Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/334

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310 SKETCHES OP THE

ourselves, and our latest posterity^ the great and un- alienable rights of mankind/^

Draft of a letter to governor Clinton on the same subject:

" Sir,

" The letter from the convention of the state of New-York, hath been laid before us, since our present session. The subject which it contemplated, was taken up, and we have the pleasure to inform you, of the entire concurrence in sentiment, between that honour- able body, and the representatives in senate and as- sembly, of the freemen of this commonwealth. The propriety of immediately calling a convention of the states, to take into consideration the defects of the con- stitution was admitted; and in consequence thereof, an apphcation agreed to, to be presented to the congress so soon as it shall be convened, for the accomplishment of that important end. We herewith transmit to your excellency, a copy of this application, which we request may be laid before your assembly at their next meeting. We take occasion to express our most earnest wishes, that it may obtain the approbation of New-York, and of all other sister states.^'

Draft of a letter to the several states on the same subject:

" The freemen of this commonwealth, in convention assembled, having at the same time that they ratified the federal constitution, expressed a desire that many parts which they considered as exceptionable parts, should be amended— the general assembly, as well from

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