Stories of Later American History | Page 6

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!"
What wonder that the audience sways to his belief!
He was a true prophet, for in less than four weeks the first gun of the
Revolution was fired in the quiet town of Lexington, Massachusetts.
Undoubtedly Patrick Henry's fiery spirit had done much to kindle the
flame which then burst forth.
Not long after this, he was made commander-in-chief of the Virginia
forces (1775), and the next year was elected governor of Virginia.
When the war--in the declaring of which he had taken so active a
part--was over, Patrick Henry retired at the age of fifty-eight (1794), to
an estate in Charlotte County called "Red Hill," where he lived a simple
and beautiful life. He died in 1799.
Without doubt he was one of the most eloquent orators our country has
ever produced, and we should be grateful to him because he used his
great gift in helping to secure the freedom we now enjoy.
SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

1. What was the Stamp Act? Why did Parliament pass it, and why did
the colonists object to it?
2. What did Patrick Henry mean by saying that the General Assembly
of Virginia, and only the General Assembly of Virginia had the right
and the power of laying taxes upon the people of that colony?
3. Have you in your mind a picture of young Patrick Henry as he rode
on horseback along the country road toward Williamsburg? Describe
this picture as clearly as you can.
4. What did William Pitt think of the Stamp Act? Why did Parliament
repeal it?
5. Can you explain Patrick Henry's power as an orator? When did he
make a great speech in St. John's Church, Richmond?
6. What do you admire in Patrick Henry?
7. Do not fail to locate every event upon your map.
CHAPTER II
SAMUEL ADAMS
While Patrick Henry was leading the people of Virginia in their
defiance of the Stamp Act, exciting events were taking place in
Massachusetts under another colonial leader. This was Samuel Adams.
Even before Virginia took any action, he had introduced in the
Massachusetts Assembly resolutions opposing the Stamp Act, and they
were passed.
This man, who did more than any one else to arouse the love of liberty
in his colony, was born in Boston in 1722. His boyhood was quite
different from that of Patrick Henry. He liked to go to school and to
learn from books, and he cared little for outdoor life or sport of any
kind.

[Illustration: Samuel Adams.]
As he grew up, his father wished him to become a clergyman, but
Samuel preferred to study law. His mother opposing this, however, he
entered upon business life. This perhaps was a mistake, for he did not
take to business, and, like Patrick Henry, he soon failed, even losing
most of the property his father had left him.
SAMUEL ADAMS AN INSPIRING LEADER
But although not skilful in managing his own affairs, he was a most
loyal and successful worker for the interests of the colony. In fact,
before long, he gave up most of his private business and spent his time
and strength for the public welfare.
His whole income was the very small salary which he received as clerk
of the Assembly of Massachusetts. This was hardly sufficient to pay for
the food needed in his household. But his wife was so thrifty and
cheerful, and his friends so glad to help him out because of the time he
gave to public affairs, that his home life, though plain, was comfortable,
and his children were well brought up.
Poor as he was, no man could be more upright. The British, fearing his
influence, tried at different times to bribe him with office under the
King and to buy him with gold. But he scorned any such attempts to
turn him aside from the path of duty.
The great purpose of his life seemed to be to encourage the colonists to
stand up for their rights as freemen, and to defeat the plans of King
George and Parliament in trying to force the colonists to pay taxes. In
this he was busy night and day. In the assembly and in the town
meeting all looked to him as an able leader; and in the workshops, on
the streets, or in the shipyards men listened eagerly while he made clear
the aims of the English King, and urged them to defend their rights as
free-born Englishmen.
Even at the close of a busy day, this earnest, liberty-loving man gave
himself little rest. Sometimes he was writing articles