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Literary
October 7, 1773
The Massachusetts Spy, Or, Thomas's Boston Journal
Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
What is this article about?
A countryman writes to the Massachusetts Spy, moved by the petition of Nell and Kate against the restrictive Vendue-Act in Boston. He argues for equal auction privileges as in the country and includes a satirical poem in two parts critiquing the act's oppression on liberty.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
POET'S CORNER.
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
Mr. Thomas,
HAVING read in your impartial paper of last week the pathetic Petition of Nell and Kate, I was not a little affected with their case! and as I doubted not, but that many others were in like circumstances in that populous city, I could not but reflect upon the partiality and ill tendency of the Act complained of. We are not restricted in the country as in town, for any man with us may sell off his goods, and chattels, when, where and how he pleases, and by what I can learn is countenanced by said Act in so doing, and why should not Boston have the same privilege. The G--r on signing the Act, said, that (comparing great things with small) this Vendue-Act was more oppressive on individuals than any home made act against which we so loudly declaimed; and was not he alone in his sentiments, as Major H--ly and other sagacious patriots, at the time, opposed the same as an infringement on the liberty of the subject-if so, I should think their petition for a repeal, not impertinent, or ill-timed. Pardon my Rustic Muse in attempting to fill up one chink in Poet's-Corner, with a few unpolished lines.
THE POEM in Two Parts.
PART I. Truly Rustic.
WHY should not ev'ry trader sell by auction
Cows, sheep, and horses-carts, ploughs,
His merchandize-as well as I my oxen,
chains and traces,
By night, or day-as best the owner pleases?
My neighbour Clod not long since, without licence,
(Of which no mortal took the least cognizance)
Sold all his chattels-his just debts to pay,
By candle-light-and sold them well they say.
Hence then as we are all of the same generation
The like sauce ought to be for goose, as gander.
PART II. More in Taste.
THE scene will change, and diff'rent prospects rise,
When once these Acts have made their last demise—
Happy in freedom's arms, with hearts full glad
From slavery's chains we once more shall be freed.--
Oh! Halcyon period this! what blissful scenes
Will open to our view? In poignant strains
Throw off her bombast, and her skill display,
My Muse shall sing the triumphs of that day
And all the Sons of Liberty shall then,
In sacred harmony the chorus join. Amen.
A COUNTRYMAN.
* Whether made at home or here.
For the MASSACHUSETTS SPY.
Mr. Thomas,
HAVING read in your impartial paper of last week the pathetic Petition of Nell and Kate, I was not a little affected with their case! and as I doubted not, but that many others were in like circumstances in that populous city, I could not but reflect upon the partiality and ill tendency of the Act complained of. We are not restricted in the country as in town, for any man with us may sell off his goods, and chattels, when, where and how he pleases, and by what I can learn is countenanced by said Act in so doing, and why should not Boston have the same privilege. The G--r on signing the Act, said, that (comparing great things with small) this Vendue-Act was more oppressive on individuals than any home made act against which we so loudly declaimed; and was not he alone in his sentiments, as Major H--ly and other sagacious patriots, at the time, opposed the same as an infringement on the liberty of the subject-if so, I should think their petition for a repeal, not impertinent, or ill-timed. Pardon my Rustic Muse in attempting to fill up one chink in Poet's-Corner, with a few unpolished lines.
THE POEM in Two Parts.
PART I. Truly Rustic.
WHY should not ev'ry trader sell by auction
Cows, sheep, and horses-carts, ploughs,
His merchandize-as well as I my oxen,
chains and traces,
By night, or day-as best the owner pleases?
My neighbour Clod not long since, without licence,
(Of which no mortal took the least cognizance)
Sold all his chattels-his just debts to pay,
By candle-light-and sold them well they say.
Hence then as we are all of the same generation
The like sauce ought to be for goose, as gander.
PART II. More in Taste.
THE scene will change, and diff'rent prospects rise,
When once these Acts have made their last demise—
Happy in freedom's arms, with hearts full glad
From slavery's chains we once more shall be freed.--
Oh! Halcyon period this! what blissful scenes
Will open to our view? In poignant strains
Throw off her bombast, and her skill display,
My Muse shall sing the triumphs of that day
And all the Sons of Liberty shall then,
In sacred harmony the chorus join. Amen.
A COUNTRYMAN.
* Whether made at home or here.
What sub-type of article is it?
Poem
Satire
What themes does it cover?
Political
Liberty Freedom
Taxation Oppression
What keywords are associated?
Vendue Act
Auction Liberty
Satirical Poem
Countryman
Boston Restrictions
Sons Of Liberty
What entities or persons were involved?
A Countryman.
Literary Details
Title
The Poem In Two Parts.
Author
A Countryman.
Subject
Petition Against The Vendue Act
Form / Style
Rustic Satirical Verse In Two Parts
Key Lines
Why Should Not Ev'ry Trader Sell By Auction
Cows, Sheep, And Horses Carts, Ploughs,
His Merchandize As Well As I My Oxen,
Chains And Traces,
By Night, Or Day As Best The Owner Pleases?
Hence Then As We Are All Of The Same Generation
The Like Sauce Ought To Be For Goose, As Gander.
Happy In Freedom's Arms, With Hearts Full Glad
From Slavery's Chains We Once More Shall Be Freed.