Excerpts From the “Speech” Article of the Historic St. John’s Church 1741 on March 23, 1775
From the Daughters of the American Revolution, www.historicstjohnschurch.org/home
On 20 January 1775, the Virginia Gazette contained a small notice, advising that “The several counties and corporations in this Colony are requested to elect delegates to represent them in Convention who are desired to meet at the Town of Richmond in the County of Henrico, on Monday the 20th of March, next.”
On the fourth day of the convention, 23 March, Patrick Henry introduced three resolutions.
The first stated
“that a well regulated Militia composed of Gentlemen and Yeomen is the natural Strength and only Security of a free Government: that such a Militia in this Colony would forever render it unnecessary for the Mother Country to keep among us for the purpose of our Defense any standing Army of mercenary Forces, always subversive of the Quiet, and dangerous to the Liberties of the People; and would obviate the Pretext of taxing us for their Support.
His second resolution stated
“that the Establishment of such a Militia is at this Time peculiarly necessary by the State of our Laws for the protection and Defence (sic) of the Country, some of which are already expired and others will shortly do so; and that the known Remissness of Government in calling us together in a Legislative Capacity renders it too insecure in this time of Danger and Distress to rely; that Opportunity will be given of renewing them in General Assembly, or making any provision to secure our inestimable Rights & Liberties from those further Violations with which they are threatened.”
Henry’s third resolution was the most provocative:
“Resolved therefore that his Colony be immediately put into a posture of Defence,” that a Committee be appointed “to prepare a Plan for embodying, arming, and disciplining such a Number of Men as may be sufficient for that purpose.”
The third resolution touched off a debate concerning whether it would be seen as a “prophesy of war” and “would place Virginia in the false position of appearing not to resist armed conflict but to invite it.”
Henry rose and delivered the most famous oration of his life in support of his resolutions. His “Liberty or Death” speech was a masterful argument, outlining the interactions between the British ministry and the colonials. Henry began by urging the delegates to examine the past behavior of the ministry and not to cloud their judgment with false hope, declaring, “are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not.” “I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst and provide for it.” He argued that the colonials had spent ten years petitioning and pleading with the ministry and Parliament to recognize their rights as Englishmen. He asked the delegates to make their decisions using “the lamp of experience” and stated that there “was no way of judging the future but by the past.” In that light, he concluded, “in vain . . . may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation.” Henry pleaded with the delegates to recognize that the presence of armies and navies was an act of hostility, not of reconciliation. He warned them that the time for action had arrived, that no matter how weak they perceived themselves to be, they would be even more vulnerable if disarmed and in the presence of the British army. Henry urged the delegates to recognize that “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.” He continued, “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!” Henry closed dramatically by invoking the choice that he believed they then had to make, “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!”
Henry’s speech was powerful and carried the resolutions in a close vote. The convention journal does not record the actual vote, but Parker wrote that the resolution was “carried by a Majority of 65 to 60.” The convention records indicate that only 118 delegates were likely present that day. The vote was close, and the resolution passed by a narrow margin.
