Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1845-06-19


ing 1T to remain long time in perfect quiet,
until the fish enter it unconsciously. Its
not known on what they feed.
PATRICK HENRY.
The subjoincd notice of this celebrated ora
tor, together with u description of his seat.
we take from that interesting and valuable
work, Howes Historical Collections of Vir
ginia.
Red Hill is in Charlotte County, about 100
miles southwest of Richmond. There lived
and died PATRICK llrNRy; the man who JET.
ierSon said was the greatest orator that ever
lived; and To whom Randolph applied the
words oi sacred writ as being one - who spakc
as never man spakc."
Red Hill is now the seat of his son, John
Henry, Esq. l, is beautifully situated on am
elevated ridge, the dividing line of Campbell
and Charlotte, within quarter of a mile of
the junction OF Falling River with the Staun-
ton. From IL the valley of the Stanton
stretches southwark abou, three miles, vary
ing from quarter To nearly a mile in width,
and OF an oval-like form. Through most fer
tile meadows, waving in their golden luxuri-
ance, slowly winds the river. ovcrhung by
massive foliage, while OH all sides gently slo-
ping hills, rich in vcrdure, enclose the whole,
and impart an air of scclusion and reposc.
From the brow of the hill, west of the house,
Is scene OF an entirely different character
the Blue Ridge, with the lofty Peaks of Otter.
appear IN the horizon at distance of nearly
sixty miles. AT the foot of the garden, under
a dense cluster of locust and other trees. en-.
closed by WOODEN paling, are the graves of
Patrick Henry and his wife, overrun with
myrtle, and without any monuments over
thcm.
Under the trees, i'm the rear of the mansion.
IN iull view OF the beautiful valley beneath,
the orator was accustomed in pleasant wealth
er 10 SIT mornings and evenings, with his chair
leaning against one Of their trunks. and can
OF cool spring water BY his side, from which
he took frequent draughts. Occasionally, he
walked TO and fro in the yard from one ciump
oil trees to the other, buried in rcvcry, at which
times he was never interrupted. Among the
relics IN the house is the arm chair i'm which
ne died and knife given TO him while boy,
by his uncle, Patrick Henry, which he carried
through life, and had in his pocket at the mo-
ment OF his death. In the paror hangs his
portrait, mastery production, by Sully, rep
rcsentlng him pleading in the British debt
cause. The dress Is black cravat white, and
a red velvet mantle is thrown over the shout
dcrs: lie appears thrce-quarters face, leaning
partly back, with his spectaclcs thrown over
his forehead; and the expression is one of
deep solemnity and impressiveness.
Under the description of Hanover county.
the reader will find succinct memoir of Hen
ry; and in that of New London, Campbell
county, and of the city of Richmond are views
OF buildings memorable as the scenes of some
OF his celebrated oratorical efforts We now
give some "reminiscences, collected by us from
reliable source while i'm this section of the
State. They arc mainly detached facts, with
MI no, h.
in that manner.
When fourteen years of age, Mr.. Henry
went with his mother in carriage to the
Fork church III Hanover, to hear preach the
celebrated Samuel Davies, afterwards Prcsi-
dent OF Princeton college. His eloauence
made deep impression on his youthful mind,
and he ever after remarked, he was the great
est orator he ever heard. When member of
the Continental Congress, he said the first men
IN that body Were Washington, Richard Hen
ny Lee and Roger Sherman and later i'm life
Roger Sherman and George Mason, the great
est statesmen he ever knew. When governor
he had printed and circulated in Richmond. at
his own expense, Soame Jenys' View of Chris
tlanity, and Buffers Analogy of Natural and
Revealed Religion. Shcrlock's sermons. he
affirmed. was the work which removed all his
doubts OF the truth of Christianity a COPY of
which, until a short time since, was i'm the pos
session OF his children, filled with marginal
notes. lie read II every Sunday evening to
ms family, after which, they all Joined i'm sa-
cred music, while he accompanied them OH the
violin. lie never quoted poetry. His quota
lions were from the Bible, and his illustrations
from the Bible, ancient and modern history.
lie was opposed to the adoption of the FEEDER
al constitution, because he thought il gave too
much power TO the general government; and
IN conversation with the father of late ven
cradle senator from Prince Edward. he re-
marked with emphasis" The President of
the United States will always come i'm AT the
mead oil party. He will be supported in all
his acts by party. You do not now think
much of the patronage OF the President hmt
the day is coming when il will be trcmend.
Gus, and from this power the country NAV soon.
or On later fall :"
In the British debt cause, of which Writ
gives full account, Mr.. Henry made great
preparation. lie shut himself up i'm his Office
Tor three days, during which he did not soc
his family; his food being handed by ser.
want through the office door. The Countess
OF Huntington, then in this country. was
among the auditors, and remarked. after hear
ing the arguments of the several speakers
That II every one of them had spoken in
Westminster Hall, they would have been hon
ored WIN peerage.' This case, says Writ.
was discussed with so much learning. arpu.
m'nt' and cloquence, as to have placed the bar
OF Virginia. in the estimation Of the federal
judges, Ut the reports of the day NAV b. sc.
credited } above all others in the United States
Mr.. Henry ON this occasion had diamond
ring on his finger and while he was speaking
the Countess exclaimed to the Judge, ircdcIo
who had never before heard him The dia.
mond is blazing" Gracious Godw .eplicd
ne. ne IS an orator indeed" In this caus.
hc injured his voice 80 that il never recoycsod
its original power.
The following anccdote was related bv
President Madison, at the conclusion of Tho
ldie war, to party of gentlemen assembled
at his residences in Washington. I'm the rev.
olutonary war, certificates were given Nv the
legislature to the Virginia line on continental
establishment, stating the amount due TO them
which was TO be paid at future time. The
compelled them to part with these to sncc,,'
lators for trivial sum. Madison brouglt .