Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1849-09-29

not TO be had in Boston. have seen it
only, by great favor, on loan. A copy by
the author would be esteemed worth many
by purchase. 1t may be sent Inc by the
mail.
| From personal acquaintance, perhaps L
might say, friendship with Mr.. Henry,
and from all l have heard or read of him
for more than forty years, l have always
considered him gentleman of deep rehec-
ton, keen sagacity, clear foresight, daring
enterprise, infeXible intrepidity and un-
tainted integrity; with an ardent zeal for
the liberties, the honor and felicity of his
country and species. All this you Gustly,
as beleve) represent him to have been.
There are, however, some remarks to be
made upon your work, which, If had eyes
and hands, | would, in the spirit of friend
ship attempt. But my hands, eyes and
life are but for moment.
When Congress had finished their busi-
ness, as they thought, in the autumn Of
l774, had, with MIR. Henry, before we
took leave of each other, some familiar con-
versation, in which | expressed a full con-
!
rights. enumeration of wrongs, petitions
and remonstrances and addresses, associa-
tions and non-importation agreements,
though they might be expected by the
people of America, and necessary to ce-
ment their union, would be but waste wa
ter in England. He thought they might
be OF some use among the people of Eng
land, but would be totally lost upon the 60
vernment. had just received hasty let
ter, written TO me by Major Joseph Haw-
ley, of Northampton, containing ga few
broken hints" as he called them, Of what
was proper to be done, and concluding
with these words-"Aiter all we must
fight"
/ This letter I read to Mr.. Henry, who
/ listened to it with great attention, and aS
/ soon as pronounced the words-''aiter all
we must tight''-he erected bis head, and,
with an energy and vehemence that I can
never forget, broke out with-"By C
/ nm of tint mans mind l put the let
ter into his hand, and when he had read it,
| he returned 1t to me. with an equally So
lemn aSSeveration, that he agreed entirely
in opinion with the writer. | considered
this to be sacred oath upon a very great
occasion. ! could have sworn it as reii-
giouslv as he did II was no Contradic-
ton to what you say in some part OF your
| book,-that he never took the name OF God
/ in vain.
As | know the sentiments with which
| MIR. Henry left Congress in 1714, and knew
the chapter and verse from which he had
| borrowed the sublime phrase ''we must
fight" l was not at all surprised at your
history in the 122d page, in the note, and
some of the preceding and following pages.
Mr.. Henry only pursued in March, l775,
the views and vows of November, l774.
The other delegates from Virginia re-
turned to their State in full confidence that
all our grievances would be redressed.-
The last words which R. II. Lee said to
me, when we parted, were-"NVe shall,
intallibly, carry all our points. You will
be completely relieved. All the offensive
acts will be repealed The army and fleet
will be recalled, and Britain will give up
her foolish project"
Washington, only, was in doubt. He
never spoke in public. In private, he ad-
vocated non-exportation as well as nom
importation agreement. With both, he
thought, we should prevail; without either,
he thought it doubtful. Henry was clear
in one opinion; Lee in an opposite opin-
ion; and Washington doubted between
| them.
Oratory will always command admira-
ton. But it deserves no great veneration.
1t consists in grace Of attitude and motion,
ntonations of the voice and expressions OF
the countenance. Could Demosthenese
comprehend these three things in his
! action -
To speak of American orators, ancient or
| modern would lead me too far, and indeed,
out of my depth, must conclude, with
fresh assurances of The high esteem Of
Your humble servant,
JOHN ADAMS.