Federalist party, at first viewed with suspicion by Henry,397;later sympathized with by him,398,399;sincerity of its leaders in offering Henry office questioned by Jefferson,404;its folly in passing alien and sedition acts,408.
Fleming, John, Henry’s assistant in introducing the Virginia Resolves,69.
Fontaine, Edward, gives Roane’s description of Henry’s speech for organizing militia,146,150.
Fontaine, Mrs. Martha, with Henry in last illness,421.
Fontaine, Colonel Patrick Henry, statement as to Henry’s classical training,15;finds his examinations rigorous,16;tells story of his grandfather’s conversation in Latin with a French visitor,16,17;describes his grandfather’s preparation in British debts case,361;describes his abstemiousness,386.
Ford, John, defended by Henry in a murder case,374,375.
France, alliance with desired by Henry as preliminary to declaring independence,194,198,199;discussed by Charles Lee,195;adherence to, advocated strongly by Henry,254,255;infidelity of, combated by Henry,393;its quarrel with United States during Adams’s administration,407-412;its conduct toward Marshall, Pinckney, and Gerry condemned by Henry,409,410;commission to, nominated by Adams,412.
Franklin, Benjamin, on committee with Henry in second Continental Congress,174,175.
Frazer, ——, recommended to Washington by Henry,175.
Free trade, advocated by Henry,291,292.
French Revolution, effect of its excesses on Henry and others,398;its infidelity condemned by Henry,409.
Gadsden, Christopher, at Continental Congress, meets John Adams,104,105;a member of Congress,108;in debate on manner of voting,112;on gunpowder committee of second Continental Congress,175.
Gage, General Thomas, describes the exciting effect of the Virginia Resolves over the continent,82.
Gallatin, Albert, his alleged Latin conversation with Henry,16,17.
Galloway, Joseph, meets John Adams at first Continental Congress,105;a member of it,108;offers plan of reconciliation with England,115;its close approach to success,115.
Gardoqui, ——, Spanish envoy, negotiates with Jay respecting navigation of the Mississippi,307,308.
Gates, General Horatio, cabal to place him in supreme command,242,250;praised in anonymous letter to Henry,244;consoled after battle of Camden by Virginia Assembly277.
Genet, Edmond Charles, upheld by Jefferson and Madison,397.
Gerry, Elbridge, opposes adoption of federal Constitution,330.
[Pg 436]Gerrymandering, employed in 1788 against Madison in Virginia,351,352.
Girardin, Louis Hue, in his continuation of Burk’s “History of Virginia,” written under Jefferson’s supervision, accuses Henry of plan to establish a dictatorship in 1776,225;says the same for the year 1781,285.
Gordon, Rev. William, describes circulation of the Virginia resolutions in the Northern colonies,80.
Grayson, William, opposes ratification of federal Constitution,320;assists Henry in debate,320;elected senator at Henry’s dictation,350,353.
Greene, General Nathanael, beaten at Guilford,278;considered as possible dictator in 1781,286.
Griffin, Judge Cyrus, tries British debts case,362,364.
Grigsby, Hugh Blair, considers Wirt’s version of Henry’s speech for arming militia apocryphal,149;but admits that outline is authentic,150;reports statement of Clement Carrington regarding Henry’s military failings,187;on the injustice of Henry’s treatment,188.
Hamilton, Alexander, urges magnanimous treatment of Tories,289;letter of Madison to, warning of Henry’s intention to defeat operation of Constitution,344;his financial schemes disapproved by Henry,397.
Hamilton, Colonel Henry, governor of Detroit,259.
Hampden-Sidney College,16;suspends work to hear Henry’s last speech,415.
Hancock, John, his military aspirations,153,154;doubtful about federal Constitution,330.
Hardwicke, Lord, declares Virginia option law invalid,44.
Harrison, Benjamin, on committee to remonstrate against Stamp Act,66;appointed delegate to Continental Congress,99;described by John Adams,106;opposes Henry’s motion in Virginia convention to organize militia,137;on committee to arm militia,151;on other committees,152;returns to Virginia convention,176;his flight from Tarleton,281,282;denounces Constitution as dangerous,319,322;assists Henry in debate,320.
Harvey, “Butterwood Tom,” his evidence assailed by Henry in a murder trial,374,375.
