The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1891-11-22
Patrick Henr5's Early Life.

Until recently the countrymen Of Patrick
Henry were indebted for their knowledge OF
one of the most distinguished Of Virginians to
the biography by William Writ, which. as the
author avowed. was based on materials scanty
and mcagre and utterly disproportionate to
the subjects reputation. Fur more satisfac-
tory in respect OF accuracy. and scarcely sur
passable in respect OF insight and sympathy.
was tho book recently contributed by Dr.
Moses Coyt Tyler to the American Statesmen
series. It was impossible. however. for tho
author OF tho work just mentioned to make
in the space at his disposal. many
extended extracts from Henry's letters
and speeches. There was room. there
fore, for O more comprehensive work upon
the subject, and students Of the Rev.
olutionary and Constitution making period will
be glad to hear that record commensurate
with tho part played by Henry in colonial. State.
and Federal history has been undertaken BY
his grandson. We have before US the first
volume OF limited edition OF Patrick Henry:
Life Correspondence. and Speeches. by WILL NJ
WRIT HENRY tScrbner'sL This volume car
ries US from Henry's birth to the year 177S) in
which he was elected for the third time Gov
srnor Of Virginia, and recounts at length the
circumstances OF his education. his triumphs
at the colonial bar. his share In exciting Vir-
ginias revolt against Great Britain. and in
constructing Constitution for the State, and
his services in the Continental Congress. as
well as those rendered in civil and military
capacity to Virginia in tho early years OF the
Revolutionary struggle.
Until the appearance Of DR.. Tyler's book. the
reputation OF Patrick Henry had suffered from
the fact that neither Of tho two great parties
which in the latter part Of his life divided tho
country and transmitted definite traditions to
Ia
The Federalists could scarcely be expected to
cherish the memory Of one who had strenu-
ously resisted the adoption Of the Federal
Constitution in the Virginia Convention. On
the other hand. the leaders Of the anti-Fed-
eralist or Republican party. and con-
spicuously Thomas Jefferson. became as
timo went on estrauged from Patrick
Henry. who accordingly may be said to
have fallen between two stools. When
William Writ essayed tho preparation Of
biography he found himself constrained to
seek information from men who. II not the
avowed enemies OF Henry. had at least ceused
to be his well wishers. The result was that.
without any intention upon his part. and even
against his will. the shadows OF the picture
were somewhat deepened and the lights were
somewhat dulled. Owing partly to what Mr.
Writ said ON tho authority OF unfrlendly in
formxnts. and partly to what no failed to say.
q mlsconception OF Henry's parentage and
early environment became current Outside
OF the few Virainians better acquainted with
the facts. no was genorally supposed to have
belonged to the class Of poor whites and
to have suffered all his life from serious dc.
fects OF breeding and education. Tho truth Is
that as regards descent Patrick Horny had
reason to be proud Of his progen tors on both
sides. although his parents would not he
reckoncd among the great landowners OF tho
tide-water Nristocracy. 1t is also true. as the
author OF the present biography demonstrates,
that, while Patrick Henry was not one Of the
few virginians who were sent to the
English universities. no received from
his father IN education probably superior to
that possessed by most OF tho members of the
colonial Legislature. As to his legal attain.
EOnts. these in his case, rs In that OF all othcr
lawyers. were mainly acquired after and not
before admission to the bar and that they
must have become considerable seems a.-
tested by his forensic Victories On these and
many other points in Patrick Henry's lfc
hitherto obscure or misinterpreted. his grand
son Is able to throw a great deal of light
through access to mass ~ material unknown
to William Writ. although in the life con-
tributed to tho Statesmen series Dr. Tyler
made such use OF it rs the scale Of that work
permitted
Patrick Henry wa born May %. 173G ut
Studley. In Hanover county the home of his
mother before her hrst marriage. The house
WAS three miles from Hanover town and six
teen from Richmond. A few miles distant are
tile "Slashes OF Hanover" tho birthplace OF
Henry Clay. Patrick was tho second OF nine
children born to John Henry and Sarah VIM
ston. whose first husband had been Col. John
Syme. 1t is well to soy word about the
parents IN order to dispel somo mistaken no.
lions concerning the descent and social status