Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
September 11, 1813
Daily National Intelligencer
Washington, District Of Columbia
What is this article about?
Editorial from Boston Patriot critiques Boston's vaunted moral and political principles, acknowledging federalist reports of widespread obscenity, debauchery, and other vices like treason and smuggling, comparing it to Sodom and explaining its declining reputation.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
FROM THE BOSTON PATRIOT
THE MORALITY OF BOSTON.
The correct principles of Boston in morality, religion and politics, have been the theme of eulogy from the time of ALEXANDER HAMILTON to the present day Every town that gives a large majority of federal votes, must be a town of correct principles : but what say facts ?
The federal papers are now filled with avowals of "the most abominable obscenity and debauchery practised by almost all ages and colors." The Daily Advertiser speaks of "vice that would disgrace any place in Christendom-even a Venice, during the Carnival." A writer in that paper declares it as his opinion, "that there is no place in America, to the North of the Mississippi, where the lowest dissipation and debauchery is so excessive as on West Boston Hill" The account there hinted at of seduction and debauchery practised in Boston, is a disgrace to any people, much more, (to use the words of Mr. Quincy's resolve) of "a moral and religious people." We are satisfied that there is no where to be found such flagrant conduct as is described in this town, vauntingly called "the head quarters of good principles Had we published in our paper, that Boston was infamous for "male bawds panders of the most filthy lusts, of every color," we should hardly have escaped abuse. We acknowledge with them the truth of these accusations ; and we believe there is no negro village in Africa, or Indian town in the wilderness, to be compared for vice, debauchery and loathsome disease, with some parts of Boston.
If to this debauchery which disgraces our town, according to federal prints, with Sodom and Gomorrah, we add the vice of gluttony and intemperate drinking, treasonable practices, open oppositions to the laws, constantly reviling the officers of government, preaching up of sedition, and a dissolution of the Union ; and smuggling, and comforting and feeding the enemy, for the sake of gain, we shall cease to wonder at the numbers that are daily quitting Boston and its neighborhood for the WESTERN STATES; and we shall cease to wonder at the contempt we are held in by adm. Warren and Sir Thos. Hardy, and by the writers in the Montreal papers.
THE MORALITY OF BOSTON.
The correct principles of Boston in morality, religion and politics, have been the theme of eulogy from the time of ALEXANDER HAMILTON to the present day Every town that gives a large majority of federal votes, must be a town of correct principles : but what say facts ?
The federal papers are now filled with avowals of "the most abominable obscenity and debauchery practised by almost all ages and colors." The Daily Advertiser speaks of "vice that would disgrace any place in Christendom-even a Venice, during the Carnival." A writer in that paper declares it as his opinion, "that there is no place in America, to the North of the Mississippi, where the lowest dissipation and debauchery is so excessive as on West Boston Hill" The account there hinted at of seduction and debauchery practised in Boston, is a disgrace to any people, much more, (to use the words of Mr. Quincy's resolve) of "a moral and religious people." We are satisfied that there is no where to be found such flagrant conduct as is described in this town, vauntingly called "the head quarters of good principles Had we published in our paper, that Boston was infamous for "male bawds panders of the most filthy lusts, of every color," we should hardly have escaped abuse. We acknowledge with them the truth of these accusations ; and we believe there is no negro village in Africa, or Indian town in the wilderness, to be compared for vice, debauchery and loathsome disease, with some parts of Boston.
If to this debauchery which disgraces our town, according to federal prints, with Sodom and Gomorrah, we add the vice of gluttony and intemperate drinking, treasonable practices, open oppositions to the laws, constantly reviling the officers of government, preaching up of sedition, and a dissolution of the Union ; and smuggling, and comforting and feeding the enemy, for the sake of gain, we shall cease to wonder at the numbers that are daily quitting Boston and its neighborhood for the WESTERN STATES; and we shall cease to wonder at the contempt we are held in by adm. Warren and Sir Thos. Hardy, and by the writers in the Montreal papers.
What sub-type of article is it?
Moral Or Religious
Partisan Politics
What keywords are associated?
Boston Morality
Debauchery
Federal Vice
Political Sedition
Social Decay
What entities or persons were involved?
Alexander Hamilton
Mr. Quincy
Adm. Warren
Sir Thos. Hardy
Federal Papers
Daily Advertiser
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Critique Of Boston's Moral And Political Decay
Stance / Tone
Strongly Critical And Accusatory
Key Figures
Alexander Hamilton
Mr. Quincy
Adm. Warren
Sir Thos. Hardy
Federal Papers
Daily Advertiser
Key Arguments
Boston's Reputation For Correct Principles In Morality, Religion, And Politics Is Contradicted By Facts
Federal Papers Report Abominable Obscenity And Debauchery In Boston
Excessive Dissipation On West Boston Hill Surpasses Any Place North Of The Mississippi
Boston Disgraced By Seduction, Male Bawds, Panders, And Loathsome Diseases
Additional Vices Include Gluttony, Intemperate Drinking, Treasonable Practices, Opposition To Laws, Sedition, Smuggling, And Aiding The Enemy
These Vices Explain Population Exodus To Western States And Contempt From British Admirals And Montreal Writers