ly a national convention for proposing
to the States the required amendments. In the debate on the subject,
he is said to have declared "that he should oppose every measure
tending to the organization of the government, unless accompanied with
measures for the amendment of the Constitution."[406]

Some phrases in one of his resolutions were most offensive to those
members of the House who had "befriended the new Constitution," and
who, by implication at least, were held forth as "betrayers of the
dearest rights of the people." "If Mr. Henry pleases," so wrote a
correspondent of Washington, "he will carry the resolution in its
present terms, than which none, in my opinion, can be more
exceptionable or inflammatory; though, as he is sometimes kind and
condescending, he may perhaps be induced to alter it."[407]

In accordance with these resolutions, a formal application to Congress
for a national convention was prepared by Patrick Henry, and adopted
by the House on the 14th of November. Every word of that document
deserves now to be read, as his own account of the spirit and purpose
of a measure then and since then so profoundly and so cruelly
misinterpreted:--

"The good people of this commonwealth, in convention
assembled, having ratified the Constitution submitted to
their consideration, this legislature has, in conformity to
that act, and the resolutions of the United States in
Congress assembled to them transmitted, thought proper to
make the arrangements that were _necessary_ for carrying it
into effect. Having thus shown themselves obedient to the
voice of their constituents, all America will find that, so
far as it depends on them, that plan of government will be
carried into immediate operation.

"But the sense of the people of Virginia would be but in
part complied with, and but little regarded, if we went no
further. In the very moment of adoption, and coeval with the
ratification of the new plan of government, the general
voice of the convention of this State pointed to objects no
less interesting to the people we represent, and equally
entitled to your attention. At the same time that, from
motives of affection for our sister States, the convention
yielded their assent to the ratification, they gave the most
unequivocal proofs that they dreaded its operation under the
present form.

"In accedin