Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/160

 136 SKETCHES OF THE

of this letter, a council was held of one hundred and two members, delegates of the provincial convention, and offi- cers and special deputies of fourteen companies of light horse, then rendezvoused on the ground; who, after the most spirited expressions of their sentiments on the conduct of the governor, and giving a mutual pledge to be in readiness, at a moment^s warning, to re-assemble, and by force of arms, to defend the laws, the liberty, and rights of this or any sister colony from unjust and wicked invasion, advised the return of the several com- panies to their respective homes; and also ordered that expresses should be dispatched to the troops assembled at the Bowling Green, and also to the companies from Frederick, Berkeley, Dunmore, and such other counties as w ere then on their march, to return them thanks for their cheerful offers of service, and to acquaint them with the determination then taken. By way of parody on the governor's conclusion of the proclamations, by which he was striving to keep down the spirit of the country, " God save the king,"' the council conclud- ed their address with " God save the liberties of America/^

Mr. Henry, however, was not disposed to let this incident pass off so lightly. His was a mind that watch- ed events, with the coolness and sagacity of a veteran statesman. He kindled, indeed, in the universal indig- nation which the conduct of the governor was so well calculated to excite; seeing clearly the inconvenience which the colony must experience in the approaching contest, from the loss of even that small store of ammu- nition. This, however, was a minor object in his esteem. What he deemed of much higher importance was, that tJiat blow, which must be struck, sooner or later, should he struck at once^ before an overwhelming

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