Patrick Henry Delivering His Celebrated Speech

Patrick Henry attacks the Stamp Act and Parliament's authority to tax the colonists—while also suggesting that George III risks Julius Caesar's fate if he disregards American liberty—in a famous speech he delivered to the House of Burgesses in 1765. The caption beneath the engraved scene quotes a portion of Henry's speech, as well as the angry response from the assembled legislators.

"Caesar had his Brutus — Charles the First, His Cromwell — And George the Third" — ("Treason!" cried the Speaker — "Treason, treason!" echoed from every part of the house). Henry faultered not for an instant, but rising to a loftier attitude, concluded thus - "may profit by their example. If this be treason, make the most of it."

This engraving was based on an 1851 painting by artist P. F. Rothermel.