American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-12-24
from the buffalo Pilot
PATRICK II E N r Y.

We find in the Baptist Register the follow
inr and TO us it is new. 1t appears that soon
affor Henry's noted case of "Tobacco and the
Preserves., as it was sometimes called, he
heard of case of oppression for consciences
sake. The English Church having been es-
tablshed by law in Virginia, became as all
spch establishments are wont to do, exceed
inrIv intoIcrant towards other sects. In pro-
secntion of. this system Of conversion, three
Baptist clergymen had been indicted at Frede-
ricksburg, for preaching the gospel OF the Son
Of God contrary to the Statute. Henry, hear
inc this, rode some fifty miles to volunteer his
services in defence of the oppressed. lie en-
tered the court being unknown to all present
save the bench and the bar, while the indlct-
ment was being read by the clerk lie sat
within the bar entil the reading was flnlshed,
and the Kings attorney had concluded some
remarks in defence of the prosecution, when
he rose. reached out his hand for the paper
and. without more ceremony, proceeded with
the following speech: , :,
"Mav it please your worshiPs l think |
beord read bv the prosecutor, as entered this
honse. 1he paper now hold in my hand. 1t
have rightly understood, the Kings attorney
of the colony has framed an indictment ior the
purpose of arraigning and Furnishing by I'M
nrisonmeut. three inofensive persons before
The bar of this court for a crime OF great mag
nitudc-as disturbers of the peace. May IL
nlcasc the court. what did hear read! Did
hear it distinctly, or was 1t mistake OF my
own? Did hear an expression, as II Il crime
that these men, whom your worshlPS are apou'
to try for misdemeanor, are charged with
what.' and, continuing in low, solemn, hea'
w tone, "preaching the Gospel oil the son
God?' Pausing amidst the most prolouno 81
lence and breathess astonislment, ne slowly
waved the paper three times around MS heaa
when, lifting his hands and eyes to heaven
with peculiar and impressive energy, he ex
claimed, "Great God!" The exclamation-th
burst of feeling from the audience-were al
oyerpowering. Mr.. Henry resumed:
"May il please your worships in day Xix
this-when truth is about to burst her letters
when mankind are about to be aroused to clair
, their natural and inalienasle rights-when tn
t woke of oppression, that has reached the WI
derness of America, and the unnatural alliant
of ecclesiastical and civil power, are about
he disseyered-at such period, when liberty
, liberty of conscience-s about TO awake iro
her slnmberinps, and inquire into the reason
such charges as lind exhioitea mere To-Day
this ;ndictment!n Another fearful pause, viii
: the sneaker alternately cast his sharp percir
ewes on the court and the prisoners, and resur
ed: "If am not deceived, according to Il
contents of the paper now hold in my han
Q these men are accused of preaching the gosp
g of the Son of God! "Great Cod" Anoth
IS long pause, while he again waved the 'ndi'
ment around his head-while deeper imprt
! sion was made on the auditory. tesum'ng
rs speech: "May it please your worshIPs; tle
a are periods in the history of man, when coT
ton and depravity have so long debased