Hawley, Joseph, his letter prophesying war read by John Adams to Henry,125.
Henry, David, manager of “Gentleman’s Magazine,” kinsman of Henry,3.
Henry, John, marries Sarah Syme,2;father of Patrick Henry,2;his education and character,2,3;distinguished Scotch relatives,3;educates his son,6,13;sets him up in trade,6;after his failure and marriage establishes him on a farm,7;hears his son’s speech in Parsons’ Cause,49,50.
Henry, Patrick, his birth,2;ancestry and relatives,2-5;education,5,6;apprenticed at fifteen to a tradesman,6;fails in business with his brother,6;marries Sarah Skelton,7;established as planter by relative and fails,7;again tries store-keeping and fails,8;not cast down by embarrassments,8,9;decides to study law,9;discussion of his alleged illiteracy,10-19;his pronunciation,10,11;habits of self-depreciation,11,12;his teachers,13,15;knowledge of Latin and Greek,13,15;mastery of language,13;signs of culture in his letters,14;anecdotes illustrating his knowledge of Latin,16,17;his taste for reading,18;fondness for history,19;liking for Butler’s “Analogy” and the Bible,20;his natural qualifications for the law,21;studies law,22;goes to Williamsburg to be examined,22;Jefferson’s stories of his difficulties in passing examination,23;his own statement,24,25;[Pg 437]returns to Hanover to practice law,25;lives in his father-in-law’s tavern,26;not a “barkeeper,”26;not dependent on his father-in-law,27;stories of his lack of practice,27;their falsity shown by record of his numerous cases,27,28;statements by Wirt and Jefferson as to his ignorance,29,30;their impossibility,31,32,34;proof of technical character of his practice,32;his legal genius,34;becomes celebrated through “Parsons’ Cause,”36;undertakes to defend vestrymen in suit for damages,46;insists on acceptance of a jury of common people,47;description of his speech by Wirt,49-52;its overwhelming effect,51,52;description by Maury,53,54;denies royal authority to annul colonial laws,54;apologizes to Maury,55,57;not really an enemy of the clergy,56,57;his geniality,58;popularity with the masses in Virginia,59;gains great reputation and increased practice,60;goes to Williamsburg as counsel in contested election case,60;despised by committee on account of appearance,61;his speech,61.
Member of Virginia Legislature.Elected representative from Louisa County,62;attacks in his first speech a project for a corrupt loan office,64;introduces resolutions against Stamp Act,69;his fiery speeches in their behalf,72,73;after their passage leaves for home,74;neglects to preserve records of his career,77;the exception his care to record authorship of Virginia resolutions,78;leaves a sealed account together with his will,83,84,85;doubts as to his authorship,84,note;condemned in Virginia by the officials,86;denounced by Governor Fauquier,86;and by Commissary Robinson,86,87;begins to be known in other colonies,88;gains immediate popularity in Virginia,88,89;becomes political leader,90;his large law practice,91,92;buys an estate,91;his great success in admiralty case,93;succeeds to practice of R. C. Nicholas,93,94;evidence of high legal attainments,94;leads radical party in politics,95;his great activity,96;member of Committee of Correspondence,96;leads deliberations of Burgesses over Boston Port Bill,98;appointed delegate to Continental Congress,99;member of convention of county delegates,100.
