Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/317

 of the indictment, still extant among our records, and en- dorsed in Mr. Randolph's own hand-writing; convicted him on that charge, on which charge, and on which alone. Philips was regularly sentenced and executed. Yet, not only Mr. Randolph, but all the other members who had occa- sion to advert to the circumstance, and even Mr. Henry, on whom it is supposed to have been designed to bear, proceed in their several criminations and defences, upon the admission that Philips had fallen a victim to the bill of attainder. Had the incident been of a com- mon character, there would have been nothing strange in its having been forgotten; but it is one of so singu- lar and interesting a nature, that this total oblivion of it by the principal actors themselves, becomes a matter of curious history.*

The convention had been attended from its com- mencement, by a vast concourse of citizens of all ages and conditions. The interest so universally felt in the question itself, and not less the transcendent talents which were engaged in its discussion, presented such attractions as could not be resisted. Industry deserted its pursuits, and even dissipation gave up its objects, for the superior enjoyments which were presented by the hall of the convention. Not only the people of the town and neighbourhood, but gentlemen from every quarter of the state, were seen thronging to the me- tropolis, and speeding their eager way to the building in which the convention held its meetings. Day after day, from morning till night, the galleries of the house were continually filled with an anxious crowd, who for- got the inconvenience of their situation, in the excess of their enjoyment; and far from giving any interrup-


 * See Appendix, Note C,

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