Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/321

 out the formality of adjournment, the members rushing from their seats with precipitation and confusion*

But all his efforts were in vain. Either the justice of the opposing cause, or the powers of his adversaries, or the prejudged opinions and instructions of the mem- bers, rendered his reasoning and his eloquence equally unavailing. Out of a house, composed of one hundred and sixty-eight members, the question of ratification was carried by a majority of ten. Mr. Henry himself, seem- ed to have a presage of this result. After the storm which has been mentioned, colonel Innis, who, in his character of attorney general, had been hitherto attend- ing a court of oyer and terminer, came into the house, and the debate was renewed. Mr. Henry, in answer- ing him, closed the last speech which he delivered on. the floor, with the following remarks:

" I beg pardon of this house, for having taken up more time than came to my share; and I thank them for the patience and polite attention with which I have been heard. If I shall be in the minority, I shall have those painful sensations which arise from a conviction of being overpowered in a good cause. Yet, I will be a peaceable citizen! My head, my hand, and my heart, shall be free to retrieve the loss of liberty, and remove the defects of that system, in a constitutional ivay. I wish not to go to violence, but will wait with hopes that

��* The words above quoted are those of judge Archibald Stuart ; a gentle- man who was present, a member of the convention, and one of those who voted against the side of the question, supported by Mr. Henry. The inci- dent as given in the text, is wholly founded on the statements of those who were witnesses of the scene; and by comparing it with the coiTesponding passage in the printed debates, the reader may decide how far these are to be relied on, as specimens of Mr. Henry's eloquence.

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