Member of Continental Congress.His journey to Philadelphia,100,101;his oratory heralded by associates,101;described by Atkinson,102;speaks in favor of committee to settle method of voting,110;protests against small colonies having equal vote with large,111;urges that old constitutions are abolished,112;wishes proportional representation, excluding slaves,112;his speech not that of a mere rhetorician,113,114;on committee on colonial trade and manufactures,114;opposes Galloway’s plan,116;expects war,116;wishes non-intercourse postponed,117;on committee to prepare address to the king,117;his share in its composition,117,118;on committee to declare rights of colonies,118;his practical ability not so extraordinary as his oratory,119;misrepresented as a mere declaimer,120;mythical account by Wirt of an impressive speech,120-121;asserted also to be author of rejected draft of address to the king,122;and to be cast in the shade by more practical men,122;this passage a slander due to Jefferson,123;not considered a mere talker by associates,124;high tribute to his practical ability by John Adams,124,125;agrees with Adams that war must come,125;allusion of his mother to him in 1774,126;fame of his speech for arming Virginia militia,128;danger of an overestimate,129;in Virginia convention offers resolutions to prepare for war,134;opposed by his political rivals,137;[Pg 438]and by all who dreaded an open rupture,138,139;his speech,140-145;description of Henry’s manner by St. George Tucker,143;by Randall,146;by John Roane,146-149;question as to its authenticity,149-151;chairman of committee for arming militia,151;also on committees on public lands and on encouragement of manufactures,151,152;his possible expectations of a military career,155;summary of his military beginnings,155,156;disgusted at failure of militia to resist Governor Dunmore’s seizure of gunpowder,158;wishes to emphasize situation by defying governor,158;rallies county militia and marches against him,159;receives protests from conservatives,160;reinforced by thousands,160;secures money compensation for gunpowder,160;gives receipt for it,161;offers to protect colonial treasurer,161;rebuffed by him,162;denounced in proclamation by Dunmore,162,163;condemned by conservatives,164;thanked and applauded by county conventions,164-166;returns to Continental Congress,166;escorted by volunteer guard,167;said by Jefferson to have been insignificant in Congress,168,169;falsity of his assertions,169,170;their lack of probability,171;his activity proved by records of Congress,172-175;interested in Indian relations,172;on committees requiring business intelligence,172,173;commissioner to treat with Indians,174;on committee to secure lead and salt,174;asks Washington to let a Virginian serve in army for sake of acquiring military training,175;returns to Virginia,176.
Political Leader in Virginia.Resumes services in Virginia convention,176;purchases powder for colony,176;thanked by convention,176;appointed commander-in-chief of Virginia forces,177;his authority limited by convention and Committee of Safety,177;organizes troops,178;not permitted to lead attack on Dunmore,180;ignored by nominal subordinates,180;practically superseded by Colonel Howe of North Carolina,180;appointed colonel of a Virginia regiment,181;resigns,181;indignation of his officers and soldiers,181-182;persuades soldiers not to mutiny,183;again receives an address from officers of his own and other regiments,183,184;his military ability doubted by Committee of Safety,185;by Washington and others,186;lack of definiteness in criticisms,186;real defect seems to have been lack of discipline,187;never given a real chance to show his abilities,188;saddened by wife’s death,189;reëlected to Virginia convention,190;his followers oppose Pendleton for president,191;serves on all important committees,192,193;presents numerous reports,193;eager for independence,193;but wishes first a colonial union and a foreign alliance,194;letter of Charles Lee to, on the subject,194-196;influences convention to instruct delegates to advocate all three things,197;advocates colonial union and French alliance in letters to Lee and Adams,198;willing to offer free trade,199;on committee to draft declaration of rights and plan of government,200;leads party advocating a democratic constitution,201;complains of lack of assistance,203;fears aristocratic tendencies of committee,203,204-206;thanks John Adams for his pamphlet,205;hearty letter of Adams in reply,206,207;writes fifteenth and sixteenth articles of Virginia bill of rights,208;elected governor of State,211;his letter of acceptance,212-213;takes oath of office and occupies Dunmore’s palace,214;congratulated by his old troops,214,215;by Charles Lee,215;by the Baptists of Virginia,216,217;his reply to the latter,217;[Pg 439]suffers from illness,218;moves family from Hanover to Williamsburg,219;seeks to maintain dignity of office,219,220;continues in ill-health but resumes duties of office,220;receives letter from Washington advising preparations for defense,221;his activity in military preparations,222;sneered at by his enemies,222,223;alleged by Jefferson to have planned a “dictatorship,”223-225;doubted by Wirt,226;real meaning of the term at that time only extraordinary power,227-229;authorized by legislature in 1776 to exercise military powers in emergency,231,232;utter baselessness of Jefferson’s charges against,233;has continued confidence of Assembly,234;reëlected governor,234;issues proclamation urging Virginians to volunteer,235;labors to keep Virginia troops in field,236;sends a secret messenger to Washington for exact information,236;explains to Washington the difficulties of raising troops in Virginia,237,238;second letter accepting governorship,239;marries Dorothea Dandridge,241;his labors in trying to furnish supplies,241;great official correspondence,241,242;his