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Editorial
August 19, 1806
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
1671 letter from Virginia Governor Sir William Berkeley to colonial lords expresses gratitude for no free schools or printing, fearing they promote disobedience, heresy, and libels against government. Editorial links this to modern aristocrats' attacks on pro-liberty press.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Sir William Berkeley, when governor of Virginia in 1671, in a letter to the lords of the committee of the colonies, after stating that there were near 50,000 persons in the colony, adds, "I thank God there are no free schools, nor printing, and I hope we shall not have them these three hundred years--for learning has brought disobedience and heresy, and sects into the world, and printing has divulged them and libels against the government. God keep us from both!"
From the conduct of the Aristocrats of the present day, in waging war against the press friendly to liberty &c. we may fairly infer that the sentiments of Berkeley are still cherished by too many.
--Trenton True American.
From the conduct of the Aristocrats of the present day, in waging war against the press friendly to liberty &c. we may fairly infer that the sentiments of Berkeley are still cherished by too many.
--Trenton True American.
What sub-type of article is it?
Press Freedom
What keywords are associated?
Press Freedom
Sir William Berkeley
Colonial Virginia
Aristocrats
Liberty Press
What entities or persons were involved?
Sir William Berkeley
Lords Of The Committee Of The Colonies
Aristocrats Of The Present Day
Trenton True American
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Berkeley's Opposition To Education And Printing Echoed In Modern Attacks On Free Press
Stance / Tone
Critical Of Aristocrats, Supportive Of Press Freedom
Key Figures
Sir William Berkeley
Lords Of The Committee Of The Colonies
Aristocrats Of The Present Day
Trenton True American
Key Arguments
Berkeley Thanked God For Absence Of Free Schools And Printing In 1671 Virginia To Prevent Disobedience, Heresy, Sects, And Libels
Learning Brings Disobedience And Heresy, Printing Divulges Them Against Government
Modern Aristocrats' War On Liberty Friendly Press Shows They Cherish Berkeley's Sentiments