Excerpts from: Americanism Redux: March 21, on the journey to the American Founding, 250 years ago today, in 1774
The reality of tensions collides with the daily aspirations of people across the colonies. In some cases, these aspirations pertain to seeking a better life (like William Bartlett, Daniel Stoy, and John Davidson), or perceiving society’s primary concern (like writers in Virginia and Connecticut), or trying to attract new customers to a business enterprise (like Daniel Smith).
In other cases, imperial-colonial tensions themselves are the motivating factor, such as in commemorations held in New York City and Charleston, South Carolina.
Americanism Redux, a series by historian author, Dr. Dan Miller, explores what Americanism meant 250 years ago and its significance for America today. Visit Dr Dan Miller’s website>
Reference: The Remnant Trust Collection
The archival holding of the Remnant Trust that closely tracks this week’s entry is (#0374) “A Collection of Cato’s Political Letters”, by John Trenchard and Thomas Gordon. These essays and articles are bitingly critical of governmental corruption and civic immorality. They are also produced in an English newspaper, “The London Journal”, and that’s where they intersect with this week’s Redux. Many pro-colonial rights leaders in 1774 knew the works of Trenchard and Gordon. In Redux, however, we see a new aspect of information introduced into public thought—the way in which information critical of government is, or is not, circulated after it’s been written. Redux includes the story of an effort underway in some colonial circles to replace the “parliamentary” postal network with a “constitutional” postal network (their words). It points to the need not only to ensure free speech but also the circulation and distribution of free speech.
View The Remnant Trust “Wisdom of the Ages Athenaeum PDF for reference>