Part 15 (1/2)
Ten years after Patrick Henry's eloquent speech at Williamsburg against the Stamp Act, the people of Virginia were again deeply aroused; for King George, acting through Parliament, had sent 3,000 soldiers to Boston to force her unruly people and those of Ma.s.sachusetts to obey certain of his commands. Virginia having given her hearty support to the people of Ma.s.sachusetts, the royal Governor of Virginia drove the Colonial a.s.sembly away from Williamsburg. But the people of Virginia, resolute in defence of their rights, elected a convention of their leading men, who met at old St. John's Church in Richmond, a church which is yet standing. Excitement was widespread, and thoughtful men grew serious at the war-cloud growing blacker every hour.
Virginians had already begun to make preparations to fight if they must.
But many still hoped that the disagreements between the Americans and King George might be settled, and therefore believed that they should act with great caution. Patrick Henry thought differently. He was persuaded that the time had come when talk should give place to prompt, energetic, decisive action. The war was at hand. It could not be avoided. The Americans must fight, or tamely submit to be slaves.
Believing these things with all the intensity of his nature, he offered a resolution that Virginia should at once prepare to defend herself.
Many of the leading men stoutly opposed this resolution as rash and unwise.
At length Patrick Henry arose, his face pale and his voice trembling with deep emotion. Soon his stooping figure became erect. His eyes flashed fire. His voice rang out like a trumpet. As he continued, men leaned forward in breathless interest, thrilled by his magical words:
”We must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the G.o.d 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 the means which the G.o.d of nature hath placed in our power.... 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 G.o.d! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
This wonderful speech made a deep impression not only in Virginia but throughout the colonies. The next month the war began at Lexington and Concord. A little later Patrick Henry was made commander-in-chief of the Virginia forces, and later still was elected Governor of Virginia.
At the age of fifty-eight he retired to an estate in Charlotte County, called ”Red Hill,” where he lived a simple and beautiful life. He died in 1799. His influence in arousing the people of Virginia and of the other colonies to a sense of their rights as freemen cannot easily be measured. Without doubt his impa.s.sioned oratory played a most important part in shaping the course of events which resulted in the Revolutionary War.
REVIEW OUTLINE
THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
GEORGE THE THIRD'S PLAN TO TAX THE COLONIES IN SUPPORT OF A STANDING ARMY.
THE STAMP ACT.
THE COLONISTS OBJECT TO THE STAMP ACT; ”NO TAXATION WITHOUT REPRESENTATION.”
GEORGE THE THIRD'S DESIRE FOR PERSONAL POWER.
FONDNESS OF PATRICK HENRY FOR OUT-DOOR SPORTS.
HE FAILS AS A STOREKEEPER.
PATRICK HENRY AS A LAWYER.
HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE.
HIS GREAT SPEECH OPPOSING THE STAMP ACT.
ENGLISH OPPOSITION TO TAXING THE AMERICANS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT.
REPEAL OF THE STAMP ACT.
PATRICK HENRY'S DEFIANT SPEECH IN ST. JOHN'S CHURCH.
HIS INFLUENCE AND LATER LIFE.
TO THE PUPIL
1. What was the Stamp Act and what was its purpose? Why did the colonists object to it?
2. Describe George the Third. What did his mother mean when she said to him, ”George, be King”?
3. What was his personal appearance when he went to Williamsburg to attend the session of the House of Burgesses?