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The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Letter from Paris dated May 1, 1777, describes strong European public support for American independence, admiration for colonial constitutions, widespread talk of emigration to America post-peace, and view of the American cause as benefiting all mankind's liberty.
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"All Europe is on our side of the question as far as applause and good wishes can carry them. Those who live under arbitrary power do nevertheless approve of liberty, and wish for it. They almost despair of recovering it in Europe; they read the translations of our separate colony constitutions with rapture, and there are such numbers every where who talk of removing to America with their families and fortunes as soon as peace and our independence shall be established; that it is generally believed we shall have a prodigious addition of strength, wealth, and arts, from the emigration of Europe, and it is thought that to lessen or prevent such emigration, the tyrannies established they must relax and allow more liberty to their people; hence it is a common observation here that our cause is the cause of all mankind; and that we are fighting for their Liberty in defending our own. It is a glorious task assigned us by Providence, which has, I trust, given us spirit and virtue equal to it, and will at last crown it with success."
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Where did it happen?
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Paris
Event Date
May 1, 1777
Outcome
widespread european applause and good wishes for american independence; anticipated prodigious addition of strength, wealth, and arts from european emigration; potential relaxation of tyrannies in europe to prevent emigration.
Event Details
Europeans under arbitrary power approve of liberty and wish for it, despairing of recovering it in Europe. They read translations of American colony constitutions with rapture. Many discuss removing to America with families and fortunes once peace and independence are established. It is believed this will greatly strengthen America, prompting European tyrannies to allow more liberty. Common observation that American cause is mankind's cause, fighting for their liberty in defending own. Glorious task by Providence, trusting in spirit, virtue, and eventual success.