Litchfield enquirer., 1850-06-06

IN open day. There was nc doubt about
the TACT. Indeed it was not denied
There had been no other provocationthan
opprobnous words. It is presumed
that the opinion of every juror was
made up from merely hearing the tcsti-
mon! as Tom Harvey, the principal
witness. who was acting as constable on
the occasion, appeared to be respecta
bic man. For the clearer understanding
OF what follows, it must be OBJ served that
the said constable, in order to distinguish
him from another of the name, was com
monty called Butterwood Harvey as
he lived on Butterwood Creek.
AS he descanted on the evidence, he
would often turn to Tom Harvey large
bold looking man-and with the most
sarcastic lcok would call him by some
name Of CONTEMPT; this Butterwood
tkaFveyy shss-a GOs'ss Oe~conssaJEe;s
DC. BY such expressions, his contempt
Tor the man was communicated to the
hearers. Iown l felt it gaining on me, in
spite ofmy better jud gment; SO that be-
fore he was done, the impression was
strong on my mind that Butterw God
Harvey was underservipg of the smallest
credit. This impression, however, /
found l could countelact, the MON mt
had time for reflection. The only part
OF the speech ia which he mani .iested his
power Of touching the feelings strongly,
was where he dwelt on the Eruption of
the company into Ford's house, in cir
cumstances so perilous to the solitary
wife. This appeal to the sensibility Of
of husbands-and he knew that ali the
jury stood in this relation-was over
whelming. If the verdict could have
been rendered Immediately after this
burst of the pathetic, every man, al least
every husband in the house, would have
been for rejecting Harvey's testimony; if
not for hanging him forthwith. 1t was
fortunate that the illusion of such elo-
quence is transient, and is soon dissipated
by the exercise of sober reason. / con.
TESS, however. that nothing which then
heard so convinced me Of the advocate 5
pow,r, as the speech Of five minutes.
which he made when hs requested that
the trial might be postponed till the next
day.
lnaddition to this it so happened that
l h 'ald the last speech which Mr.. Hen
ry ever made. 1t was delivered at Char>
lotte, from tho portico Of the court house
to an assembly in the open air. In the
American edition of the New Ed nburg
Encyclopedia an account Of this speech
and its effects is given. SO charged with
exaggeration as to be grossly incorrect.
There is more truth in the stat .ments
contained in Mr.. Wirt's memoir. In
point Of fact, the performance had little
impression beyond the transient pleasure
afforded to the friends of the admins
tration, and the pain inflicted on the anti
federalists. his former political friends.
Mr.. Henry came to the place with diff.
ficulty and was plainly destitute of his
wonted vigour and commanding power.
The speech was nevertheless noble ef-
fort, such as could have proceeded from
none but a patriotic heart. In the course
Of his remarks, Mr.. Henry Gas is correctly
stated by Mr.. Wirt) after speaking Of
Washington at the head Of numerous
and well appointed army. exclaimed
ami whore is the American who will
dare to lift his hand against the father o.
his county, to point weapon at the
breast of the man Hhs hal SO often LED
them to battle and to victory?' An in
toxicated man cried, Il could No.
answered Mr.. Henry, rising aloft in al
his majesty, and in voice most solemn
and enetrating, No; you burst not d.
it; in such parricidal attempt, the
steel would drop from your nervelesi
arm! *a# Z.
Mr.. Henry was followed by a speaker
afterwards noted in our national history ;
mean John Randolph, Of Roanoke; but
the aged orator did not remain to witness
the debut Of his young opponent. Kan-
dolph began by saying that he had ad-
mired that man more than any on whom
the sun had shonc. but that now he was
constrained to differ from him toto ceLo
But Randolph was suffering with the
hoarseness OF cold and could scarcely
utter an audible sentence. All that i.
alleged in the Encyclopedia. about Hen
RVS returning to the platform aud re
plying with extraordinary effect, is pure
fabrication. The fact is as above stated
Henry returned to his house. as if un'
williny tn h...en, and requested friend
70 .scccort to him any thing which m sh
re laire an answer. But he made ue
reply. nor did he again present himself tt
the people. was amidst the crowd
standing near TO Greed Taylo then a;
emi lent lawyer, and afterward judge
VII, made remarks TO those around hin
during the speech, declaring among otn
/: er things that the old man was III nls
dotage. II is much to be regrettsl tha'
q statement 80 untrue shoald DO perPet.
waited in a work of such value and ceico'
rity. :.... with
Patrick Henry had several sisters. WIN
| rL H. ,r;fo Of Col Mcre0lLn,