Patrick Henry Speech Soon after the American Revolution began in Massachusetts, members of the Virginia
Convention debated whether Virginia should join the fighting. Read this excerpt from
Patrick Henry’s famous speech in that debate. Then answer the question(s).
(1) 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 these 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 subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. . . .
(2) 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 those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. . . .
(3) Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves longer. Sir, we have done everything that
could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have
remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the tyrannical
hands of the ministry and parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances
have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and
we have been spurned, with contempt from the foot of the throne.
7. Which claim about British rule do the ideas in this passage most clearly
develop?
a. The British government is likely to declare war on the colonies in the
near future.
b. The British government has stated that it will accept nothing less than
subjugation.
c. The British government has proven itself untrustworthy because of its
past actions.
d. The British government has armies that are more powerful than the
colonial armies.