"The resolutions are right in principle, but intemperate in spirit," remarked another.
"Our self-respect demands that we indignantly repel such invasion of our rights as taxation imposes!" exclaimed a third, in full accord with the resolutions.
After the discussion had proceeded for a while, a timid spirit being manifested by a few, and indignant remonstrance against British tyranny by the many, Patrick Henry rose to reply to objections advanced.
He vindicated colonial rights under the English Constitution by an argument of great power, showing how often and causelessly they had been assailed; and he justified the resolutions by the "cool deliberation" of Parliament in fastening the chains of slavery upon them. Warming with his theme, he advanced to matchless eloquence, and closed his philippic with such a daring burst of patriotism as startled the Assembly.
"Cæsar had his Brutus!" he shouted; "Charles his Cromwell, and George the Third"—
"Treason! Treason!" cried the speaker.
"And George the Third may profit by their examples!" finishing the sentence in thunder tones.
"Sir," he continued, after running his eye over the Assembly, "if this be treason (bowing to the speaker) make the most of it!"
Lieutenant-governor Fauquier was alarmed at this disloyal demonstration, and proceeded to dissolve the Assembly, though not until the resolutions were adopted in a modified form, still retaining, however, their patriotic spirit.