,
i6l, -ate Itrit(sh I'mill:intent had prised flesolo-
ory so the 1;43 jute a setienue on the cnionies by
Those Resolutions were corrouttuiettled to the
',cites of Virginia. through their Cosaimittee of
by the Celeutal Ageet ; lint haring been ma.
!, lei:rated in Me appointment of a Special
,epare an Address so the Knt, a Memorial so
lionotatrance to the House of Cummous. On
ember, 1764, these Papers were reported, and
amendments, which considerably diluted slick
the.eactrrrenee• of She Coated. The Pleader
to perusing them, that, while they sieirut clear'
the constontionsil exemption of ' she colony
• the littlish Parliament. they breathe neverthe-,
ipplimit, nod eshibit such .a pirtnre of 446-
D out the pressure of she tax un the rshnusted
us to indicate that no oppotitioni be.
awl ranee, wits at ibis time, meditated. fleteutustrance,
, rain. La Jammu. 1./4.C), are f moans Stamp. Act
take effect in, the colonies on she ist of November
Thr annunciatiou of this measure weals at first so
d the Contitunt, from one extremity to the other.—.
Iwhich spread the isdelligence nutting the Penikle,
elves maniles ly entifotioded ; and SO far fa:tram-.
energy of resistance, they seemed rather die.
• harked out fur topics of consolation. under)
the truth is that all ranks of society were
No one knew what so hope, what Were to
.r flltlnie was brat • lit he taken.— Some,
fund enough to entertain, hopes that Abe united rr-
af she Colianal Legislatures, she fate of which had
!MAYA, 'night induce she Mosher Country to change
these hopes, however, were faint ; and few there
taained them. Many considered submission in
of the colouies, as unavoidable ; and that this
.. of Doctor Franklin himself, is tippareat from
with which Ise took leave of Mr. Ingersoll, on his
w America. The idea of resistance by force, airs
inced at in the most distant manner ; no heart seems
bold enough,. at Ant. so couceite it. Men, on
as mat ked for intrepidity and decision, now hung
ing to submit, and yet afraid to speak out in the
betd and open defiance. It was just at this mo-
...respondency income quarters. suspense in others, and
.npd reluetaat submission wherever submission appeared,
Patrick (henry stood forth to raise the drooping spirit of
-.tie, and to unite all hearts and hands in the rause of
its the view-af making way for him and placing
blic Councils of the country, Mr. %Vilna's' .lolist-
been elected a Member of the !louse of Burgesses
of Louisa; vacated b s neat by accepting the
Coroner. The writ of election to supply his
avded on she ISt of Nay, 1765, and on the `.;dth
mends,' is appears by the Journals. that Mr. Henry

• ..
to ite Conninitnte for -Courts of Jus ice.
1, he was upou ;strew, theatte. hind personally un-
_cept to those few who Might *have beard his argument
•untested election of Mr. Littlepage, the preceding-w in-,
is dress and u miners were mill those of the plain planter.
s personal appearance, there wtl4 etrhin4 to excite
or awaken exisectotion. 'fire forma; of the House. of
"Km for itte first time a Slember. were. a has
rt.rost awfully dignified I its active Alemherswere
. the I.nded aristocracy and their anittereuts ; and
th;ri'w eritneti to whose so perinsity of !Menlo, as well
to andtputorPf. the yeomanry of the coutitry hod Lanz
istonted ;‘, how. with tacit and subini.ttive defereuce.
bins nt, tie Speaker of the House, was nut -of 'hie
Meta lat the colony. and the acknow ledked . head of
i.tecracy. • He bad now filled the Clout of the
real dignity, and wi hoot interruptitio, for five
earn flew as also. the Cnitioliti Vreasurer'i. and
tilt:es which he held, is cuancsion with the Ite-

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• • 111114.--:-.4'...,-.7,-,-,,_z
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Iltroulel finials the f
cntotre Atte chanci
• • t•cope for his pent
' . -I i o the Wick-glow
. . •
- Ziff%) the pen
. 4$
.. 4-putieo.
1
' 'Thera Mast ha
sloping in Mr. f
• theteest trivial at
Icoart' Itrard to sa
. •
Mr. lieury, " It
iv &ell, Mina. or.'
•
. eery as lie could i
, &doff* heir Plll
..
?Olt th, rosy, alti
•
, • • airlitiot 1 as a slim
•
' . Po, he wall obi
Iltdr write soothe
••
.._ etli," Such was 1
• add 'tlie intrrestit
. ,
" + ""1e Ltd fall Of
.
