Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-10-18
VARIETY,
From the Nationa, Gnret,e.l


FROM IL. Nati"nsi Gnzeue.l
Our last page contains g a revolutionary anec-
do,e" that we marked in perusing the Biographical
Memoir OF Richard Henry Lee, which his cry re-
spectacle grandson, now of Lee-burg, Virginia,
has just given 10 the world. This large and valua-
bic contribution to American history has afforded
pleasure like that Which we found in Mr..
Qnncys precious volume. 1t has been made, not
only with tilal piety but lore of country; With
Judgment and modesty; and, think, with ade-
quate success for all his excellent purposes. He
has fully established the truth that his Industrious
ances or was thorough man of business well as
brilliant orator and principal guide in the revou-
rionary councils both of Virginia and the United
Colonies He has traced The career and developed
the character of profound and efficient statesman
and truly virtuous citizen; learned acute, reso-
lure, energetic and most patriotic and eloquent
whose eNertions and qualities inspire a strong al
ealutary admiration, and whose employnents, con-
neHions and correspondence Intervene MS history
with that OF the nation, during the whole period OF
her struggle for freedom and independence
Fir. Lee has placed IN tie Memoir itself several
important and curious letters OF his grandfa her and
other eminent worthless; but he has properly sepa-
rated as an Appendix, the mass of the m cr AM
and Interesting documents of various kinds which
de-cended to him or which he procured from survl
vo:s of the Revolution. The Appendix occupies
a share of his first and the whole of his second
q
part OF the correspondence of such personages as
Washington, lafayette, Arthur Lee, Patrick Hen
~, DIR. Rush, j. Dickinson, Samuel Adams
Wilkes, Colonel Barre, SC. This collection has
brought again aud powerfully, TO minds, the
reelection how desirable it is tina, the relatives and
friends of the leading Revolutionary patriots should
preserve and embody that portion at least of ,beiy
papers, which might serve 10 enlarge and recury
The annals OF the Republic, besides gratifying a
Iaudable curiosity which, la all likelihood, will
be more common and eager with Americans of the
next and future generations than is with our con-
temporages.
We scarcely need to mention who and THAT
Richard Henry Lee in general; his name Is
co. spicuous and glorious in every account of the
Reyolutionit is that of an indefatigable inflexi-
bic downright, operative rebel' from the outset
who - in-coadutor OF p atrick Henry SWAY ed and
prompted Virginia, with the deepest senSihiliiy and
the lohiest eloquence; who served with he utmost
usef ilness and distinction in all the Revolutionary
con resses; who composed their memorable address
e5 20 the British government and people; who MOP
Ell md unremittiugly sustained the Declaration OF
Ind pe"delce; who prepared the articles OF COME
der TO-; who became President of Congress, IN
II %; who enjoyed throughout a period of thirty
years, the confidence aud honors of his natl state
&c.--tils descendant does not, perhaps, speak too
str nSlg, when he observes Of his pcia letters as
member of the committee Of correspondence for
-sh= Congress OF 177G, that they contain more COM
plote account of the state of American affair, nj
that era, than can elsewhere be found We cannot
undertake 10 furnish outline of his politi-
cal Iabors, or to sketch his talents as speaker.
vi the latter, much Is told though in TOO Inagnifi-
Gent strain Tor a:Y human orator, by Mr.. Writ in
his Lie OF Patrick Henry On this head his
grandson has quoted some observations of Dr. Rush
which involve an enviable panegyric-'' never
Knew so great an orator." remarked that accom-
p!iShed judge, " whose speeches were so Short
Indeed, might almost say that be could not speak
long. lie conceived his subject so clearly, and
presented IT 50 Immediately his hearers that there
appeared nothing more TO be said sbout it. He did
lot use figures 10 ornament discourse, but made
them the vehicles OF argument" W ould that such
praise were applicable TO the Yirginian or TO The
American oratory Of our nes and that the fra
mers Of discourses aud books could initiate the
example which Bayle cites in the following pas
slse:
Z" Virgil spen, three years on his Eclogues; seven
on his Georges; aud elev or twelve on his Hneis
In composing the second Of these three works, he
dc. aied several OF the verses ia the morning. and
spent the of the day IN correcting them that is
TO saw, In reducing them to a small number. He
compared himself to a shebesr, which ticks her
cubs into shape. Cum Georgia scriberet, trlditur
quotidie medtatos name piunos versus dictare
soliium, per totUm diem re,Tac ando ad paucssi-
mos reIigeIe, non absurde carmen Sc urse more
plrare dicenrem, ct lambendo demum eftlngere."
Richard Henry Lee was a classical scholar,
rigid morllist, and earnest hrisiila; and upon
tic twO last rai.s his grandson lass that stress
which ecomes the biograpber aud his subject. In
the Legislature Of Virginia IN opposition 10 bIs OLD
auxiUy and dear frIeAd. Fa,rck Henry he strenu-
ously resisted the project. nj making deprecated
pipe -ror e. tender for deuts AID coniscatiny or
it pedl, debts due by citizens Of the STATE 10 Brit
ish merchants lie declared Dst .nder no extre,ui-
~, no stale nct essity woid he consent to less-
laLys Violation OF lie principle oil honest; snC
faith between men; Edding, tbsi 1t ould have
bee! better TO remain " honest lsyes oiGreat Bfi-
tain han 10 become dishonest !seemen." In OIL
grcss. he alWa sIeproJa,ed the lay- making paper
none legal tender, winch ned been pissed in
some Of the ares. a member that body, WHO
had tocf ed lien 9heI tie SUBJECT was brolCh-
ed, having eNs IRE sod himself after IL had been dis
c1sse1 W antagonists, one more a"d more attach
60 o tue fraudulent policy, Lee T.. gao az answer
TO Inm ihns--" 'lr Speakef; Oid 10. wonder that
the honorable gentleman was plea. ed with tnis
scheme, ,0heH ~ tie but; bit ava s, onished tLat
be gra-ps 81 the JUH 6I0ton migIU,g."
Lee eyposei ihs life IN mrilar, mo ements
against the enen ~ Virginia. The incd. which
We have quoted 10 sur last page, illustrates the