Question

What does the author mean when he says “Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations that cover our waters and darken our land”?

Answer 1

Answer: Patrick Henry means it is naive to believe that Britain does not plan an attack against the colonies.

Explanation:

This is an excerpt from Patrick Henry's famous “Speech in the Virginia Convention" (1765). In his speech, Henry argues that the colonists should be ready to fight against Great Britain.

Henry is certain that Britain intends to use force against the colonies. When he refers to "warlike preparations that cover our waters and darken our land", he claims that the British army is already prepared for the armed conflict which is about to happen. According to him, there is no other reason for Britain's show of force.