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Letter to Editor
April 8, 1786
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A letter to the New-Hampshire Gazette printer quotes biblical verses condemning drunkenness and adds woes about the societal harms of rum as a trade staple, taverns promoting idleness, and legislators influenced by alcohol, suggesting duties on spirits to reduce consumption.
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OCR Quality
95%
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Full Text
For the New-Hampshire GAZETTE.
Mr. Printer,
As some, who seldom look into the Bible, may read your Paper, pray insert the following texts.
Isa. v. 11. Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night, till wine inflame them.
Isa. xxviii. 1. Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim.
Hab. ii. 15. Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that putteth thy bottle to him, and maketh him drunken also.
To these may we not add the following woes correspondent to the former and verified by experience.
Woe to the Town, when Rum becomes the staple commodity, and the principal medium of trade.
Woe to the place, where profaneness, ignorance, idleness and dress are accounted the chief qualifications of gentlemen.
Woe to the state, where the legislators are tavern-keepers, and the rulers are raised to their posts by the strength of rum.
Woe to the country, where taverns and dram-shops are multiplied, not for the entertainment of travellers; but to increase drunkenness.
Woe to the commonwealth, when the men spend their money for liquor and finery, and by those means (not being able to pay their honest debts and taxes) they are obliged to get Tender-Acts passed, to save themselves from jails.
Would it not be as well, if one half the value, that now comes in rum, were to be brought in money, cotton, or in something that could not do so much hurt as rum does ?
Would it not prolong the lives of many, if six shillings per gallon duty, were to be laid upon all distilled spirits ?
Mr. Printer,
As some, who seldom look into the Bible, may read your Paper, pray insert the following texts.
Isa. v. 11. Woe unto them that rise up early in the morning that they may follow strong drink, that continue until night, till wine inflame them.
Isa. xxviii. 1. Woe to the crown of pride, to the drunkards of Ephraim.
Hab. ii. 15. Woe unto him that giveth his neighbour drink, that putteth thy bottle to him, and maketh him drunken also.
To these may we not add the following woes correspondent to the former and verified by experience.
Woe to the Town, when Rum becomes the staple commodity, and the principal medium of trade.
Woe to the place, where profaneness, ignorance, idleness and dress are accounted the chief qualifications of gentlemen.
Woe to the state, where the legislators are tavern-keepers, and the rulers are raised to their posts by the strength of rum.
Woe to the country, where taverns and dram-shops are multiplied, not for the entertainment of travellers; but to increase drunkenness.
Woe to the commonwealth, when the men spend their money for liquor and finery, and by those means (not being able to pay their honest debts and taxes) they are obliged to get Tender-Acts passed, to save themselves from jails.
Would it not be as well, if one half the value, that now comes in rum, were to be brought in money, cotton, or in something that could not do so much hurt as rum does ?
Would it not prolong the lives of many, if six shillings per gallon duty, were to be laid upon all distilled spirits ?
What sub-type of article is it?
Ethical Moral
Religious
Persuasive
What themes does it cover?
Temperance
Morality
Religion
What keywords are associated?
Drunkenness
Rum
Taverns
Bible Verses
Moral Woes
Distilled Spirits Duty
Temperance
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Printer
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Printer
Main Argument
biblical and experiential woes highlight the dangers of excessive rum consumption and taverns, which lead to societal decay, idleness, and economic issues; proposes duties on distilled spirits to reduce harm and prolong lives.
Notable Details
Quotes Isaiah 5:11, Isaiah 28:1, Habakkuk 2:15 On Drunkenness
Adds Woes On Rum As Trade Staple, Tavern Proliferation, Rum Influenced Legislators, And Tender Acts Due To Debts From Liquor Spending