Patrick Henry's speech was a call for arms and immediate action against the British. It was a time when the leaders were undecided if an aggressive response for the fleets and armies of the British is smarter than waiting for the British to accept reconciliation.
"These are the implements of war and subjugation — the last arguments to which kings resort."
This befitting excerpt presents the American patriot's overall purpose of urging the delegates to fight the British because war is now inevitable. In this part of the speech, he points out the British's inconsistent responses-- gracious reception of petition comports versus the warlike preparations set up as deceptive. This text supports the whole persuasive speech, stressing that slavery is equivalent to death.