Patrick Henry

A Radical Man with Treasonous Aspirations
History has portrayed Patrick Henry as a radical man, a title that few men can wear with ease yet, Patrick Henry, was synonymous with the word in the minds of colonists and British Empire. Even though many of us know Henry for his immortal words, we know very little about the hero that contributed greatly to the revolutionary cause. As we glimpse into the past, I hope to give you a brief look into the life of Patrick Henry as well as pop culture 's take on the revolutionary icon. He, like so many of the founding fathers, by definition of the British empire, committed acts of treason in their fight for an ideal so radical that their beliefs set the keystone for the identity of the new nation that was about to emerge from the ruins of the American Revolutionary War. A Patriot and symbol in America 's struggle for liberty, Patrick Henry was a lawyer, orator, and active participant in virtually every phase of the founding of America. His Stamp Act Resolutions are still at the epicenter of what many historians hail as the first shot fired in the Revolutionary War.

A Synopsis of Patrick Henry 's Life
Patrick Henry was born in Hanover County, Virginia in 1736, to John and Sarah Winston Henry. His family quickly became aware that he was not interested in becoming a farmer, and instead began to educate Patrick. John Henry educated young Patrick at home teaching Henry Latin. Patrick took on the study of law on his own. In 1760, he traveled to Williamsburg to take his attorney 's examination, and from that day forward, Patrick Henry became indivisible from American history. In 1763, arguing the famed Parson 's Cause in Hanover County, Patrick Henry proclaimed that a king who would veto a good and necessary law made by a local representative government was not a father to his people but "a tyrant who forfeits the allegiance of his subjects." Henry 's oratory skills soon became his forte and used this skill to his advantage. Soon after he was elected to the House of Burgesses in 1764 and became its leading radical member. Defending his resolutions against the Stamp Act in the House of Burgesses May 30, 1765, he proposed the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions. In March 1775, at the Second Virginia Convention, Patrick Henry urged his fellow Virginians in an appeal at St. John 's Church in Richmond, where the legislature was meeting. Here his uttered the immortal words, "I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death." Henry called the citizens of Virginia to arms and his protest was carried over the protests of other soft spoken patriots and was one of the causes of the order for Lord Dunmore, the royal governor, to remove gunpowder from the local Magazine. Henry mobilized the militia to force the return of the powder. Since Henry 's action followed the British march on Concord by only a few hours, it is said to mark the beginning of the American Revolution in Virginia. In 1776, Henry was elected Governor of Virginia and was re-elected for three terms and then succeeded by Thomas Jefferson. He was again elected to the office in 1784. Patrick Henry was a strong critic of the constitution proposed in 1787. He was in favor of the strongest possible government for the individual states, and a weak federal government. President Washington appointed him Secretary of State in 1795, but Henry declined the office and in 1799, President Adams appointed him envoy to France, but failing health forced him to decline this office too. He died on June 6, 1799 at age of 63. The actions of Patrick Henry and other Patriots paved the way for America 's eventual break from the British empire. As we continue to discover Patrick Henry as a founding father we will begin to explore how popular culture perceives the man, whose words will forever be remembered.

