Transcripts For CSPAN3 Reenactment 20240705

This has been so much fun and everybody give yourselves around applause. You are all bill of rights rock stars so well you good job. Thank you so much. Thank you for hosting trivia game, madison. I feel like i did pretty i love it. It a good game. All right. Well see you all time by good afternoon, ladies. Gentlemen, welcome to historic St Johns Church, a National Historic landmark and welcome to our liberty or death reenactment. We have been producing reenactments here since the 1970s, and we are delighted that you have chosen to spend part of your day with us today as reverend wilmer mentioned, my name is steven wilson. I serve as the executive director for the St Johns Church foundation. We are a50 1 to 3 Nonprofit Organization that has been around since 1938. Weve been a minute our mission is twofold. It is education. It is Historic Preservation. We tell the story of the Second Virginia Convention and the importance of Patrick Henry. We do this through our Educational Programs like the one that youre about to see. And we also preserve this historic site. I mentioned a minute ago that this is a National Historic landmark. It is also the Oldest Church in the city of richmond. It dates all way back to 1741. The Public Cemetery that is outside is the oldest Public Cemetery in the city of richmond. So your participation in todays program does help our organization not only preserve the site, but it helps us achieve our mission. So thank you all for being here. I have one housekeeping rule for you, and thats and then well start the show. We would ask that you not during the performance report video or take photographs some of you probably heard me say when you came in that this is being filmed today. Cspan here today, they are filming this reenactment. It will be aired on their American History tv. So well make sure that we notify everybody when we know that air date. Thats all have for you. Enjoy the show. But im going to turn things over to peyton randolph. He is the president of the convention. Welcome again to St Johns Church in beautiful richmond on this lovely, warm, you know, on the day that weve provided just because those people. But we appreciate you coming here and supporting this institution. And i hope enjoy yourselves today. My name is Peter Randolph and today i am introducing the rest of the program. But before i want to do that, i want to talk about a couple of rules that we have here now mentioned the recording. I dont think thats going to be a problem today. Nevertheless, if you have anything that can record video, audio photography, turn those devices off at this time, also try to silence anything that might make a noise, buzz or kind of ringing that might disturb your fellow guests or your fellow here today. Another thing is that for safety of all those who are the building, we ask that the doors for the views remain open during the entire presentation. So if you have if you have closed the boxes, please open those at those time. Sure, they remain so long as youre in the building, that is simply for your safety in the event that the redcoats arrive here and they need to vacate the building, we need to make sure that happens in the safest and most efficient way possible. So please, if that happens, look to the delegates or the staff closest to you to help you remove from the building safely. I also ask that you remember while you were in here that this is not only a very church, but it is still an active church, one which is used today. And i ask that you remember to treat it as such. The dealers in front of you are not for your the people who worship here still use those for their prayers in the morning and we ask that you remember, help us be the good stewards of this building by taking care of the prayer and hymnals that you might have found near you in the boxes as well. Thats about it, i guess for those i guess the church i would actually also ask you to ask you to to remove your headgear if youre wearing a hat today as well. Now, heres the most important thing of all. How many people in here with show of hands like gifts. Is that it gifts really. Well, you all are love because we have the best gift shop in town right here in the property just down the hill at our 1835 sunday school house. So if you enjoyed this program and you want to keep this institution and help support us. Then think about us in our gift shop afterwards. Thats another way you can support the Historic Preservation of very important site that youre all in today, that said, i want to start the process of getting us back in time to the convention. So i wanted to describe to you a little bit about what this building and what town looked like at the time. Back in 1607, the Virginia Company here and settles jamestown. But even before they do that, they deserve a date determined that there has to be a trading post along the fall line. This is the falls of the james river from ships cant pass. That means they have to have warehouses here that can store goods until they can be put on the larger ships. So theres a trading post in this area as early as 1608, by 1737, there is a population of nearly 200 english colonists at that time. William byrd, the second land owner here, is asked by the by the to to set aside some of his land town and he does that beginning in 1737, starting right here on this wharf which was the Northeast Corner of town at that time also the highest point, an elevation on william bridge property. This remains the highest point in richmond today. William byrd would have looked from this site south of east towards the river. He would seen to take a great swooping bend that reminded him of a place in england where he had an called richmond on the thames and so when he found this town in 1737, he will call it richmond on the james and weve been richmond ever since but even before the town is completed. Theres need for a church because there is no religious freedom in virginia that time, nor is there a separation of church and state. If you live here, you are subject not only to the king of england but also to his church. You are bound by law not only to tie up the church of england, but also to attend services in person, at least 12 times a year, which is of course, better than the 15 times we have been going in jamestown. Dont complain. Nevertheless, if they are going to require church attendance, there has to be when the parish will begin to ask william bird for some land. He will agree by 1740 to set aside the south half of this block to town. Lots of an acre in total for a church yard. And he will allow to allow them to remove as much as they can from the hill with which to build their church. And thats where you are right now. The 1741 henrico parish church. So what do you think. Is a nice. Yes, its just the right church for a Frontier Town of 200 people. So the original church, of course, is here, but its its only a small portion of what you see has grown around you. When i said that youre in that church for most of you, thats fact, not you. If youre beyond three pews. Im sorry. Youre still outside. Can look in the windows. You in front . Well, 1741 church was 60 feet in length and 25 feet wide, much smaller than todays church. It was slightly shorter and flat and ceiling all the boxes were in pews like these ones. The door is there on the west, the altar there, the east. Its very simple, modest building with plain glass windows on all the side, much more austere than what you can see. Its grown up around by 1770 or so, there are nearly 600 People Living in richmond, and so now we need more space and in 1772 of the First Edition was built in the north that takes in all the seats here in the center, all you people in the Center Welcome you guys in the corners. Sorry youre still outside. Youre going to have to wait until 1829. So just look in the wings right. Thats when those buildings are white. In 1772, its just the centerpiece here. And the original section, the shape of a capital t, the pews fit at that time, roughly 130 souls, which is just large enough for the delegates to, come here for the Second Virginia Convention in march of 1775 and to you more about that. I am at this point going to turn you over to the gentleman from albemarle county, mr. Thomas jefferson. Good afternoon. Back in march of 1775, when this convention place, the capital, virginia, is still located down in williamsburg. So you may wonder, why did this meeting take place here in . Richmond instead of there . And the answer is quite simple. Lord dunmore, who was the royal governor of virginia at the time, had dissolved the house of burgesses, and as he was against this extra legal meeting, the meeting was moved here to richmond to be away from the governors power. You see the 50 miles that separate richmond and williamsburg would provide ample time for the delegates and the attendees of the convention to disperse should the governor decide that he wanted to send troops. Now, as andrew mentioned, the town of, richmond at that time was a small town of about 600 souls. And henrico parish church. This building here was the only building larger to handle all of the delegates who would be arriving from all over the state, not to mention myles selden, who was the rector of henrico parish at the time, was sympathetic to the colony of course, now may wonder, why would these men take such an extraordinary measure . Well john adams observed that the real revolution takes place in the hearts, the minds of the people before the real fighting ever begins. And so the separation between england and her colonies had been growing over quite a period of time, not allowing westward expansion. The passing of the stamp act and the towns in that but most of all refusal of parliament to to the pleas of the colony east had driven the colonies more and more defiance. The boston massacre led to the boston tea party, which led england to pass the intolerable acts. So so the port of boston up in massachusetts it was closed outright to assembly was being denied english, were being housed in private homes and outright to a jury of our peers was being denied in many many cases you see the rights our forefathers had brought with them from england were at. Now one of the key questions of that time was