Speech: I know that many of you may not share the same ideals, but I have just got back from the Virginia Convention, and I feel that with this new information I learned, I will be able to change your minds. I love this town and all the people in it, which is why I am willing to do whatever I can to make it the best place for everyone to live. With this said, I believe that the only option is to fight the British. While at the Convention, Patrick Henry described all of the actions we have made to try to make peace with the British, and how every time they have not cooperated, and have shut us down. We have tried many different ways to avoid fighting, but all the past actions of the British have shown that there is no other way than to fight. We cannot let ourselves and this place we have worked so hard to build succumb to being controlled by the British. All of us are here for freedom, but if we let the British continue control us, why are we even here? 

 

Response: As John was discussing what he had read with his wife Sarah, he said, “As your husband, I feel like I must join the Patriots so that we can create a better life and a safer world for our child. Don’t you want that for our baby? Paine talked about how unfair and oppressive the British have been, and I have to agree. We are being unfairly treated with these ridiculous taxes on teas and stamps that we already can barely afford. For goodness sakes sarah, we are paying taxes on paper! We have to let these soldiers into our home, people that do not care for us or respect for us we must share our lives with.  Their presence is constant, there is no escape. This is no place for a child to grow up. Paine is a well respected and educated man who knows what he is talking about. I truly believe his publishing can bring everyone together to make a difference and save us.” 

Thomas Paine’s speech inspired many Americans. He used persuasive methods to remind the troops about freedom and to boost their morale. He starts with logical appeals, and tells the people about the cruelty of the British taxes when he says, “Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared, that she has the right (not only to TAX) but to ‘bind us in all cases whatsoever,’ and if being bound in that manner is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth.” He uses this logical appeal to tell the people that the British are taking advantage of them by taxing them. Also, Paine uses ethical appeals in his speech, saying that, “Not all the treasures of the world, so far as I believe, could have induced me to support me to support an offensive war, for I think it murder…. ” Paine shows that he doesn’t like the violence, and thinks it murder. He acknowledges the fighting is bad, and shows that he understands the soldiers hardships. Finally, Paine uses powerful emotional appeals when he declares, “Though the flame liberty may sometimes cease to shine, the coal never can expire.” He has shown the people that there is still hope, and that the troops are fighting for a worthy cause; freedom. All in all, Paine’s speech to the suffering American troops uses different persuasive appeals that remind them that there is still a reason to fight.

As I return from the meeting, I learned of the information that I would be receiving more slaves for my tobacco plantation. I pondered the final line of Patrick Henry’s speech “Give me liberty or give me death!” This particular quote made me question what was better for America at this point in history. Would we continue to beg the king and become slaves to them or fight the war and get liberty, freedom, and independence now? ^“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 sentiments freely, and without reserve.” Conversation began to erupt and different opinions were shared. A lot of personality and character traits are shown when there is a debate going on. As I look to the left, I see a gentleman standing on top of a street lamp screaming his moral views. This act of vulnerability resulted in others becoming roughty and persuaded to be for the war. I began to think what would happen if the war were to happen? It wouldn't be that bad I thought. Soon I was for the war and wanted to see  change in the country I lived in.  

^^“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.” This can really hit somebody's soft spot and make them crestfallen. It can make some people rethink their decision and want to go to war rather than be a slave.  

^^^“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 people in America are tired of having British rule in Virginia, like it said Britain has been ruling them for ten years now, and people want their own freedom. Ten years is enough of Britain ruling them, and they want to rule themselves now.
^ethos
^^pathos
^^^logos

James White is a father to 2 sons, a white farmer, and a strong patriot. He was a successful farmer when he first came to the colonies but recently he hasn’t been because of the British. This caused James to be a stronger patriot who wanted to fight the British. After he heard Patrick Henry’s speech he wanted to fight the British and make a change. The quote at the end of the speech, “I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death!” made him want to fight against the British and change things for the better.

Response:

I know some of you may not agree with Patrick Henry’s speech but I hope you will agree that the change will help our community. After I heard Patrick Henry’s speech I realized that the British have changed nothing for us and everything we have tried has failed. I agree with Patrick Henry saying that we should fight the British and finally get our independence. I have been working hard on the farm to support my family but my sales have been declining because of the British. The British are keeping everything the same and it’s not working. We need to make something happen soon for all of the people in the colonies.

I am here to say at first, yes, I was happy with how we are living.  But now, new ideas have been pitched and my mind is changed.  Yours should be too.  I have good word from Thomas Paine, and I feel like everyone should listen to him and now that I am siding with him, maybe you will listen too.  Look, all the British are doing to us are taxing us cluelessly and binding us in all cases.  It doesn’t matter where you live or where you come from.  You will feel everything that America goes through, unless we make a change.  We deserve freedom because it will improve America, and there will be no more tyranny!

Response: “ Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph” is a quote from Thomas Paine’s, “The American Crisis”. Thomas Paine believed that fighting the British was the only way to escape the control that they had on the Americans. I agree with that because it would make sense to fight for our freedom because it is something that we have earned through hard work and manual labor. What do we get in return?  Less food and supplies from Britain. I, like many of you hardworking patriots, do not enjoy handing over my food, my rations and my money to an uptight slob. Thomas Paine said, “Neither have I so much of the infidel in me, as to suppose that He has relinquished the government of the world, and given us up to the care of devils; and as I do not, I cannot see on what grounds the king of Britain can look up to heaven for help against us: a common murderer, a highwayman, or a house-breaker, has as good a pretence as he.” I for one agree that the King is a no-good money hungry lunatic, so I see no reason as to why fighting for what's ours is wrong.  This shows the people that the King of Britain is just the same as a common criminal, therefore, making him less credible.   Finally, in Paine’s “The Crisis” , he says “Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER ``''.  This means that Britain can and will put the people of the colonies into slavery if they can.  This emotionally affects people and makes them not want to back down so that they can keep their freedom. 

Speech: Citizens of Virginia, I, Bartholomew Smith, present to you as a delegate of the house,  wishing to express the ongoings of the Virginia convention to inspire unity within our colony. Patrick Henry has presented a debate in favor of succession from our mother country, England. Our previous efforts have fallen short and due to lost time, our effort must prevail against our enemy. If we sit in the comfort of our homes and lack a coherent perspective, we will be put in bondage and shackles, England’s wish of complete control will befall upon us. We have prostrated ourselves before the throne and in response we have received nothing but accusations and degradation of our presence. We have done what we can as a peaceful force but today we must put ourselves forward to fight against our controllers. And for Henry, myself, and his supporters, our true countrymen, give us liberty or give us death.