Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1858-03-02
A HISTORICAL. PRESENTATION

At q meeting OF the Historical society OF Virginia,
held in the Hall Of the House OF Delegates, OF the
e~spnx of the 23d instant, Mr.. Grgsby, So TIA rs.
preventative of John Henry, Esq, Of Red Hill. III
the county Of Charlotte, presented to the Society
fair copy of all the letters and public papers LETT
Patrick Henry at his death. We sincerely hops
that the example Of Mr.. Henry, who is the young NJ
sos Of the orator. will be followed by others, and
that every Vrgnan, who has letter written by any
OF our esrlier or later statemen soldiers however
aumportant they may deem il, will either present the,
sttsr itself or fair copy of the letter TO the S"cie-
~. IN this way much valuable matter may be saved,
and, net improbsbly. some important events in our
history msy be placed in 8 lew light.
Tbs following contains the substance OF ths 70.
marks made BY Mr.. Grigsby on presenting the Rel
Hi! papers to the Society:
NJ. President:-I rise to present 70 the Society III.
unoet valuable donation n the way OF manuscripts
which It has yet received. This roll which hold IL
2ers sfs by Patrick Heary at his death, or, at all
ayents, all that are now known 10 exist and in the
name OF John Henry Esq. of Red HI, he youngest
of ell tbs children Of Patrick Henry, whom sn proud
20 call nay friend aud at his Request, now p.eseu
th-n &c the Historical Society.
These letters are Of the greatest value Whoever hes
done me tbs homo: OF reading my discourse on the
Convention fl77, may heseatle: do me the homo.
ot,ssding The work on the Federal Convention Of
1888 which conclude to night, aud, overlooking my
citations may BE- d;scsed consult tns originals for
himself viii here Gcd all the Bod Hi. papers cited l.;
these wosks. Bat there is large number OF tne.e
letters which were not Ia 10y way 10 aiuoe to Al aand
o! these not only worry interesting 10 The gene
sa readers. but Of great historical vens and not
OF them 81! hss yet appeared in print, though all Of
them richly deserve TO be printed. Here Ne beve
letters Of Sas Dsaue, Of George Mason. Of La Fsyette
ii William Gtcyson, OF Richard Henry Lee, Of Henry
Lee of JaDss Joaee aud u others, including some Of
the letters Of Patrick Henry himself. And here. too
We have copy of thu resolutions Of the House OF
Bu-ge.ses in l765, "a originally passed BY that body
eod written out fairly by tho hand OF 6eir ustrloI5
asthor; with those touching and pious commentaries
which he made upon them and which be designed for
soSery 10 sesd after he was laid away to bis rest
Der the Society," and lover Ofour historical ters
ture feel personally indebted to Mr.. Henry for his
thoughtful and handsome beuefaction.
But there Is worth il this donation distinct and
themselves, Mr.. John Henry bag set an example
which trust will be followed by every highmind7d
and honorable Virgirian who may possess vs'u-
able letter or paper, OF presenting TO the put,
JIG, through our Society, fair copy %. OF
affection, he may retain the original as one OF
che her.looms Of his name and race. An original is
Inquestionaby superior TO copy of aleter or paper
The hsnd yziiing Of the author, reveals at glance.
ihe iact whether the letter WAS written deliberately or
n haste. The size Of the ancient sheet and it's pecu
sr hue Of age, it is always pleasant aud sometimes
important TO inspect. But when the original cannot
he obtained fair copy is most effsctusl substitute;
far its facts concerned is equally instruct
ire with the original And let Us hope that the de-
ecendants of our earlier we'll "a Of our later pa.
triots will follow the example OF the con of the
Prophet Of the Revelation, and enrich the archives
.! our Society which bss done much already 10 illus
Grafton Of the ian,a Of soldiers and and
which Hll thus Do rendered able 10 accomplish yet
more.
sm. SIR, generally speaking no great believer in
omens; bnt we knoE that tho most enlightened, as
well a: the most powerful nations Ct antiquity, placed
implicit confidence in them, end On The dictaiion
o. the sooth.sayer would even shun o. court an en-
gagenent with the enemy. And leaning, 10: mo
.nent towards this ancient faith, cannot but derive
cheering angury from tho fact that this moet vaua
ole bshes has comefrom gentleman who bears in HE
veins the latest blood OF that great Tribune Of the
People Who enjoyed from the frat to the ias. ther
unlimited cont denos and whose name will hence,vr'h
be written on tbs Lis. o. the henefsctors Of our
ciety.