In March, 1775, a month before Lexington, Patrick
Henry electrified the Virginia convention with the
speech that here follows. A resolution was before
the convention "that the colony be immediately put
in a state of defence." Speaking to that resolution,
Henry thrilled the delegates with his review of
British mistreatment and his climax of "give me
liberty or give me death."
Mr. President, it is natural for man to indulge in
the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes
against a painful truth, and to listen to the song of the
siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of
wise men engaged in the great and arduous struggle for 5
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 10
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 15
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 20
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? 5
Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements
of war and subjugation, the last argument to which
kings resort. I ask, 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 10
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 15
so long forging.
And what have we to oppose 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 20
capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to
entreaty and supplication? What terms shall we find that
have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech
you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done
everything that could have been done to avert the storm 25
that 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. 30
Our petitions have been slighted, our remonstrances
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 these 5
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 10
fight! I repeat, 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? 15
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, hope, 20
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.
Three millions of people armed in the holy cause of
liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, 25
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 30
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, sir, let
it come! 5
It is 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 10
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! 15
1. The following outline sets forth the major
topics of the speech. Find the paragraphs each
includes. What did Henry say on each point?
I. Introduction
1. The speaker is willing to face facts
II. Body
1. The past acts of the British ministry are not
favorable to present hope
2. The present assembly of British armies and navies
means subjugation for the colonists
3. The colonists cannot meet this force with petitions,
for
a. Petitions have been tried and are useless
4. The colonists can meet the British only with force of
arms, for
a. It is the only means left, and
b. The colonists have the strength to fight
III. Conclusion
1. Therefore, let us make ready for battle.