Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-12-24
JEFFERsoN,s OPINION OF HENRY.


The following sketch of Patrick Henry by
his contemporary, Mr.. Jefferson, win be found
interesting. 1t is taken from the advanced
sheets of work soon to be issued by Bos-
ton publisher, containing the private cores
pondence of Daniel Webster. In 1924 Mr..
Webster visited Jefferson at his home at Mon
tieello, and afterwards wrote out the following
onnion of Henry, expressed by Mr.. Jefferson
at'the time.
Patrick Henryywas originally bar keeper
He was married very young, and going into
business, on his own account, was bankrupt
before the year was out, When was about
the age of fifteen, left heschool here. to go
to the college at Williamsburg. l stopped
few days at friends in the county of Louisa.
There first saw aud became acquainted with
Patrick Henry. Having spent the Christmas
holidays there, proceeded to Williamsburg.
Some questions arose about my admission as
my preparatory studies had not been pursued
at the school connected with that institution.
This delayed my admission about fortnight,
at which time Henry appeared at Williams
burg, and applied for 4 license to practice law,
having commenced the study of it at or subse-
quently to the time of my meeting him at
Louisa. There were four examiners, Wythe,
Pendleton, Peyton, Randolph aid John Ran
dolph. Wythe and Pendleton at once rejected
his application. The two Randolphs, by his
importantly, were prevailed upon TO sign the
license; and having obtained their signatures
he applied again to Pendleton, and after much
entreaty and many promises of future stndy,
succeeded in obtaining his. The first case
which brought him into notice was a contes-
ted election in which he appeared as counsel
before a committee of the House of Burgesses.
His second the parsons cause, already
we'll known. These and similar efforts soon
obtained for him so much reputation, that he
was elected member of the Legislature. he
was as we'll suited to the times any man ey-
er was, and it is not now easy TO say what we
should have done without Patrick Henry. He
was far before all in maintaining the spirit of
| the Revolution. His Influence was most ex-
tensive, with the members from the upper
counties and his boldness and their votes over
! awed and controlled the more cool or the more
| timid aristocratic gentlemen OF the lower part
indeed it should be called eloquence for it
was impressive and sublime, beyond what can
be imagined. Although it was difficult when
he had spoken to tell what he had said, yet,
while he was speaking, it always seemed direct
~ to the point. When he had spoken in op-
position to my opinion, had produced great
effect, and l myself been highly delighted
and moved, l have asked myself when he cea-
sed: s.What the devil has he said !'' / could
never answer the inquiry. His person was o.
/ full size, and his manner and voice free and
manly. His utterance neither very fast nor
very slow. His speeches very short, from a
quarter to half an hour. His pronunciation
was vulgar and vicious, but it was forgotten
while he was speaking.
He was a man of very little knowledge OF
any sort he read nothing, and had no books.
Returning one November from Albamarle
court, he borrowed of me Humes Essays in
two volumes, saying, he should have leisure
in the winter for reading. In the spring he
returned them, and declared he had not been
able to go further than twenty or thirty pages
in the first vol. He wrote almost nothing-be
could not write. The resolutions OF '75 which
have been ascribed to him, have by many been
supposed to have been written by Mr.. johnson
who acted as his second on that occasion and
if they were written by Henry himself, they
are not such as to prove any power of compo-
sition. Neither in politics nor in profession
was he man of business; he was a man for
debate only. His biographer says he read
Plutarch every year. l doubt whether he
ever read volume of it in his life. His tenn
| per was excellent, and he generally observed
decorum in debate.
| On one or two occasions have seen him an
cry. and his anger was terrible; those who wit
messed it were mt disposed to rouse it again.
In his opinion he was yielding and practicable
and not disposed to differ from his friends. In
private conversation he was agreeable and IA
cetious, and, while in genteel society, appear
ed to understand all the decencies and propri-
eties of it; but, in his heart, he preferred low
society, and sought it as often as possible. He
would hunt in the pine woods of Fluvenna
with overseers, and people of that description.
living in camp for fortnight at time with
outa change of raiment. have often been
astonished at his command OF proper language;
how he obtained a knowledge of it never
could find out, as he read so little and convers-
ed little with educated men. After ali it must
be allowed that he was our leader in the mea-
sures of the revolution in Virginia. In that
respect more was due TO him than any other
person. If we had not had him, We should
probably have got out pretty we'll as you did.
by number of men of nearly equal talents.
hut he Left us all far behind. His hiorrarah0..