The role of Patrick Henry in the stamp act debate
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David A. McCants [1]
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[1] Indiana University‐Purdue University
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- Localización: Southern communication journal, ISSN 1041-794X, Vol. 46, nº 3, 1980, págs. 205-227
- Idioma: inglés
- Texto completo no disponible (Saber más ...)
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Resumen
Considerable uncertainty surrounds the role of Patrick Henry in the Stamp Act debate because the reports of the debate are incomplete and dubious. From re‐examination of the records a more complete portrait of Henry as legislative advocate emerges. The study affirms the radical arguments of the Caesar‐Brutus speech, and it reconstructs its oft‐quoted conclusion. This oratorical achievement, though, when placed in the perspective of the controversy, is seen to be a limited aspect of Henry's participation in this vigorously contended, narrowly determined debate. Little noted evidences reveal Henry's leadership role as fomenter{ and strategist of the debate, and a careful reading of the reports of the debate in conjunction with the House's rules of procedure reveals that the Caesar‐Brutus speech probably climaxed other Henry speeches in behalf of the Virginia Resolves.
