Patrick Henry Gives the Speech that Rallied a Nation

by

       M. Richard Maxson

      In 1775 the political climate in the British colonies in North America was tense. While some colonists believed that the colonies deserved independence, others were loyal to the British crown. British troops were housed around the colonies, including Virginia, in order to keep the peace; they were constantly on the move. Some of the men who believed in independence for the colonies were gathering on March 20, 1775, in the Second Virginia Convention. They moved their location from Williamsburg to Richmond so they could discuss their plan—whether or not to coordinate Virginia to defense against the British.

 

      On March 23, convinced that war with Great Britain was inevitable, Patrick Henry drafted a series of plans for Virginia to recruit militia and cavalry and presented them to the Convention’s president. Although no one wrote

what he said at the time, the impression that his speech left was so great that decades later some of the men who attended could recite entire portions from memory. It was a biographer who put together and published an approximation of that fiery speech that Patrick Henry delivered that day. Among the men in attendance the day Henry delivered his famous speech were Thomas Jefferson and George Washington.

       While the specifics of most of the wording cannot be verified, many agree that the final words of Henry’s speech were, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” It is this final “liberty or death” phrase which usually identifies the speech, although a similar phrase or idea has been used in many other contexts. The speech inspired many of the men to vote to support troops in Virginia, which added to the coordinating colonial efforts for the American Revolution.

Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death

by Patrick Henry,1775

       "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 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.”