Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death!" Speech

It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter.

Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land.

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.

Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot?

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.

Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house?

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ours

Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received?

Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.

These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort.

Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?

I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?

The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave.

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet.

Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?

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, and the House?

Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on.

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, and the House?

Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies?

Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.

If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ours

Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves.

Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love?

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.

I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?

For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.

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?

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.

We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain.

If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves n

For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.

If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ours

Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope.

I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission?

Forbid it, Almighty God!

No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House.

Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.

Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings.

Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty?

And what have we to oppose to them?

If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ours

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, and the House?

The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms!

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.

They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary.

If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest.

If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ours

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?

The war is inevitable²and let it come!

Our brethren are already in the field!

If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending²if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ours

For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate.

Why stand we here idle?

Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne.

But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiment

There is no retreat but in submission and slavery!

Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication?

There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us.

Besides, sir, we have no election.

We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament.