Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/166

142 party of men, with the following letter, addressed to the honourable Thomas Nelson, the president of his majesty's council.

1em

" Sir,

"I have this morning received certain information, that his excellency lord Dunmore, governor of Virginia, is threatened with an attack, at day-break this morning, at his palace in Williamsburg, and have thought proper to send a detachment from his majesty's ship under my command, to support his excellency: therefore strongly pray you to make use of every endeavour to prevent the party from being molested and attacked, as in that case I must be under a necessity to fire upon this town. From

"George Montague."

Lord Dunmore however thought better of this subject, and caused Mr. Henry to be met at Doncastle's, about sunrise on the same morning, with the receiver general's bill of exchange, for the sum required. It was accepted as a satisfaction for the powder, and the following receipt was passed by Mr. Henry.

"Doncastle's ordinary. New Kent, May 4, 1775, received from the hon. Richard Corbin, esq. his majesty's receiver general, 330l. as a compensation for the gunpowder lately taken out of the public magazine by the governor's order; which money I promise to convey to the Virginia delegates at the general congress, to be, under their direction, laid out in gunpowder for the colony's use, and to be stored as they shall direct, until the next colony, convention, or general assembly; unless it shall be necessary, in the mean time, to use the same