The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-20

weight all in such assembly that Of coohcaded, re-
spccting, judicial lie ceased therefore, in great neces
siy take part in the business Here again. the records
OF the convention indicate that every important committee
Mr. Henry had place, the committees that were
to address themselves matters most practical and BUSINESS
like. While he member of this convention he was ap-
pointed chief Of the forces OF Virginia by
convention session Richmond Va and Washington was
appointed commandments of the forces OF the united
colonies. Mr. Henry commissioned as colonel Of the First
Regiment OF Virginia and Of all the forces
to be raised for the protection and defense OF the colony
1t this capacity commander OF the forces
Of Virginia that Mr. Henry with the only real Humiliation
his long Tor that have never been shown
to have been inspired by any specific thing in Mr. Henrys
military career concluded that he was not altogether
capable commander Colonel William Woodford was his Sub
ordinate and the Of the Second Regiment When
an expedition be against Lord Dunmoe at Nor
folk, military committee put Colonel Woodford in conf
mand. Mr. Henry exceedingly chagrined at this unns
taxable slight when afterwards Colonel Woodford began
to address all communications direct to the Committee OF
Safety rather than through his nominal commander
he further hunilatcd and still abjcct his huna
tcn when decided to raise larger body o troops III
Virginia neccsstatng office OF bgadergenca com
mission made out to Mr. Henry as only colonel Of the
first Virginia battalion whereas by the regular order OF pro-
motion should have been commissioned
Immediately Mr. Henry resigned his commission and retired
from military life
However patriotic and sound may have been the judgment
OF the authorities touching Mr. Hcnrys military capacity,
seems only fair to say that judgment reached by an
all too insufficient trial Of Mr.. Henry in the field lie was
allowed opportunity demonstrate his capacity
small or large
At the close Of his brief military experience he returned to
his home in Hanover in Marc,177o The year before his
wife had died leaving n1oheress Children and Mr.. Henry
found great satisfaction being left alone with them only
for brief In May he called from his secus1on
to meet the great convention at Williamsburg Matters
were toward It was felt every hand that
the next step be formal ssoluonof all relations with
England the first time there to have been hest
fancy on the part Mr. Henry He believed well enough
that separation was inevitable but he felt that before the
last step taken other preliminary matters should be as
sucd and arranged wanted be OF the posture OF
France Spain OF the united action OF all the colonies
He wa however to- the advocacy Of mn1e
date action Perhaps this due to letter he had received
from Mr. Charles Lee who mportuned him to his great
influence in securing immediate action looking toward final
separation Onthe 18th day of May after prolonged debate
in which Mr. Henry made powerful plea for the
posed action the convention unanimously passed the follow
ing resolution:
That the delegates appointed to represent this colony i'll
general Congress instructed propose TO that respectable
BODY to declare united colonies free and independents
States absoved from allegiance to- dependence the
crown or Parliament Of Great Britain; and that they give the
assent OF colony such declaration and to whatever
may be thought proper and necessary by the
forming foreign alliances and confederation Of the
colonies such time and in the shall to them seem
best provided that the power Of forming government for and
regulations OF the internal Of each colony be lett
to the respective colonial Legislatures