Bloomsburg democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1867-1869, 1867-08-07
A Nl0MENTO or THE REY0LU rI0N
a Manuscript Of Thomas Jefser.
son, Never Before Pub.
....... ...,.. issiged.
szgs "REMINISCENCES OF FAT
lsEJN HENRY.

The following curious paper is copied
rerJatim from a manuscript Of Mr.. Jetfer-
son, which correspondent in the interior
of the State has put into cur hands, with
the privilege Of retaining it for a few days
that any Of our readers who may desire to
see the handwriting Of the author of the
Declaration of Independence may be graft
fed with sight Of the paper itself. The
well-known ch;rography of Mr.. Jefferson
made familiar to the world by the numer.
ors fac s,n,i1es of the first draft of the Dec
lalation, taken in connection with the inter
nal evidence which this manuscript bears OF
having come from his hand, renders any
argument about its genuineness super1uous.
His recollecticns of Mr.. Henry, and the
view which he presents of his character,
| although somewhat startling and at variance
with the cherished and traditionary reputa-
ton of the great orator, are far to valuable
to be suppressed. and form contribution
to history which it is strange has been SO
long withheld They will be read, especially
those portions derogatory to Mr. Henry as
a man Of personal integrity, with some
caution. There arestatements in this paper
the accuracy of which we very much ques-
ton, and in relation to which we shall in n
day Or two take All opportunity of stating
our views The paper, however, whether
as evidence trustworthy or not, is great
curiosity:
My acquaintance with Mr.. Henry COM
menced in the winter of l759-60. On my
way to the College passed the Xmas holi-
days at Col Dandridge's, in Hanover, to
whom Mr.. Henry was near neighbor.
During the festivity of the season met
him in society every day, and we became
well acquainted, although was much his
junior, being then in but my 18th year and
he "a married man. The spring following
he came to W'msb'g g to obtain license as
a lawyer, and he called on meat College.
He told ME he had been reading law only
6 weeks. Two of tho examiners, however,
Peyton and John Randolph, men Of great
facility Of temper, signed his license with
as much reluctance as their dispositions
would permit them to show. Mr.. Wythe
absolutely refused also Rob- q. Nicholas re.
fused at first but on repeated opportunities
and promises Of future reading, he signed.
These facts I had afterwards from the gentle
men themselves, the two Randolphs &C.
knowledgiag he was very ignorant Of law,
but that they perceived him to be q young
man Of genius and did not doubt he would
so soon qualify himself.
He was some time after elected a repre-
sentative Of the County Of Hanover, and
brought himself into public notice on the
following occasion, which, I think, took
place in l762, or year sooner or later. The
gentlemen Of this country had, at that time,
become deeply involved in that state Of in.
debtedness which has since ended in 30
gensral q crush Of their fortune. the
Speaker was also Treasurer, an officer al
ways chosen by the. Assembly. He was an
excellent man, liberal, friendly andrich. He
had been drawn in 10 lend on his own acct.
great sums Of money y persons Of this de-