aid desired by Conway cabal,243;receives an anonymous letter against Washington,243-245;sends it to Washington with a warning,245,246;sends second letter assuring him of his confidence,247;replies of Washington to,248-250;his strong friendship with Washington,251,252;its significance in his later career,251;warns R. H. Lee of prejudices against him in Virginia,252,253;despairs of public spirit in Virginia,254;urges adherence to French alliance and rejection of North’s peace offers,255;twice receives extraordinary powers in 1777,256;reëlected to a third term,256; his reply,256;reports the success of George R. Clark’s expedition,258-260;again receives extraordinary powers,260;writes to president of Congress concerning military situation,260-262;foresees shifting of British attack to Virginia,262;reports situation to Washington,263;reports Matthews’s raid to Congress,264-267;issues a proclamation to warn State,266;declines reëlection on ground of unconstitutionality,268;complimented by General Assembly, his reply,268;his administration sneered at by Tucker,269;complimented by Washington,269,270;declines election to Congress,271;retires to his estate, Leatherwood,272;remains in retirement a year,272;writes despondent letter to Jefferson,273-275;chosen to General Assembly,275;at once assumes leadership,275;overwhelmed by committee work,276;again in later session,276-278;introduces resolutions to console Gates after Camden,277;introduces resolution authorizing governor to convene legislature elsewhere in case of invasion,278;his flight with legislature from Tarleton’s raid,281;ludicrous anecdotes of popular surprise at his flight,282-284;said by Jefferson to have been again considered for a dictatorship,285;contrary evidence,286,287;his further labors in sessions of 1782, 1783, 1784,287;again elected governor,288;difficulty of estimating his labors in legislature,288;favors rescinding of measures against Tories after war,289;his speech in their behalf,290,291;urges economic benefits of their return,291;presents bill repealing acts against British goods,292;advocates free trade,292;wishes to solve Indian problem by encouraging intermarriage,292,293;almost succeeds in carrying bill to that effect,293;antagonizes popular opinion in the foregoing projects, and also in religious liberality,294;his amazing mastery over the House,294,295;[Pg 440]his appearance in legislature described by Roane,295-297;more practical than Madison,296;superior to Madison and Lee in debate,296;death of his mother,299;brings his family from Leatherwood to Salisbury,299;his showy style of living,300;letter to Washington,301;urges him to accept shares in James and Potomac navigation companies,302;declines a third term and retires,302;publicly thanked by delegates,302;resumes practice of law in Prince Edward County,303;returns to Assembly until 1790,303;continues popular leader,303.
Opponent of the Federal Constitution.His relation to the Constitution not understood,298;not an extreme advocate of state rights,303;an early advocate of a central authority,304;supports in the main the policy of strengthening the federal government,305;proposes to Madison to “invigorate” the government,305;considered by Madison a “champion of the federal cause” until 1787,306;learns of Jay’s offer to surrender navigation of Mississippi,307;elected a delegate to the federal convention,309;refuses, because of the Mississippi scheme, to attend,310,311;anxiety over his refusal,311,312;receives appeal from Washington in behalf of Constitution,313;replies stating his disapproval,313;fears expressed that he would prevent calling of a state convention,314;but considers one necessary,315;labors to turn public opinion against the Constitution,315,316;said to favor disunion,317;his political methods censured by President Smith,317;leads opposition to Constitution in the convention,320;his great activity in debate,321;great ability of his arguments,321;not, in the convention at least, a disunionist,322,323;willing to admit defects in Confederation,323;objects that a new Constitution was beyond powers of federal convention,324;further holds that state sovereignty is threatened,324;objects that the individual is protected by no bill of rights,325,326;dreads implied powers,327;criticises the proposed government,327;considers the executive dangerous,328,329;fears danger to popular liberties,329;wishes to submit matter to a new convention,330;failing that, wishes it postponed until a bill of rights be added,331;foreseeing defeat, he promises submission to majority,332;effectiveness of his eloquence,333,334;his unwillingness to debate regularly,334;provokes Randolph into accusing him of unparliamentary behavior,335;taunted by Stephen and others as a mere declaimer,335;the variety and effectiveness of his arguments,335,336;episode of his speech in the thunder-storm,336-338;fears amendments cannot be adopted,341;begins a campaign for them,341,342;urges formation of societies to agitate for a bill of rights,342,343;suspected by Madison of purpose to revoke ratification or block action of Congress,343,344;satisfaction produced by his announcement of submission,344;enters with zeal into plan for a second convention,345;gains complete control of Virginia Assembly,346;causes passage of resolutions asking Congress to call a national convention,346;threatens to fight government unless amendments are adopted,347;condemned bitterly by Federalists,347;wishes to control Virginia delegation to Congress,350;prevents choice of Madison and dictates election of R. H. Lee and Grayson as senators,350;his followers gerrymander the congressional districts,351;retires from the legislature,352;bitter comments on his action,353;fails to prevent election of Madison,354;probable effect of his action in leading Congress itself to propose amendments,355;[Pg 441]virtual success of his policy,355,356.