Immortal Words
The portrait (left) by Thoams Sully, depicts the serious and punctual demeanor of Patrick Henry. Henry, know as a dramatic and fierce orator that has been labeled by his peers as "a Quaker in religion but the very devil in politics." Henry 's antics were not taken lightly by the British rulers and at times even caused more concern over the actions of other founding fathers because of his ability to rally support with his oratory skills. The speech, delivered by Patrick Henry on March 23, 1775 as he addressed the legislature, gave birth to a legend. Henry is most famous for the words he uttered on this day. Here is a reconstruction, from primary sources, of the famous speech Henry delivered as posted on the Colonial Williamsburg website. The following is widely accepted as the closest representation of Henry 's speech and a quick internet search will deliver hundreds of variations of the speech but all follow the same basic outline. We do not know for certain the exact words of the speech due to Henry 's ability to deliver speeches from memory. It is said that Thomas Jefferson was present At St. John 's on this day and was profoundly moved by Henry 's speech. "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 questing 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 toward 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. 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! I 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 hath placed in our power. The 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, March 23, 1775.
Many Americans know the basic story of Henry 's famous address to the members the Second Virginia Convention, whom, among other reasons had convened to elect delegates to the continental congress. Unfortunately the story has been embellished over the course of History and the exact words of Henry have been lost forever. In the Children 's book Give Me Liberty, Henry 's antics are told as follows:
"Henry reminded his fellow assemblymen that Massachusetts was still under military occupation. The Massachusetts assembly, like the House of Burgesses, had been dissolved. The liberty of the Colonies was threatened. "Gentlemen may cry peace, peace, but there is no peace", he declared. "The war is actually begun!" As Henry Spoke, he stood in the church isle with his head bowed, his arms held out stiffly before him, his wrist crossed and manacled. "As unearthly fire burned in his eye", according to one account. "His voice rose louder and louder, until the walls of the building, and all within them, seemed to shake and rock." Henry cried out: "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!" With those words, Henry flung open his arms as if casting off his chains. Then he slammed his fist as if casting off his chains. Then he slammed his fist against his chest as if driving a dagger into his heart. For most of us, this is the story taught in high school History and in reality it is all the average American knows about Henry. I find it very sad that History has failed to mention or even forgotten many of the revolutionary acts of founding fathers such as Patrick Henry and contributed to a much fabled perception of our founding fathers by popular culture. For example, the majority of Americans do not know that Patrick Henry was one of the few founding fathers that did not sign the Declaration of Independence because of he was not present during the signing. Indeed, these men are heroes but does America 's perception of these men need to be bases in mythology such as the lore of European counties or is this phenomenon merely an attempt to pass the human events from generation to generation as humans have been doing for thousands of years.

"Patrick Henry before the Virginia House of Burgesses"

This painting, by Peter Frederick Rothermel, is one of America 's most famous historical paintings. In the painting, Patrick Henry delivers his famous "If this be treason, make the most of it!" speech, declaring his opposition to King George III 's Stamp Act of 1765. A decade later, as revolutionary sentiments surged in America, Henry declared "Give me liberty or give me death!" to the Virginia Convention gathered at St. John 's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. Rothermel 's powerful artwork gives us a glimpse of Henry 's ability to captivate an audience and has contributed to pop 's culture 's view as Henry as an exceptional orator.
For the Rebel at Heart The website www.foundersofamerica.com offers novelty items with famous quotes from Revolutionary Heros. The websites offer items that promote patriotism, including the items above evoking the memory of Patrick Henry. Patrick Henry would be proud to see that his famous words have survived the test of time and still echo loudly in the hearts and minds on American pop culture. Memorable Quotes
The following quotes are other Patrick Henry quotes that have made it into the vocabulary of pop culture. Henry 's strong oratory skills have stood the test of time and inspired many Americans thought the decades.
1.) No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles
2.) It can not be emphasized too strongly or too often that this great nation was founded, not by religionists, but by Christians, not on religions, but on the gospel of Jesus Christ!
3.) The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people, it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government - lest it come to dominate our lives and interests.
4.) It is natural for 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... 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.
5.) Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience, is incompatible with freedom. No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles.
6.) The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them.
7.) The great object is that every man be armed.
8.) Religion I have disposed of all my property to my family. There is one thing more I wish I could give to them, and that is the Christian religion. If they had that and I had not given them one cent, they would be rich. If they have not that, and I had given them the world, they would be poor.
9.) No free government, or the blessings of liberty, can be preserved to any people but by a firm adherence to justice, moderation, temperance, frugality, and virtue; and by a frequent recurrence to fundamental principles

Patrick Henry: An Annotated Bibliography
Freedman, Russell Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence. New York: Holiday House, 2000.
The author, Russell Freedman, writes this children 's book as a synopsis of the event leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. His representation of revolutionary history is well researched and his story is easily conveyed to the intended audience. One cause for debate is his portrayal of Patrick Henry as the main catalyst for the beginning of the American Revolution. Historians have argued which events can be considered key to defining the beginning of the war and they do acknowledge Henry 's actions as essential to the cause for independence but not the primary catalyst. I have to agree that Patrick Henry 's actions were fundamental to the revolutionary cause but not the chief factor in the beginning of the war. Russell 's book is successful in leading children to believe that Patrick Henry 's famous phrase, "Give me liberty, or give me death", is the fuel that fed the fire and begun the march for independence.

