Speech to the
Virginia
Convention
Speech to the Virginia
Convention
Henry points out a contradiction between
British claims of peaceful intent and their
growing military presence in America
 Henry
recounts several instances in which
the colonists sought agreement and
acceptable terms
with the British.
 He reviews these incidents in order to
persuade the delegates that all peaceful
options have failed
 Henry
states that the colonists have the
advantage over the British because the
colonists have moral correctness and
conviction
Henry advocates immediate action by the
colonists because the conflict has already
begun and the colonists have no choice
but to fight
The main purpose of Patrick Henryʼs speech
is to persuade his fellow delegates to fight
against the British
One point that Henry does not cite as a
reason for immediate military action is
the boost that war would give the
economy
With the words "God . . . will raise up friends
to fight our battles for us," Henry is
suggesting other nations might come to the
aid of the colonists
Henry seeks to dissuade the delegates from
resorting to argument because after ten
years all attempts at argument have been
exhausted
When Henry uses the words "chains and
slavery" near the end of his speech, he is
referring to the price he does not want
people to pay for peace
Henry declares, "I know of no way of
judging of the future but by the past. And
judging by the past,
I wish to know what there has been in the
conduct of the British ministry for the last ten
years, to justify those hopes with which
gentlemen have been pleased to solace
themselves . . ." In this passage, Henry
is using logic to engage his listenersʼ
attention
Which of the following excerpts is the best example
of persuasion through an emotional appeal?
A) "There is no retreat, but in submission and slavery!
Our chains are forged!"
B)
"Sir, we have done everything that could be
done . . .”
C)
"I ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial
array, if its purpose be not to force us to
submission?”
D)
"it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of
hope."
Paine argues that the best way to defeat
the British is for the troops of all the states to
join together in the fight
Paine suggests that a state that surrenders
its arms to the British would have
to suffer the hostility of the other states