Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/392

 368 SKETCHES OP THE

laws of confiscation and forfeiture, on which the de- fendant rehed; and in the course of his obser\^ations, had unfortunately used the remark, that Virginia was, at that time, nothing more than a revolted colony. When Mr. Henry came to notice this remark, he gave liis spectacles the war cant: "But another observa- tion," said he, "was made; that by the law of nations ^oe had not a right to legislate on the subject of British debts — we were not an independent nation — and I thought,*^ said he, raising himself aloft, while his frame dilated itself beyond the ordinary size, " that I heard the word — revolt^ At this word, he turned upon Mr. Ronald, his piercing eye, and knit his brows at him, with an expression of indignation and contempt, which seemed almost to annihilate him. It was like a stroke of lightning. Mr. Ronald shrunk from the withering look: and, pale and breathless, cast down his eyes, " seeming," says my informant, " to be in quest of an auger hole, by which he might drop through the floor, and escape for ever from mortal sight." Mr. Henry perceived his suffering, and his usual good nature imme- diately returned to him. He raised his eyes gently towards the court, and shaking his head, slowly, with an an expression of regret, added, " I wish I had not heard it: for although innocently meant (and I am sure that it was so, from the character of the gentleman who mentioned it) yet the sound displeases me — it is unplea- sant." Mr. Ronald breathed again, and looked up, and his generous adversary dismissed the topic, to resume it no more.

It may give the reader some idea of the amplitude of this argument, when he is told, that Mr. Henry was en- gaged three days successively in its delivery, and some faint conception of the enchantment which he threw

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