Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-08-27

Were somewhat romantic Martha a girl
Of sixteen, was visiting friends on the east
ern shore Of Virginia where Judge James
Henry, the father of Edward, lived. On
leaving ship sine fell overheard and was
rescued from a watery grave by her gal
liant young cousin, who was acting as her
escort. This incident excited feelings OF
mutual interest, which soon ripened into a
warmer feeling.
Patrick Henry was much occupied in car
Ing for his estate and overlooking his nu-
merous slaves. He was kind master and
his servants Were all devoted to him. but
he never approved of slavery as an institu-
ton. The earliest product of his pen which
remains is a fragment of a manuscript in
his handwriting found with his papers. In
it he expresses LAS views on slavery:
THE disadvantage from the great number
of slaves may wear off when the present
stock of their descendants have scattered
through the immense deserts of the west.
To re-export them now is impracticable,
and sorry | am for it. How comes
it that the lands in Pennsylvania are five
times the value of ours? Pennsylvania is
the country of the most extensive privileges
with few slaves. Our country Will
be peopled. The question is. shall it be
with Europeans or Africans? To do 1t
with the latter will take many years; with
the former it is quickly done. Is there
man so degenerate as TO wish to see his
country the gloomy retreat OF slaves? No;
while we may. let us people our land with
make us respectable abroad"
Again, in 17I3, he says:
Would any one believe that / am master
of slaves of my own purchase? 1 am drawn
along by the general Inconvenience of liv-
ing without them. l will not l cannot JUS
tify it. / believe a time will come
when opportunity will be offered to abol>
ish this IamentabIc evil; everything we can
do is to improve it if it happens in our
day; If not, let us transmit to our de-
scendants, together with our slaves, Ply
for their unhappy lot and an adherence OF
slavery"
Red Hill has suffered less change than
any other historic home in Virginia. The
house, wooden structure, is in an excel
lent state of preservation. 1t is composite
in Its nature-an addition having been made
To 1t by John Henry, to whom it passed
upon the death of his mother. The box
hedges which mark the walks and drive
ways and the old fashioned garden with
Towering shrubs give the place a distinct
favor of ante-bellum days.
The woodwork inside the house Is very
simple. Tall mantels and brass locks show
Its colonial character The locks were
bought with an order on hardware mer-
chant. given Patrick Henry as a part of a
fee for defending Richard Randolph in the
celeprateQ trial In which Randolph was
cused of numbering an infant, of which 1t
was charged he was the father. The coun-
try people still relate traditions of this trial.
Randolph was acquitted, and subsequent
confession of the mother made known the
real father Of the child.
Patrick Henry had associated with him In
this trial John Marshall, the future chief
justice, and Alexander Campbell. an emil
nent advocate. Among the witnesses was
that eccentric genius John Randolph-then
youth of twenty-a brother of Richard
His residence, Roanoke, was some distance
down Staunton river.
At this time country life In Virginia was
very primitive.
Patrick Henry's fame drew many visitors
to Red Hill. all of whom he welcomed and
treated with gracious hospitality Nor was
he forgotten by the country he had loved so
well. In 1894 Gov. Henry Lee appointed
him United States senator to fll an unex-
pired term. This he declined, as he did
also the Office of governor of Virginia, to
which he was elected by the general
sembly in 1875.
Washington offered him the position OF
Secretary of State in October. 1795, and in
December of that yea he appointed him
Chief Justice of the United States. John
Adams appointed him minister to France In