Read this passage from the “Give Me Liberty” speech.
I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House. Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to our feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss.
What can you infer about Henry’s opinion of a recent reasonable response from the British?
He believed that a few British leaders could be trusted to follow through on their agreements, but that it would be difficult to win over a majority of them.
He believed that nothing would change until there was a new king on the British throne and that colonists should support British leaders who supported that view.
He believed that rumors of a reasonable response had been spread by British spies and colonial traitors and, thus, were not to be trusted.
He believed that recent British acts were a trap to pacify the colonists, when the British were actually about to betray the colonists.
