Patrick Henry Life, Correspondence And Speeches Volume 1

PRACTICE IN THE GENERAL COURT.—1766-1778.

Wuew America was aroused to the point of re- sistance to the Stamp Act, intelligence was received of a change in the Ministry which greatly strength- ened the patriot party in their determination. The Duke of Cumberland, the stern conqueror on the field of Culloden, became Prime Minister, and they could have nothing to hope for from him indeed ; but their defender on the floor of Parliament, Gen- eral Conway, was the new Secretary for the Colonies, and through him they trusted Parliament would be induced to repeal the Act. On the night before the Act was to take effect the Duke died suddenly, and this left the Ministry unsettled in their policy as regards the serious disturbances reported in all the colonies. Parliament was called together to consult as to the measures to be adopted. Papers were laid before the body showing the condition of

RECLAMATION OF THE GUNPOWDER. 299

On the same day Thomas Jefferson appeared for the first time as a delegate from Virginia, bringing with him the reply of her House of Burgesses to Lord North’s proposals, of which he was the drafts- man. On the next day information was received of the battle of Bunker Hill, as it is commonly known, and that the eminent patriot Joseph Warren was among the slain. His loss deeply moved the hearts of the patriots throughout America, and Mr. Henry, beholding its effect, exclaimed, “A breach on our affections was needed to arouse the country to action.” ?