The Memphis union appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1862-1862, 1862-08-09
INCIDENT OF THE REVOLUTION.
IIumor of Patrick Henry.

Hook was a Scotchman, a man OF wealth.
and suspected of being unfriendly TO the
American cause. During the dstresses of the
American army consequent on the invasion of
CORVALLIS, In 1881, an army commissary had
taken two of Hooks oxen for the use of the
troops.
The act was not strictly legal, and on the
establishment of peace, Hook, by the advice
of Mr.. Cowan, gentleman of some distinc-
ton IN the law, thought proper to bring an
action of traspass against the commissary.
Mr.. Henry appeared for the defendant, and
is said to have disported himself in this case
to the infinite enjoy ment of his hearers, the
unfortunate Hook always excepted. After
MIR. Henry became animated in the case, he
appeared to have complete control over the
passions of his audience; at one time he ex-
cited their indignation against Hook, and ven
geanee was visible in every countenance;
again, when he chose to relax, and ridicule
him, the whole audience was in a roar of
laughter.
He painted the distresseS of the American
army, exposed, almost naked, to the rigors of
winter sky, and marking the frozen ground
over which they trod with the blood of their
unshod feet
Where is the man." he said, who has an
American heart in his bosom, who would not
have thrown open his fields, his barns, his
cellars, the doors of his house, the portals of
his breast, to receive with open arms the mean
est soldier in that little baud of famished pa
triots2 Where is the man There he stands
but whether the heart of an American
beats IN his bosom, yeu, gentlemen, are to
judge"
He then carried the jury, by the powers of
his imagination, to the plains around York
town, the surrender of which had followed
shortly after the act complained of. He de-
picted the surrender in the most glowing and
noble colors of his eloquence; the audience
saw before their eyes the humiliation and de-
lection of the British, as they marched out of
their trenches; they saw the triumph which
lighted up every patriot face, and heard the
shouts Of victory, and the cry of Washington
and Liberty" as it rung and echoed through
the American ranks, and was reverberated
from the hills and shores of the neighboring
river.
But bark what notes of discord are those
which disturb the general Joy, and silence the
reclamation of victory They are the notes
of John Hook, hoarsely bawling through the
American camp, Beef beefl beef"
The whole audience were convulsed. The
clerk Of the court, unable to command him
SELF and unwilling to commit any breach OF
decorum, rushed out of the courthouse and
threw himself on the grass, in the most violent
paroxysm Of laughter.
Here he was rolling, when Hook also, with
very different feelings, came out for relief into
the yard. "Jemmy Steptoe, said he to the
clerk, "what the deuce ails ye, mAnr Mr..
Steptoe was only able to say that he could not
help it. Never mind" said Hook, "wait till
Billy Cowan gets up; he'll show him the law. !"
Mr.. Cowan, however, was so completely
overwhelmed by the torrent which bore upon
his client, that when he rose to reply to Mr..
Henry, he was scarcely able to make an intel.
lgent or audible remark. The jury retired
for forms sake, and instantly returned with q
verdict for the defendant.
Nor did the effect of Mr.. Henry's speech
stop here. The people were so highly excited
by the audaeity of such suit that Hook
began to hear s~ound him a cry more terrible
than that ef beef it was the cry of tar and
feathers--from. the application of which, it is
said, nothing saved him but precipitate fight
and the speed of his horse Hirt.