of Virginia[465] for
armed resistance to the government of the United States.

Just seven days after the passage of the Virginia resolutions, an
eminent citizen of that State appealed by letter to Patrick Henry for
some written expression of his views upon the troubled situation, with
the immediate object of aiding in the election of John Marshall, who,
having just before returned from his baffled embassy to Paris, was
then in nomination for Congress, and was encountering assaults
directed by every energy and art of the opposition. In response to
this appeal, Patrick Henry wrote, in the early part of the year 1799,
the following remarkable letter, which is of deep interest still, not
only as showing his discernment of the true nature of that crisis, but
as furnishing a complete answer to the taunt that his mental
faculties were then fallen into decay:--

TO ARCHIBALD BLAIR.

RED HILL, CHARLOTTE, 8 January, 1799.

DEAR SIR,--Your favor of the 28th of last month I have
received. Its contents are a fresh proof that there is cause
for much lamentation over the present state of things in
Virginia. It is possible that most of the individuals who
compose the contending factions are sincere, and act from
honest motives. But it is more than probable, that certain
leaders meditate a change in government. To effect this, I
see no way so practicable as dissolving the confederacy. And
I am free to own, that, in my judgment, most of the measures
lately pursued by the opposition party, directly and
certainly lead to that end. If this is not the system of the
party, they have none, and act 'ex tempore.'

I do acknowledge that I am not capable to form a correct
judgment on the present politics of the world. The wide
extent to which the present contentions have gone will
scarcely permit any observer to see enough in detail to
enable him to form anything like a tolerable judgment on the
final result, as it may respect the nations in general. But,
as to France, I have no doubt in saying that to her it will
be calamitous. Her conduct has made it the interest of the
great family of mankind to wish the downfall of her present
government; because its existence is incompatible with that
of all others within its reach. And, whilst I see the
dangers that threaten ours from her intrigue