Patrick Henry's address to the Virginia House of Burgesses 1775

Posted: Tuesday, April 13th, 2010

Mr. President, it is normal for men to want to hold on to hope. We want to shut our eyes against a painful truth. We want to listen to what pleases us. Is this what smart men do when they are in a great and difficult struggle for liberty (freedom)? Are we going to be like others who, though they have eyes, do not see the truth? Or, like those who have ears, but do not hear the things that are important to their civil protection? For my part, whatever spiritual suffering it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth. I want to know the worst and get ready for it.

My feet are led by one light. That light is my experience. I can't judge the future, but I can use the past to guide me. Judging by the past, I wish I understood what the British have done for the last 10 years to make right those hopes that gentlemen have been happy to comfort themselves with? Does giving us a deceitful smile in response to our petition comfort you? Do not trust your comfort, sir. It will prove to bring you down. Do not think that we are betrayed. Ask yourself how your response to our petition fits with you preparing for war in our waters and on our land. Do you think fleets of ships and armies show us love and a willingness to fix what is not working? Do we seem unwilling to work with you? Do you think you must use force to win our love? Let's not lie to ourselves, sir. These are the tools of war and an act of trying to enslave us. I ask gentlemen, sir, that if this is the last thing that the king resorts to, is it not meant to force us to do what you want? Can you think of any other reason for it? Does Great Britain have any other enemy in our part of the world that would give a reason for bringing in navies and armies? No sir, Great Britain has none. They are meant for us. They are sent over here to make us bound to the British ministry.

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