Among the first to bring their congratulations to the new governor, were his devoted friends, the first and second regiments of Virginia, who told [Pg 215] him that they viewed “with the sincerest sentiments of respect and joy” his accession to the highest office in the State, and who gave to him likewise this affectionate assurance: “our hearts are willing, and arms ready, to maintain your authority as chief magistrate.”[256] On the 29th of July, the erratic General Charles Lee, who was then in Charleston, sent on his congratulations in a letter amusing for its tart cordiality and its peppery playfulness:—

“I most sincerely congratulate you on the noble conduct of your countrymen; and I congratulate your country on having citizens deserving of the high honor to which you are exalted. For the being elected to the first magistracy of a free people is certainly the pinnacle of human glory; and I am persuaded that they could not have made a happier choice. Will you excuse me,—but I am myself so extremely democratical, that I think it a fault in your constitution that the governor should be eligible for three years successively. It appears to me that a government of three years may furnish an opportunity of acquiring a very dangerous influence. But this is not the worst.… A man who is fond of office, and has his eye upon reëlection, will be courting favor and popularity at the expense of his duty.… There is a barbarism crept in among us that extremely shocks me: I mean those tinsel epithets with which (I come in for my share) we are so beplastered,—‘his excellency,’ and ‘his honor,’ ‘the honorable president of the honorable congress,’ or ‘the honorable convention.’ This fulsome, nauseating cant may be well enough adapted to [Pg 216] barbarous monarchies, or to gratify the adulterated pride of the ‘magnifici’ in pompous aristocracies; but in a great, free, manly, equal commonwealth, it is quite abominable. For my own part, I would as lief they would put ratsbane in my mouth as the ‘excellency’ with which I am daily crammed. How much more true dignity was there in the simplicity of address amongst the Romans,—‘Marcus Tullius Cicero,’ ‘Decimo Bruto Imperatori,’ or ‘Caio Marcello Consuli,’—than to ‘his excellency Major-General Noodle,’ or to ‘the honorable John Doodle.’ … If, therefore, I should sometimes address a letter to you without the ‘excellency’ tacked, you must not esteem it a mark of personal or official disrespect, but the reverse.”[257]

Of all the words of congratulation which poured in upon the new governor, probably none came so straight from the heart, and none could have been quite so sweet to him, as those which, on the 12th of August, were uttered by some of the persecuted dissenters in Virginia, who, in many an hour of need, had learned to look up to Patrick Henry as their strong and splendid champion, in the legislature and in the courts. On the date just mentioned, “the ministers and delegates of the Baptist churches” of the State, being met in convention at Louisa, sent to him this address:—

May it please your Excellency,—As your advancement to the honorable and important station as governor of this commonwealth affords us unspeakable pleasure, we beg leave to present your excellency with our most cordial congratulations.[Pg 217]

Your public virtues are such that we are under no temptation to flatter you. Virginia has done honor to her judgment in appointing your excellency to hold the reins of government at this truly critical conjuncture, as you have always distinguished yourself by your zeal and activity for her welfare, in whatever department has been assigned you.

As a religious community, we have nothing to request of you. Your constant attachment to the glorious cause of liberty and the rights of conscience, leaves us no room to doubt of your excellency’s favorable regards while we worthily demean ourselves.

May God Almighty continue you long, very long, a public blessing to this your native country, and, after a life of usefulness here, crown you with immortal felicity in the world to come.

Signed by order:
Jeremiah Walker, Moderator.
John Williams, Clerk.

To these loving and jubilant words, the governor replied in an off-hand letter, the deep feeling of which is not the less evident because it is restrained,—a letter which is as choice and noble in diction as it is in thought:—

TO THE MINISTERS AND DELEGATES OF THE BAPTIST CHURCHES, AND THE MEMBERS OF THAT COMMUNION.