Patrick Henry
As a resident of Virginia, and a history fanatic, I couldn’t
help but learn about Patrick Henry who was also a resident of the Commonwealth
of Virginia. Patrick Henry was not only a resident; he was the first post-colonial
Governor of Virginia when it was still under British Rule to serve in the House
of Delegates until he was elected to Governor once again in 1784. Henry was a
very interesting individual since he was not only a politician, he was also a
lawyer, and farmer. No one really knows his true history except his immortal
words, “Give me liberty or give me death”. However, he had a fascinating life
in Virginia. He was feisty, argumentative, and most of all knowledgeable about
life in the colonies. He hated government interference in people’s lives and
wanted to protect a person’s civil liberties. Surprisingly enough he wasn’t for
the ratification of the Constitution proposed by the Continental Congress
because the bill of Rights wasn’t written yet, but as soon as the Bill of
Rights were written and included, he was all for ratification of the
Constitution. All the while growing up, I believed Henry was for the
Constitution, but it looks like he wasn’t and there was a good reason for that.
When the House of Burgesses brought forth the Two Penny Acts
that allowed for debts to be paid in tobacco at two pence per pound, a few
Anglican clergyman petitioned the Board of Trade in London to overrule the
Burgesses to allow for debt collection of past debts, at a higher rate than the
two pence per pound allowed. London overruled the Virginia House of Burgesses
and five clergymen brought forth a lawsuit that was called the Parson’s Cause. One
of the clergymen was named Reverend James Maury and the case for damages was
brought forth in Hanover County. Patrick Henry was counsel for Hanover County
Parish in the Maury case and Colonel John Henry, Patrick’s father was the
presiding judge over the case. The year was 1763. During the court case and
after the evidence was brought forth providing the facts in the case Maury’s
counsel proceeded to give a speech in tribute of the clergy. Henry gave a more
condemning speech which lasted for one full hour that focused on how the
damages and entire case was incantational of the veto set forth against the Two
Penny Act by the King’s government. Henry further spoke of how any king who
annulled such good laws as the Two Penny Act, forfeits all right to his
subject’s obedience, and the clergy, by challenging the impartial law that was
designed to bring about economic relief had shown themselves to be the enemies
of their community. The opposing counsel accused Henry of treason, and although
many supported such claims against Henry, he continued and the Judge did not
stop him. According to court documents, Henry urged the jury to set an example
of Maury for the benefit of any who would seek to imitate him and suggested the
damages be rendered as a farthing. The jury agreed and rendered the damages to
Maury at one penny per pound. Henry was hailed a hero and his law practice
rendered him an additional 165 clients within the year. He was well on his way
to becoming a successful lawyer.
After the success of the Parson’s Cause, Henry became a
celebrity throughout Virginia for his oratory defense for liberties of the
common person. His standing in the
community became even more important when he represented Nathanial Dandridge in
1764 who was elected into the House of Burgesses. Dandridge was embroiled in
scandal when it was discovered that he bribed voters to vote for him by
providing drink to them, this was a common practice in the day, but it was also
illegal to do throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia. Henry defended him but
lost the case. However, his speech in defense of the rights of voters became
legendary within the Commonwealth and brought him to the attention of powerful
individuals such as George Wythe, Peyton Randolph and Richard Henry Lee. Then
in 1765 William Johnson resigned from the House of Burgess representing the
Louisa Country. Henry happened to own property in Louisa County and was
therefore, eligible to run for public office of the same county and as such, he
ran and won the seat in May of 1765. Immediately, after the special election,
he left for Williamsburg to claim his seat.
