Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/209

 vice, will be degraded in their ranks, and there is too much reason to apprehend, that great confusion will ensue.'

" The worthy gentleman (not a member of the com- mittee of safety) who proposed this resolution, informed the convention he had consulted some of the officers of the first regiment, who wished to have their rank pre- served, though it was foreseen the pay would be re- duced.

" The committee of safety, in a letter to the dele- gates dated the 25th of January, enclosing this resolu- tion, thus write: ^ You have a list of the field officers as they stand recommended, and we doubt not receiving the commissions in the like order, with blanks for the proper number of captains and subalterns. If, how- ever, the resolution of congress should be unalterably fixed to allow us but six battalions, you will please to attend to that part of the resolve which recommends their being the first six, as a point of great consequence to our harmony, in which may be involved the good of the common cause/ The committee of safety after- wards received the commissions wholly filled up for the field officers of six battalions, in the rank they stood recommended by the convention, beginning with col. Henry, and ending with col. Buckner of the 6th bat- talion, with directions to deliver them. Colonel Henry was accordingly offigred his commission, which he declin- ed accepting, and retired without assigning any rea- sons.

" As to the general officers, the convention left them entirely to the choice of the congress, without recom ■ mendation; nor did the committee of safety at all in- termeddle in that choice.

" A Friend to Truth.^' Aa

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