Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/283

Rh in the discharge of the duties of that high and important office, and wish him all domestic happiness, on his return to private life."

To this resolution, Mr. Corbin, one of the committee, reported the following answer from Mr. Henry:—

"Gentlemen,

"The house of delegates have done me distinguished honour, by the resolution they have been pleased to communicate to me through you. I am happy to find my endeavours to discharge the duties of my station, have met with their favourable acceptance.

"The approbation of my country, is the highest reward to which my mind is capable of aspiring; and I shall return to private life, highly gratified in the recollection of this instance of regard, shown me by the house: having only to regret that my abilities to serve my country have come so short of my wishes.

"At the same time that I make my best acknowledgments to the house for their goodness, I beg leave to express my particular obligations to you gentlemen, for the polite manner in which this communication is made to me."

On the fourth of December in the same year, Mr. Henry was appointed by the legislature, one of seven deputies from this commonwealth to meet a convention proposed to be held in Philadelphia, on the following May, for the purpose of revising the federal constitution. On this list of deputies, his name stands next to that of him, who stood of right before all others in America; the order of appointment, as exhibited by the