Courtesy of National Archives, Henry, Patrick, "Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 14 November 1778," November 14, 1778
Description
In January 1778, Virginia Governor Patrick Henry, acting with the advice of the Council of State and the authorization of the General Assembly, directed Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark to raise a force of 350 men to capture Kaskaskia and other British posts in the Illinois country, north of the Ohio River. This letter from Henry describes some of these exploits to delegates in Congress.
Full Transcript of Patrick Henry's Letter
Transcribed Excerpt from Patrick Henry's Letter
Source-Dependent Questions
- Henry writes that, "The Executive power of this State having been impressed with a strong apprehension of incursions on their Frontier Settlements from the Savages situated about ..." Discuss the meaning of the word "savages" in this passage. Why would Henry describe American Indians as such?
- Henry further writes, "By Despatches which I have just received from Col. Clarke it appears that his Success has ... not only reduced Fort Chartres & its dependencies but has struck such a Terror into the Indian Tribes ... [that some have] bound themselves by Treaties and promises to be peaceable in future..." Why would Clark want to enter into a peace treaty with the American Indians? Would a peace treaty benefit both parties? Explain your reasoning.
Citation Information
Henry, Patrick, "Patrick Henry in Council to Virginia Delegates in Congress, 14 November 1778," November 14, 1778. Courtesy of National Archives