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Patrick Henry: The Man Who Launched a Thousand Ships

The United States of America was not always a powerful, independent nation. Until the

Revolutionary War, America was a collection of thirteen colonies imperialised by the British. Tension

between the British and the thirteen colonies had risen until both sides felt war was the only option left.

Without the resulting war, the United States would not exist. Patrick Henry, a young representative

who spoke against reconciliation, was a key factor in the colonies' view on Britain and the war. He

effectively persuaded his audience to declare war on Britain in his “Speech to the Virginia Convention”

by arguing that the British have been ignoring the colonists attempts at compromise, threatening the

colonists' rights, and are already making preparations for battle.

Using rhetorical questions, Patrick Henry reminds his audience of their efforts for peace for the

last ten years to emphasize that peace is not within reach. He attempts to convince the audience that

they “have done everything that could be done” (82). The audience acknowledges that there is a lack

of options and begins to lean towards fighting the war. He asserts, “Shall we try to to argument? Sir,

we have have been trying that for the last 10 years. Have we anything new to offer on the subject?

No.” (82). Patrick Henry's rhetorical questioning implies that attempting to negotiate with the British is

unreasonable and pointless, making war the only reasonable option. He requests for the audience to

conjure up new arguments with which to appeal to the British and then proceeds to point out that their

ideas have long ago been exhausted (82). This emphasizes that the option of negotiating for peace is

not within reach and pointless to pursue.

As he continues his speech, Patrick Henry brings attention to the British army's activities. He
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calls out the audience and makes the observation that “it is natural for men to indulge in the allusion of

hope” because they have “shut their eyes against a painful truth” and ignored the British's actions

concerning warfare (81). He questions the audience's logic and current actions using diction. He

claims, “Our brethren are already in the field!” His words attempt to push the audience to change their

current opinions and see the reality of the situation. He then asks,”Has Great Britain any enemy, in this

quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?” (82). Patrick Henry asserts

that Britain has begun preparing for war, implying that the “war” has already started.

Patrick Henry firmly believes that Britain is a threat to the colonists' rights and freedoms. He

alleges that the army currently being sent to American soil into the colonies plans to “bind and rivet

upon [them] those chains which the British ministry have so long been forging” (82). He invokes the

imagery of chains to represent our loss of freedom that would be the result if the British were to begin

attacking with their military. He insists, “There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!” (82). He

creates an urgent tone with his diction that encourages the colonists' aggression towards the British. He

insists that retreat would mean the end of the the colonists' rights and calls on the colonists to act.

In “Speech to the Virginia Convention”, Patrick Henry argues that the British have rejected their

attempts at compromise, have already been made preparations for war, and have threatened the

colonists' rights. Many speeches were given that day, but one young representative would forever be

remembered for his speech at the convention. Patrick Henry concludes his speech with his famous

quote, “ Give me liberty or give me death!” (83) This creates a strong, lasting impression on the

audience and encourages the members to take action. From this speech, the desire to win our

independence will be engraved into the hearts of many. Patrick Henry was a lone representative,

however, his speech shows that even a single person can make a difference. On that day, he helped

change the course of history and helped to influence many to take up arms against the British to win

our independence.