Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/196

 178 SKETCHES OF THE

tion addressed a letter to colonel Woodford, which seems to have been a preparative for the resolution of the committee, and is certainly suited, with great dexterity, to that object; the writer, after some intro- ductory observations, says, " Whether you are obliged to make your returns to colonel H — y, and to send your despatches through him to the convention and committee of safety, and also from those bodies through him to you, must depend upon the ordinance and the commission he bears. You will observe his commission is strongly worded, beyond what I believe was the intention of the person who drew it* — but the ordinance

��* The committee appointed to draw up and report the forms of commis- sions, for the officers of the troops to be raised by order of the convention, of the summer of 1775, were Mr. Banister, Mr. Lawson, Mr. Walkins and Mr. Holt ; and on the 26th of August, 1775, Mr. Banister from this commit- tee, reported the following : —

" Form of a commission for the colonel of the first regiment, and com- mander of the regiUar forces, " The committee of safety fortlie colony of Virginia to Patrick Henry, esq. " Whereas, by a resolution of the delegates of this colony, in convention assembled, it w^as determined that you, the said Patrick Henry, esq. should be colonel of the first regiment of regulars, and commander in chief of all the forces to be raised for the protection and defence of this colony; and by an ordinance of the said convention it is provided, that the committee of safety should issue all military commissions : Now, in pursuance of the said power to us granted, and in conformity to the appointment of the convention, we, the said committee of safety, do constitute and commission you, the said Patrick Henry, esq. colonel of the first regiment of regulars, and commander in chief of all such other forces as may^ by order of the conx^ention, or committee of safety, be directed to act in conjunction with them ,- and with the said forces, or any of them, you are hereby empowered to resist and repel all hostile inva- sions, and quell and suppress any insurrections which may be made or attempted against the peace and safety of this his majesty's colony and dominion. And we do require you to exert your utmost efforts for the pro- motion of discipline and order, among the officers and soldiers under your command, agreeable to such ordinances, itiles, and articles, which are now, or hereafter may be, instituted for the government and regulation of the army ; and that you pay due obedience to all orders and instructions, which from time to time, you may receive from the convention or committee of

�� �