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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02437.04463 |
| From Archive Folder | The Henry Knox Papers [0094] January-March 1790 |
| Title | J Williams to Henry Knox with his thoughts on the French Revolution |
| Date | 4 January 1790 |
| Author | Williams, J. (fl. 1790) |
| Recipient | Knox, Henry |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Mentions moving his family to settle in America and discusses the revolution in France. Encloses (not included) letters to [Samuel] Shaw that he has left open for Knox to also read. Writes about the French Revolution, it "supports itself to admiration. What a few years since would have been called the enthusiastic Fables of political madmen is now supported by stubborn Fact. France is perhaps the nearest to a democracy of any Government in the Universe, preserving only a monarch at the head of it pro forma, with no more to do with this composition than the diamond Button has with his majestys hat. There is but one Voice in the Kingdom, and even Monsieur the Kings' Brother has thought it his Duty to come into the national assembly as a private Citizen and justify himself against some suspicions relative to his sincerity of his attachment to the great Cause of Freedom. This flame which had its focus in America, has spread its influence through France to the Low Countries, and I am inclined to look upon that Country as already emancipated from Joseph [Z] who will not be able to do more than his absolute force of arms will go, which notwithstanding its greatness, will be found inadequate to the unanimous efforts of a resolute & decided people." Adds in a postscript, "Cant we contrive in America to get this flame of equal Liberty to blaze over the Spanish & portuguese Colonies our namesakes? War is detestable when Ambition alone is the motive, but the emancipation of the human race is worth almost any price." Noted as post paid on the address leaf. |
| Subjects | France French Revolution Revolutionary War General Immigration and Migration Global History and Civics Government and Civics Freedom and Independence Military History Latin and South America Emancipation Slavery |
| People | Knox, Henry (1750-1806) Williams, J. (fl. 1790) |
| Place written | London, England |
| Theme | Foreign Affairs; The American Revolution; Children & Family |
| Sub-collection | The Henry Knox Papers |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Settlement, Commerce, Revolution and Reform: 1493-1859 |