In every colony there was great excitement on account of the tea tax
and the stamp act, as it was called.

In the House of Burgesses at Williamsburg, a young man, whose name was
Patrick Henry, made a famous speech in which he declared that the king
had no right to tax them without their consent.

George Washington heard that speech, and gave it his approval.

Not long afterward, news came that in Boston a ship-load of tea had been
thrown into the sea by the colonists. Rather than pay the tax upon it,
they would drink no tea.

Then, a little later, still other news came. The king had closed the
port of Boston, and would not allow any ships to come in or go out.

More than this, he had sent over a body of soldiers, and had quartered
them in Boston in order to keep the people in subjection.

The whole country was aroused now. What did this mean? Did the king
intend to take away from the colonists all the liberties that are so
dear to men?

The colonies must unite and agree upon doing something to protect
themselves and preserve their freedom. In order to do this each colony
was asked to send delegates to Philadelphia to talk over the matter and
see what would be the best thing to do.

George Washington was one of the delegates from Virginia.