1736 -1779




Patrick knew no equal as an orator, he could spell-bind his audience.
The only comparison that comes to mind is William Jennings Bryan's
"cross of gold speech"
and it did not have the mesmerizing effect of Henry's speech.
When Henry finished, there was total silence.
Finally there was a cry "to arms." Richard Henry Lee, a spirited orator himself,
rose to support Henry, but his voice was lost in the clamor.
Henry had set their souls on fire.
The Virginia colony promptly acted to adopt defensive measures.
Henry refused to attend the Constitutional Convention of 1787 because he "smelt a rat".
He was offered the position of United States Senator, Secretary of State under Washington,
and the Chief Justiceship of the U. S. Supreme Court, and he declined them all.



23 March 1775 - St. John's Church in Richmond



No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities
of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House.
But different men often see the same subject in different lights, and therefore,
I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if,
entertaining as I do opinions of a character very opposite to theirs,
I shall speak forth my sentiments freely and without reserve.

This is no time for ceremony.
The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country.
For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery,
and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.
It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfill the great
responsibility which we hold to God and our country.
Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense,
I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country,
and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above
all earthly kings.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.
We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren,
till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and
arduous struggle for liberty?
Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears,
hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation?
For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth;
to know the worst, and to provide for it.

I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience.
I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past.
And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British
ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been
pleased to solace themselves and the house?
Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?
Trust it not, sir, it will prove a snare to your feet.
Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.
Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike
preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.
Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?
Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called
in to win back our love?
Let us not deceive ourselves sir.
These are the implements of war and subjugation, the last arguments to
which kings resort.
I ask gentlemen sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to
force us to submission?
Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it?
Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world,
to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No sir, she has none.
They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other.
They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British
ministry have been so long forging.
And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument?
Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.
Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing !!!
We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable,
but it has been all in vain.
Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?
What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted?
Let us not, I beseech you sir, deceive ourselves longer.

Sir, we have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which
is now coming on. We have petitioned, we have remonstrated, we have supplicated,
we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition
to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and parliament.
Our petitions have been slighted, our remonstrance’s have produced additional
violence and insult, our supplications have been disregarded, and we
have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.
In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.
There is no longer any room for hope.
If we wish to be free, if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for
which we have been so long contending, if we mean not basely to abandon the
noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have
pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest
shall be obtained, we must fight, repeat it sir, we must fight !!
An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts, is all that is left us.

They tell us sir that we are weak, unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
But when shall we be stronger?
Will it be the next week or the next year?
Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed
in every house?
Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction?
Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance by lying supinely on our backs,
and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound
us hand and foot?
Sir, we are not weak, if we make a proper use of those means which the God of
nature has placed in our power.
Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as
that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.
Besides sir, we shall not fight our battles alone.
There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations, and who will
raise up friends to fight our battles for us.
The battle sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.
Besides sir, we have no election.
If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.
There is no retreat but in submission and slavery !! Our chains are forged.
Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston.
The war is inevitable and let it come, I repeat it sir, let it come !!

It is in vain sir, to extenuate the matter.
Gentlemen may cry, peace, peace, but there is no peace.
The war is actually begun !!
The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms !
Our brethren are already in the field !
Why stand we here idle?
What is it that gentlemen wish?
What would they have?
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?
Forbid it Almighty God !!
I know not what course others may take, but as for me,

"Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death"







Patrick Henry
"Voice Of The Revolution - Orator Of Liberty"

Patrick Henry embodied the spirit of American courage and patriotism.
He is recognized today, as he was among his contemporaries, as the
"Orator of Liberty"
His compelling speeches kindled the fires of the Revolution,
and fueled the effort to secure freedom.

During his early life, Patrick Henry made several unsuccessful attempts
to find the career that would best utilize his unique talents.
He was unsuccessful in the mercantile business before taking
up the study of law.

At the age of 27, his genius as an orator burst forward in a brilliant display of
eloquence in the case of the Parson's Cause.
In this case, he was fighting against taxation without representation,
in which the parsons of the Church of England tried to tax colonists
who believed in other religions.
Although many doubted his ability to succeed at law, he stunned the
spectators and jury by the fire and eloquence of his words.
The people carried him out of the courtroom in triumph.
Following this case, he rose to the head of his profession.

Henry's was the first voice raised against England in her attempt to raise taxation
without representation.
He rose to his full stature in attacking the infamous Stamp Act,
which was hotly debated at the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg in 1765.
The other delegates quailed when Henry hurled defiance at George III with the challenge,
"If this be treason, make the mos