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Henry's leadership did not
end once the Revolution was won. Perhaps his greatest contribution
to the nation was in working toward the adoption of the Bill of Rights.
While desiring a more effective government, he was adamant in demanding
protection of basic individual liberties.
The first governor of
Virginia, Henry served five exhausting terms. In 1794, he retired
to Red Hill and resumed his private legal practice. Failing health
forced him to refuse numerous posts, including Chief Justice of the
Supreme Court, Secretary of State, and minister to Spain and to France.
He even turned down a sixth term as governor.
George Washington
persuaded Patrick Henry to become a candidate for the state legislature
in 1799. The foundations of the young republic were endangered by
the rumblings of men who argued that any state has the power to nullify
acts of the Federal Government. Bowed with age and his health
deteriorating, Henry delivered his last public oration. It was an
inspirational, non-partisan, patriotic appeal for unity to preserve the
nation. Historian Henry Adams declared that nothing in Henry's
life was more noble than his last public act.
Three months later, on
June 6, 1799, death came to Patrick Henry. The "Voice of the
Revolution" was silenced forever.
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