Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/271

 approaching to sternness. " Gentlemen/' said he, " my sensibilit)^ is deeply affected by this distinguished mark of the affectionate regard of your honourable house. I lament, on tliis occasion, the want of those powers which would enable me to do justice to my feelings, and shall rely upon your indulgent report, to supply the defect; at the same time, I pray you to pre- sent for me, the strongest assurances of unalterable affection and gratitude, for this last pleasing and flatter- ing attention of my countiy.^^

The marquis, who had been to France since the close of hostilities, made his entree on the morning of the 18th of November; and the house immediately on its meeting, came to the following resolution: " The house being informed of the arrival, this morning, of the marquis de la Fayette in this city. Resolved, 'iwmine coixtradkente, that a committee of five be appointed, to present to him the affectionate respects of this house, to signify to him their sensibility to the pleasing proof, given by this visit to the United States, and to this state in particular; that the benevolent and honourable senti- ments which originally prompted him to embark in the hazardous fortunes of America, still render the pros- perity of its affairs an object of his attention and regard; and to assure him, that they cannot review the scenes of blood and danger through which we have arrived at the blessings of peace, without being touched, in the most lively manner, with the recollection, not only of the invaluable seiTices for which the United States at large are so much indebted to him, but of that conspicuous display of cool intrepidity and wise conduct, during his command in the campaign of 1781, which, by having so essentially served this state in particular, have given him so just a title to its particular acknowledgments.

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