The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-08-05
JOHN QUINCY ADAMS.
HIS MEMOIRS" STATEMENT IN EXPERIENCE TO
PATRICK HENRY-DD THE GREAT ORATOR
ACTUALLY pnopoaF ruAr AMERICA sHorrID


SUBMIT TO GREAT BRITAIN
TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
NY attention has been called to review OF the
memoirs OF John Quincy Adamsn which appeared
In your issue OF tue 10Th OF June last in which an
extract from Mr.. Adams diary is given. contain
Ing statement made by Jenn Taylor in reference
10 Patrick Henry so entirely new and re-
markaoie mat the reviewer very properly invites
historical inquiry In reference TO It.
Colonel Taylor Is reported by Mr. Adams as say
Ing on the 21st or March, 1924. ''that in the cam
paign in 1881 Henry actually proposed, In secret
session ofthe Legislature OF Virginia, that she
should be the first TO submit TO Great Britain in
order that she might obtain the most favorable
terms" Mr.. Adams further notes in his diary as
derived from the same source, that Taylor was
himself O member or tho Legislature and
heard him move TO go int secret session,
then make the proposition ana support It
by an eloquent speech. IL met with
such immediate indignant and universal oppo-
stion that when the debate closed he had
changed his side and was among the most ardent
and most sangune for perse verance IN the war.
Taylor thinks there is great exaggeration In the
panesyric uDon Henry by MIR. Writ, and says that
Henry haa much less efficient agency In the Revo-
luton than many others.n At the time OF this
conversation Colonel Taylor, famlliary known in
Virginia as 'John Taylor, OF Caroline" was ut
least seventy-tws years Old, and Mr.. Adams repre-
sents him as low IN health and feeble" He I'M
dertook, however, to give an incident in the life
OF Patrick Henry, which ne said occurred iorty-
three years before, ana which has never been re-
lated by any other person, so far AS the world
knows, though there were many witnesses. and
which is utterly inconsistent with tho CHI aracter
OF Mr.. Henry.
AS Is plainly indicated In the latter part Of the
al
admirer OF Patrick Henry. Indeed, 1t may be SAID
that his life was one OF continual political hostility
toward him. Colonel Taylor was the county man
and proteoe OF Edmund Pendeton, who was the
leader of the aristocratic party In Virginia and
the constant opponent or the advanced aud popu-
lar party OF which Patrick Henry was the
acknowledged head. 1t will be remembered that
II was the conduct Of MIR. Pendleton lille mem-
Der OF the Committee or Safety that caused
Patrick Henry TO resign his commission as Colonel
or the Virginia troops. After the close OF the war
Colonel Taylor ana Mr. Henry found themselves
further apart in politics than ever. Mr.. Henry
opposed the adoption or the federal constitution
In It's unamended form, but alter It's adoption
faithfully performed his promise to support 1t as
the government chosen by the people. Colonel
Taylor took
A VERY DIFFERENT VIEW
OF his obligations AS early as the spring OF 1898
he was an avowed disunionist, as we learn from
a letter OF Thomas Jefferson To him. lated June /,
l79s In the fall session OF the Virginia Legis-
lature OF that year he moved the famous resolu-
lions known as the Resolutions OF 1913 and 1919.
The passage Of these resolutions alarmed Mr..
Henry so much for the future OF the Union that
he determined again TO enter public life in order
TO combat what he considered their dangerous
doctrines. He was too much enfeebed by disease,
however, for the conflict and death prevented
him from taking his seat In the Legislature OF his
State. When 1t was ascertained that Mr.. Henry
was striving for a seat in the Legislature
in order to oppose the doctrines advanced
In these resolutions he was assalled
with a rancor and bitterness which have
been seldom Witnessed in the history OF politics.
Because he had opposed the adoption of the iede-
raj constitution 1t was claimed that he ought to
have supported the view OF that Instrument put
forth by John Taylor and his party. Enraged be-
cause he refused to deny to the federal govern
ment the powers that he warned them 1t pos
sessed wnen he opposed its adoption, they
denounced him as an apostate sought to attrl-
butte TO him mercenary motives. and followed to
the grave with every species of detractisn him
whom they had once acknowledged as the leading
spirit In the cause OF liberty. Even the sanctty
OF the grave failed to protect him. and long after
his spirit had passed beyond their reach they de-
Prominent in this patty was JOHN Taylor, or
Caroline, conspicuous no less for his intellect
than for his bitter party spirit. Such, then, was
the man whose statement we are now TO examine.
THE SESSION OF 1871
referred TO was that held in the month OF June,
as the surrender OF CORVALLIS had taken place
before the fall session was commenced. The
earlier session was held during Arnod's inva-
sion OF Virginia, and was very snort one.
1 have examined closely the journal OF the
House of whica Mr.. Henry was q me mber and
md no trace whatever OF the motions which
Colonel Taylor attributed to him. NO motion
to go into secret session Is noted, ana certainly
1t should have been, as II Is satd such motion
was made ana carried. The discussions upon the
state OF the Commonwealth seem to have been
IN Committee OF the Whole, but when motions
were made TO go into committee the particular
subject or proposition TO be discussed was al
most always given IN the motion; and when |
not so given tine report OF the committee TO
the Honse upon rising gave the matter dis
cussed and conclusions arrived at. so lar
from any sign OF alterlng, the journal SHOW the
most determined spirit OF resistance in the meas /
ures proposed and adopted, and
MR.. HENRY APPEARS FOREMOST
IN tnem all Dy ether bringing III the bills himself
or belonging 10 the committees reporting them,
with nardly al exception. From the time that |
FatrlcS Henry moved the resolutions against the
stamp act wncn brought on the Revolution, to
the Gay Ql MS death, lie had political opponents |
and personal enemies who spared no pains TO un- |
dermlne and destroy the great influence ne
cNcltcu III fHSlHld. hdu nc committed the great |
blunders-l may say crlues-cnarged on MN by
Coloncl Taylor 1t would have oeen used against
HIN continually afterward. In the Con ventlOn OF
1888, IN which ne led the opposition TO toe federal
constitution, II became all important 10 break
down DIS influence. General Henry Lee made a
snarp assault on him, ana Governor Edward Raa-
dolpn INDUCED In bitter personalities toward him.
BON OF these speakers were well informed as to
the history OF the Revolution, not only having
been distinguished actors in nut writers on the
history OF mat period. After the adjournment OF
that Dody series or articles appeared IN
OF 'Declus" cOntainlng most scurrOus at
TACK upon the character and services OF Patrick
Henry. Everything which the enemies OF Mr.
Henry could then rake up was made public, for
the writer claims 10 have mad the aid Of others IN
collecting material Tor his undertaking, W MICA was
10 destroy the influence OF Patrick Henry. Tho
writer oil these articles was John Nicholas the
brother oil george Nlcnolas, VINO had been a prom
inent MEMBER OF the House oil Delegates during
the Garner session OF 1871.
II can hardly be believed that such a motion by
Patllck Henry would not have been Communicated
Dy GeOfge NlCnOlAs 70 MS brother Joln. LneX