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Richard Henry Lee Biography

Richard Henry Lee

Richard Henry Lee (January 20, 1732 – June 19, 1794) was an American statesman from Virginia best known for the motion in the Second Continental Congress calling for the colonies' independence from Great Britain. He was a signatory to the Articles of Confederation, and his "resolution for independency" of June 1776 led to the United States Declaration of Independence, which Lee signed. He also served a one-year term as the President of the Congress of the Confederation, and was a United States Senator from Virginia from 1789 to 1792, serving during part of that time as the second President pro tempore of the upper house.

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Richard Henry Lee Quotes

The constitution ought to secure a genuine militia and guard against a select militia. . . . All regulations tending to render this general militia useless and defenseless, by establishing select corps of militia, or distinct bodies of military men, not having permanent interests and attachments to the community ought to be avoided.

Avoided, Community, Men, Military, Militia

A militia, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves. . . and include all men capable of bearing arms.

4Th Of July, Fact, Formed, Gun, Include, Men

The first maxim of a man who loves liberty, should be never to grant to rulers an atom of power that is not most clearly and indispensably necessary for the safety and well being of society.

Freedom, Man, Men, Power, Safety, Society

It is certainly true that a popular government cannot flourish without virtue in the people.

Government, Liberty, People, Popular, True

Trial by jury in civil causes,. . . trial by jury in criminal causes, [and] the benefits of the writ of habeas corpus. . . all stand on the same footing; they are the common rights of Americans.

Criminals, Rights, Same, Stand, Trials, Writ

So far as this has gone, I am satisfied to see a spirit prevailing that promises to send the system out free from those vexations and abuses that might be warranted by the terms of the Constitution. It must never be forgotten, however, that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government, as by the limitation of power.

Abuse, Government, Liberties, People, Power, Satisfied

Militias, when properly formed, are in fact the people themselves and include all men capable of bearing arms. [. . . ] To preserve liberty it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them.

Formed, Gun, Men, Preserve, Properly, Strong Arms

If Parliament may take from me one shilling in the pound, what security have I for the other nineteen?

4Th Of July, May, Nineteen, Parliament, Pound, Shilling

It must never be forgotten. . . that the liberties of the people are not so safe under the gracious manner of government as by the limitation of power.

Forgotten, Freedom, Government, Liberties, Manner, Power

Christianity, by introducing into Europe the truest principles of humanity, universal benevolence, and brotherly love, had happily abolished civil slavery. Let us who profess the same religion practice its precepts. . . by agreeing to this duty.

Europe, Humanity, Introducing, Love, Practice, Truest

To say that a bad government must be established for fear of anarchy is really saying that we should kill ourselves for fear of dying.

Anarchy, Fear, Government, Kill, Political

That these united colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states; that they are absolved from all allegiance to the British crown; and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain is, and ought to be, totally dissolved.

4Th Of July, Colonies, Independent, Political, United

To preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of people always possess arms.

Body, Gun, Liberty, People, Strong Arms, Whole

Whereas, to preserve liberty, it is essential that the whole body of the people always possess arms, and be taught alike, especially when young, how to use them; nor does it follow from this, that all promiscuously must go into actual service on every occasion. The mind that aims at a select militia, must be influenced by a truly anti-republican principle; and when we see many men disposed to practice upon it, whenever they can prevail, no wonder true republicans are for carefully guarding against it.

Arms, Disposed, Men, People, Practice