Meade, Robert Douthat. Patrick Henry: Patriot in the Making. Philadelphia and New York. J.B. Lippincott Company, 1957
Robert Douthat Meade took on the challenging task of writing a biography of the life of Patrick Henry from childhood until 1775. He purposely excluded the events beginning with the commencement of the Revolutionary war to give us a view into the events that shaped the character of the revolutionary hero and founding father we all know as Patrick Henry. He takes into account all of Henry 's journals, unpublished material concerning Henry, newspaper articles , and Henry 's personal letters that have surfaced since the writing of the three volume biography of Henry, published in 1891 and incorporates all this material into an in depth view of Patrick Henry. This biography helps us understand the man behind the revolutionary genius that many of us know litte about. Other than his famous "give me Liberty" speech, American culture has failed to recognize the radical contribution of Patrick Henry to the founding of The Unites States of America.

Writ, William. Skethches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry. Philidelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co.,1845
William Writ gives us a clear and concise representation of Patrick Henry through his research and numerous first hand accounts of the life of Henry. Writ had began his research long before 1817 when the first edition of this book was published and was fortunate enough to interview the widow, many friends, and family of Patrick Henry. As I was flipping though the worn and tattered pages of the ninth edition of this book, published in 1845, I could only imagine the history that William Writ was experiencing as he was collecting first hand accounts of the life of Patrick Henry. This Biography gives us an interesting perspective into the life of Patrick Henry though first hand accounts of his life. We begin to see the man as he was seen by his peers and not the representation of the man that history has painted. This book contributes greatly to our perception of Henry as a man with a talent for speaking his mind and a man with a strong, unbreakable will to accomplish what he set out to do.

Bibliography: Freedman, Russell Give Me Liberty! The Story of the Declaration of Independence. New York: Holiday House, 2000. The author, Russell Freedman, writes this children 's book as a synopsis of the event leading up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence. His representation of revolutionary history is well researched and his story is easily conveyed to the intended audience. One cause for debate is his portrayal of Patrick Henry as the main catalyst for the beginning of the American Revolution. Historians have argued which events can be considered key to defining the beginning of the war and they do acknowledge Henry 's actions as essential to the cause for independence but not the primary catalyst. I have to agree that Patrick Henry 's actions were fundamental to the revolutionary cause but not the chief factor in the beginning of the war. Russell 's book is successful in leading children to believe that Patrick Henry 's famous phrase, "Give me liberty, or give me death", is the fuel that fed the fire and begun the march for independence. Meade, Robert Douthat. Patrick Henry: Patriot in the Making. Philadelphia and New York. J.B. Lippincott Company, 1957 Robert Douthat Meade took on the challenging task of writing a biography of the life of Patrick Henry from childhood until 1775. He purposely excluded the events beginning with the commencement of the Revolutionary war to give us a view into the events that shaped the character of the revolutionary hero and founding father we all know as Patrick Henry. He takes into account all of Henry 's journals, unpublished material concerning Henry, newspaper articles , and Henry 's personal letters that have surfaced since the writing of the three volume biography of Henry, published in 1891 and incorporates all this material into an in depth view of Patrick Henry. This biography helps us understand the man behind the revolutionary genius that many of us know litte about. Other than his famous "give me Liberty" speech, American culture has failed to recognize the radical contribution of Patrick Henry to the founding of The Unites States of America. Writ, William. Skethches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry. Philidelphia: Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co.,1845 William Writ gives us a clear and concise representation of Patrick Henry through his research and numerous first hand accounts of the life of Henry. Writ had began his research long before 1817 when the first edition of this book was published and was fortunate enough to interview the widow, many friends, and family of Patrick Henry. As I was flipping though the worn and tattered pages of the ninth edition of this book, published in 1845, I could only imagine the history that William Writ was experiencing as he was collecting first hand accounts of the life of Patrick Henry. This Biography gives us an interesting perspective into the life of Patrick Henry though first hand accounts of his life. We begin to see the man as he was seen by his peers and not the representation of the man that history has painted. This book contributes greatly to our perception of Henry as a man with a talent for speaking his mind and a man with a strong, unbreakable will to accomplish what he set out to do.