Patrick Henry and the Bill of Rights
This portrait of Patrick Henry (Catalog Number INDE14066) was executed by an unidentified arist before 1878. The portrait, a copy of Thomas Sully’s 1815 protrayal of Henry (now at the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation) was acquired by the City of Philadelphia between late 1876 and early 1878.
Patrick Henry proclaiming “Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death!” in a Currier Ives hand-colored lithograph from 1876 (The Metropolitan Museum of Art)
“I know not what course other’s may take, but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.” Perhaps the most famous words to define the American Revolution were spoken by Patrick Henry before the House of Burgesses at St. John’s Church in Richmond, Virginia in March of 1775. Henry, born on May 29, 1736, had become a fiery orator for the cause of independence. His passion for freedom and self-government along with his gift for oratory gave a voice to the Patriots of 1776.
A Virginian, Patrick Henry, was a lawyer, landowner, Burgess, delegate to two Continental Congresses and a Constitutional Convention, soldier in the Continental Army, governor of Virginia, and a founding father. His gifts of charity provided food to soldiers at Valley Forge, and his allegiance to George Washington never wavered. He opposed ratification of the Constitution on the grounds of its giving too much power to the central government, but ardently supported the Bill of Rights.
Patrick Henry speaking in the Virginia House of Burgesses, May 1765. Steel engraving after the painting by Peter Frederick Rothermel (1817-1895).
Self-government, independence, and the rights of the people have always required a healthy defense. The American military has always stepped up to the task. May is a month in which we honor and remember those who have always answered the call – defending our country, our property, our principles and our people.
The American military began as local militias – farmers, carpenters, shopkeepers, teachers and preachers – who trained to defend their families and homes. These men became known as Minutemen – ready to fight at a minute’s notice. In 1775, the Continental Army, Continental Navy, and Continental Marines were formed to fight for independence from British rule. George Washington was named General of the Army and Commander.
Today, the United States Military consists of the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, and Space Force. Army and Air National Guards maintain a civilian army trained and ready to fight. The President is the Commander-in-Chief.
Members of our military have fought on soil around the world (WWI, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Gulf, Afghanistan) as well as on home soil (American Revolution, Civil War, Indian Wars).
The exceptional bravery, self-sacrifice, family tradition, loyalty to country and to each other, expertise, training and ability make it the finest military in the world, and its members most deserving of honor, assistance and memory of any among us.
“Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined.” Patrick Henry, 1788
– Linda Turner