Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/154

 

storm of the revolution now began to thicken. The cloud of war had actually burst on the New England states, while as yet the middle and southern colonies were in comparative repose. The calm, however, was deceitful, and of short duration; and, so far as Virginia was concerned, had been occasioned rather by the absence of governor Dunmore on an Indian expedition, than any disposition on his part to favour the colony. His return to Williamsburg was the signal for violence.