Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/176

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dispensable duty to have endeavoured to remove any cause of disquietude. They express the anxiety with which they contemplate the very disagreeable situation of his most amiable lady and her family, and assure him, that they should think themselves happy in being able to restore their perfect tranquillity, by removing all their fears. They regret his departure and the manner of it, as tending to keep up the great uneasiness, which had of late so unhappily prevailed in this country; and declare that they w ill cheerfully concur in any measure that may be proposed, proper for the security of himself and his family; they remind him how impracticable it will be to carry on the business of the session with any tolerable degree of propriety, or with that despatch which the advanced season of the year required, whilst his lordship was so far removed from them, and so in- conveniently situated; and conclude, with entreating him that he would be pleased to return with his lady and family to the palace, which, they say, they are per- suaded will give the greatest satisfaction, and be the most likely means of quieting the minds of the people. This communication was carried down to him by a deputation of two members of the council, and four of the house of burgesses; and in reply to language so respectful, and assurances so friendly and conciliatoiy, his lordship returned an answer in which he chai'ged them with having slighted his offers of respect and civi- lity, with giving countenance to the violent and disor- derly proceedings of the people, and with an usurpation of the executive power in ordering and appointing guards to mount in the city ol' Williamsburg, with the view, as ivas petended to protect the magazine, but which might well be doubted, as there then remained nothing therein which required being guarded: he ex-

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