1. Patrick Henry ( )
Delivered this speech against the hated Stamp Act
Known as one of the most persuasive figures in VA politics
This excerpt argues how Britain is tyrannical and the colonists have exhausted every possible effort to try to negotiate peace with King George.
Trying to persuade members of the VA House of Burgesses that it’s time to take up arms against Britain.
During his youth the country was undergoing the religious revival known as the Great Awakening; he would often go to sermons with his mothers to hear traveling preachers
At 29 years of age, the lawyer was chosen to represent his region in the VA House of Burgesses; this speech against the Stamp Act was the first of two of his most famous speeches, the second being “liberty or death” speech
The British Parliament instituted taxes on all newspapers and public documents
Known as a tall, lank, somber-looking man who generally wore the clothing a preacher might wear

2. Patrick Henry Read his “Speech to the Virginia Convention” (80-83)
Once finished, answer the following questions on page 83 on a piece of notebook paper. Make sure you answer the questions in complete sentences…
Reading Check 1-5
Thinking Critically 7 and 9

3. Rhetorical Appeals
Look through Henry’s speech and find an example of ethos, pathos, and logos.
Write the quote and how you know.

4. ETHOS
“Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offense, I should consider myself as guilty of treason toward my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the Majesty of Heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.”
“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. I wish to know what there has been in conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years to justify those hope with which gentlemen have been please to solace themselves and the house?”

5. LOGOS
“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 all this accumulation of natives and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us: they can be meant for no other.”
“And what have we to oppose them? Shall we try arguments? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.”

6. PATHOS
“They tell us, sir, that we are weak – unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?”
Besides, sir, we shall not fight out battles along. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations and who will raise up friends to fight out battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.”