P. HENRY.[303]

On the first of June, Thomas Jefferson was elected to succeed him in
office, but by a majority of only six votes out of one hundred and
twenty-eight.[304] On the following day Patrick Henry, having received
certain resolutions from the General Assembly[305] commending him for
his conduct while governor, graciously closed this chapter of his
official life by the following letter:--

GENTLEMEN,--The House of Delegates have done me very great
honor in the vote expressive of their approbation of my
public conduct. I beg the favor of you, gentlemen, to convey
to that honorable house my most cordial acknowledgments, and
to assure them that I shall ever retain a grateful
remembrance of the high honor they have now conferred on
me.[306]

In the midst of these frank voices of public appreciation over the
fidelity and efficiency of his service as governor, there were
doubtless the usual murmurs of partisan criticism or of personal
ill-will. For example, a few days after Jefferson had taken his seat
in the stately chair which Patrick Henry had just vacated, St. George
Tucker, in a letter to Theophilus Bland, gave expression to this
sneer: "_Sub rosa_, I wish his excellency's activity may be equal to
the abilities he possesses in so eminent a degree.... But if he should
tread in the steps of his predecessor, there is not much to be
expected from the brightest talents."[307] Over against a taunt like
this, one can scarcely help placing the fact that the general of the
armies who, for three stern years, had been accustomed to lean heavily
for help on this governor of Virginia, and who never paid idle
compliments, nevertheless paid many a tribute to the intelligence,
zeal, and vigorous activity of Governor Henry's administration. Thus,
on the 27th of December, 1777, Washington writes to him: "In several
of my late letters I addressed you on the distress of the troops for
want of clothing. Your ready exertions to relieve them have given me
the highest satisfaction."[308] On the 19th of February, 1778,
Washington again writes to him: "I address myself to you, convinced
that our alarming distresses will engage your most serious
consideration, and that the full force of that zeal and vigor you
have manifested upon every other occasion, will now operate for our
relief, in a matter that so nearly affects the very existence of our
contest."[309] On the 19th of April, 1778, Washingto