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