Patrick Henry

:This article is about the American politician. For the French criminal, see Patrick Henry (French criminal).

Biography

Trained as an attorney, and noted for his heated oratorical skills, this Virginian first made a name for himself in a case dubbed the "Parson's Cause" (1763) which was an argument on whether the price of tobacco paid to clergy for their services should be set by the colonial government or by the Crown. Henry won the case, to the consternation of the British government.

Related Topics:
Virginian - 1763

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Perhaps in part because of his success in this venture, Henry was elected to the House of Burgesses (legislative body of the Virginia colony) in 1765. That same year, he proposed the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions. The freshman representative waited for an opportunity where the mostly conservative members of the House were away (only 24% was considered sufficient for a quorum). In this atmosphere, he succeeded, through much debate and persuasion, in getting his proposal passed. It was possibly the most anti-British (many called it "treasonous") American political action to that point, and some credit the Resolutions with being one of the main catalysts of the Revolution.

Related Topics:
House of Burgesses - 1765

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The proposals were based on principles that were well established British rights, such as the right to be taxed by one's own representatives. They went further, however, to assert that the colonial assemblies had the exclusive right to impose taxes on the colonies and could not assign that right. The imputation of treason is due to his inflammatory words, "Caesar had his Brutus; Charles the First his Cromwell; and George the Third—" "George the Third may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it."

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

According to biographer Richard Beeman, the legend of this speech grew more dramatic over the years. Henry probably did not say the famous last line of the above quote, i.e. "If this be treason, make the most of it." The only account of the speech written down at the time by an eyewitness (which came to light many years later) records that Henry actually apologized after being accused of uttering treasonable words, assuring the House that he was still loyal to the king. Nevertheless, Henry's passionate, radical speech caused quite a stir at the time, even if we cannot be certain of his exact words.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Henry is perhaps best known for the speech he made in the House of Burgesses on March 23, 1775, urging that legislature to take military action against the encroaching British military force. The House was deeply divided, but was very much leaning toward not committing troops. As Henry stood in Saint John's Church in Richmond, Virginia, he ended his speech with his most famous words;

Related Topics:
March 23 - 1775 - Saint John's Church - Richmond, Virginia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

: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!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The crowd jumped up and shouted "To Arms! To Arms!". This speech is credited by some with singlehandedly delivering the Virginia troops to the Revolutionary War. Problematically, the text of this speech did not appear in print until 1817, in the biography Life and Character of Patrick Henry by William Wirt. Although Wirt assembled his book from recollections by persons close to the events, some historians have since speculated that the speech, or at least the form with which we are familiar, was essentially written by Wirt decades after the fact. (Ray Raphael, Founding Myths)

Related Topics:
Revolutionary War - 1817 - William Wirt

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

During the Revolution, Henry led a military force in defense of Virginia, chiefly in defense of some disputed gunpowder coveted by the British.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

After the Revolution, Henry was an outspoken critic of the Constitution and urged against its adoption, arguing it gave the federal government too much power. As a leading Antifederalist, he was instrumental in the adoption of the Bill of Rights to amend the new Constitution.

Related Topics:
Antifederalist - Bill of Rights

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He served as the first Governor of Virginia, from 1776-79, and again from 1784-86.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the later years of his life, Henry was a key figure in a major land speculation scandal involving the Yazoo lands in what was then the western territory of Georgia.

Related Topics:
Yazoo lands - Georgia

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

He died at Red Hill Plantation, Virginia, in 1799 at the age of 63.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~