The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1830-02-18
a time at least, had lost its hold on tho
hnarf
PATRICK HENRY.

The following sketch Of one whom Mi.
Jefferson styled "the greatest orator that
ever lived" was principally compiled from
Wirt's Sketches" by the editor orthe Ul-
ster Sentinel, now Member to Congress.
A native Of Virginia, and plain country
lad, was the second son, amongst nine
children Of a respectable planter, in Han
over county, who could only afford to give
him scanty English education. He was
chiefly distinguished in ms youthful days
as a lover of shooting and fishing. and as I
performer upon the violin-being withal,
very indolent and ccry fond Of reclining
near the margin of a solitary stream, watch
ing for hours with intense reflection, tho
motion of his line. Afier years attend
ance behind the counter ofa retailing mer-
chant. his father set him up in n small way.
but his peculiar habits wholly disqualified
him for the hustle Of trade. and he broke
twice IN the course OF brieioarccr. Voa
~ poor and very unmndful Of the future.
al the premature age OF Ia, he married tho
daughter OF an innkeepcr without fortune.
and commenced farming: but meeting with
his wou,cd III luck in this employment, he
became soon after reduced 50 low BY his
reckless habits, that he was obliged 10
throw himself upon the charity ofhis faith.
or in law waiting, in his absence, upon.
travellers ond visitors ia the character Of
landlord. In this state of depression. when
the past recalled no theme for grateful re-
membrancc, and the future presented not
a solitary glcam OF hope, he seems TO have
boen guided as it were by the finger OF
Heaven, into the path which nature had
designed him TO pursue. fIe bciook him
self to the Study o: law, and in six weeks
according to Mr.. Jefferson, obtained a Ii.
ccnse to practice. The polished gentle.
men otthe long robo, clad in the splendid
costume of British bsrristcrs, md tho gem
,iy OF Virginia whose business they trans.
acted, made sport OF him, when unrouth in
his manners and awkward in his gait ho.
came among them IN coarse homcspun
dress. and not single soul OF his acqnalnt.
ance had the least idea that be would fare
better in cxpoundIpg legal lore thnn in
measuring tape. BY and by, however,
the period arrived for making his debut. IL
was suit prosecuted by the cletgy Of
Virginia against the planters for q stipend
in tobacco according TO an old law ofths
colony, approved by the King This law.
on two occasions had been 80 far modified
(but without ibe Kings consent) az 10
leave i, optional with the planters TO pay
IN tobacco. or money Mt the rate Of sixteen
shlllings and eight pence per hundred. OF
course IN years short crops when tobacco
brought fifty shllings hundred, tho plan.
ters made d handsome speculation BY com.
muling, and the Clergy, finding themselves
! thus deprived OF what they conceived tU
be their due, laid the case before the king.
lie nj once anulled the modifying nets do
caring them 10 be usurpations uf his su-
ihori,y, and restored the operation Of tho
old law, where by the clergy were rc.n.
vested with the right TO demand their sti.
pend in The specific tobacco. The subject
created al uncommon excitement in tho
colony, and all were intent upon The result
when the clergy commenced suit 10 enforce
their claiN. The experiment was first tri-
cd by one Of them in Hanover, IIenry's
native country. Legally. it was impossi.
bic to resist The claim; and the court, nfer
fhcaring The afgume uits on demurrer Oftwo
profound lawyers, accordingly give jndg.
men, for the plaintiff Notling remained
bot 10 assess the damage on q writ of en-
quiry. and the defendants counsel having
informed them that the causc was in effect
lost abandoned il. IN this state Of sbsoluts
despair the planters applied to Henry, ond
rash, as il may seem, lie undertook to urge
It before the jury Of inquiry. The day
came, and every attendant circumstance
seemed purposely combined TO- dsconcert
a raw countrymun ike him, about 10 assume
on Hcrculean task from which veteran
of the bar had shrunk. The Court house
was crowded TO cxcess--,bc eyes Of tho
multitude were fixed ppon biin--on tho
Bench sat IN nrmy Of digni6cd clergy ~
their sacerdotal robes, awful enough 10
'to look down oil opposition'--a tho
presiding Judge was none other than bic
own father In snch situation, 70 sppal-
/ ling aud ovcrpowcring, il il almost incred.
| Ible that he had the courage to proceed &.
yet he did, The counsel for the plnin,if.
an old and experienced lawyer, briefly sta
led the case 10 the jury, and as the facts
had been admitted by the demurrer, ho
clnimed. Of course, with great confidence,
/ a verdict for his client 10 the full amount
of damages proved. Henry then arose We.
ry awkwardy, and faltered so much in bis
exordlum that the planters hung their
heads; the clergy smiled in triumph, and
his father felt ss If he could have sunk
through his chair.
"But these feelings" says Mr.. wirt,
"werc OF short duration and soon gave
place 10 others Of different character.
For now were those wonderful faculties
which " possessed for The frat time de-
yelopcd; now wns FIRST witnessed that mys-
tsrious and almost supernatural transfer.
nation Of appearance which The fire ofhis
own eoquence never failed,o work in h ~.
For a. his mind rolled alorg and began IN