' tollity for elhibiti
,
, tinstOlitt fiktk rrerl
k . i the efoo•Ot Mr
,
• • Metehlif 'for the
1
• Claitidaler and •
. 1%11(1,480; TA,
s. .
'win brtbint sr
,
• heard lit their
•
of Privileges en(
1,
•
- this occasion Pint
•If Miamisburg, tk
fashion and high life
; tnediate If eptesenh.
which lie lived the
bad atomt bias. diti
1. % siretoujacent tronalr
hf emulation, taste,
it.
Sotterptioss try them
I t •
, '
• Session of the Wo, o
1 toff assumed their ri
tontse of •Isiiort, i
li f
I colours ; the streets
and giftwrap wino!
t -:
,i Soca ..s3 the sects
for the first time, r
i I t traratinn for it, bat
been occuptonticil to
1 )° .ova this ottasiou pt
eanslderaldy its the
4 with the,general tie
. upon him the 'us 1
i
T.' as be moved awkvs
dress, with a (mint
ps to i) hat was past
, every one else), he
Vegatd.d by tithe's
.diiii.rdered, It lieu
^.j leges and rections
t airs of Aristocracy.
'of kir. lirinrys li
.4 truly isus,usi.body,
i sewing lets tirtnne
.i Henry. Ile arts- •
the route of the .1
. 131u0d,, ,tvir. Hear
. •
' knew any. thing o•d t
'eturt.tripeet by ar
gdo sa in tarbgwiolena
oo any occasion, ft
i g.
.eaeral Contempt v
~. for lar, 141411 dist
.dispkiy cos the greli
•r• • any thing that had
•
burst of eloquence,
. .
appearance,sti uck
itud perfect silence
hut from his lips w
Tyler. Judge Win:
time after, a Mend
eurrence, said, he I
- - `youlig Oran saunter
, .. *ranger loosely I
illi.onarnie ; but, As
election came on, I
Control for one of
•lisered ancirgamet
.Ibe case. akin din
vileges and Eleciii
'Breit for a very in
l .. one of those minds
I touch.
'this same year,
• a real
ic
,74iihtion Phi
'iti .St I, t(li h ales. It
well q .ed In j
11
certainly gave the
Jo order, to show a
. ascertain the preci
Britain hail advan
N in the character ol
'
• ' la March, 1761
I. ' vino'. preparator
• a Stamp'l ax. Ti
1 1
...Mouse of Wagers
Correspondence.
• surely considered,
Committee to pre
' the. lords, and a I
Itke milli of Dews
. I
i
. .
'(afier various am
'.vpirtt) received it
will perceive, on
and strong terms,
• 'Vona taxatron by
. lees. it ioriebriitti
; cipated suttering I
il It
ri reroutes of. he ci
',owl remonstrant
However. wits va
:.i
it' . was passed to tak
following. Thr 1
- Muse 'queued the
t
l ',
tt ' •
- ....l'he Prestes a hk,
were themselves
4-spirit' the ram
-*stymied to have tu
submission. Th
i Coo 4 U i i
' fl d.—,
a nt.
fear. or U hat
la mra
indeed,nn were fan
nees of ti
'not yet been heal
ewe policy ; tarsi
were that entertb
1 . .
the pi eseen vale
.i was the opinion
• the remark- with
t!
departure fur Ai
1- nn where glance
• to hate bee* but
, i
14 l' " , enter occasions t
back ; un n illitip
it
i,n . . language of be
meth of despond
&arty: apd.reluets
' that Pairick Ile
il
.. • thhisecPoritooptely% andll
him in the Piibl
'.
son, who had b
• air the comity i
. Commission lif
i I ! 1 y lace was Asia'
) 1 ' !' ' clay of the' mm
'vs as-added rota
SI: (~ Here, again,
known, except
'i • wit the contested
i ter. His dress'
and in his persi
it
. 1 ruriosity or ass
which tile was e
t.- AccfLifthiadv. 04
7 1 t ro,pc)sra of ib
• koliongst theni'm
.., a- ielliornee amt
i il , born aLC613.10.4ie,
!ohs' Itt.hisp:,
' ( Ines ApWria At
its landed ari-a
hlou.e with gre
. ' r.i.d-rwerity',‘eil
t. 4 Maze Lii • 0
\.*
.. -..
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