Isabella Carter
Patrick Henry was a key figure in the American Revolution and the early years of the United States. He was critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787, but he also recognised the need to augment the financial resources of the confederation congress. Henry gave a speech on June 4, 1788, to the Virginia Convention, which was debating whether to ratify the proposed new Constitution of the United States. Henry's political career continued after the Revolution, and he helped to construct the state constitution. He was elected the first governor of independent Virginia in 1776 and used his power to support George Washington during the war. Despite their political differences, Henry and Washington reconciled, and Washington offered Henry several prominent positions in his administration, which he refused.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Patrick Henry's stance on the Constitution | Critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787 |
| Patrick Henry's role in the Virginia Convention | Gave a speech on June 4, 1788, to the Virginia Convention debating whether to ratify the proposed new Constitution of the United States |
| Outcome of the Virginia Convention | By a vote of 79 to 88 on June 26, 1788, the Convention ratified the Constitution and recommended twenty amendments and a bill of rights based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights |
| Patrick Henry's role in governance | Left governance entirely in 1790 |
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What You'll Learn
- Patrick Henry's speech to the Virginia Convention on June 4, 1788
- Henry's criticism of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787
- Henry's resolution urging all colonies to seek independence
- Henry's reconciliation with George Washington
- Henry's refusal of prominent positions in Washington's administration
Patrick Henry's speech to the Virginia Convention on June 4, 1788
On June 4, 1788, Patrick Henry gave his opening speech to the Virginia Convention, which was debating whether to ratify the proposed new Constitution of the United States. Henry was critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787. His rambling speeches threw the plan to proceed section by section into a shambles, but his patience became another Federalist asset.
By June 18, as the struggle was nearing a decision, all attention was focused on the uncommitted delegates—particularly the eight from four key counties (Ohio, Monongalia, Harrison, and Randolph) between the Alleghenies and the Kentucky district. Both sides had eighty votes in a dead heat, and the crucial eight delegates were no doubt courted relentlessly.
Henry's speech ultimately swayed the convention, and it was resolved that the colony be "put into a posture of defence". George Mason, who later drafted the Virginia Declaration of Rights, said that the audience's passions were not their own after Henry had addressed them. Thomas Marshall told his son John Marshall, who later became Chief Justice of the United States, that the speech was "one of the boldest, vehement, and animated pieces of eloquence that had ever been delivered". Edward Carrington, listening by a window, was so affected by the speech that he requested to be buried there, and in 1810, he got his wish.
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Henry's criticism of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787
Patrick Henry was critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787. He believed that the Constitution was an attempt by a few powerful people to construct a strong central government of which they would be the masters. Henry was also concerned about the absence of a bill of rights, which he saw as part of the attempt by the few to amass power. In his speech on June 4, 1788, to the Virginia Convention, Henry criticised the Constitution for not including a bill of rights and recommended twenty amendments and a bill of rights based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
Henry also opposed the ratification of the United States Constitution because he feared a powerful central government and because there was no Bill of Rights. He believed that the Constitution might give the national government the authority to interfere with slavery in states like Virginia, where it was prominent. Henry's fears of a strong federal government were not unfounded, as he had witnessed the actions of the national government under the Articles of Confederation. He declined an appointment as a delegate to the 1787 Constitutional Convention, which he believed was a plot by the powerful to construct a strong central government. Despite his impressive rhetoric, Henry was ultimately unsuccessful in preventing the ratification of the Constitution.
The Constitution's Ratification: A Historical Perspective
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Henry's resolution urging all colonies to seek independence
Patrick Henry was critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787. On June 4, 1788, he gave a speech to the Virginia Convention, which was debating whether to ratify the proposed new Constitution of the United States.
Despite being on different sides of the political spectrum during the passage of the Constitution, Henry found himself more aligned with Federalists only three years later.
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Henry's reconciliation with George Washington
Patrick Henry was a staunch Anti-Federalist and, despite recognising the need to augment the financial resources of the confederation congress, was critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787. He gave a speech to the Virginia Convention on June 4, 1788, which was debating whether to ratify the proposed new Constitution of the United States. The Convention ratified the Constitution on June 26, 1788.
Henry's friendship with George Washington cooled during the ratification debates, but by 1794, both men were looking to reconcile. Henry found himself more aligned with Washington than with Jefferson and Madison, and Washington still considered himself indebted to Henry for notifying him about the Conway Cabal. Washington offered Henry a seat on the Supreme Court in 1794, but he refused, feeling his family needed him. Washington also tried to get Henry to accept positions as Secretary of State and as minister to Spain, and Virginia Governor "Light-Horse" Harry Lee wanted to appoint him to the Senate. Henry refused each time.
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Henry's refusal of prominent positions in Washington's administration
Patrick Henry was a prominent figure in the American Revolution and the early years of the United States. He was a strong advocate for independence and helped to construct the state constitution. Henry was also the first governor of independent Virginia, a position he used to support George Washington during the war.
Despite his initial support for Washington, Henry was critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787. In a speech on June 4, 1788, Henry addressed the Virginia Convention, which was debating whether to ratify the proposed new Constitution. Henry's speech was influential, and the Convention ultimately ratified the Constitution but recommended twenty amendments and a bill of rights based on the Virginia Declaration of Rights.
After leaving governance in 1790, Henry returned to law, partly to pay off debts incurred during his time as governor. Despite their political differences, Washington offered Henry multiple prominent positions in his administration, including a seat on the Supreme Court, the position of Secretary of State, and Minister to Spain. However, Henry refused these offers, choosing instead to stay with his family. In 1796, influential Virginians tried to convince him to run for president, but he declined.
Henry's refusal of these positions can be attributed to his political beliefs and his desire to remain with his family. He was critical of the central government's powers and may have felt that accepting a position in Washington's administration would compromise his principles. Additionally, Henry had incurred significant debts during his time as governor, and returning to law may have been a more stable and lucrative option for him and his family.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Patrick Henry was critical of the extensive powers given to the central government by the Constitution of 1787.
Patrick Henry returned to law, mainly to pay off debts he incurred during his time as governor.
Patrick Henry produced a resolution urging all colonies to seek independence. The resolution was passed unanimously and sent to Thomas Jefferson in Philadelphia.
