Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1845-12-25
MISCELLANEOUS.
From tie BvTaio Pttcf.l
PATRICK HENRY.

We find in the Bapls, Register the following;
and, 10 Us, il is new II appears that, soon after
Henrys noted case Of "Tohaoco and The Pre-
serves" as il was sometimes called ne heard Of
a case OF oppression for conscience sake. The
English church, having been established BY law
in Virginia, became, as all such establishments
are wont 10 do, exceedingly intolerant towards
other sects. In prosecution of this system OF
conversion. three Baptist clersymen had heen in
dicIed, at Fredericksburg, Tor preaching The gos-
pei OF the Son Of God contrary 10 The statute
Henry hearing Of Ibis, rode some fity miles 10
volunteer his services in defence OF the oppressed.
He entered the Court, being unknown 10 all pre-
sen, save The bench aud The BAR while the indict-
me, was being read by the clerk. He sat within
the bar until The reading was finished, and the
Kings attorney had concluded some remarks in
defence of the prosecution, when he rose, reach
ed out his hand for the paper, and, without more
ceremony, proceeded with the following speech
"May it please your worships: think heard
read by the prosecutor, as entered this house, the
paper now hold in my hand. II have rightly
understood, the Kings attorney Of The colony has
framed an indictment Tor the purpose OF afraign-
ing and Furnishing BY imprisonment three moi
tensive persons before The bar OF this Court, Tor
crime OF great magntude--as disturbers OF The
peace. Nav il please the Court, what Gid | hear
read7 Did hear i, distinctly, or was il a mis-
TAKE Vi INV bWUt blQ CAHlCSNi'Hi 60 u
crime that these men, whom your worships are
about 10 try Tor misiemeanor, are charged with
what" and, continuing in low, solemn heavy
tone, preaching The gospel OF the Son of God !"
[Pausihg amidst the most profound silence, aud
breaihless astonishme..t, re slowly waved the pa
per three times around his head when, lifting his
hands and eyes To Heaven, with peculiar and
impressive energy he exclaimed, "Great God"
The exclamalion-the burst Of feeling from the
oil onry
resumed:
"May i, please your worships: in a day like
,his-when Truth is about 10 burst her fetters-
when mankind are about TO be aroused 10 claim
their natural and inalienable righ,s-when the
yoke OF oppression, that has reached The wilder
ness OF America and the unnatural alliance oil
ecclesiastical and civil power are about 10 be
dissevered-at such period, when liberty-liber-
" Of conScience-is about TO awake from her
slumberinSs and inquire into the reason OF such
charges as find exhibited here today in this in
dictment |" Another fearful pause, while the
speaker alternately cast his sharp piercing eyes
on The court and The prisoners, and resumed: III
am moi deceived, according 10 the contents OF The
paper now hold in my hand, these men are &C
cused of preaching the gospel oil the SON OF God
Great God /" Another long pause, while he again
waved Inc indictment around his head-while
deeper impression was made on the auditory
Resuming his speech: MAY IL please your woT.
ships here are periods in the history OF man
when corruption and depTavity have so long de.
based the humaa character that man sinks under
the weight Of The oppressors hand-bccomes his
servie, his abecl slave he ticks the hand thai
smes him; he bows in passive obedience
10 the mandates of The despo and, in this
state Of serviliiy, he receives his letters Of
perpetual bondage. But may il please youi
worships, such day has passed away From
that period when our fathers left the land OF theiT
nativity for settlement in these American wilds
for liberly-for civil and religious liherty-iol
liberty OF conscience 10 worship their Creator &c
cording 10 their own conceptions OF Heavens re-
vealed will--!rom the moment they placed lhei
feet upon the American continent, and in the
deeply imbedded forest, sought an asylum from
persecution and tyranny-fum that moment
despolism was crushed-the letters OF darkness
were broken and Heaven decreed that mar
should be iree-frce 10 worship God according tc
The Bible Were il not for this, in vain were al
their sutlerines and bloodshed 10 suh)ugate thi,
New World, if We, their offspring, must still b
oppressed and prosecuted. Bur, may II please
your worshps, permit me 10 inquire once more
for what are these men about 10 be triedl Th
paper SAYS, for preaching the gospel OF the Sa
viouI 10 Adams fallen rae" And, in tones o
thunder. he exclaimed: "Wtat lac hare they rio
ln.sdl" While the third time. in low, dgnfet
manner he lifted his eyes 10 Heaven, and waved
the indictment, around his head. The court anC
audience were now wrought up 10 The most in
tense pitch OF excitement. The face of the pro
scouting attorney was paid and ghasily, and hi
appeared unconscious ina, his whole frame va
agitated with alarm; while the judge, 10 tremu
lous voice. put an end 10 the scene. now becoming
excessively painful, by The authoritative declara
lion, "sherif discharge hose men,"
TIE OREGON Qre>TloN.-The justice Of oul
claim, says The Salem. (Mass., Gazette, (Whs,
10 the whole OF that portion OF Oregon drained by
the Columbia river, against Great Britain, anc
all the world, excepting The native proprieiors, is
as we think, clearly established in The letter O
Mr.. Calhoun, which We this day publish
The TARIrF-Our Southern people will nc
doubt be gratihed, at observing The complexion 0
the committees in Congress, having this impor
,ant subiec, under supervision. We have Mr.
Calhoun al the head Of the committee In the Sc
na.e, and FIVE Free TRADE men, with Gen. Nc
Kay at their head, in the House.
Charleston Patriot.