Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/203

 the same quarter. The convention however^ now interfered in behalf of their favourite; and remonstrat- ed against this degradation of the officers of their first choice; earnestly recommending it to congress, if they adhered to their resolution of taking into continental pay no more than six regiments, to suffer the tv^^o first to stand first in the arrangement. This course was accordingly adopted; but at the same time, commissions of brigadier general, were fonvarded by congress to colonel Howe and colonel Andreio Lewis.

The reader, if he knows any thing of the scrupulous and even fastidious delicacy with which militaiy ofilcers watch the most distant reflection upon their com- petency, will not be surprised that Mr. Henry refused the continental commission of colonel * which was now

��* The following is an exact copy of the commission sent from the g-eneral congress to the committee of safety, appointing colonel Henry to the com- mand of the first regiment, or battalion, in this colony, taken upon the con- tinental establishment, agi-eeableto the requisition of the last convention:

" In Congress.

^' The delegates of the United Colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts Bay, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the Counties of New Castle, Kent, and Sussex on Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carohna, and Georgia, to Patrick Henry, esq.

" We, reposing especial trust and confidence in your patriotism, valour, conduct, and fidelity, do by these presents, constitute and appoint you to be Colonel of the first battaUon of Virginia forces, in the army of the United Colonies, raised for the defence of American liberty, and for repelHng every hostile invasion thereof You are therefore, carefully and diligently to dis- charge the duty of colonel, by doing and performing all manner of tilings thereunto belonging. And we do strictly charge and require all oflicers and soldiers under your command, to be obedient to your orders as colonel. And you are to obsei-ve and follow such orders and directions, from time to time, as you shall receive from this or a future congi-ess of the United Colonies, or committee of congress, for that purpose appM.nted, or commander in ciiief for the time being of the army of the United Colonies, or any other superior

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