Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/235

 " Perhaps I give you needless trouble in handing you this paper. The writer of it may be too insignificant to deserve any notice. If I knew this to be the case, I should not have intruded on your time, which is so precious. But there may possibly, be some scheme or party forming to your prejudice. The enclosed leads to such a suspicion. Beheve me, sir, I have too high a sense of the obligations America has to you, to abet or countenance so unworthy a proceeding. The most exalted merit hath ever been found to attract envy. But I please myself with the hope, that the same for- titude and greatness of mind, which have hitherto braved all the difficulties and dangers inseparable from your station, will rise superior to every attempt of the envious partisan.

" I really cannot tell who is the writer of this letter, which not a little perplexes me. The hand-writing is altogether strange to me.

" To give you the trouble of this, gives me pain. It would suit my inclination better, to give you some assistance in the great business of the war. But I will not conceal any thing from you, by which you may be affected; for I really think, your personal welfare and the happiness of America, are intimately connected. I beg you will be assured of that high regard and esteem, with which I ever am, dear sir, your affectionate friend and very humble servant,

" P. Henry.'^

^' His excellency general Washington, ^^

Not having received any answer to this letter, and being filled with solicitude by the wicked conspiracy, he again wrote to general Washington, as follows:

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