Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/157

 ferent parts of the country, we have too much reason to beheve that some wicked and designing persons have instilled the most diabolical notions into the minds of our slaves; and that, therefore, the utmost attention to our internal security, is become the more neces- sary.

" The circumstances of this city, my lord, we con- sider as peculiar and critical. The inhabitants, from the situation of the magazine in the midst of their city, have for a long tract of time, been exposed to all those dangers which have happened in many countries from explosions, and other accidents. They have, from time to time, thought it incumbent on them to guard the magazine. For their security they have, for some time past, judged it necessary to keep strong patrols on foot: in their present circumstances then, to have the chief and necessary means of their defence removed, cannot but be extremely alarming.

" Considering ourselves as guardians of the city, we therefore humbly desire to be informed by your excel- lency, upon what motives, and for what particular pur- pose, the powder has been carried off in such a manner; and we earnestly entreat your excellency to order it to be immediately returned to the magazine.^^

To which his excellency returned this verbal an- swer :

" That hearing of an insurrection in a neighbouring county, he had removed the powder from the magazine, where he did not think it secure, to a place of perfect security; and that, upon his word and honour, whenever it was wanted, on any insurrection, it should be deliver- ed, in half an hour; that he had removed it, in the night time, to prevent any alarm, and that captain Collins had his express commands for the part he had acted:

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