Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/239

 « Camp, March 28th, 1778.

" Dear sir,

"Just as I was about to close my letter of yesterday, your favour of the fifth instant came to hand. I can only thank you, again in the language of the most undissem- bled gratitude, for your friendship, and assure you, the indulgent disposition, which Virginia in particular, and the states in general, entertain towards me, gives me the most sensible pleasure. The approbation of my coun- tiy is what I wish; and as far as my abilities and op- portunity will permit, I hope I shall endeavour to de- serve it. It is the highest reward to a feeling mind ; and happy are they who so conduct themselves as to merit it.

" The anonymous letter with which you were pleased to favour me, was written by ^**-***^***** so far as I can judge from the simihtude of hands. ****^**

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" My caution to avoid every thing that could injure the service, prevented me from communicating, except to a very few of my friends, the intrigues of a faction which I knew was formed against me, since it might serve to publish our internal dissensions; but their own restless zeal to advance their views, has too clearly betrayed them, and made concealment on my part fruitless. I cannot precisely mark the extent of their views; but it appeared in general, that general Gates was to be exalted on the ruin of my reputation and influence. This I am authorized to say from unde- niable facts in my own possession^ — from publications, the evident scope of which could not be mistaken — and from private detractions industriously circulated.
 * ^-^*^^^^^^^^^-^ j^ jg commonly supposed, bore the

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