Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-11-25


Tor, and the regulations oi, the internal con-
Germs OF each colony, be lett 10 the respective
colonial legislatures.
Resolved: unanimously, That committee
ne appointed 10 prrpare DECLARATION OF
ErGHIs, and such plan of government as will
be most likely 10 maintain peace and order in
this colony, aud secure substantial and equal
liberty TO tue people"
'' On Wednesday the 18th of June fol-
lowing. that declaration of rights which
stands prcfixed 10 our statutes was re-
ported and adopted without dissenting
voice AS was, also, Oh Saturday The 29th
of the same month, the present plan of
our government" The declaration of
rights was written hy Mr.. Jefferson and
forwarded from Philadelphia to his friend
Mr.. Wythe. Thus two of the most cele-
bratcd state papers that we're ever given to
an admiring wOrl,l--tl,e declaration of A.
merican independence and the Virginia
bill of rights-emanated about The same
time from The same enlightened mind -.
either would have immortalizcd his name.
lie house then proceeded to elect
forthwith The. first republican governor for
the commonwealth of Virginia. This was
the toucllstone of public favor. The Of
fice was of the first Importance and the
whole state was open TO the choice of the
house.. The votes stood thus:
For L. Henry, jun. esq. 80
Thomas Nelson. 45
John Page, esq.
Shortly after Mr.. Henry's election as go
vernon, lord Dunmore was driven from
Gwlnns island and from the state, 10 return 10
u no more; and Virginia was left in repose
from every external enemy. No opportunity,
therefore, was afforded to the governor TO dis.
tingulsli himself in the exercise C.: that impor-
tant constitutional power. which created hin
the commander in chief of the forces of the
state. Duties however. Of more importance
than iustre, remained for the executive of the
state-in keeping up the ardor OF the common
wealth in the public canse-in furnishing aud
forwarding their quota of military supplies to
the grand continental army-in awakening the
spirit OF the state to the importance Of disci-
plne, and preparing the militia for the effectu-
al discharge of their routine OF duty-in watch
ing aud crushing the intrigues ot the tories vino
still infested the state, and went about clan.
destinely, preaching disaffeciion to the patriot
cause, anu submission to Great Britain-in
counteractering the schemes of specuating
monoPolsts and eNt0rtioners, who sought to a.
vall themselves Of the necessities of the times
aud TO grow rich bypreying on the misfortunes
OF the peopie-in short, in Graduating and re-
moving those numerous moral diseases which
spring np with so much fecunditv, and flourish
so itlAufiantiy amid the calamties of a revou-
ton-and III Keeping the body polite pure and
healthy in all its parts. The numerous and
we'll directed proclamation with which the
papers of the day abound attest the vigilance
and energy with WHICH these duties were per-
formed.
% The fall of the wear I776 was one of the
darkest aud most dispriting periods of The re.
volniion. For short lime the courage of the
country fell. Washington alone remained G.
rect, and surveyed with godiike composure
Tile storm that ragged al ound him. Even The
heroism of the Virginia legislature gave wav ::
and, IN season of despair, the mad project OF
dictator was seriously meditated. That Mr.
Henry was thought of for this ONCE has been
alleged, and is highly. probable hut that the
PROJECT Was suggested hy him, or even receiy-
ed his conntcnauce, have met with no one
who will venture TO affirm
AT the next annual election for govern
or, which took place on the both of Nav.
l777, Mr.. Henry was reelected iaansnio,ls-
~, and again for d third time at the spring
session of I77S.
In the year 1880 VIC find him again in
the assembly, and one of the most active
members Of the house"
During that year he moved resolution
tor COMMITTEE TO wait on The unforin.
nate general Gates, which, " displays(says
our authOr) III most engaging light, the
delicate and generous sensibIliiy of his
character"
Ii passed unanimously, and isas follows
|" ReS0ired, That committee Of four he an
pointed TO wait OIL major general Gates, and 10
assure him Of The high regard and esteem of
this house; that the remembrance Of his form.
CT glorious services cannot be obiiterated bv
any reverse OF fortune bnt that this house
ever mindful of his great merit. will omit no
opportunity of testifying to Tic world. The
graft ude which, as member of the American
union, this country owes TO him, in his military
character
After the war, with The view of corltri
butlHg his aid to The settlement of the 20
Vernment, and of guarding The infant re-
public against IFS enemies, Mr.. II. contin-
ued TO represent the county of his resi-.
dence i'll The legislature Of tie state, aud
confronted the proceedings of that body
with a weight of personal authority and a
power of eloquence which il was extreme
iy difficult, and indeed almost impossible
to resist" Several memorable examples
are given by our author, with some very
interesting sketches of Mr.. HIS speeches.
On The 9Th Of Nov. 1884, Mr.. Ii. was
again elected governor of Virginia, but az
ter serving two years, and before the ex-
plraiIon OF his Unconstitutional term, lie was
under the necessity OF retiring, in con-
sequence, as we are Informed, of The in
adequacy OF the salary for Lis support.
At the nge offfiy years, worn down BIZ
more than twenty gears OF arduous service in
me Cause OF his country, eighteen of which
mad been occupied by the tolls aud tempests of
lIe revolution, il was natural for him 10 wish
tor rest, and to seek some secure and placid
port IN which he might repose himself from
lhe iatigueS OF tie storm. This however was
us'teu MN aIId after having devoted the
bloom OF youth and the maturity of manhood 10
tue good Of his country. he had now in his old
age to provide for his family"
This he could only do by rcsuming the
practice of tie law " which he did in
tie beginning of 1888, and during six
ycarsregularly ii ended the district courts
OF Prince Edward aud New London"
About this time the most important