gentlemen, representing fourteen
companies of light-horse, met in council at Fredericksburg, and, after
considering a letter from the venerable Peyton Randolph which their
messenger had brought back with him, particularly Randolph's assurance
that the affair of the gunpowder was to be satisfactorily arranged,
came to the resolution that they would proceed no further at that
time; adding, however, this solemn declaration: "We do now pledge
ourselves to each other to be in readiness, at a moment's warning, to
reassemble, and by force of arms to defend the law, the liberty, and
rights of this or any sister colony from unjust and wicked
invasion."[175]

It is at this point that Patrick Henry comes upon the scene. Thus far,
during the trouble, he appears to have been watching events from his
home in Hanover County. As soon, however, as word was brought to him
of the tame conclusion thus reached by the assembled warriors at
Fredericksburg, his soul took fire at the lamentable mistake which he
thought they had made. To him it seemed on every account the part of
wisdom that the blow, which would have to be "struck sooner or later,
should be struck at once, before an overwhelming force should enter
the colony;" that the spell by which the people were held in a sort of
superstitious awe of the governor should be broken; "that the military
resources of the country should be developed;" that the people should
be made to "see and feel their strength by being brought out together;
that the revolution should be set in actual motion in the colony; that
the martial prowess of the country should be awakened, and the
soldiery animated by that proud and resolute confidence which a
successful enterprise in the commencement of a contest never fails to
inspire."[176]

Accordingly, he resolved that, as the troops lately rendezvoused at
Fredericksburg had forborne to strike this needful blow, he would
endeavor to repair the mistake by striking it himself. At once,
therefore, he despatched expresses to the officers and men of the
independent company of his own county, "requesting them to meet him in
arms at New Castle on the second of May, on business of the highest
importance to American liberty."[177] He also summoned the county
committee to meet him at the same time and place.

At the place and time appointed his neighbors were duly assembled; and
when he had laid before them, in a speech of wonderful eloquence, his
view of the situation,