Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/187

 were on a pillaging or pleasuring party; and although it gives us paiH to use indelicate expressions, yet the treat- ment received from you, calls for a state of the facts in the simple language of truth, however harsh it may sound. To your own heart we appeal for the candour with which we have stated them — to that heart which drove you into the woods in the most tempestuous weather, in one of the darkest nights, to avoid the much injm'ed and innocent inhabitants of this county, who had never threatened or ill used you — and who would, at that time, have received you, we are assured, with humanity an^ civility, had you made yourself and situa- tion known to^tjiem. Neither the vessel or stores vere seized by the inhabitants of Hampton; the gunner, one Mr. Gray — and the pilot, one Mr. Ruth — who were em- ployed by you on this part}', are men we hope, who will still assert the ti'uth. From them, chvers of our members were informed, that the vessel and stores, together with a good seine (which you, witliout cause, so hastily deserted) were given up as iiTecovera]>l5' lost, by the officers, and some of the proprietors, to one Finn, near whose house you were drove on shore, as a reward for his entertaining you, &c. with respect and decency.

"The threats of a person whose -conduct hath evinced that he was not only capable, but desirous of doing us, in our tlien defenceless st^e, the greatest injus- tice, we confess were somewhat alarming; but, with the greatest pleasure, we can inform you, our apprehen- sions are now removed.

" Although we know that we cannot legally be called to account for that which you are pleased to style an outrage, and notwithstanding we have hitherto, by you, been ti^eated with iniquity, we will, as far as in our

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