Lexington and Concord and the shot heard around the world. Patrick Henry Lexington and Concord the shot heard round the world In the course of human events, Begins the American declaration of independance. That declaration, secured the intent of the Colonist. Then, as now the ruling class along with their powdered wigs were aghast with the vulgarian upptiness of the lower class. Even the local politicians (loyalist) who were in the pocket of king George were alarmed. A proper respose was necessary. Over the months that followed, people were rounded up, anyone caught supporting rebellion against the crown was executed on the spot and their homes burned and properties confiscated. In those days, many were the widows and orphans because of the harsh, heavy hand of the rulers. Why, how dare they assume liberties which only belong to the beautiful people. We are seeing the exact same thought processes play out. Guns were confiscated and outlawed in an effort to suppress the rebellion. Gun running and smuggeling got its start in the midst of the revolution.  Those leaders who stood up and led the revolution, many were merchants and businesses folk, some were wealthy who pledged their lives, fortunes and sacred honor for the cause of freedom, and indeed some gave all. Today we have that same spirit of courage and wisdom standing up. They are looking for minutemen to join with them in the righteous cause of liberty.  The immortal words of "American" Patrick Henry stirred, (but just) the Virginians to arms. His speach at St. Johns church has lived on and has now residence in the hearts of patriots today. From a observer of that speech. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided,” he said, “and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. 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?” Henry then turned his attention to the British troops mobilizing across the colonies. “Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation?” he asked. “Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? …Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other.” As he continued speaking, Henry’s dulcet tones began to darken with anger. “Excitement began to play more and more upon his features,” the minister later said. “The tendons of his neck stood out white and rigid like whipcords.” “Our petitions have been slighted,” Henry said, “our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne…we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us!” Henry stood silent for a moment, letting his defiant words hang in the air. When he finally began speaking again, it was in a thunderous bellow that seemed to shake “the walls of the building and all within them.” His fellow delegates leaned forward in their seats as he reached his crescendo. “The war is actually begun!” Henry cried. “The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have?  Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery?”  As he spoke, Henry held his wrists together as though they were manacled and raised them toward the heavens. “Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty”, Henry burst from his imaginary chains and grasped an ivory letter opener, “or give me death!” As he uttered these final words, he plunged the letter opener toward his chest, mimicking a knife blow to the heart. For several moments after Henry sat back down, the assembled delegates seemed at a loss for words. “No other member…was yet adventurous enough to interfere with that voice which had so recently subdued and captivated,” delegate Edmund Randolph later said. A hushed silence descended on the room. “Every eye yet gazed entranced on Henry,” said the Baptist minister. “Men were beside themselves.” Colonel Edward Carrington, one of the many people watching the proceedings through the church windows, was so moved that he stood and proclaimed to his fellow spectators, “Let me be buried at this spot!” When he died decades later, his widow honored his request. While some of the Convention’s delegates clung to their loyalist stance, one even called Henry’s words “infamously insolent,”the “Liberty or Death” speech tipped the scales in favor of defensive action. After Richard Henry Lee and Thomas Jefferson both lent their support, the resolution passed by only a few votes. Henry was appointed the head of a new committee charged with readying the Virginia militia for combat. Henry’s call to arms came at a pivotal moment. Less than a month later, skirmishes between British troops and colonial minutemen at Lexington and Concord resulted in “the shot heard round the world” and the first casualties of the Revolutionary War. In Virginia, scores of colonials, many of whom had embroidered the words “Liberty or Death” onto their shirts, flocked to join local militias. “The sword is now drawn,” wrote the Virginia Gazette, “and God knows when it will be sheathed.” May the Almighty God of Heaven and Earth hear our cause and petition and give us remedy.