The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-06-11

faithful discharge OF the very important tIust
imposed ON them. On the third day q petition
and memorial of the Assembly Of the Island OF
Jamaica addressed 10 the King was laid be,
fore the body and read. IL ably defended
American rights; but indicated Toryism N
tracing all colonial rights TO the King and
denied that the colonies ever would attempt
forcible resistance to Great Britain, dwelling
at the same time on their weak condition.
Upon the reading OF this, paper a memper
offered a resolution Of thanks TO the Assembly
of Jamaica, adding. that the Assembly be
assured that it is the most ardent wish OF TINS
COLONY land we are persuaded OF the whole
c~olonists Of North Ameriea) TO see q speedy
return TO those halcyon days when We lived 0
free and happy people.
PATRICK HESRY's ACTION.
Neither the address nor the resolution OF
thanks suited Mr.. Henry, who a not hest
tated 20 declare on the floor of the Continent
tai Congress his conviction that war was IN,
eyitable, and who was painfully impressed
with the Importance of immediate prepare
ton for it. He at once arose and offered the
following resolution, to which a suitable pre-
amble was prefixed:
Resolved. That this colony be immedi-
ately put INTO a state Of defense. and that
- be q committee to prepare a plan. Tor
em~bodyiDg, arming. and disciplining such a
number of men as may be sufficient for that
purpose" -,
This resolution was opposed by Richard
Bland and BENJAMIN Harrison Of Burnley.
and Edmund Pendleton. who had been Mr..
Henry's associates in Congress, and by
Robert Carter Nicholas. the treasurer OF the
colony. They insisted that II vas premature,
and that no such step should be taken till
the replies to the addresses of the Congress
had been received. The reply of Mr.. Henry
has been rendered immortal by the report OF
Mr.. Writ made up from the recollectlons OF
the hearers and by his sounding of the watch
word of the Revolution in the sentence Give
me liberty or give me death" / need not re-
peat his speech, which is familiar to every
schoolboy in our land.
THE GAUNTLET OF WAR.
The motion of Mr.. Henry was adopted, and
thus Virginia threw down the gauntlet OF war
in the face of Great Britain, and by determln-
ing TO arm for the conflict made 1t inevitable
unless England receded from her position TO-
wards the colonies.
The committee appointed under the resolu-
ton were Patrick Henry, Richard Bland
Thomas Jefferson. Robert Carter Nicholas
and Edmund Pendleton.
The convention then entered upon a series
Of war measures putting the colony IN a state
of defense. not only by raising an army, but
by establishing manufactures.
WISDOM OF MR.. HENRY.
The wisdom Of Mr.. Henry's motion was
demonstrated by events which had already
happened in England, but which were un-
known in America.
In January Lord Chatham had moved in
the House of Lords the withdrawal of the
troops from Boston. and in February he had
introduced O bill for settling the troubles IN
America by the repeal of the obnoxious acts.
Both had been voted down by large MAORI
ties, and an address to the King had been
moved and carried in the House Of Commons
in which it was declared that q rebellion at
this time actually exists in the province OF
Massachusetts bay" Orders had also been
sent to the royal officers in America TO take
possession of the ammunition in the colonies.
The execution of this order soon brought on
the battle of Lexington and the march OF the
Hanover volunteers upon Williamsburg 10
force Governor Dunmore TO replace the gun
powder taken from the Powder-Horn arsenal.
ORGANIZATION OF VIRGINIA TROOPS
The Virginia convention assembled again
on July II, ITS, in this church, and at this
session the organization of the Virginia troops
was completed by the election of officers and
further war measures were adopted. All men
saw by this time the wisdom OF Mr.. henrYs
motive for arming the colony, as The war mad
actually commenced. and Washington mad
been placed at the head OF the American
army.
In justification of Its action in srming the
colonies and entering upon war with Great
Britain the convention issued an address,
which is one of the ablest OF the State papers
of that period. 1t preceded the Declaration
| of Independence a year. In 1t the causes or
the difficulties with England are clearly set
forth, and the colony is fully justified TO the
world for entering upon war with the mother
| country. In the spirit Of piety which ANNA
ted our forefathers of the Revolution, and
which was so appropriately exhibited IN TINS
sacred ediice, this memorable paper con-
cludes with these words:
1T remains a bounden duty on us TO com
nit our cause TO the justice of the Supreme
Being. who ruleth and ordereth all human
events with u~nerring wisdom, most humbly
| beseeching Him to take this colony and the
whole continent under His fatherly and d.
VIM protection, and that He will be graciously
pleased to soften the hearts Of all who medl-
tate evil against our land, and inspire them
with the purest sentiments OF justice, modera-
ton and brotherly Affection"
1t thus happened that this church is directly
| connected with the first decisive step IN l1r-
| ginia in the Revolutionary war-and the TACT
that within its walls sat the men who debated
the GREAT question of arming the colony, and
determined on taking the decisive step. trust
ing their all 10 the God Of Battles, has made
it the object Of the deepest interest 70 every
patriot,
A DIFFERENT SCENE.
Within less than six years and near the close
of the arduous struggle for independence a
very different scene was witnessed IN this
venerable building. During the last days OF
1850 n British feet entered Chesapeake bay
and steered for James river and the city OF
Richmond, which had become the capital OF
the State. Governor Jefferson had not taken
steps to defend the city in time, and on Janu-
ary s, 1871. the traitor Benedict Arnold, hay
ING landed at Westover and marched from
thence, entered the city at the
head of some 500 troops. Colonel
Simcoe was sent to Westham and destroyed
the military stores there, and Arnold destroyed
what he could find in the town. That night
part of his troops were quartered IN taiis
building, thus desecrating, as far as IN their
power. the sacred edifce. On the next day
| Arnold retired to his ships at Westoyer; an
moved on his retreat by the militia, which
were gathering in force from every
quarter. The traitor, despised by his
W troops as well as those he had
| BETRAYED. was soon recalled from Virginia,
CORVALLIS with his shattered army. from the
Carolinas not long after joined the British
force here, and was met by men smartlng I'm
der the disgrace of the capture OF their capt
raj The rayaoes in the State and the desc