Patrick Henry’s Warning Against
A National Consolidated Government
Fell On Deaf Ears

Patrick Henry laid out his basic argument against a consolidated government in his short opening address to the Virginia Ratifying Convention on June 4, 1788. He argued that the tranquility in the states prior to the Convention provided no justification for this revolutionary transformation from a confederacy of independent states to a consolidated government. The entire issue turned on the phrase "we the people."

Patrick Henry, June 4, 1788 -- Mr. chairman: The public mind, as well as my own, is extremely uneasy at the proposed change of government. Give me leave to form one of the number of those who wish to be thoroughly acquainted with the reasons of this perilous and uneasy situation, and why we are brought hither to decide on this great national question. I consider myself as a servant of the people of this commonwealth, as a sentinel over their rights, liberty, and happiness…..Before the meting of the late Federal Convention at Philadelphia, a general peace, and an universal tranquility prevailed in this country, and the minds of our citizens were at perfect repose; but since that period they are exceedingly uneasy and disquieted….I conceive the republic to be in extreme danger….It arises from this fatal system….a proposal to change our government – a proposal that goes to the utter annihilation of the most solemn engagements of the States – a proposal of establishing nine States into a confederacy, to the eventual exclusion of four States. It goes to the annihilation of those solemn treaties we have formed with foreign nations….This proposal of altering our federal government is of a most alarming nature…you ought to be extremely cautious, watchful, jealous of your liberty; for instead of securing your rights, you may lose them forever….That this is a consolidated government is demonstrably clear; and the danger of such a government is, to my mind, very striking….Give me leave to demand, what right had they to say, “We the People, ;instead of We the States?’ States are the characteristics, and the soul of a confederation. If the States be not the agents of this compact, it must be one great consolidated national government of the people of all the States. I have the highest respect for those gentlemen who formed the convention….America had on a former occasion put the utmost confidence in them; I would cheerfully confide in them as my representatives. But, sir, on this great occasion, I would demand the cause of their conduct. Even from that illustrious man, who saved us by his valor, I would have a reason for his conduct – that liberty which he has given us by his valor, tells me to ask this reason – and sure I am, were he here, he would give us that reason….Had the delegates, who were sent to Philadelphia a power to propose a consolidated government instead of a confederacy? Were they not deputed by States, and not by the people? The assent of the people, in their collective capacity, is not necessary to the formation of a federal government. The people have no right to enter into leagues, alliances, or confederations: they are not the proper agents for this purpose: States and sovereign powers are the only proper agents for this kind of government. Show me an instance where the people have exercised this business: has it not always gone through the legislatures? I refer you to the treaties with France, Holland, and other nations; how were they made? Were they not made by the States? Are the people, therefore, in their aggregate capacity, the proper persons to form a confederacy? This, therefore, ought to depend on the consent of the legislatures….The people gave them no power to use their name. That they exceeded their power is perfectly clear…. Difference in opinion has gone to a degree of inflammatory resentment, in different parts of the country, which ahs been occasioned by this perilous innovation. The federal convention ought to have amended the old system; for this purpose they were solely delegated: the object of their mission extended to no other consideration. You must therefore forgive the solicitation of one unworthy member, to know what danger could have arisen under the present confederation, and what are the causes of this proposal to change our government

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