Patrick Henry Warns of “Dangerous and Destructive” Treaty Powers
Anti-Federalists generally worried that the Constitution would give the general government too much power. One area that caused concern was the power to make treaties. Patrick Henry addressed this issue in speeches during the Virginia ratifying convention. Under the...
Patrick Henry Debates Federalists, Insists on a Bill of Rights
One of the most ardent proponents of a Bill of Rights for the U.S. Constitution was Patrick Henry. During the Virginia Ratifying Convention he repeatedly and doggedly advocated that a list of fundamental liberties – free speech, freedom of religion, right to a jury...
Patrick Henry Warns of a “Great and Mighty Empire”
On June 5, 1788, Patrick Henry gave a speech at the Virginia Ratifying Convention warning that “consolidation” – centralizing of power – would turn the United States into a dangerous empire. The speech was prophetic, and if you didn’t know otherwise, you’d assume it...