fe of Madison_, ii. 119-120.

[355] _Jour. Va. House Del._ 66-67.

[356] Madison, _Letters_, etc. i. 264.

[357] Rives, _Life of Madison_, ii. 238-239.

[358] R. H. Lee, _Life of A. Lee_, ii. 321.

[359] Sparks, _Corr. Rev._ iv. 168.

[360] _Madison Papers_, ii. 623.

[361] _Madison Papers_, 627.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE BATTLE IN VIRGINIA OVER THE NEW CONSTITUTION

The great convention at Philadelphia, after a session of four months,
came to the end of its noble labors on the 17th of September, 1787.
Washington, who had been not merely its presiding officer but its
presiding genius, then hastened back to Mt. Vernon, and, in his great
anxiety to win over to the new Constitution the support of his old
friend Patrick Henry, he immediately dispatched to him a copy of that
instrument, accompanied by a very impressive and conciliatory
letter,[362] to which, about three weeks afterwards, was returned the
following reply:--

RICHMOND, October 19, 1787.

DEAR SIR,--I was honored by the receipt of your favor,
together with a copy of the proposed federal Constitution, a
few days ago, for which I beg you to accept my thanks. They
are also due to you from me as a citizen, on account of the
great fatigue necessarily attending the arduous business of
the late convention.

I have to lament that I cannot bring my mind to accord with
the proposed Constitution. The concern I feel on this
account is really greater than I am able to express. Perhaps
mature reflections may furnish me with reasons to change my
present sentiments into a conformity with the opinions of
those personages for whom I have the highest reverence. Be
that as it may, I beg you will be persuaded of the
unalterable regard and attachment with which I shall be,

Dear Sir, your obliged and very humble servant,

P. HENRY.[363]

Four days before the date of this letter the legislature of Virginia
had convened at Richmond for its autumn session, and Patrick Henry had
there taken his usual place on the most important committees, and as
the virtual director of the thought and work of the House. Much
solicitude was felt concerning the course which he might advise the
legislature to adopt on the supreme question then before the
country,--some persons even fearing that he might try to defeat the