Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/224

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day, when freedom and equal rights, estabHshed by the voice of the people, shall prevail through the land. We are, may it please your excellency, your excellency's most devoted and most obedient servants."

To which he returned the following exquisite an- swer: —

"Gentlemen of the first and second Virginia regi- ments,

" Your address does me the highest honour. Be pleased to accept my most cordial thanks for your favourable and kind sentiments of my principles and conduct.

" The high appointment to which my fellow-citizens have called me, was indeed, iinsolicited; unmented. I am therefore, under increased obligations to promote the safet}^, dignity, and happiness of the common- wealth.

" While the civil powers are employed in establish- ing a system of government, liberal, equitable, in every part of which the genius of equal liberty breathes her blessed influence, to you is assigned the glorious task of saving, by your valour, all that is dear to mankind. Go on, gentlemen, to finish the great work you have so nobly and successfully begun. Convince the tyrants again, that they shall bleed, that America will bleed to her last drop, ere their wicked schemes find suc- cess.

" The remembrance of my former connexion with you, shall be ever dear to me. I honour your profes- sion. I revere that patriot virtue which, in your con- duct, hath produced cheerful obedience, exemplary courage, and contempt of hardship and danger. Be

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