Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/267

 LIFE OF HENRY. 24^$

These measures have been frequently stated, in conver- sation, as proofs of a leaning on the part of Mr. Henry towai'ds an established church, and that too, the aristo- cratic church of England. To test the justness of this charge, the journals of the house of delegates have been examined, and this is the result of the evidence which they furnish: on the 17th of November, 1784, Mr. Mat- thews reported from the committee of the whole house, on the state of the commonwealth, the following resolu- tion:

" Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that acts ought to pass for the incorporation of all socie- ties of the Chnstian religion, ivhich may apply for the same'^

The ayes and noes having been called for, on the pas- sage of this resolution, were, ayes sixty-two, noes twenty- three; Mr. Henry being with the majority.

The principle being thus established in relation to all religious societies, which should desire a legal existence for the benefit of acquiring and holding property to the use of their respective churches, leave was given, on the same day, to bring in a bill to incorporate the clergj^^ of the protestant episcopal church, which had brought itself within that principle by having applied for an act of incorporation; and Mr. Hemy was one, but not the chairman,* of the committee appointed to bring in that bill. How a measure which holds out, to ail religious societies, equally, the same benefit, can be charged with partiality, because accepted by one only, it is not very

were Mr. Hear}', Mr. Thomas Smith, Mr. William Anderson, and Mr. Tazewell.
 * The chairman was Mr. Carter H. Harrison; the rest of the committee

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