CHAPTER VI. THE moderation and firmness of the Congress, and the ability of their addresses, made great impression upon the public mind in England. For a time, even the ministry paused! They were universally read and admired. They exhibited a knowledge of the constitution, and a strength of argument, which the best informed men believed could not have been found in the colonies. effect of these on the English nation, and the opinion of Lord Chatham respecting them, are stated in the following letter, written by Mr. Arthur Lee, one of the Colony Agents, to his brother. The "LONDON, December 22d, 1774. MY DEAR BROTHER-The proceedings of the Congress meet with universal approbation here, and have operated like an electrical shock, upon the ministry and their dependants. They begin to reprobate their own measures, and each to exonerate himself from the charge of having advised them. The King consented to receive the petition of the Congress, and Lord Dartmouth told us, it was found to be decent and respectful. I expect we shall receive his majesty's answer time enough to send with this. The merchants have advertised for a meeting, and every thing seems to promise a speedy accommodation. The terms of that must depend on you. Your demands must be made with great moderation, and should not, nay, I think, cannot, be receded from one iota. Depend upon it, the same firmness and unanimity which have compelled a conciliatory disposition, will enforce a full redress. Be therefore firm, and fear not. The excess of my anxiety for our ultimate success and the termination of these unhappy disturbances, makes me sometimes apprehensive, that these specious appearances will make you remiss in your preparations for a different conduct; that you will forget that he who sheathes the sword before the peace is concluded, exposes himself to a shameful defeat. But, trusting to your wisdom, I hope you will treat them as appearances only, which firmness, vigilance, and unanimity alone, on your part, can realize. December 24th, Lord Dartmouth, this day informed us that his majesty received your petition very graciously, and for its importance, would lay it before his houses of Parliament, when they met. I communicate to you the following copy of a letter from Lord Chatham, because I think it must give you infinite satisfaction. At the same time I must entreat you, not to let it get into the press, as it would be a breach of honour in me. "I have not words to express the infinite satisfaction which I feel since Congress has. conducted this most arduous and delicate business, with such manly wisdom and calm resolution, as do the highest honour to their deliberations. Very few are the things contained in their resolves, that I could wish to be otherwise. Upon the whole, I think it must be evident to every unprejudiced man in England, who feels for the rights of mankind, that America, under all her oppressions and provocations, holds out to us the most fair and just opening for restoring harmony and affectionate intercourse as heretofore. I hope that the minds of men, are more than beginning to open on this great subject so little understood, and that it will be found impossible for freemen in England, to see three millions of Englishmen, slaves in America.". Such praise from the character of the age, ought to inspire you with confidence, if any thing can add to the conscious dignity of freemen, and make you resolve to maintain your demands with immovable firmness. December 26th, I was yesterday in the country with Lord Chatham, to show him the petition of the Con gress. He approves of it exceedingly. His words were "the whole of your countrymen's conduct has manifested such wisdom, moderation and manliness of character, as would have done honour to Greece and Rome in their best days." Laudari a laudato viro, should make us cautious that we support the character, by a manly perseverance, in those measures which have secured it. His opinion is, that a solemn settlement of the question by a renunciation of the right to tax on one part, and an acknowledgment of supremacy on the other, might be made. My object is to unite the heads of opposition upon one uniform large ground, which, with the present popularity of our cause, will, I think, enforce a complete abolition of these pernicious mea sures. I have this moment learnt that the resolution of the court, is, to repeal all the acts, except the declaratory and admiralty act; that Lords North and Dartmouth are to give place to Lords Gower and Hillsborough, who are to commence their administration with these conciliatory measures. The inconsistency of this plan is no objection to the probability of it, for these men have long been disciplined to turn, and turn, and turn again. But you may learn from it, that there is little cordiality in the relief to be given, and that we are to hold a jealous eye over the measures of men, whose minds are actuated against us by the bitterest rancour and revenge. You will consider this intelligence as of doubtful nature, and let no hasty gleam of hope go forth, which may tend to make men remiss in their exertions, or relax in the terms they demand. Farewell-your affectionate brother, To Col. RICHARD HENRY LEE. The delegates from the several counties of Virginia, met again in convention, on the twentieth March, 1775, in the town of Richmond. Mr. Lee was returned as a delegate from the county of Westmoreland. The first proceeding of the convention was a resolution expressing the thanks of the colony to the continental Congress, for the wisdom of their measures. It was also resolved, "That the warmest thanks of this convention, and of all the inhabitants of this colony, are due to the worthy delegates, who were deputed by a former convention to represent this colony in the general Congress, for their cheerful undertaking, and faithful discharge, of the very important trust reposed in them.' Mr. Lee had, at this time, from his knowledge of the British ministry, and from a continued and profound contemplation of the times, relinquished all expectation that any satisfactory address would be granted. His private opinions were, that the time was approaching, and indeed had even now arrived, when any connexion with Great Britain, which implied political dependence, must cease; but prudence taught him to express them with caution. He perceived this, not more from the spirit of the ministry, and the tendency of their measures, than from the growth of the commerce and population of the colonies. He had ceased to think a connexion desirable, and seems to have anticipated the rapid and splendid progress of America, in power and in wisdom, when under the fostering influence of republican government. To him, a return, even to the "halcyon days" of colonial dependence, seemed more insupportable than a struggle through war, when there was a probability that it would terminate in the independence of his country. To Mr. Lee, the passive temper and policy, beyond which too many seemed not yet to have carried their thoughts, appeared feeble and impolitic. Happily, Providence had raised up a cotemporary patriot of congenial spirit, and of genius equal to the exigency of the times, in Patrick Henry. Between these two men, as it has been already stated, there existed the warmest friendship, and unity of principle, and an exact coincidence of views. Like Valerius Poplicola of ancient Rome, each of them seemed fitted by Heaven, for a period at VOL. I.-S which an oppressed people were to break the bands of despotic rule, and become free. These gentlemen consulted with each other and determined to offer, in the convention, a resolution similar to that offered by Mr. Lee in Congress, in October '74. This was to arm the militia, and put the colony in a state of defence. Mr. Lee had moved in Congress, that the militia of the colonies should be armed. The reader has seen the modified shape in which that body adopted his resolution. It was agreed that Mr. Henry should move the resolution and that Mr. Lee should aid him in supporting it. They anticipated and encountered violent opposition from the older members of the house. They had to rouse their indignation at the wrongs already endured by their countrymen, particularly of Massachusetts Bay, to awaken fears of their contemplated enslavement by Great Britain, and, above all, to convince them, that in the event of a contest, a termination favourable to us was not improbable. They were both eminently qualified for this task.The bold and vehement eloquence of Henry, excited to the highest degree the passions of his hearers ; the fervid, the beauteous and impressive declamation of Lee, presented liberty before their eyes, decorated in the most lovely and ravishiug charms; while his political wisdom and information showed them that the rich, the exalted boon was not unattainable. Men will act when the same process which affects their passions, enlightens and subdues their understandings. Hence, on this occasion the resolution was carried, though opposed by members whose judgments ought to have been matured by age, and whose influence was the effect and the reward of long public service. The author is indebted to the biographer of P. Henry, for the following interesting account of the part that Mr. Lee took in aid of the resolution, the adoption of which, had a very timely influence in emboldening the colonists to prepare for resistance. Chief Justice Marshall furnished the author of the "life of P. Henry, with a note in relation to the |