Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1890-04-10
Eloqusnce Of Patrick Henry.
Editor american :.

| Editor american
The following is one of several interest
ing events of the War of the Revolution.
1t is from an old newspaper published in
Philadelphia In 1890. 20 years ago. l think
it may be interesting and perhaps new to
many of the younger class of readers of the
old AMERICAN, a paper so essential to the
people of Hancock county.
During the distress of the American
army, caused by the invasion of Cornwall
lis and Philips in ISL, Mr. Venable, an
army commissioner, took two steers for
the use of the troops from Mr.. Hook, a
Scotchman and a man of wealth, who was
suspected of being unfriendly to the Amer
lean cause.
The act was not strictly legal; and after
the war had closed, Hook. by the advice of
Mr. Cowan, lawyer OF some distinction,
thought proper to bring an action of tres
pass against Mr.. Venable.
Mr.. Henry appeared for the defendant
and he is said to have contributed much
to the enjoyment Of his hearers. At one
time, lie excited their indignation against
Hook, and vengeance was visible In every
Countenance; again. when he chose to rid
icue him, the whole audience was in a
roar of laughter He painted the distress
of the American army, exposed almost
make d to the cold of winters skv, and
marking the frozen ground over which
they marched with the blood of their un-
shod feet. Where was the man" said he,
who had an American bosom, who would
not have thrown open his fields, his barns,
his cellars the doors of his house, the
II & IL.
spread arms the meanest soldier In that
little band of starving patriots? Where is
the man: There he stands; but whether
the heart of an American beats in his bo-
SON. you, gentlemen. are 70 judge" He
then carried the jury by the power of his
Imagination to the plains Of Yorktown :;
the surrender of which had followed
shortly after the act complained Of. He
painted the surrender in the most glowing
and noble colors of his eloqucnce the aud
fence saw before their eyes the humblcd
and detected British a. they marched out
OF their trenches; they saw the triumph
which lighted up every patriotic face they
heard the shout of Victory" the cry of
Washington and liberty =" as It rung and
echoed through the American ranks, and
was re-echoed from the hills, and from
the shores of the neighboring river. But
bark. :. continued Henry What notes Of
discord are these which disturb the gen
cral joy, and silence the acclamations Of
victory: They are the notes of John
Hook, hoarsely bawling through the
American camp, beef beef, beef"
The whole audience were conyulsed
with laughter. particular incident will
give better idea of the effect than any
description. The clerk Of the court, una
Bile 70 command himself. and unwilling to
commit any breach of decorum in his
place, walked out Of the court and threw
himself upon the grass in the most violent
parUxySms of laughter a. did several of
the lawyers. Hook, with very different
feelings, came out Of the courthouse.
Jenny Steptoe," said he to the clerk
What ails ye, mon?" Mr.. Steptoe said ;
II cannot help laughing" Meyer mind
ye mon" said Hook, "wait till Billy Cowan
gets up; he'll show that Irish dcble the la
out" Mr.. Cowan, however, was SO com
pletely overwhelmed by the torrent that
bore upon his client that he was unable to
make any intelligible or audible remarks.
The case was decided almost by acclama
tion. The jury retired merely for forms
sake, and instantly returned with a verdict
for the defendant Nor did the effect Of
"r Henry ~-'- ..1.' ''N-- m f7"'
Pile were - highly excited by the tory au-
dacity of bringing such suit that Hook
began to hear around him a CRY more ter
ribc than that OF beef. 1t was the cry Of
tar and feathers, from the application of
which he was saved by precipitate flight
aud the speed Of his horse