Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1851-08-07


was the powerful Patrick Henry. whose stor-
my eloquence strongly contrasted with the
sweet-toned and persuasive rhetoric of Lee,
but when they united their power the shock
was always irresistible.
Mr.. Lee was one Of the first '' Committee
of Correspondence" appointed in Virginia in
1878. and he was greatly aided in the acquire
ment of knowledge respecting the secret
movements and opinions of the British Par
lament. by frequent letters from his brother,
Arthur Lee, who was distinguished literary
character in London, and an associate with
the leading men of the realm. He furnished
him with the earliest political intelligence,
and it was generally so correct that the Com
Inettees of Correspondence in other colonies
always received without doubt, any informa-
tion which came from the Virginia Commit
tee. Through this secret channel of correct
intelligence, Richard Henry Lee very early
learned that nothing short of absolute polItl-
cal independence would probably arrest the
progress of British oppression and misrule,
in America. Hence, while other men thought
timidly OF indeV endenc and regarded it mere
iy as a possibility of the distant futute, Mr..
Lee looked upon it aa a measure that must
speedily be accomplished, and his mind and
heart were prepared to propose 1t whenever
expedience should favor the movement.
He was active in promoting the prevalnece
of non importation agreements I; and when he
heard, through his brother, of the Boston
Port Bill" he drew up a series of condemna-
tory resolutions to present to the Virginia As
sembly. The Governor heard of them, and
dissolved the Assembly before the resolutions
could be introduced Of course this act of
royal power greatly exasperated the people,
and instead of checking the ball that Mr..
Lee had put IN motion, II accelerated its speed.
The controversy between the Governor and
rep eseniatves here begun, continued, and
the breach grew wider and wider. until at
length, IN August, 1774, convention of del
egates of the people assembled at Williams
burg, in despite Of the Governors proclama-
ton, and appointed Richard Henry Lee, Pat
rick Henry. George Washington and Peyton
Randolph, to the General Congress called to
meet in Philadelphia on the fifth of Septem-
der following. In that Congress, Mr.. Lee
was one of the prime movers, and his con-
vincing and persuasive eloquence nerved the
timid to act and speak out boldly for the
rights of the colonists. His conduct there
made a profound impression upon the public
mind. and he stood before his countryman as
one of the brightest lights of the age.
Mr.. Lee was elected member of the House
of Burgesses of Virginia as soon as he retur-
ned home from Congress, and there his influ-
ence was unbounded. He was again elected
a delegate to the General Congress for the
session Of l775, and the instructions and
commission to General Washington as COM
mander-in-chief Of the Contiental Army were
the productions of his own pen. He was
placed upon the most important committees,
and the second - Address of Congress to
the people of Grert Britain. which created
such senstion in that country, was written
by him. During short recess in September
he was actively engaged in the Virginia AS
sembiy where he efectually stripped the mask
from the . conclllatory meaeures," so called,
OF Lord North, which were evidently arran-
ged to deceive and divide the American peo-
pie. BY this annihilation of the last veatige
of confidence In royalty, in the hearts of the
people Of Virginia, he became very obnoxious
to Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of the
province, and he tried many ways to silence
the patriot.
Mr.. Lee was a delegate in the Congress of
I176, and on the seventh day of June of that
year, pursuant to the dictates of his own
Judgment aud feelings, and in obedience to
the express instructions Of the Assembly of
Virginia, he introduced the resolution so often
referred to IN these memoirs, for total sepa-
ration from the mother country. The con-
slderation Of the resolution was made the
special order of the day, for the first Monday
in July, and a committee, Of which Thomas
jefferson was chairman, was appointed to
draw up a Declaration of Indepondence.-
This document was presented to Congress on
the first day of July; and after several
amendments made in the committee of the
whole, it was adopted on the fourth, by the
unanimous votes of the thirteen United Colo
nies.
Mr.. Lee continued an active and indefati-
gable member Of Congress until 1873, when
as lieutenant Of the county Of Westmoreland
he entered the field a the head Of the militia,
i'm defence of his State. He was occasion
ally absent from Congress on account of his
health. and once on account of being charged
with toryism, because he received his rents
in produce, instead of the deprecated contin.
entail currency! He demanded and obtained
an investigation before the Virginia Assem-
bly,. and it resulted in the passage of a reso-
luton Of thanks for his many services in and
out of Congress, and by his immediate re-
election to a seat there.
Mr. Lee was again chosen a delegate to
Congress in 1888, and was elected President
thereof bv the unanimous voice of that body.
He filled the high station with ability, and at
the end Of the session received the thanks of
that assembly. Although not member of
any legislative assembly when the Federal
Constitution was submitted to the several
States for action he welded a powerful in
fuence. in connection with Patrick Henry and
others, in opposing its ratification by Virginia,
without amendments. But when it was in-
ally adopted aud became the organic law of
the Union, he cheerfully united In carrying it
into effect, and was chosen the first Senator
from Virginia under it. He retained the Of
fee until the infirmaties of old age compell-
ed him to retire from public life, and he there
enjoyed, amid the quietude of domestic re-
tirement, the fruits Of well spent existence.
His last days were crowned with all the
honor and reverence which grateful people
could bestow upon benefactor, and when
death cut his thread Of life, nation truly
mourned He sunk to his final rest on the
day of June, 1874, in the sixty
fourth year of his age.
Mr.. Lee was a sincere practical Christian,
a kind and afftctionate husband and parent,
a generous neighbor, constant friend, and in
all the relations of life, he maintained char