who had the right to tax colonies was it our own elected government or was it parliament in which we had no representation . You see, in 1774, lord dunmore had dissolved the house of burgesses, leaving virginia with no effective government. And so it was in these somber times that the leaders of virginia decided to meet here in richmond and right here in this church. Peyton randolph was elected president of the Convention Just as he had served as president for the First Continental Congress the summer before, among the men in attendance at this convention were George Patrick henry Thomas Jefferson, Richard Henry lee. These were the elites of virginia they were the elected officials from their counties in the house of burgesses. Now here in virginia, we are and always been proud of the fact that the house of burgesses was the first elected state legislative in the western world, having been in place since 1690. And it still meets today here in richmond as the house of delegates. But back then, membership in the house of burgesses was restricted to white men only who owned a great deal of land. And so we must admit and acknowledge that many of these men enslaved people to work that land or benefited from the practice. And so you may ask yourself, how did these men reckon sail that conflict of fighting for their own liberty against the king and against parliament, while at the same time denying liberty to other people . Now you hear that contradiction in mr. Henry speech today when he refers to england threatening the colony is with chains and slavery and in fact, in 1773, Patrick Henry himself wrote who would believe that i am the master of slaves of my own purchase. I, i will not condone. And yet mr. Henry and many others lived with that contradict and the benefits that it afforded them. But in this moment in time as they came together here the most important question in their minds was how do we address the aggression of england and parliament and the mistreatment that we are receiving . Is virginia ready to step up and do whats necessary and we will find that answer today. So were going to go back in time. Im going to assume the role of Thomas Jefferson of albemarle county. And you are going to assume the role of the delegates from your county and what that means is. You are encouraged to vote on any resolution or business that comes before this body. If you hear that you like, you say, here, here are well said, sir. We hope and expect that youll participate. Now, i am told that mr. Henry is going to propose a today that is going to put you in front of all of us a very difficult a choice between liberty and allegiance to the king. So now is the time to go back in time and to our roles. So those in favor of ringing the church bell and calling this Convention Order respond by saying, i those opposed nay, the is have it, ring the bell and look to convention, begin. Good afternoon, mr. And mr. Henry. Mr. Harrison harrison. Youre all order. I let us consider this proceedings begun. I will begin with the beating of the mets of yesterday. The minutes of wednesday, march 22, 1775. The delegates, according to german, pursuant to order the convention, resumed consideration of the citizens last years Continental Congress and passed the following resolution resolved unanimously that this convention accordingly approves the resolutions of the american continental and considers this whole as under the highest obligation to have a respectable body for the wisdom of their council resolved unanimously that Member States of this convention are due to the honorable and wealthy delegates who represented this colony in general. Counsel for the faithful of the very important trust reposed in them. You then draw attention today at 10 00. Mr. President. Mr. Thomas Jefferson Jones from albemarle county. I move that the minutes is read. We approved and adopted. I second mr. President , your motion has been moved seconded those in favor of adopting the resolutions to the minutes well signify by saying i all those opposed the matter. Dr. Now, we may begin the day with any new mr. President. Mr. Cobb. Mr. Mr. Cathcart, the gentleman from out of town, sir, i beg leave to offer the following resolutions. You may proceed to. Resolved that a wellregulated militia militia comes close. The gentleman and yeoman is the only security and the natural defense of a free government. Here, here. Thats up to militia in this colony would forever preclude the Mother Company country from keeping among us a Standing Army of mercenary forces and would obviate the pretext of taxing us for their support. Come on, mr. Henry hopes that establishment of such a militia is at this time peculiarly necessary for the protection and defense of the country, and the known religiousness of the government, and calling us together in a legislated capacity renders it too insecure. In this time of danger and distress to revive it, any provision would be made to secure our rights and liberties from those further violations. With which they are threatened. But sir, your stories all there all resolved. Therefore, that this colony would be put immediately into a posture