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Analysis Of Patrick Henry's Arguments Against The Ratification Of The Constitution

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1. This document was recorded and written during the Virginia Convention of 1788. In this recording of the Virginia Convention, the opposing side against the ratification of the constitution presented its arguments of why the new constitution should not be ratified. The writers or authors of this document are Patrick Henry, George Mason and an unknown recorder. Patrick Henry was born on May 29th, 1736. He was a lawyer, orator, statesmen, early critic or the British government and a leader towards the movement of independence of the United States (Kukla Jon). George Mason was born in 1725 and was an influential lawmaker and planter who served in the House of Burgesses, House of Delegates and Truro Parish Vestry. He led the anti-federalist in …show more content…

There are several points made throughout this document. One starting point made by Patrick Henry was “the public mind, as well as my own, is extremely uneasy at the proposed change of government” (Henry and Mason, 152). With these few words, Henry clearly states his point of view against the ratification of the new constitution. He then continues on by stating that by having a new government, the security, liberty, rights and representation of the people will not be fully and adequately formulated/expressed by this new government (Henry and Mason, 153). Henry supports this by stating his displeasure towards the gentlemen who wrote the constitution by stating “what right had they to say, we, the people?” Making it clear that Patrick Henry ultimately believes that the new government will deprive the people of their rights and not make their voices heard (Henry and Mason 153). A great point made by George Mason was “the power is calculated to annihilate totally the state governments” (Henry and Mason, 153). By these few words, George Mason is trying to convey that the idea of a new government is the actual form of a confederation to a consolidated government, a government where the states will lose power and one that would cause for the people to be taxed by different powers. George Mason continues off with the point about taxation by stating that with a consolidated government, the people will not have full representation in the general government making it a situation like it used to be when Britain was in power (Henry and Mason, 153). A point made by Patrick Henry is his concern about the principles of the system proposed and holds in the constitution. Patrick mentions “the principles of this system are extremely pernicious, impolitic, and dangerous. Is this a monarchy life England- a compact between prince and the people” (Henry and Mason, 154). Patrick question whether this new form of government will lead to a monarchy, one that will deprive or endanger

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