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Primary sourceSpeechJune 1788

Speeches Against Ratification at the Virginia Ratifying Convention

Patrick Henry · June 1788

Patrick Henry's 1788 speeches opposing ratification of the U.S. Constitution, including his attack on the phrase "We, the people."

Henry delivered these speeches himself, making him the leading opponent of the Constitution at Virginia's ratifying convention.

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What it is

This is the text of speeches Patrick Henry delivered in June 1788 at the Virginia Ratifying Convention, where delegates debated whether Virginia should approve the newly drafted Constitution. In them Henry questioned the famous opening words "We, the people" and argued the new government would be too centralized.

Why it matters

Henry's speeches are considered the strongest Anti-Federalist case made against the Constitution, warning that it created a consolidated national government rather than a confederation of states. His objections, along with those of other critics, helped push for the addition of a bill of rights.

Look closer

  • What specific words in the Constitution does Henry focus his criticism on, and why?
  • What does Henry compare the new government to, and what is he trying to show by the comparison?
  • How might supporters of the Constitution have responded to these arguments?

This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Patrick Henry on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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