Political Sermons of the American Founding Era: 1730–1805: In Two Volumes

23. A Dialogue Between the Devil, and George III, Tyrant of Britain [1782]

- 2 3 A DIALOGUE BETWEEN THE DEVIL, AND GEORGE III, TYRANT OF BRITAIN Anonymous BOSTON I 7 8 2 Not a sermon and by an author anonymous and unknown, this satirical dialogue first appeared in I782 in Boston, was reprinted in the Frederick-Town, Maryland, Chronicle on June 27, I787, and appeared yet a third time in Augusta, Maine, in I 797. Much in the spirit in which we have rediscovered it, the Maryland publisher said of the piece, it "just come to hand." The dialogue covers the reign of George III from his ascent to the throne in I 760 to the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown and the overthrow of his and the Devil's scheme to establish the greatest tyranny in the history of the world by first enslaving the Americans and then the native Englishmen. A sprightly exercise in political theology, the dialogue gives a special play to the role of the Scots in the diabolical plot and to John Adams as the quintessential American champion of liberty and Providence. As for George III, his early aspiration to become the greatest tyrant since Nero and Caligula gives way as the tide of revolution turns to hopes of lesser magnitude. "I had rather be a little tyrant than a great king," George says. His inability to swear proficiently proves particularly embarrassing for the Devil, who places great stock in fluent profanity , such as Charles II commanded. He gives the king lessons but finally despairs of his inept pupil. "George you swear poorly, not fit for company," the Devil moans. A ringing affirmation of the patriot cause by an "American plenipotentiary " who addresses George III and his privy council concludes the dialogue-perhaps emblematic of John Adams, John Jay, and Benjamin Franklin, who concluded peace negotiations with Britain on November 30, I782. 688 A DIALOGUE D E v I L, G E 0 R G E J II. TYRANT OF BRJTdl~ &e. &t. &c. B 0 s 0 Printed and fold hy BuJ•MIN Enrs and ~ lf\f1 at their OJiic:e, inStatii!-StrfQt. M,ucc,Lx..x~u. I 7 6 0 ~ evil. GEORGE hearken to my council. George. Thy servant attends. D. My trusty servants Bute and Mansfield, have educated thee for my service, and taught thee the way '.'.L..::::;:::::..~t:;;;7 wherein thou shouldst go, obey them and I will make thee a king indeed; make yourself absolute, or die in the attempt: a king dependent on the people, is no monarch; he is a mere puppy. G. Your words I have a heart to obey; 'tis the bent of my soul, and the world shall soon know that I am a king in reality, and my people shall feel that my wrath is like the roaring of a lion. D. I doubt not you will equal my ancient servants Nero, Caligula, Borgia, Charles, and others; but you must use great art lest a spirit of liberty should rise among the people and blast your great designs, as happened to my faithful servant Charles. G. I will begin with my colonies; the idea of enslaving them to the power of parliament, and make them tributary to the old dominion, suits the pride and avarice of Britons: when this [is] done, the way will be open and easy to complete the work in Britain: with places pensions titles and bribes, I can soon make myself as absolute as any tyrant that ever stept. D. Go on my beloved servant, and cut the work short; thou art the darling of my heart; I hope you will yet shed a sea of human blood, sufficient for the British navy to ride in. I 7 7 4 G. See how things ripen. I'll soon kindle rebellion in America, and then with a few troops subdue the rebels, confiscate the country, and establish my will as law. D. Pox take ye, what have ye been about these fourteen years? The work ought to have been done; 'ere now you should have been as terrible to your people as the lion to the tame beast of the field; but you are yet a beggar to parliaments. ANONYMOUS I 7 7 5 G. See the field of Lexington and Bunker-Hill. Now the wheels begin to move-the torrent of blood is rapid: I trust you will never again have cause to lash my delays. In time past my counsels have been divided; & that timid...