of defense and that a committee be named by this convention to prepare a plan for embodying, arming and disciplining a number of men as may be for the purpose we must be patient. But there is not yet chance whose patience our hiatus joe morgan campaign. I like to say the resolutions proposed by joseph and over i think your time and i thank you for your second mr. Lee be rash sir this is nothing of a declaration of war. We must remain loyal to the kings. You know, many proper will take. But i think it will take place. The circus right here. Here i am not great advice. One part about the whole proof to pay for this officer. We used but an actual likeness maybe some protection for habitation. Were being told no i need. But the british general run all as such full responsibility for the cause very well i have no man a proper into the game. I aint got to play war with mother here, here all always. But gentlemen. Come to our high street. We have come out. She will be back baggage her. And the war the medical problem calculations they may be, sir, i oh look on. What happened first things that are price is all this world just and people are making so like i these speed cars get this corrupted well spoken you must be Patient First person dont care i desire to raise my voice opposition to the adoption the resolutions at this time here i consider them rash and poorly time. I then report from england as all know is that our petition to the king passed to the continent of congress has been graciously no sufficient time has passed for a reply come to us. So you well know that mr. Lee has received a reliable report that the king will reject all requests that is merely hearsay. Mr. Lee. Mr. Henry that is merely hearsay. I cannot ask for a french and liberty as any man in this, and indeed you are. And as little disposed to submit, but National Stability and filial respect demands that we do nothing hastily. I offer no provocations. I speak as a plan indeed for the farmers of charles city county, and i deplore steps that would stop the production of tobacco and corn and reduce the people of virginia to starvation starvation. Indeed, sir. And about the brave people of boston, i represent charles smitty, not boston. Mr. President. Sir, virginia is bound by both honor and selfinterest to share one faith with our sister here. I recognize. I know one be just the part of it only the king. And i the colonies are tied to through their ties to the crown. Virginia is a self governing domain in within the british empire. The gentleman virginia should be prepared and i consider acts of parliament limiting our westward growth, attempting to tax our without their consent, closing the port of boston. Indeed of the intolerable acts. Gentlemen, these the aggressive acts of. A foreign power and they must be resisted. Gentlemen, with all means within our power. The god who gave us, gave us liberty at the same time. I earnestly call on this convention to support mr. Henrys resolution. Sir. It its jefferson. We must be led discretion, which is guided by simple reason. How can we be discreet, sir . We can aim at short range. And those ships soon be in the chesapeake bay. Mr. President. Im independent. John kerry. Thank you, sir. Gentlemen, i hope this convention will proceed slow, slowly, before virginia in the war. I ask you. Is this the moment to plunge into rash measures and discuss our friends in england are working to repeal these unfair taxes which afflict to extinguish all of conspiring sympathy. Is that all working in our favor to turn that friendship into a trade company into revenge. All we ready for war. Are we ready for tyranny . Where, sir are our arms . Wherever. Supplies for our soldiers or our money. The very sinews of war are they are nowhere to be found insofar. Should force or abundance, so as to give us any reasonable hope of a successful resistance. Quite true, gentlemen we are all poor and defenseless and must only win. It becomes absolutely necessary not, because it is necessary yet. And yet these gentlemen who favor the resolutions hall of a serena pox or of war, assuming it to against the great nation. One of the most formidable in all of the world. A nation that is ready and. All gold. Every point. Our navy. Sailing in triumph. On every. Armies always marching. Caught in a victory. Gentlemen, let us be patient. Let us to allow all reasonable delay. And then if the word comes to word, we will have no feelings of late. Now is not the time for television, sir. There is no man this convention more attached to the liberties of this colony than. The man will address issues. But sir, we must think first, before we sacrifice perhaps everything, to a spirit of indignation and revenge. But consider strength and the luster we derive from our connection. Great britain. Well, the domestic comforts that come from that same source, our ties of trade and business, the friends and relatives still living in england. You see these tyrannies from which suffer are after the tip. Tyrannies in temporary possession of a thousand columns. Give a little more time, sir. Take no action. And these evil ministers in england will be