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March 23, 1775 - Patrick Henry Proclaims "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death"
Paving the Way for Independence
By late March 1775, the American Revolution had begun in the colonies. In February, the British government declared Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion. Virginia's Royal Governor Lord Dunmore had dissolved the Virginia House of Burgesses. He did this because the House had called for a day of prayer as a show of solidarity for Boston after Parliament passed the Boston Port Act. The House of Burgesses next assembled in a series of sessions now called the Virginia Conventions.
It was in this atmosphere that Patrick Henry rose to give his resonating speech.
Patrick Henry (May 29, 1736 – June 6, 1799)
The Patrick family farm, Studley, was the site of John Henry's birth. His parents were John Henry and Sarah Winston Syme. The farm is in Hanover County, Virginia. Patrick Henry's father tutored him at home during his early years. After trying stints as a planter and storeowner, Patrick Henry found his niche when he qualified as a lawyer in 1760. Elected to the House of Burgesses in 1765, he became a leading opponent of the British in short order. He introduced the Virginia Stamp Act Resolutions just nine days after his inauguration into the House. In summary, the resolutions stated that no legislative body save one elected by Virginians could tax them. Since no one from the colonies served in Parliament, Parliament had no right to impose taxes. Only the Virginia House of Burgesses had the right to tax Virginians. The language he used to propose the Resolutions was so inflammatory that many in the House shouted "Treason," during his speech. Convinced by the strength of his speech, the House passed the resolutions. This was one of the early legislative salvos in the building resistance to British rule in the Colonies.
The Virginia Conventions
After Lord Dunmore dissolved the House of Burgesses, the body convened for five sessions. These sessions occurred from 1774 through 1776. In 1776, they approved Virginia's first Constitution, and then adjourned. The second convention opened in St. John's Episcopal Church St. in Richmond, Virginia on March 20, 1775. The debate over arming a militia flitted back and forth for several days. On March 23, Patrick Henry rose and delivered the speech that swung the votes in favor of arming the militia. He had not prepared the speech ahead of time and spoke entirely from the heart. The speech not only changed the course of his own life, but that of the Colonies and the world as well.
Impact
The speech ended with the words,
“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!”
After this passionate ending, the House sat for several moments in silence. The impact and passion of his words moved everyone. The delegates included two future Presidents, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson. Another, Thomas Marshall, was the father of John Marshall, future Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. The Resolution declared the United Colonies independence from Great Britain. It also and authorized the raising of a militia. It then passed the House of Burgesses.
Aftermath
Upon hearing of this Resolution, Lord Dunmore confiscated gunpowder stored at the Williamsburg armory. The House had appointed Patrick Henry, appointed the head of the newly formed militia. Henry led a force of hundreds of armed militiamen to Williamsburg. He demanded that Dunmore return it. Dunmore, after declaring that Henry and his men were treasonous, fled to a British warship for refuge. He would eventually reimburse the colonists for the confiscated armaments.
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