Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/221

 the house proceeded to elect forthwith the first republican governor for the commonwealth of Virginia. This was the touchstone of public favour. The office was of the first importance; and the whole state was open to the choice of the house. The question was decided on the first ballot. The votes stood thus:

Whereupon it was "Resolved, that the said Patrick Henry, jun. esq. be governor of this commonwealth, to continue in that office until the end of the succeeding session of assembly after the last of March next; and that Mr. Mason, Mr. Henry Lee, Mr. Digges, Mr. Blair, and Mr. Dandridge, be a committee to wait upon him, and notify such appointment."

On Monday, the 1st of July, Mr. George Mason, of this committee, reported, that they had performed the duty assigned them, and that the governor had been pleased to return the following answer to the convention:

"To the honourable the president and house of convention.

"Gentlemen,

"The vote of this day, appointing me governor of the commonwealth, has been notified to me in the most polite and obliging manner, by George Mason, Henry Lee, Dudley Digges, John Blair, and Bartholomew Dandridge, esquires.