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[[Image:Henry.jpg|200px|thumb| A portrait of Patrick Henry.]]

[[Image:Henry.jpg|200px|thumb| A portrait of Patrick Henry.]]

'''Patrick Henry''' (1736-1799) was a Patriot during the [[American Revolution]], and an anti-Federalist who opposed ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] afterwards. A radical democrat, he supported combining the executive and the legislative into a single elected body. An [[attorney]], he prevailed in the Parsons' Cause by defending the right of the [[Virginia]] colony to fix the price of the [[tobacco]] to be paid to the clergy in violation of a contrary ruling in [[England]].<ref>http://www.americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/HENRY.HTM</ref>  In the 1790s Henry was a leader of the [[Federalist Party]] in support of [[George Washington]] and [[Alexander Hamilton]], and opposition to [[Thomas Jefferson]]

'''Patrick Henry''' (1736-1799) was a Patriot during the [[American Revolution]], and an anti-[[Federalist]] who opposed ratification of the [[U.S. Constitution]] afterwards. A radical democrat, he supported combining the executive and the legislative into a single elected body. An [[attorney]], he prevailed in the Parsons' Cause by defending the right of the [[Virginia]] colony to fix the price of the [[tobacco]] to be paid to the clergy in violation of a contrary ruling in [[England]].<ref>http://www.americanrevwar.homestead.com/files/HENRY.HTM</ref>  In the 1790s Henry was a leader of the [[Federalist Party]] in support of [[George Washington]] and [[Alexander Hamilton]], and opposition to [[Thomas Jefferson]]

Patrick Henry is best known today for the rousing speech that he gave on March 23, 1775 to the 2nd Virginia Convention at Richmond's St. John's Church:<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-03-23&view=View</ref>  

Patrick Henry is best known today for the rousing speech that he gave on March 23, 1775 to the 2nd Virginia Convention at Richmond's St. John's Church:<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-03-23&view=View</ref>  

:''I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery ... We have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated ... We have prostrated ourselves before the throne ... Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence. ...''

:''I consider it as nothing less than a question of [[freedom]] or [[slavery]] ... We have done everything that could be done to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated ... We have prostrated ourselves before the throne ... Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence. ...''

:''There is a just God who presides over the destines of nations ... who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!''  

:''There is a just God who presides over the destines of nations ... who will raise up friends to fight our battle for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, [[American Patriots|the brave]] ... Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God!''  

:'' '''I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death.''' ''

:'' '''I know not what course others may take; but as for me, [[give me liberty or give me death]].''' ''

Henry has this to say about the [[Bible]]:

Henry has this to say about the Bible:

<blockquote>...is a book worth more than all of the other books that were every printed.<ref>Original Intent (2004), David Barton, Pg. 168</ref></blockquote>

<blockquote>...is a book worth more than all of the other books that were every printed.<ref>Original Intent (2004), David Barton, page 168</ref></blockquote>

== Quotes ==

== Quotes ==

* “The Constitution is not an instrument for the government to restrain the people; it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to dominate our lives and interests."

* “The [[Constitution]] is not an instrument for the [[government]] to restrain [[the people]]; it is an instrument for the people to restrain the government -- lest it come to [[tyranny|dominate our lives]] and interests."

* "The liberties of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their rulers may be concealed from them."

* "The [[liberties]] of a people never were, nor ever will be, secure, when the transactions of their [[Federal Government|rulers]] may be concealed from them."

* "Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with arms for our defense?"

* "Are we at last brought to such humiliating and debasing degradation, that we cannot be trusted with [[Right to keep and bear arms|arms for our defense]]?"

==See also==

==See also==