PATRICK HENRY was born in Virginia, May 29, 1736 He was elected Governor of Virginia, 1776 He died June 6, 1799 THE ORATOR OF THE WAR FOR INDEPENDENCE _A Surprise to All_ In 1765, there was an important meeting of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, as the lawmaking body of that Colony was called. They had come together to debate upon a great question, that of the Stamp Act passed by the British Parliament for the taxation of the Colonies. Most of the members were opposed to it, but they were timid and doubtful, and dreadfully afraid of saying or doing something that might offend the King. They talked all round the subject, but were as afraid to come close to it as if it had been a chained wolf. They were almost ready to adjourn, with nothing done, when a tall and slender young man, a new and insignificant member whom few knew, rose in his seat, and began to speak upon the subject. Some of the rich and aristocratic members looked upon him with indignation. What did this nobody mean in meddling with so weighty a subject as that before them, and which they had already fully debated? But their indignation did not trouble the young man. He began by offering a series of resolutions, in which he maintained that only the Burgesses and the Governor had the right to tax the People, and that the Stamp Act was contrary to the Constitution of the Colony, and therefore was void. This was a bold resolution. No one else had dared to go so far. It scared many of the members, and a great storm of opposition arose, but the young man would not yield. He began to speak, and soon there was flowing from his lips a stream of eloquence that took every one by surprise. Never had such glowing words been heard in that old hall. His force and enthusiasm shook the whole Assembly. Finally wrought up to the highest pitch of indignant Patriotism, he thundered out the memorable words:-- “Cæsar had his Brutus, Charles the First his Cromwell, and George the Third--” “Treason! Treason!” cried some of the excited members. But the orator went on: “--_may profit by their example_. If _this_ be Treason, make the most of it!” His boldness carried the day. His words were irresistible. The resolutions were adopted. Virginia took a decided stand. And Patrick Henry, the orator, from that time was of first rank among American speakers. [Illustration: “‘TREASON! TREASON!’ CRIED SOME OF THE EXCITED MEMBERS”] A zealous and daring Patriot, he had made himself a power among the People. _A Failure that was a Success_ Who was this man that had dared hurl defiance at the King?