Britain’s National debt doubled after the French and Indian
Wars (1756-1763) and because it took place in North America, London decided in
their infante wisdom to find ways of making the Colonists pay for that debt and
instituted the Stamp act in order to raise funds to pay off the debt. The Stamp
Act wasn’t just a way to raise money to pay the debt but to also let the
colonists know who was in charge over their citizenry as the acting authority
over the colonies themselves. Even though the Burgesses advised their agents in
London to oppose such measures, along with representatives of other colonial
representatives they were not heard. However, up and down the colonies, Henry’s
words were shared from his speech in the Parson’s Cause. While Henry was sworn
into office on the 20th of May in 1765, eight days later a boat had
arrived from London advising the members of the House of Burgesses that
Parliament had passed the Stamp Act. On the 29th of May Henry
introduced the Virginia Stamp Act Resolves. The resolutions claimed that the
colonists had the same rights and privileges that the Britons had but that the
taxation should be enacted by one’s representatives. It further designated the
Virginia General Assembly as the true representatives of Virginia citizens and
were the only representatives to enact taxes upon its citizens. Although the
Stamp act was considered as a threat to all Virginian’s rights, it also gave
Henry an opportunity to advance his political career within the Commonwealth of
Virginia. Although there is no actual
transcript of Henry’s various speeches opposing the Stamp Act there are
recollections that have been discovered in writings by Madison, Jefferson and
others of the time describing his oratory ability and profound words spoken at
the time regarding the opposition to the Stamp Act. It was said that Henry also
spoke of suggesting that King George III be killed due to his flagrant
obsession with money and wanting to make the colonists pay for the Seven Year
war that caused the debt to begin with.
This type of language was considered treason and many called for Henry’s
death, but Henry did not waver and was noted as saying, “If this be treason,
make the most of it” While many believe that it was the actions of Sam Adams
and his actions that sparked the rebellion of the colonists that started the
American Revolution, in fact, it was the Henry’s wording within the Virginia
Stamp Act Resolves that inspired the galvanization of the colonies to rise up
and fight the British establishment and Henry became a fierce opponent of the
imperial policies being forced upon the colonies by King George III and
parliament. This was Henry’s launch into politics for sure.
Royal Governor Francis Fauquier of Virginia was a sly devil
due to his refusing to accept all the resolutions proposed by Henry, in fact he
refused to allow them to be printed in the newspapers in the colonies in order
to safeguard his position as Royal Governor and not allow his colony of
Virginia to be seen as the rebelling resister of the Stamp Act. However, due to
his refusing to call the Burgesses to order during the debates of the Stamp Act
throughout the Colonies, hoping that he could purge the rebels from the ranks,
instead conservatives were voted out and replaced by more rebels. By 1766 the
Stamp Act was repealed in Parliament which prevented Virginia from sending any
representatives to the Stamp Act Congress being held in New York. Even though
Virginia was not represented, the public outrage over the Stamp Act still
enraged the public throughout the colonial territory.
As resentment throughout the Colonies began to increase,
there was a need to communicate with others in the colonies due to an effort to
coordinate information sharing with each other. The year was 1773 and Henry
knew that serious conflict with Great Britain was on the horizon along with
potential independence and there was no real plan of action in mind. In 1774
word came to Virginia that the English had closed the port of Boston in
retaliation for the Boston Tea Party. Many of the members of the house of Burgesses
were horrified at the news and Henry along with George Mason, and others began
to meet at the Raleigh Tavern to garner a response. At the same time, John
Murray, Earl of Dunmore, now the Royal Governor of Virginia dissolved the House
of Burgesses. Annoyed and upset at Dunmore’s arrogance, Henry and others
continued to meet at the Raleigh Tavern and re-formed themselves as a
convention and called on all colonists to boycott tea and other products
imported from England. By 1776 the Old Dominion as it was known was advanced to
end royal authority and claim themselves independent from England once and for
all. Patrick Henry was all for it but
wanted a document that protected the citizens from the very government that was
about to be established. He wasn’t interested in ratifying the Constitution
until the Bill of Rights was produced, then he was all for it. History is a
powerful thing to learn, I suggest you do it for your own good. In the coming
weeks and months, I will bring you a bit of history by explaining each
individual who participated in the creation of our country, they are known as
the Founding Fathers.
Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political
operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, journalist. business professional,
and creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a Masters in
Criminology and a BS in Business Management who stepped out of the loop for a
while, but who is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction
of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel
individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to
travel, photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to
garden and preserve food for the winter months.
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