Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/254

 230 SKETCHES OF THE

of Mr. Harrison's oratory, but to show the panic which prevailed even among the first men of the comitry. — " The critical and dangerous situation of our countiy leads me to hope, that my recommending it to you to despatch the weighty matters that will be under your consideration, ivith all convenient speed, will not be taken amiss: the people expect that effectual and deci- sive measures will be taken to rid them of an impla- cable enemy, that are now roaming at large in the very bowels of our country, and I have no doubt of your answering their expectations; the mode of doing this may indeed be difficult; but it not being my province to point it out, I shall leave it to your wisdom, in full con- fidence that every thing that is necessary for quieting the minds and dispelling the fears of our constituents, will be done.'^

Eight days after this address, Mr. John Jouett, a citizen of the place, entered the town on horseback, at full speed, and announced the near and rapid approach of Tarlton, at the head of three hundred cavalry and mounted infantry. The house had just met, and was about to commence business, when the alarming cry of " Tarlton and the British,^^ was spread through the village; and they had scarcely taken time to adjourn informally to Staunton, when Tarlton rushed like a thunderbolt into the village, in the confident expecta- tion of seizing the whole assembly: but the birds had flown. He made seven of them only prisoners. The rest re-assembled in Staunton, on the 7th of June. On the 10th of June, a false report of his^ approach pro- duced another panic; and the house having merely taken time to resolve, that they would meet at the Warm Springs, if it should be found dangerous to meet in Staunton on the next day; and on their failure so to do,

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