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While
waiting for the waiter's return, you overhear Patrick Henry confer with several
other men. He says, "Gentlemen, the Committee of Safety appointed me Colonel
of the First Regiment, but they do not allow me to command. They favor Colonel
Woodford when it comes to military strategy. Already they talk of placing him
in command of troops to march against Lord Dunmore. How can they insult me this
way? They have used me. As Colonel, I have employed all my oratory powers to
enlist soldiers into the army. It is because of my efforts that the ranks
are full of hearty Virginians ready to defend their country.
Patrick Henry's voice rises as his anger grows. "But they refuse to treat me seriously. They plan military action against Lord Dunmore, without ever consulting me. It is insulting, I tell you! As commander of the First Regiment, I should be in charge of all military affairs, and not at the whim of the Committee of Safety. Gentlemen, I need you to exercise your influence with the committee. We must stop this foolishness. Place me in charge of Virginia's military affairs!"
Where
will you go next?
