In lieu of an abstract, here is a brief excerpt of the content:

of the yard” even as a federal prisoner. After much debate, the legislature passed the bill in late June, which had the practical effect of keeping him from behind bars. Shortly afterward , ww would set out with the army under General Arthur St. Clair for Ohio. 4. Following the postscript, letter reads, “No 3 / To Mr Warren.” 92 to catharine sawbridge macaulay graham [Edmund Burke’s Reflections on the Revolution in France had first appeared in Britain in 1789, with other editions in 1790. By 1791, Burke’s critique of the French Revolution was circulating in the United States and finding concurrence among the Federalists, who made no secret of their continuing love for their former masters and antipathy for their wartime allies. Burke had been answered by the Whig historian Catharine Macaulay Graham in a pamphlet entitled Observations on the Reflections of the Right Hon. Edmund Burke and published in England in 1790. mow acknowledges her receipt of Graham’s pamphlet.] Plymouth May 31st 1791 I have my dear madam been particularly obliged by two of your favours since I have taken up my pen to write to my friend.1 Were I fully to express my sentiments with regard to your letters on education and on your learned and metaphysical disquisitions, you might think they savoured of flattery. This is a fault not less despised by myself than it is detested by a lady whose talents, set her very much above it. I will therefore only say, I was entertained and delighted with the volume and pleased that you had taken up your pen on subjects so important: nor was I less gratified with the manner of executing the design. I have since been obliged by your ingenious and just observations on Mr. Burke’s strictures on the national assembly of France. What an inconsistent creature is man! I am sorry for the sake of the human character, that a gentleman whose oratorical powers have been so often so honourably employed and exerted in favour of the rights of society, should so far deviate from the principles he has supported, as to vilify the advocates for freedom, and to abuse characters that have discovered more firmness and consistency than himself, 230  to catharine macaulay graham, may 1791 yet his celebrated pamphlet may be productive of good, both to Europe and to America.2 It appears to me that it will lead to the discussion of questions that have for some time lain dormant, and to the revival and vindication of opinions that have of late been too unfashionable to avow. Even some Americans who have fought for their country and been instrumental in her emancipation from a foreign yoke, seem to be at war with every Democratic principle:—and some men of genius, professed republicans, who formerly shared the confidence of the people, are now become the advocates for Monarchy and all the trappings of Royalty. The British constitution is the idol of their warmest devotion and they daily sigh for Patrician rank, hereditary titles, stars, garters, and nobility, with all the insignia of arbitrary sway. Thus from age to age, are the people coaxed, cheated, or bullied until the hood-winked multitude set their own seal to a renunciation of their priviledges, and with their own hand rivet the chains of servitude on their posterity. This is a painful reflection to the patriot in retirement and the philosopher in his closet: but when we consider it is the usual course of human conduct, one is almost led to assent to the Federal creed lately established in America. First that mankind are incapable of the enjoyment of liberty; second that the mass of the people have not the capacity nor the right to choose their own master; therefore the game of deception must be played over and over to mislead their judgment and work on their enthusiasm until by the assent, hereditary crowns and distinctions are fixed, when their posterity may load the authors thereof with as many curses, as now daily fall on the first Federal head who it is said conveyed an hereditary taint to all succeeding generations.3 Yet it is my opinion the commotions in France will check the designs of certain characters, about the American Court: and for a time keep them within some bounds of moderation and perhaps awake the vigilance of others, so far as to keep in awe those who are buzzing for a crown...

Share