Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-05-20

rlouS the solitary wife The appeal to sensolly OF
he knew that all the jury stood IN this
overwhelming If the verdict could have
heeu rendered Immediately after this burst OF the pa
thetc every man, at least every husband in the house
would have been for rejecting Harveys tie stlmonY;
il not for hanging him forthwith. 1t fortunate
that the illusion OF such eoquence is transient, and
is so dsspated by the exercise of sober reason.
confess, however that nothing which then heard so
much convinced me of the advocates power as the
speech of FIVE minutes, which he made when he re-
quested that the trial might be postponed till the next
day.
In addition this so happened that heard the last
speech which MIR. Henry made. 1t was delivered
at Charlotte from the portico of the court house. to an
assembly in the open air. In the American edition of
the New Edinburgh Encyclopedia an account Of this
speech and its etectsis given charged with exaggera
ton as to be grossly incorrect. There is more truth
IN the statements contained in Mr. WTts memoir. IN
point OF fact the performance had little impression be-
yond the transient pleasure afforded to the friends Of the
administration and the pain inflicted on the Antl-fede-
rasts, his former political friends Mr. Henry came to
the place with difficulty and plainly destitute ofhis
wonted vigor and commanding power. The speech
was nevertheless noble effort such as could have pro-
ceeded from none but patriotic heart la the OF
his remarks Mr. Henry las is stated by Mr. Wirt0 at
ter speaking OF Washington at the head OF numerous
and well appointed army, exclaimed, And where ls
the American who will dare to lift his hand against the
father of his country to point weapon at the breast OF
the man who had often led them to battle and owe
tory?" An intoxicated man cried, II could" "No,
answered Mr.. Henry rising alot in all his majesty, and
in voice most solemn and penetrating, "No: you
burst not do it In such parrcldal attempt the steel
would drop from your nerveless arm !!
Mr. Henry was followed by 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. Randolph
began by saying that he had admired that man more
than any whom the had shone, but that he was
constrained to differ from him toto celo But Ran
dolph suffering with the hoarseness of cold, and
could scarcely utter an audible sentence, All that is
alleged in the Encyclopedia, about Henry's retur-
ming to the platform and replying with extraordinary
effect, is pure fabrication. The fact is above stated
Henry retired to his house, if unwilling listen, and
requested friend to report to him anything which
might require answer. But he made reply, nor
did he again present himself to the people. | was
amidst the crowd, standing to Creed Taylor, then
eminent lawyer, and afterwards judge who made
remarks to those around him during the Speech declar
ing among other things that the old was in his
dotage. 1t is much to be regretted that statement
untrue should be perpetuated in work OF such
value and celebrity.
Patrick Henry had several sisters, with one of whom
the wife OF Col: Meredith, OF New Glasgow, was
acquainted Mrs. Meredith was not only woman OF
as her brother nor have | ever met with lady who
more quaed her in powers of speech.
duty to preach the funeral of Mr.. James Hunt,
the father of the late Rev. James Hunt, of Montgom-
cry county, Maryland, The death occurred at the
residence, Red Hill was few miles distant on the
river Having been long friend of the deceased Mr.
Henry attended the funeral, and remained to dine
with the company which occasion was i1ifroduc-
ed to him by Captain William Craighssad, who had
been ar elder in President DsxYsssSs church, These
gentleman had been friends1n Hanover, but had not
met tor many years The two old gentlemen met
with great cordlaity and seemed to have high enjoy
ment IN ia ksHi1g OF old times.
N retrospect of So many years may be permit
Su to express my views OF the extraordinary effects
pcation only to him but to all great orators, that
we ascrbe these effects merely to their nteec
tual conceptions or their cogen reasonings however
great these conceptions and reasons when put pa
fall dead They
rangements OF whose utterances have little impress
sion. 1t asndeed been often sad both OF Whitfield
and of Henry that their discourses when reduced to
writing, show poorly by the side of men who
tors. Let illustrate this, by the testimony OF one
whom remember friend OF my youth. General
Posey was revolutionary officer, who was second in
command, under Wayne, in the expedition against the
Indians, man of observation and cool Judgment He
attendance the debates OF that convention in
which there was so many displays of deberative elo-
quence He assured me, that after the hearing of Pa
trick Henry's most celebrated speech in that body he
felt himself fully persuaded that the Constitution
adopted would be our ruin as OF his own existence
Yet subsequent reflection restored his former Judgment
and his well considered opinion resumed its place.
The power OF Henrys eloquence was due, irst to the
greatness of his emotion and passion accompanied with
versatility which enabled him to assume at once any
emotion or passion which was suited to his ends. MOI
less Indispensable secondly was machless perfection
of the organs OF expression including the entire appa.
ratus OF voice. lntonation pause gesture, attitude and
ndiscribable play OF countenance In no instance did
he indulge in expression that wasnot instantly
recognized nature ITSELF yet of his penetrating
and subduing tones were absolutely peculiar, and as IN
mitable they indescrlbabe These were tet by
every hearer in all their force. His mghties feelings
were sometimes indicated and communicated by long
pause, aided by an eloquent aspect, and some sgnh-
and mind is inexpcable Where the channels Of
communication are open, the faculty revealing inward
passion great and the expression OF sudden and visl
ble the effects extraordinary Let these shocks of
influence be repeated again and again, and all other
opinions and ideas for the absorbed or ex-
,IaI
of the speaker, and the spelbound listener tilt
ceases, is under eptire fascination. Then perhaps
the charm ceases upon reflection, and the infatuated
nearer resumes his ordinary state
Patrick Henry of course owed much to his singular
insight into the feelings of the common mind In great
cases, he scanned his jury, and formed his mental est
mate on this basis he founded his appeals to their
predictions and character 1t what other advocates
do in a lesser degree.
When he knew that there were conscientious or re-
lgious among the jury, he would most soemnly
address himself to their right and would adroit
y bring scrptural citations ltthis handle was not
offered he would lay bare the sensblity OF patriotism
Thus it was when he succeeded in Tescuing the man
who had deliberately shot down a neighbor who
moreoverlay under the odous suspicion of being tory
and who was proved to have refused supplies to a
brigade OF the American army.
A learned and intelligent gentleman stated to mo
shat he once heard Mr. Henrys defence, o. man ar
Taigned for capital crime. So clear and abundant
the evidence that my informant unable to con-
ceve any grounds OF defence, especially after the law
had been ably placed before the jury by the attorney
for the commonwealth. For long time after Henry
began he adverted the merits of the
the arguments otthe prosecution, but off into
most captivating and dscursive GRAFTON on general to-
PICS expressing opinions in perfect accordanc with
those of his hearers until having fully succeeded
in celebrating every impression Of his Opponents
speech he obllquey approached the subject, and as
occasion offered dealt for the strokes which seemed
to tell upon the minds OF heury In this case should
be added the of truth prevailed the art Of
she copsummate orator A.A.
From the National Intelligencer.
To the Editors Of the National Inteliigencer
GENTLEMEN At the request Of the Hon. G. H.