American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1823-03-11
Patrick Henry and Billy Cowman.

The versatility Of talent for which the celebrated
American orator. statesman and patriot, Patrick
Henry, was distinguished, was illustrated 10 the most
happy manner, on a trial which took place IN the
district court of New London, Virginia, soon alter
the war OF independence. During the distress oil
1.-THE continental army, consequent on the plumber
lings burnings and deyastations OF CORVALLIS. Phil
lips and their worthy compeer and brother general,
the traitor Arnold, in 1881, Mr. Venable, com
missary Of the army, took Tor the use OF the troops
1.-TWO steers, from Mr.. Hook, wealthy Scotchman,
who was suspected of being tory. The act had
not been strictly legal and the establishment Of
Ipeace, Hook under the advice of Cowman, a lawyer
lof some distinction, brought action of trespass
against Mr.. Venable MIR. Henry appeared for the
defendant and conducted the cause highly crafty
ling to his hearers, the unlucky Hook always ex'
epted. After he became animated IN the cause, he
had the most complete control over the passions o!
Ibis audience at time he would excite their in
ldignaton, and then vengeance was visible in every
Icountenance against Hook again, when ne chose
to relax and rdicule him, the whole audience was in
a roar oil laughter. He painted the American army.
exposed al most naked to the rgor OF winters sky,
and marking the frozen ground over which they
marched, with the blood Of their unshod feet -
|" Where is the man." he exclaimed, "who had an
American heart in his bosom, who would not have
thrown open his feds, his barns. his cellars, the
doors oil his house, the portals OF his breast 20 have
received with open arms The meanest soldier in thai
little band Of tamshed patriots where is the man !;
there he stands /; but whether an American heart
beats in his bosom you gentlemen are the Judge :"
He then carried the jury. by the magic of his I'm
aglnaion to the plains around York. the surrender
of which, together with the capture Of CORVALLIS
followed sho thy after the act complained of. He
depicted the surrender in the asst glowing and bril-
liant colors of his unrvalIed eloquence the audi
ence saw before their eyes the humiliation and de-
lection OF the British, as they marched out Of their
trenches; they saw the triumph that lighted up the
lace OF every patriots they heard the sounds of VIC
tory, the cry of Washington and Liberty, it rung
and echoed through the American ranks and wa,
reverberaed from the hills and shores Of the neigh
boring river; but bark 2 continued Henry, what
notes OF dscord those which disturb the gene al
Joy and silence the acclamaons of victory the,
are the notes Of John Hooh hoarsely bawlng through
the American camp, beef! beef! beef"
The court was convulsed with laughter when
Hook turning to the clerk, said, never mind you
mon; wait till Billy Co'oman gets up, and he'll
show him the la But Mr.. Cowman was SO com
1letely overwhelmed by the torrent which bore upon
Ills client, that when he rose to reply to Mr. Henry,
ne was scarcely able to make an ineligible or au
ilble remark. The cause was decided almost by
The jury retired for form sake and
instantly returned with verdict for the defendant.