Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/251

 nation or expiration of his office, he removed to his newly acquired estate called Leatherwood, and there resumed the practice of the law. In the year 1 780, we find him again in the assembly, and one of the most active members in the house.

During the winter session of this year, general Gates entered the city of Richmond from his southern cam- paign, where he had most wofully fulfilled general Lee's prediction.* His total defeat at Camden, and a series of subsequent ill fortune, had left South Carolina completely in the hands of the victorious British; and to increase his humiliation, congress had not only super- seded him in that command, by the substitution of general Greene, but had passed a resolution requiring the commander in chief to order a court of inquiry on his conduct. Under these accumulated disgraces, the unfortunate general entered the city of Richmond; when Mr. Henry moved a resolution, which displays in a most engaging light, the delicate and generous sensibihty of his character: it was as follows:

" Resolved, That a committee of four be appointed to wait on major general Gates, and to assure him of the high regard and esteem of this house; that the remembrance of his former glorious services cannot be obliterated by any reverse of fortune; but that this house, ever mindful of his great merit, will omit no opportunity of testifying to the world, the gratitude which, as a member of the American union, this country owes to him, in his military character.^''

The author may be permitted to say of a state, which

command of the southern army, he foretold " that his 7iortli m laurels would be turned into soiahem ivillows**
 * When general Charles Lee heard of general Gates' appointment to the

�� �