Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/210

 186 SKETCHES OP THE

Immediately following this defence of the committee, in the samepaper^ are the two following articles:

" Mr. Purdie,

" The address of the officers to col. Heniy, and the col. 's reply, has led some of our enemies to hope that there Would be great discontent in the army, by which our military operations would be retarded, and that there would be a considerable murmuring against the con- gress; but they are much mistaken. It is true the soldiers and officers were very unhappy at parting with ^0 amiable a commander as colonel Henry, and might b6 a little imprudent in some expressions on the occa- sion; but there is not a man of them who is not so warmly attached to the glorious cause he is engaged in, as to serve with alacrity under any commander, rather than it should suffer. And colonel Henr}^ himself, is a gentleman of so much honour, and so true a patriot, that he will never countenance a murmur against the congress; nay so far from it, that it is highly probable he will soon be found in that august assembly, urging with his powerful eloquence, the necessity of prosecut- ing the war with redoubled vigour. I am a sincere friend to the congress and to colonel Henry. '^

''Mr. Purdie,

" Envy will merit, as its shade pursue ;

But, like the shadow, proves the substance true."

POPK.

" I wafe not surprised to see, in your last week*s gazette, the resignation of Patrick Heniy, esquire, late commander in chief of all the Virginia forces, and colonel of the first regiment. From that gentleman^s amiable disposition, his invariable perseverance in the

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