In Retirement.Resumes practice of law,357;driven to it by debt,357,358;prematurely old at fifty,358;in eight years succeeds in gaining wealth enough to retire,358;great demand for his services,359;his part in the British debts case,359-367;associated with Marshall, Campbell, and Innes,360;his laborious preparations for the trial,361;masters subject completely,362;description of his plea before the district court,363;description of his second plea in same case, 1793,364-366;complimented by Justice Iredell for ability of argument,366,367;his even greater effectiveness in criminal cases,367;analysis by Wirt of his methods,368;another description of his eloquence by A. Alexander,369-371;description by Alexander of his part in a murder case,371-375;another murder case described by Roane,375-378;also his ability in the comic line,377;description of his powers in another murder trial by Conrad Speece,378-381;retires permanently in 1794,382;lives at Long Island, and eventually settles at Red Hill,382;his successful investments,383;not rich through dishonorable means as suggested by Jefferson,383;his life at Red Hill,384-395;happy relations with his family,384;calmness of temper,385;unruffled by scurrilous attacks,385,386;his advocacy of temperance,386;tries to introduce a substitute for wine,386;his dislike of tobacco,387;his elocutionary manner of directing negroes in the morning,387;his ownership of slaves and dislike of slavery,388;advocates emancipation,389;his hospitality,389;his modesty,390;tendency to plume himself on wealth,390;assists in education of children,391;his enjoyment of religious writings and sacred music,391;his religious character and habits,391;a member of the Episcopal Church,392;his anger at being called an infidel,392;alarmed at French skepticism,393;causes Butler’s “Analogy” and other books to be distributed,394;writes a reply to Paine’s “Age of Reason,” but causes it to be destroyed,394,395;inserts an affirmation of his faith in his will,395;continues to take interest in current events,395;satisfied with the Constitution after the ten amendments,396;but finds it hard to approve at once the Federalist government,397;dislikes Hamilton’s financial measures,397;gradually drawn toward Federalists and away from Jeffersonians,398;testimony of Iredell to his liberality,398;declines appointment as United States senator,398;believes that Washington considers him an enemy,399;reconciled to Washington by Henry Lee,399;his letter to Lee,400,401;dislikes democratic societies,401;offered position as secretary of state,402;declines it,402;receives from Washington through Lee an offer of chief justiceship,402,403;Washington’s anxiety for his acceptance,403;declines it,404; considered by Federalists for vice-presidency,404;sneered at by Jefferson,404;denies that he has changed opinions,405;dislikes Jay treaty, but condemns attempt of House to participate in treaty power,405;elected governor of Virginia, declines,406;asked to express his opinion on political situation in 1799,408;believes that Jefferson’s party plans disunion,409;alarmed at French Revolution,409;especially at infidelity,410;compliments Marshall’s bearing in France, and wishes his election to Congress,410,411;urges American national feeling,410;declines Adams’s nomination as minister to France,412;but expresses his sympathy with him,412;appealed to by Washington to come forward against the Democrats,413,414;comes out from retirement as candidate for legislature,415;great public interest,415;[Pg 442]description of his last speech,416-419;dissuades from resistance to the government,417;denies the power of a State to decide on federal laws,418;urges harmony and use of constitutional means of redress,418,419;his meeting with John Randolph,420;elected by a great majority,420;returns home,421;his last illness and death,421-423.