The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1856-12-23
JEFFERsoNs OPINION OF HENRY

vance SncctS or Il WOrh soon 10 DG issued Dy
a Boston publisher, containing the private
correspondence Of Daniel Webster. In
1924 Mr. Webster visited Jefferson at his
home at Monticello, and afterwards wrote
out the following opinion of Henry, express
cd by Mr.. Jefferson at the time.
Patrick Henry was originally a barkeeper.
He was married very young, and going into
some business, on his own account, was d
bankrupt before the year was out. When
was about the age offiftcen, left the school
here, to 90 to the college at Williamsburg.
I stopped few days at a friends in the
county Of Louisa. There l first saw and
became acquainted with Patrick Henry.-
Having spent the Christmas holidays there,
proceeded to Williamsburg. Some ques-
tions arose about my admission as my pre-
paratory studies had not been pursued at
the school connected with that institution.
This delayed my admission about a fort
night, at which time Henry appeared at
Williamsburg, and applied for license to
practice law, having commenced the study
meeting him at Louisa. There were four
cxaminers--Wythc, Pendleton, Peyton
Randolph and John Randolph. Wythe and
Pendlcton at once rejected his application.
The two RandoIphs, by his importantly,
were prevailed upon to sign the license and
having obtained their signatures, he appli-
ed again to Pendlcton, and after much en-
treaty and many promises Of future study
succeeded in obtaining his. The first case
which brought him into notice was q con-
tested election, in which he appeared as
counsel before committee of the House of
Burgesscs. His second was the Persons
case, already we'll known. These and
similar efforts soon obtained for him so
much reputation, that he was elected
member Of ;hc Legislature. He was as well
suited to tie times as any man ever was,
and it is not low 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
extensive with the members from the up
per counties, and his boldncss and their
votes overawed and controlled the more
coolor or the more timid aristocratic gentle
men Of the lower part Of the State. His
cloquence was peculiar, if indeed it should
be called cloquencc for it was impressive
and sublime, beyond what can be imagined.
to tell what he had said, yet, while he was
speaking, it always seemed directly to the
point. When he had spoken in opposition
to my opinion, had produced a great effect,
and L myself been highly delighted and
moved, have asked myself when he ceas-
ed: "What the devil has he said ? l
could never answer the inquiry. His per-
son fall size, and his manner and voice free
and manly. His utttrance neither very
fast or very slow. His speeches very short
from quarter to half an hour. His
was vulgar and vicious, but
it was forgotten while he was speaking.
He was man Of very little knowledge
of any sort he read nothing and had no
books. Returning one November from AL
bermarle court. he borrowed the Uumes
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 60 further than
twenty or thirty pages in the first volume. |
He wrote almost nothing-he could not |
write. The resolutions Of IS which have |
been ascribcd to him, were by many sup
who acted i, uis second on that occasion
but if they were written by Henry himself, |
they are not such as to prove any power Of |
Neither in politics nor in his
profession was he man of business; he
was a man for debate only. His bogra-
phcr says that he had read Plutarch every
year. | doubt whether he ever read a
volume Of it in his life. His temper was
excellent, and he generally observed de
corum in debate. On one or two occasions
have seen him angry and his anger was
terrible; those who witnessed it were not
disposed to rouse it again. In his opinions
be was yielding and practicable and not
disposed to differ from his friends. In pri-
vatc conversation lie was agreeable and
facetious, and while in genteelc society, az
Deared to understand all the decencies and
proprieties Of it; but in his heart, he pre-
'erred low society, and sought it as often as
possible. He would hunt in the pine woods
IF FluYanna with ovcrSecrs, and people
IF every description, living in a camp for a
fortnight at time without a change Of
| have often been astonished at
lis command of proper language; how he
attained knowledge Of it l never could
ind out as he read 50 little and conYersed
title with educated men. After all, it
must be allowed that he was our leader in
.he measures 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 a number of men Of
nearly equal talents, but he left Us all far
behind. His biographer sent the sheets Of
Ms work to me as they were printed, and