Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/278

 254f SKETCHES OF THE

respectable footing, by laying taxes commensurate with all the public demands. With this view, a bill had been brought into the house and referred to a c^ littee of the whole; in support of which, the then speaker (Mr. Tyler,) Henry Tazewell, Mann Page, William Ronald, and many other members of great respectability (in- cluding to the best of my recollection, Richard H. Lee, and perhaps Mr. Madison) took an active part. Mr. Henry, on the other hand, was of opinion that this was a premature attempt; that policy required that the peo- ple should have some repose, after the fatigues and privations to which they had been subjected during a long and arduous struggle for independence.

" The advocates of the bill, in committee of the whole house, used their utmost efforts, and were suc- cessful in conforming it to their views, by such a ma- jority (say thirty) as seemed to insure its passage. When the committee rose, the bill was instantly reported to the house; when Mr. Henry, who had been excited and roused by his recent defeat, came forward again in all the majesty of his power. For some time after he commenced speaking, the countenances of his oppo- nents indicated no apprehension of danger to their cause.

" The feelings of Mr. Tyler, which were sometimes warm, could not on that occasion be concealed, even in the chair. His countenance was forbidding, even repulsive, and his face turned from the speaker. Mr. Tazewell was reading a pamphlet; and Mr. Page was more than usually grave. After some time, however, it was discovered that Mr. Tyler's countenance gradu- ally began to relax: he would occasionally look at Mr. Henry; sometimes smile; his attention by degrees be- came more fixed; at length it became completely so;

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