es."[235]

On the testimony of Edmund Randolph, who was a member of the
convention, it is now known that this momentous resolution "was drawn
by Pendleton, was offered in convention by Nelson, and was advocated
on the floor by Henry."[236] Any one who will carefully study it,
however, will discover that this resolution was the result of a
compromise; and especially, that it is so framed as to meet Patrick
Henry's views, at least to the extent of avoiding the demand for an
immediate declaration, and of leaving it to Congress to determine the
time and manner of making it. Accordingly, in letters of his, written
five days afterward to his most intimate friends in Congress, we see
that his mind was still full of anxiety about the two great
prerequisites,--a certified union among the colonies, and a friendly
arrangement with France. "Ere this reaches you," he wrote to Richard
Henry Lee, "our resolution for separating from Britain will be handed
you by Colonel Nelson. Your sentiments as to the necessary progress of
this great affair correspond with mine. For may not France, ignorant
of the great advantages to her commerce we intend to offer, and of the
permanency of that separation which is to take place, be allured by
the partition you mention? To anticipate, therefore, the efforts of
the enemy by sending instantly American ambassadors to France, seems
to me absolutely necessary. Delay may bring on us total ruin. But is
not a confederacy of our States previously necessary?"[237]

On the same day, he wrote, also, a letter to John Adams, in which he
developed still more vigorously his views as to the true order in
which the three great measures,--confederation, foreign alliances, and
independence,--should be dealt with:--

"Before this reaches you, the resolution for finally
separating from Britain will be handed to Congress by
Colonel Nelson. I put up with it in the present form for the
sake of unanimity. 'T is not quite so pointed as I could
wish. Excuse me for telling you of what I think of immense
importance; 't is to anticipate the enemy at the French
court. The half of our continent offered to France, may
induce her to aid our destruction, which she certainly has
the power to accomplish. I know the free trade with all the
States would be more beneficial to her than any territorial
possessions she might acquire. But pressed, allured, as she
will be,--but, abo