Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/237

 LIFE OF HENRY. 21S

cutive here, to provide the Virginia troops serving with you, with clothes, &c. I am making provision accord- ingly, and hope to do something towards it. Every possible assistance from government is afforded the commissary of provisions, whose department has not been attended to. It was taken up by me too late to do much. Indeed the load of business devolved on me, is too great to be managed well. A French ship mount- ing thirty guns, that has been long chased by the English cruisers, has got into Carolina, as I hear last night.

"Wishing you all possible fehcity, I am, my dear sir, your ever affectionate friend, and very humble servant,

" P. Henry."'

" His excellency general Washington."'

In reply, Mr. Henry received shortly afterwards, the two following very cordial letters from the general:

" Valley Forge, Mai-ch 27th, 1778.

" Dear sir,

" About eight days past, I was honoured with youi^ favour of the 20th ultimo. Your friendship, sir, in transmitting me the anonymous letter you had receiv- ed, lays me under the most grateful obligations; and, if any thing could give a still further claim to my acknow- ledgments, it is the very polite and delicate terms in which you have been pleased to make the communica- tion.

" I have ever been happy in supposing that I held a place in your esteem, and the proof of it you have af-

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