Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/165

 hastened to form the junction with the main body which had been ordered.

In the mean time, the march of this gallant corps, in arms, headed by a man of Mr. Henry's distinction, produced the most striking effects in every quarter. Correspondent companies started up on all sides, and hastened to throw themselves under the banners of Henry. It is believed that five thousand men, at least, were in arms, and were crossing the country to crowd around his standard, and support it with their lives. The march was conducted in the most perfect order, and with the most scrupulous respect to the country through which they passed. The ranks of the royalists were filled with dismay. Lady Dunmore with her family retired to the Fowey man of war, then lying off the town of Little York. Even the patriots in Williams- burg were daunted by the boldness, and, as they deem- ed it, the rashness of the enterprise. Messenger after messenger was despatched to meet Mr. Henry on the way, and beg him to desist from his purpose, and dis- charge his men. It was in vain. He was inflexibly resolved to effect the purpose of his expedition, or to perish in the attempt. The messengers were therefore detained, that they might not report his strength; and the march was continued with all possible celerity. The governor issued a proclamation, in which he de- nounced the movement, and called upon the people of the country to resist it. He could as easily have called spirits " from the vasty deep.'^ He seems not to have relied much, himself, on the efficacy of his proclama- tion. The palace was therefore filled with arms, and a detachment of marines ordered up from the Fowey. Before day-break, on the morning of the 4th of May, capt. Montague, the commander of that ship, landed a

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