Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, IA [i.e. Ind.]) 1839-1854, 1841-12-04
Selected for tho Palladium,

Selected for the Palladium.
The versatility Of talen, for which the celebra.
TED orator, statesman. and patriot, Patrick Henry
was dis ipguished was illustrated in The most han
Ply manner on a trial which took place in the dis
hict court OF New London, Virginia, soon after
the war OF Independence During the distress
OF the continental army, consequent on the plum
derings, burnngs, and devastaiions Of Cornwall.
iis, Philips, and their worthy compeer and broth
er general, the traitor Arnold, in ISL Mr. Ven-
cradle, commissary Of the army, took for the
use OF the troops, two steers, from Mr.. Hook, a
wealthy Scotchman, who was suspected Of being
tory The act had not been strictly legal aud
on the establishment of peace, Hook, under the
advice OF Cowan, lawyer Of somc Distinction
brought an action OF trespass az ainst Mr. Vene-
able Mr.. Henry appeared for the defendant.
and conducted The case in manner highly graf.
flying TO his hearers and unlucky Hook always
excepted Alter he became animated in the
cause he had the most complete control over the
passions OF his audience; at one time he would
excite their Indignation, nd then vengeance was
visible IN every countenance against Hook; sgair,
when he chose TO relax and rdIcuie him. tho whole
audience was IN a roar Of laughter. lie painted
the American army, exposed almost naked to the
r'gor OF winters sky, and marking tho frozen
ground over which they marched with the blood
OF their unshod feet. ''Where Is the man," he
exclaimed, "who had American heart in his
bosom, who would not have thrown open his fields,
his barns, his cellars, TO have received with open
arms the meanest soldier in that little band of
famshed patriots? where is the man? there no
stands; but whether an American heart beats in
his bosom, you gentlemen the Judges" He
then carried the jury, by the magic of his inngi-
nation, to the plains around York, the surrender of
which, together with the capture Of Corn wallis,
followed shortly after the act complained of. He
depicted tho surrender in the most brilliant CO.
lors OF his unrlvaed eloquence: the audience saw
before their Dyes the humiliatio and detection of
the British as ,hey marched out Of their trenches;
they saw the triumph that Ugh ed up the face Of
every patriot; they heard the sounds of victory,
me cry oil washington and Liberty" as j, rung
and echoed through the American ranks lad was
rcverberated from the hills aud shores Of tho
neighboring river; "but, bark" continued Henry.
''what notes of discord are those which disturb
the general JOY, and silence the acclama tons of
victory? they are tho noise Of John Hook hoarse.
ly bawling through the American camp, Beef!
Beei!! Beet!..' The court was convulsed with
laughter; when Hook turning to the clerk, said.
"Ncver mind you, mon Wait ill Billy Cowan gets
up, and he'll show you the law" But Mr. Cow.
an was so completely overwhelmed by tho tor
rent that bore upon his client, that when no a.
rose to reply to Mr. Henry, he scarcelya-
bic 10 make an ineligible audible remark.
The cause was decided almost by acclama tion
The jury retired for form sake, and Instantly re-
turned with verdict for tho defendant.