How did patrick henry earn recognition throughout the colonies? a. he was the brainchild behind the popular stamp act, which allowed any ships to dock and trade with colonists. b. patrick henry proposed the virginia stamp act resolves, which, along with other attacks on the crown, gained him popularity within the colonies .after defeating adam smith in a lengthy trial regarding mercantilism, patrick henry became the colonial voice on economics. d. in response to the stamp tax, patrick henry requested that all legal documents be required to be printed on embossed government paper