Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/213

 puted to envy at the time, proceeded, so far as Mr. Pen- dleton was concerned, from a single eye to the public good, and a sincere behef on his part, (an opinion in which he was by no means singular,) that Mr. Henry^s inexperience in military affairs, made it unsafe to com- mit to his management the infancy of our war. The people required to be animated by success in the on- set; and it was therefore very natural in the commit- tee of safety, on whom the responsibility for the ma- nagement of the war devolved, to select for the first enterprises, the most experienced commander. Mr. Pendleton was too virtuous a man, and too faithful a patriot, to have yielded consciously to any other motive of action than the public good. His country has fixed its seal upon his exalted character, and the writer of these sketches is much more disposed to brighten than to efface the impression.

The motives of Mr. Henry's resignation of his com- mission, which have been stated, are very easily and clearly deducible from the papers of the day, and were expressly avowed by him to his confidential friend and brother-in-law, col. Meredith.* To other friends how- ever, he stated that he was the more reconciled to the necessity which had compelled him to resign, because he believed that he could perhaps, serve the cause of his country, more effectually in the public coimcils than in the field.f

colonel M. stated his motives for resigning his commission as colonel. He conceived himself neglected by younger officers having been put above him, and preferred to him; particularly in the affair of the Great Bridge, where ho wished to have commanded ; but colonel Woodford received that appoint- ment. He disliked his being kept in and about Williamsburg, and not ap- pointed to some important post or expedition. He was thus induced to think he was neglected by those who had the power of appointment. He therefore resigned."
 * These are colonel Meredith's words: — " P. H. in a communication to

t Judge Tyler, and captain George Pabncy.

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