December 25, 1774: Christmas Day. My father has given me a most precious gift today, this diary. He has encouraged me to record my thoughts and experiences in this book. I think my father knows we are living through changing times. The old ways and harmony with our mother country are beginning to fray. He has told me that one day, when I am an old man, I will look back and reflect on all that has occurred during my life and be amazed. I wonder if he is right… February 5, 1775: Amazing news. I can’t believe my great fortune.
Coming home from church service today, father told me that our neighbor, Richard Henry Lee, has asked me to accompany him on his trip to Richmond to serve as his aide during the Second Virginia Convention. This is such a great honor for me, a young man of 16. I knew that Mr. Lee, one of our colony’s most influential men, and father were great friends; but, for me to be offered this chance to travel far from home is so exciting. Our family plantation borders the Lee’s home, and I have known their many children all my life. I would have expected him to take one of his own sons. Maybe this is the purpose for my life that I have been seeking.
Father has told me I must begin to think about the future. Could this trip begin my journey to discover the purpose for my life? February 23, 1775: Today, father and I exchanged words again. As father is a member of the House of Burgesses in Williamsburg, he is a strong supporter of the crown. I know that Mr. Lee and father do not often see eye to eye when it comes to politics. While both our families have been in the colonies for over one hundred years. Mr. Lee has become “more radical of late” as father says when it comes to our relations with His Majesty King George III.
Mr. Lee has even become involved with the Committee of Correspondence and has dared to discuss the subject of colonial independence. I can’t image that would ever occur, but these are changing times. March 1, 1775: Today, we begin our journey to what seems like the backwaters of Virginia to a place called Richmond. A blanket of snow has covered the ground, and the country side is dead and a stark contrast to our coastal, tidewater home. Already, as we travel up the James River, I am horribly cold and damp on the outside, but so full of energy and excitement inside for what awaits me over these coming weeks.
Mr. Lee has told me that due to the growing strains with the Royal Governor, they have moved the Convention from our capital in Williamsburg to Richmond. Colonial George Washington has joined us on our trip. He is also a delegate. He is such a tall and distinguished gentleman and great hero of the recent war with the French and Indians. He shared with me his experiences during last year’s First Continental Congress. He told me about people at the Congress like Samuel Adams of Massachusetts and a fellow Virginian named Patrick Henry. I can’t wait to meet others along our journey. This is truly a chance of a lifetime.
March 20, 1775: The convention has been called to order in the largest public building in the city, St. John’s Church. Men of great distinction have assembled from all over the colony. I am told over 120 delegates have arrived. In addition to Mr. Lee and Colonel Washington, I have seen Mr. Thomas Jefferson and the outspoken lawyer named Patrick Henry. My father has told me that Mr. Henry comes from modest means but is a most amazing, though radical, speaker. Mr. Lee has kept me busy running errands and organizing his various papers. Unfortunately, I have not been able to observe the proceedings.
But this evening, I was able to sit at a table in a local tavern and hear the various opinions of many of the delegates. Mr. Lee says that the tavern is where most of the true work of any legislative body occurs. I was amazed at the different opinions. Some of the members want to reconcile with the King. While, others talk openly of war. Mr. Henry sat next to me. I was surprised to hear that Mr. Henry also owned a tavern and it was there that he gained an interest in politics. He treated me as if | was just as important as the other men. We discussed the various tax acts that the King has imposed upon the colonies.
He even called the King a tyrant and a fool. My father would be so angry to hear such talk as he considers much of what Mr. Henry says is treason. Mr. Henry even told me that he would soon introduce an act calling for the creation of the Virginia militia. Mr. Henry speaks as if we are at war with our mother country. I am not certain how much Colonel Washington and Mr. Jefferson support his actions. But, he has indeed impressed me. March 23, 1775: Mr. Lee secured me a seat in the church balcony. Although he has not spoken at all during the last several days, Mr. Henry finally rose to address the Convention. He looked so serious.
He began slowly and quietly, but soon his words echoed throughout the church. His words so moved me. I was entranced. I could feel the intensity of his words. He was so outspoken today. He spoke as a defender of our rights as Englishmen and liberty. He has stirred my soul and released in me a spirt of freedom. He had such an amazing and clear voice. For the first time in my life, I felt that someone was speaking for my generation. He was someone that understood we were not longer subjects of a faraway king, but he spoke the language for those of us who are Virginians, or maybe even something bigger than just a single colony.
Who knows, is this the beginning of a revolution and the birth of a new nation? I don’t know. But, know today I have witnessed history. He said, “Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! “| finally know which path I will take. March 24, 1775: Mr. Jefferson said that yesterday’s speech was indeed electrifying and would unite the colonies as Americans. Americans, I never thought of such a word or considered myself one.
What is an American? I guess that is something we will determine as the years go forward. But I think I like that word. It has a nice ring to it. Through Mr. Henry’s speech, the voice of liberty will be heard and something new has begun. July 10, 1826: I have become an old man. My father and mother are long gone. Most of my family returned to England over the years of the Revolution. But this diary that my father gave me has survived. It is actually one of many diaries that I have kept.
As I look back over my years and re-read my entries in that old diary, I think of Mr. Henry’s speech on that cold March morning. I recall that later in April of that year, the first shots of the American Revolution were fired at Lexington and Concord. Later that summer, I joined now General Washington near Boston as his aide to begin a long war. I have witnessed the deaths of many friends and loved ones in the defense of our nation. My family has lost our plantation home that was burned by the British in 1779. But, even in the coldest and darkest days of the revolution, I would return to the words of Mr. Henry. His speech would always push me forward in the cause of liberty.
Today, I received word that Presidents Adams and Jefferson passed away several days ago on July 4, Independence Day. President Washington died before the turn of this century. Not many of us are left who witnessed the beginnings of our Republic. But, hopefully, my diary will survive and tell the remarkable stories of our founding fathers like Patrick Henry and the words they spoke and actions they took. I will not live to see it, but I believe in the coming generations our new nation will grow to be the greatest of all nations. I know now the course I took, and it was the same journey as Mr. Henry.
