Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
adopted America appointed arms army assembly Benjamin Harrison Britain British called cause character Colonel colony command committee of safety common commonwealth confiscation congress considered constitution convention council countenance court Dabney Carr danger debts declared defendant delegates duty Edmund Pendleton Edmund Randolph effect eloquence enemy express favour federal feelings force Fowey friends genius gentleman give governor hand happy hath heard heart Henry's honour house of burgesses human Josiah Philips Judge jury justice king late law of nations legislature letter liberty Lord Dunmore majesty majesty's manner measure ment militia mind nature necessary never occasion officers opinion orator parliament party Patrick Henry patriot Pendleton person Peyton Randolph plaintiff Randolph reader resistance resolutions Resolved respect Richard Bland Richard Henry Lee seems session seventeen hundred sion sovereign speaker speech spirit thought tion treaty Vattel Virginia whole Williamsburgh wish
Popular passages
Page 196 - That government is, or ought to be instituted for the common benefit, protection, and security of the people, nation, or community; of all the various modes and forms of government, that is best which is capable of producing the greatest degree of happiness and safety, and is most effectually secured against the danger of...
Page 92 - Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation ? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it.
Page 133 - And you are to observe and follow such Orders and Directions from Time to Time, as you shall receive from this or a future Congress...
Page ii - IDE, of the said District, hath deposited in this office, the title of a book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor, in the words following, to wit : " Inductive Grammar, designed for beginners. By an Instructer." In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States...
Page 94 - ... we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us ! They tell us, sir, that we are weak ; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.
Page 190 - My political curiosity, exclusive of my anxious solicitude for the public welfare, leads me to ask, who authorized them to speak the language of, "We, the People," instead of We, the States? States are the characteristics, and the soul of a confederation. If the States be not the agents of this compact, it must be one great consolidated national government of the people of all the States.
Page 55 - George the third — ('Treason,' cried the speaker — ' treason, treason/ echoed from every part of the house. It was one of those trying moments which is decisive of character. Henry faltered not for an instant; but rising to a loftier attitude, and • fixing on the speaker an eye of the most determined fire, he finished his sentence with the firmest emphasis) may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it.
Page 93 - Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation — the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for this accumulation of navies and armies?
Page 92 - Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?
Page 92 - 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.