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Letter to Editor
August 4, 1768
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
John Wilkes, imprisoned for supporting English liberties against arbitrary ministerial rule, addresses Middlesex gentlemen, clergy, and freeholders. He affirms his fortitude, consciousness of innocence, and dedication to rooting out arbitrary power and securing constitutional freedoms upon his release.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
To the Gentlemen, Clergy, and Freeholders of the county of MIDDLESEX.
Gentlemen,
In support of the liberties of this country against the arbitrary rule of ministers, I was before committed to the Tower, and am now sentenced to this prison.
Steadiness with, I hope, strength of mind, do not however leave me; for the same consolation follows me here, the consciousness of innocence, of having done my duty, and exerted all my poor abilities, not unsuccessfully, for this nation.
I can submit even to far greater sufferings with cheerfulness, because I see that my countrymen reap the happy fruits of my labours and cruel persecutions, by the repeated decisions of our sovereign courts of justice in favour of liberty.
I therefore bear up with fortitude, and even glory that I am called to suffer in this cause, because I continue to find the noblest reward, the applause of my native country, of this great, free, and spirited people.
I chiefly regret, Gentlemen, that this confinement deprives me of the honour of thanking you in person according to my promise, and at present takes from me in a great degree the power of being useful to you.
The will however to do every service to my constituents remains in its full force. and when my sufferings have a period, the first day I regain my liberty, shall restore a life of zeal in the cause and interests of the county of Middlesex.
In this prison, in any other, in every place, my ruling passion will be the love of England and our free constitution.
To those objects I will make every sacrifice.
Under all the oppressions, which ministerial rage and revenge can invent, my steady purpose is to concert with you, and other true friends of this country, the most probable means of rooting out the remains of arbitrary power, and star chamber inquisition, and of improving as well as securing the generous plans of freedom, which were the boast of our ancestors, and I trust will remain the noblest inheritance our posterity, the only genuine characteristic of Englishmen.
I have the honour to be, with affection and regard, Gentlemen, your obliged and faithful humble servant,
JOHN WILKES.
Gentlemen,
In support of the liberties of this country against the arbitrary rule of ministers, I was before committed to the Tower, and am now sentenced to this prison.
Steadiness with, I hope, strength of mind, do not however leave me; for the same consolation follows me here, the consciousness of innocence, of having done my duty, and exerted all my poor abilities, not unsuccessfully, for this nation.
I can submit even to far greater sufferings with cheerfulness, because I see that my countrymen reap the happy fruits of my labours and cruel persecutions, by the repeated decisions of our sovereign courts of justice in favour of liberty.
I therefore bear up with fortitude, and even glory that I am called to suffer in this cause, because I continue to find the noblest reward, the applause of my native country, of this great, free, and spirited people.
I chiefly regret, Gentlemen, that this confinement deprives me of the honour of thanking you in person according to my promise, and at present takes from me in a great degree the power of being useful to you.
The will however to do every service to my constituents remains in its full force. and when my sufferings have a period, the first day I regain my liberty, shall restore a life of zeal in the cause and interests of the county of Middlesex.
In this prison, in any other, in every place, my ruling passion will be the love of England and our free constitution.
To those objects I will make every sacrifice.
Under all the oppressions, which ministerial rage and revenge can invent, my steady purpose is to concert with you, and other true friends of this country, the most probable means of rooting out the remains of arbitrary power, and star chamber inquisition, and of improving as well as securing the generous plans of freedom, which were the boast of our ancestors, and I trust will remain the noblest inheritance our posterity, the only genuine characteristic of Englishmen.
I have the honour to be, with affection and regard, Gentlemen, your obliged and faithful humble servant,
JOHN WILKES.
What sub-type of article is it?
Political
Persuasive
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Constitutional Rights
Politics
What keywords are associated?
John Wilkes
Middlesex
Liberties
Arbitrary Rule
Imprisonment
Free Constitution
Ministerial Oppression
English Freedom
What entities or persons were involved?
John Wilkes
To The Gentlemen, Clergy, And Freeholders Of The County Of Middlesex
Letter to Editor Details
Author
John Wilkes
Recipient
To The Gentlemen, Clergy, And Freeholders Of The County Of Middlesex
Main Argument
despite imprisonment for defending liberties against arbitrary rule, john wilkes remains steadfast, regrets inability to serve constituents personally, and vows to continue the fight for constitutional freedom and against arbitrary power upon release.
Notable Details
Committed To The Tower
Sentenced To Prison
Consciousness Of Innocence
Decisions Of Sovereign Courts In Favour Of Liberty
Applause Of Native Country
Love Of England And Free Constitution
Rooting Out Arbitrary Power And Star Chamber Inquisition