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Letter to Editor
January 9, 1772
The Massachusetts Spy
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
A letter to the printer of the Massachusetts Spy argues that people lose liberty through their own wickedness, indolence, or inattention, especially when the press is not free or rights are not vigilantly guarded. It suggests tracing slavery to public faults and proposes public measures against despotism.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
Mr. THOMAS,
Please to insert the following in your next paper, and you will oblige
B. F.
BELIEVE that no people ever lost their Liberty, but through their own wickedness, indolence, or inattention to the affairs of government. And where the press has been free, and a proper watchful, jealous eye has been kept over their rights and privileges, the people have always been preserved from slavery. This is certainly true with respect to their being enslaved by rulers of their own; though, perhaps, it is not equally clear in cases of foreign force; nor in colonies and provinces being oppressed by their parent country; though, I believe, if we were to trace every instance of slavery to its source, we should find its origin in the faults and follies of the people. As one means to save ourselves and posterity from the direful effects of despotism, it is humbly proposed to the public
Mr. THOMAS,
Please to insert the following in your next paper, and you will oblige
B. F.
BELIEVE that no people ever lost their Liberty, but through their own wickedness, indolence, or inattention to the affairs of government. And where the press has been free, and a proper watchful, jealous eye has been kept over their rights and privileges, the people have always been preserved from slavery. This is certainly true with respect to their being enslaved by rulers of their own; though, perhaps, it is not equally clear in cases of foreign force; nor in colonies and provinces being oppressed by their parent country; though, I believe, if we were to trace every instance of slavery to its source, we should find its origin in the faults and follies of the people. As one means to save ourselves and posterity from the direful effects of despotism, it is humbly proposed to the public
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Philosophical
Political
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Press Freedom
Constitutional Rights
What keywords are associated?
Liberty Preservation
Free Press
Despotism
Colonial Oppression
Public Vigilance
Slavery Origins
What entities or persons were involved?
B. F.
Mr. Thomas
Letter to Editor Details
Author
B. F.
Recipient
Mr. Thomas
Main Argument
no people lose liberty except through their own wickedness, indolence, or inattention; a free press and vigilant oversight of rights preserve freedom from slavery, even in cases of foreign or parental oppression, which originate in public faults. it proposes public means to avert despotism.
Notable Details
Traces Slavery To Faults And Follies Of The People
Emphasizes Role Of Free Press In Preserving Liberty