Question

i have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. i know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. and judging by the past, 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 your feet. suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with those warlike preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled that force must be called in to win back our love? let us not deceive ourselves, sir. these are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. i ask gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? has great britain any enemy in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? no, sir, she has none. they are meant for us: they can be meant for no other. they are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the british ministry have been so long forging. and what have we to oppose to them? shall we try argument? sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years.

1. according to henry, what alternatives did the colonists already try in their appeal to great britain?

a. they tried scaring the british with minor insurrections and conflicts.
b. they pledged eternal loyalty to the crown in the hopes of gaining british favor.
c. they tried petitioning, arguing, and pleading with the british ministry and crown.
d. they appealed to common british - citizens for public support of their cause for independence.

Explanation:

The text mentions that the colonists have tried petitioning, arguing, and pleading with the British ministry and crown as seen from phrases like "the gracious reception of our petition" and references to past attempts at communication. Options A and B are not supported by the text, and option D about appealing to common - British citizens for public support of independence is not mentioned.

Answer:

C. They tried petitioning, arguing, and pleading with the British ministry and crown.