Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-11-21

Dotn sides. As 10 those of MIR HPnrv's
opponents, they are possibly not genu-
me, but resorted TO by him TO embellish
ms history, by giving us view Of the SEN
tmenls oil different parties. This prac-
tee OF putting speeches on great occa-
sions into ile mouths oftheir chief per-
sonages, WAS a frequent one with the an
Gent writers but has been laid aside by
The modcrns, we think, without any good
reason: and we are glad To see our author
resort 10 1t. The SPEECH OF Mr.. Henry,
however, or rather tins skeleton of his
speech, Is undoubtedly genuine, for it ex-
iiibits stranger marks of the character of
ms elouucuce than any other vonfaiued i'm
the work. II IS indeed sublime appeal
Ia the reason and passions of his auditors.
and bears The strongest impress of his ex-
traordinary genius. We regret that we
cannot give ii entire to our readers. and
that we are Obliged 10 content ourselves
with extracting The two last paragraphs
They tell MS, SIR continued Mr.. Henry.
that we are weak-unable 10 cope with so
formidable an adversary. But when shall we
be strongers Will be the next week or the
next Year, Will be when we are totally
disarmed and when British guard shall be
stationed in every house Shall we gather
strength by irresolntion and inaction? Shall
we acquire the means OF effectual resistance
by lying supinely OF our backs, aud hug.img
the deiusiye phantom Of hope until our enc
mics shall have bound us, hand and FOOT Sir
we are not weak, if we make "a proper use of
those means which the God Of nature hath
placed III our power. Three millions of peo
pie, armed IN the holy cause of liberty, and in
such country as that which we possess are
insIncible by any force which our enemy can
send against us. Besides, SIR we shall not
fight our battles alone. There is a Just God
who presides over the destinies of nations
and who will raise up friends TO fight our bat
flies tor us. The battle. sir, is net 70 the strong
alone; II Is TO the vigilant, the active, the
brave. Besides, sir, we haveno election. If
we were base enough to desire IT, il is now too
late to retire. from the contest There is no
retreat but in submission aud slavery Our
chains are forged. Their clankins maysbe
heard on the plains of Bostun, The war is
Let il come - :
" " is III vain, sir, to extenuate the matter
Seutiemen may cry, peace, peace-but there
Isno peace The war is actual, begun -
The next gale that sweeps from the north.
VIII bring To our ears The clash of resouudinw
arms. Our brethren are already in the field
why stand We here idle /? What is il that zen
t!emen wish What would they have! Is
! lue so dear, or peace sweet as to be pur-
chased al the price OF chains aud slavery r
forbic It; Almighty God I know not what
| course others may take; but as for me-" cried
| he, with both his arms extended aIoft his
| browS Knit, every feature marked with the ne
Solnte purpose OF his soul, and his voice SWELL
ed to lis boldest note of excIama ton" give
me liberty. or give me death :"
lie took ms seat. NO thurman of applause
was heard. The effect was too deem tier
the trance OF moment, several members
started 'front.' their seats. The cry to arms"
seemed to CULVER on every lip and CLEAN from
every eve Richard IL. Lee arose and sup
ported MIR. Henry, with his usual spirit and
elegance. Bnthis melody was lost amidst the
asitationS OF that ocean, which the master spi-
I'll oil the storm had lifted mp Ca high. That
supernatural voice still sounded in their ears
and Sllvered along their arteries They heard
lm every pause, the cry OF liberty or DEATH
lheY became impatient OF speecli-their souls
were OF tire for action.
The resolutions were adopted
After various othrr measures adopted
, IN this convention, Of Ilich Mr.. Henry
, seems 10 have been The unrivaIIed leader,
| II adIcurned-and at t:sis place closes our
authors fourth section.
| His fifth is entirely taken IN with relnt
| ing an incident i'll the life of Mr.. Ii ,nrv as
striking as any in II, and enc which places
| his Character III point of view entirely
new 10 as. Heretofore we have seen him
the ornament of The bar, or the leader of
popular assembly--now h. appears be-
| fore It's the military commander fan arm
| ed force. The object of the expedition
he headed was TO oblige lord Dun,nore to
restore the twenty barrels of powder he
had clandestineIy taken, OH The night of
the Goth Apr J, 1875, from the magazine
al Williamsburg, or te make compensa
ton for II i'll money. In this alternative
ne completely succeeded, as will appear
from lie following curious receipt
Doncastles ordinary, New Kent. Mav1
! lffo, received from the hon. Richard Corbin
esq his majesty's receiver general. $500 as n
compensation tor the gun-powder lately taken
out OF the public magazine by the governors
o orr, which money promise to convey to
the virginia delegates at the general Congress
to be, under their direction, laid out i'm gun
powder for the colonys use, and to be stored AS
they shall direct. until the next COLONY, con.
vehiion, or general assembly; unless il shall
De necessary, in the mean time, to use the same
IN the defence of this colony. 1t is agreed that
~ Case the next convention shall determine
That any part of the said money ought to lie re.
,hl.e 81, 10 ms naJestys said receiver general,
that Inc same snail be done accordingly
TEST, SAMUEL MEREDITH. '
PARkE GooDALL."
mus, says our author, " the same man,
whose genius had III the year I765 given th,.
hFst political impulse to the revolution, had
now The additional honour Of heading the first
mlhtdry movement IN Virginia, in support Of
the same cause"
10 the whole section we beg leave TO,
refer such OF our readers as desire TO he
come well acquainted with The spirit and
temper of the times, aud with the noble
conduct OF their gallant forefathers. 1t is
~ our opinion az perfect narrative. as
Tine piece Of historical painting, as can
be found ia any author, ancient or mo-
dern. If this had been the only produc-
ton OF MIR. Wirt's pen, it would have in
duced every good Judge of fine writing to
regret that he had devoted so little ofhis |
time to composition aud now it points
MN out as enc of the few men who are |
able to give to the public that desidera-
tim ~ American literature, a good histo- |
ry OF Virginia. Take as an illustration of |