The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-06-18
The people OF Boston had begun

The people OF Boston had begun to
suffer for tho neccssaries of lite-but
nothing daunted their spirit. The min
istry had expected to see Boston desert
cd by Americans, and hulnbed before
the throne Instead, they saw the town
supported by a continent, and dciant IN
the presence Of an army"
4 The convention of August LIST tnt VIZ
liamsburg appointed seven delegates L., L.,
George Washington and Patrick Henry'
were two. They set off on horseb ,lc
from Mount Vernon August 81, lu4;
reaching Philadelphia September 4th, ana
Congress opened next day
The first question before the Congress
was how they should vote-.by colonies by
poll. or by interests. 1t was IN the dare
on this question that MI. Henry said:
are your landmarks, your boundaries Or
colonies. $3.50 The distinctions be-
tween Virgnians, Pennsylvanlans, New
Workers and New Eng landers are NJ
American" This Was the first declaration
of American nationality ever made: made
by Patrick Henry In the first debate on
the first question that came before the
first American Congress.
The CongressSdid not then desire in ,ti
.nendence, but Werh resolved to MAINTAIN
the rights Of the!colonies, and determined
on non-importation, non consumption ana
nom as WiliSii " Outu
force Greats Britain TO respect those
rights. But Mr.. Henry did not agree with
them. With that wonderful power OF
forecasting the future. which his know,
edge Of men gave hin ne nag "a a R,nn ,uat
20 s snf iif Rp9did ed II Var Ncorre
spondent Of Mr. Wirt's gave him an { incl In
II am Informed by Colonel johns Over
ton. that before one drop of blood was
shed in our CONTEXT with Great Britain;
he was at Colonel Samuel Overton's with
and Colonel Samuel. overton, when the
last mentioned gentleman asked Mr..
Henry whether he supposed Great Britain
would d. (. her colonies to extremities?
be the issue of the war; When Mr..
Henry, after looking around TO see who
was present, expressed himself confident
tally to the company In the following
no accommodation will take place hostll-
ties will soon commence and desperate
and bloody touch itawill be- But, said
Colonel Samuel Overton. do you think.
Mr.. Henry, that an infant, nation as we
are, without discipline, arms, ammunition.
ships OF war or money to procure them
do you think 1t possible, thus circum-
stanced, to oppose successfully the fleets
and armies of Great Britain" viii pc
candid with YOU replied Mr.; Henry. I
doubt whether we shall be able. alone. to
cope with so powerful nation. But.
continued he (rsng from his chair with
great animation), where Is France!
Where is Spain? Where. is Holland? the
natural enemies of Great Britain-where
will they be all this while? DO you sup
pose they will stand by idle and indifferent
spectators to the contest? VIII Louis the
XVI. be asleep all this time? Believe me,
no! When Louis the XVI. shall be salts
fled by our serious opposition and our
Declaration of Independence that all
prospect OF reconciliation is gone, then,
and not till them will he furnish us with
arms, ammunition and clothing; and not
with these only but he will send his fleet
and armies to fight our battles, for u.s.; ne
Will form with us treaty offensive ana
defensive against our unnatural mother,
Grafton? Our independence will be es-
tabllshed. and we shall take our stand
among the nations Of the earth!' Here
he ceased, and Colonel John Ovcrton says
at the word Independence the company ap-
peared to be startled, for. they had never
suggested. Wits iienry (Ed, 1873,
Page 93. t.55
In contrast With the above suggestion
of a Declaration Of Independence, the
first on record, and apparently the 1lrst
ever made. II is a striking fact that n
~ the nd Of a
to all IDEAS OF Independence. Whilstas late
as August. 175, Mr.. Jefferson wrote to
John Randolph, then In England: :! would
rather be IN dependence on Great Britain,
properly limited, than on any nation on
earth, or than on no nation. '-(Writlngs
OF Jefferson)
But while Mr., Henry had the foresight
almost OF prophet. he had also the wise
patience OF the statesman VINO knows
how to walt on events. ,
Marked Effect.
The Proceedings Of Congress reached
England In DrCcmbers during recess of
When the second virginia convention met
IN 81. Johns Church, Richmond, March
20, l775.. they knew nothing Of the proceed
ne King had "deternlined e Yield Moth
Ing to the colonies to interdict al com,
merce with them, to protect the loyal
colonists, and to declare all others !rai-
London, of December litf, had been very
The delegates knew that Tin a bill intro
duced, offering pardon to repentan reb-
had the honor Of being excepted By
name.''
Among other proceedings the convention
offered resolutions EXPRESSING INC nope
OF speedy return to those haiGyom
days when We We're q tree ana lnippy
people, But Patrick IIenry's clear vision
pierced into the future, and ne az once
arose and offered as an amenaii'elaS, ny
resolutions for arming the coloney, mere
were carried That WONDERFUL speech upon
them Was preserved BY the recollectlons
OF It's hearers. IT was made over y csl'-
itnry Z, ana quarter ago. TIE s9eaaSe vears s
yet his tones still yibrate on the Az ana
thrill every American heart, rs re SO
dear or peace so sweet as 70 pe pur s ny.
bid II, Almighty God! i know not what
course others may lake, but as 1Ur Inc,