overthrown. Men in sympathy with america assume authority. Our ills pass away in the glorious days of all will come back again. These are dreamer. We must all you say. It must be down. Gentlemen. Must remember that blow burns are apt to follow the army and bloodshed will follow the road. When this occurs, gentlemen, we shall have it. Lets let the dogs war. Our friends will become enemies at this flourishing country. Will be swept by a of death and destruction. Mr. President. Colonel George Washington, tell them the that. Gentlemen, the taking up of arms should always be a last resort. I can any honorable man scruple or hesitate to take up arms to protect so precious a thing as liberty. Is it not as clear as the sun and its noontime brightness . That some provisions be made to ensure proper arms and ammunition for the public good. Here. Yes, it is true that our militia. The training of our militia been much neglected. So i will willingly command of virginias forces if necessary. And it is my intention to offer my life and fortune in our cause if needed. Gentlemen, to of our defense, must be forged on the anvil of necessity. I urge that the resolutions now under discussion be adopted. Thank you, colonel wells. And then this resolution. Mr. Patrick henry manner, sir. No man thinks more highly than i do of the patriot ism and the abilities of the very gentlemen who have just addressed this. But different men often see the same subject, different. And therefore, i hope, will not be disrespectful to these gentlemen, if entertaining, as i do of a character very opposite to theirs. I set forth my sentiments freely without reserve. Oh is no time for ceremony. The question before the house is one of awful moment for this country. For my part, i consider it nothing less a question of freedom or slavery and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject, ought to be the freedom of the. For it is only in this way we can hope to arrive at the truth and to fulfill our great responsibility which we owe to god and to our. If i were to hold back my opinions at such time as this for fear of giving offense, i would consider it an act treason against my country and an act of disloyalty to the majesty of heaven, whom i revere above all earthly kings kings. Mr. President. It is natural for a man to indulge in the illusion of hope. We are apt to to shut our isaac and stop painful. And listen the song of the sirens as she transforms us into beasts. But is this the part of men engaged in the arduous struggle for liberty . Are we disposed to count ourselves among the number of those who, having see not having ears, hear . Not those things . So nearly affect our temporal salvation . Well, for my part, whatever anguish to the it may cost. I willing to know the whole truth, to know the worst, and to provide for it. I have put one lamp by which my feet were guided, and that is the lamp of experience. I know no way to judge the future, but by the past and judging by the past, i wish to know what there has been in the conduct. The British Ministry for the last ten years to justify five hopes with which these gentlemen have been so pleased to themselves. And this house can be that insidious smile with which our petition has been so lately received. Oh, trust it not, sir. It shall prove a snare unto our feet. Suffer yourselves not to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious comports with these warlike preparations, which our waters and darken our lands, our fleets and armies necessary for a full work of love and reconciliation. And we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled. That force must now be brought in to to win back loves. Oh, let us not to save ourselves, sir. These are the implements war and subjugate in the last argument to which kings resort. And i ask the gentleman, sir what means this martial array if its purpose be not to force us into submission . Can the gentleman assign any other possible motive for it . Has Great Britain any enemy in this quarter the world to call for such an of armies and navies. No, sir. She has. They are meant for us. They can be meant for no other. They have been sent to bind and to rivet upon us. The chains which the British Ministry has so long been forging. And what have we to oppose them . Shall we try argument . Sir, we have been trying argument for the last ten years. Have anything new to offer upon the subject. Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable. And it is all been in vain. Well, shall we try. Entreaty and humble supplication. But what terms may we find have not already been exhausted . Let us not. I beseech you, sir, to save ourselves any. We have done everything could be done to avert the storm. Which is now coming on. We have petitioned. We have remonstrated. We have simply stated. We have prostrated ourselves before the throne and implored interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry in the parliament. Our petitions have been slow witted. Our remonstrance is had been met with additional injuries and insult. Our supplications have been ignored and we have been spurred on with contempt from the foot of the throne in vain. All these things, may we indulge in the fond hope of peace and reconciliation or to relief from king, who has become a tyrant, a fool, a puppet, and a tool for shame after henry, your treading on treason, sir. He is out of treason in clashing with. They say, sir, that we are weak. I. Unable to cope with a formidable adversary. Indeed we are. But when, sir will we be stronger . Will it be in the next week . Will it be in the next year . Or will it be when we have been disarmed and are british god children stationed in every house . So we gain strength through your resolution and in action. Shall we acquire the of effectual resistance . Why you so kindly on all blacks hugging the delusive mantle of hope until our enemies all have bound and shackled us hand . And what. Oh, no, sir, we are not weak. Not if we make proper use of the means which the god of nature of belief within our power free millions of people on the holy cause of liberty and in such a country is that which we possess are invincible against any force the enemy may send against us. Besides, sir, we will not fight one. There a just god who presides over the destinies of nations who will raise up friends to fight our battles. We should be so blessed, sir. The battle, sir, is not to the strong. It is to the vigilance. To the active, to the brave. They besides, sir, we have no election. Even if we were base enough to desire it. It is too late to retire from the conflict. There no retreat, but in submission and slavery of change to all forms. There are plenty may be heard upon the plains of boston. The war is inevitable. Oh, indeed. Hey, let it come, sir. I repeat it, sir. Let it come. Here, here, here, here. The gentleman wants peace. Peace. I am. But is no peace. War has actually begun. The next day is swift. From north. Well bring to our ears the class resounding arms. Our brethren are in the field. Stand. We hear. I draw. Well, is it two gentlemen wish. What would they have . Is life so dear and peace so sweet as to be purchased to the price of chains and slavery. I forbid almighty god. I know. Not because others may take. But as for me, give me liberty. Oh, give me death. And. Colonel George Washington fairfax. I will put the question to you once in the military revolution for both. I mr. And was the president i sent to washington washington. The motion has called for the adoption of the resolu tions as caused by the gentlemans. The chair requests that every delegate every delegate where your decision very clear. As many as are available signify by saying lord, i although the both no. And the opinion the chair of the is government resolutions are adopted. Mr. Will hereby cast by this convention to prepare the subcommittee and present the plan to this convention at the earliest opportunity. So there have been no further business. Let us declare the convention closed till 10 00 tomorrow in regard c, virginia. Ladies and what you just seen is a theatrical adaptation. The events that took place right here on that day during the convention. Now, course, in reality, the convention went on for several additional days and there was much business that was discussed but a great deal of research and time and effort has been taken in recreate for you what we view to be key moment of that which of course mr. Henry speech. Now mr. Henry used his his superior argument skills and his oratory skills to convince his fellow virgin fans to support the cause of the colonies in the north. But the vote day was very, very close, much closer than todays. Well, we have the benefit of hindsight. We know how it turned out. Now, but back then it was a very difficult decision. But the wisdom of mr. Henry and this convention was proved not three weeks later, when the first shots were fired at lincoln outside lexington and concord. The war for our liberty had, in fact begun. And yes, the liberty or death speech went on to great acclaim and became a rallying for the revolution. But maybe more importantly, by gaining the support of his fellow delegates from virginia in supporting the colonies up north. Mr. Henry prevented the American Revolution just being a regional skirmish in new england. Now colonel washington went on to lead our troops to victory in the revolution. Mr. Thomas jefferson went on to write the declaration of independence. And mr. Patrick henry went on to become the first elected governor of an army. And virginia. And now im going to introduce to you or allow them to introduce themselves the members of the convention. I would ask you to please hold your applause until they are all die. I of course. Im thomas of albemarle county. Randolph williamsburg. President of your convention. Edmund pendleton. Caroline county. Benjamin harrison. Charleston county. Richard henry. Lee westmoreland. Colonel George Washington fairfax county. And of course, the gentleman who needs no introduction. Mr. Patrick of hanover county. Ladies and gentlemen, the delegates of. The Second Virginia Convention. Lets get to the main event. Were going to have a good conversation tonight. We have dr. Rick moreira, Ricardo Pereira visiting professor of military history of the u