Unknown to the Council of Boston
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03107.01104 Author/Creator: Unknown Place Written: Nassau Islands Type: Autograph document signed Date: February 1715 Pagination: 1p. : docket ; 31.4 x 19.3 cm Order a Copy
The letter applauds the Council for their current type of government, which is "the most perfect Democracy upon the face of the Earth." Antidemocratious (pseudonym) feels especial admiration for the government for sustaining democracy at a time when the most powerful monarch sits on the throne of Great Britain, and pomp and regalia are in such high fashion.
High & Mighty Nassau Islands Feb 1715
When I cousidon the principles on which your glorious Ancestors forsook their Native Country to battle these remote regions, & the many changes that have happend to your Republick since its Originall, I cannot sufficiently advise that resolution & steadiness which through so many Storms & Tempests, have at last conducted you (in so astonishing a manner) to the Enjoymt. of that form of Government., which all who have the honour to know you are sensible has ever been very near your hearts.
It must now be acknowledged by all by all men (who are not strangers to your imidiate [struck: Government] Establishment.) that you are the most perfect Democracy upon the face of the Earth, the Venetians, the Seven Provinces, the Grisons, Geneva & the many litle Republicks of Italy having each of them a certain allay of Aristocracy, which is no way visible in your Estate, being utterly Excluded by the annuall Choice of that great Councill to whom I now write: & as a monumt of your wisdom, & a Crown of your glory, it will adorn your future history, that you have laid aside the Regalia at a time when the greatest Potentate in Europe sitts on the Throne of great Brittain, by an indisputable Right derived from God & his people; at a time when france & Spain tremble at his powers, & the happiness & security of his Subjects You (who were so but yesterday) are without the least Expense of blood, Treasure, or Conscience become a state Sui juris, thro Revolt of the Dutch in 1579, & the Revoluson in England in 1688 have I confess something of a divine Spirit, & Exalted virtue in the [illegible] neither thirst of Government. in [illegible] nor Enthusiasm in Principles, Religions led the way to there providential [illegible], but you have with honour, & present safety to the Massachuset Republick acomplished your mighty Points, on those very motives with never entered into the heads of the those once [illegible] states, & if on such slender motives, as these which at this day incline your hearts, wonders are in an instant perform'd; what atrhisvam.ts might not be Expected from you if with sword in hand you should soon undertake to advance the Cause of Independence, by carrying your arms through the Territories of your neighboring Heathen or lenity Christian friends & Enemies on this Continent, which I hope will in due time be Considered by his most sacred British majte that your inclinations towards his Crown & dignity, & your tender Regard for his Province of Boston, manifested by you as so early taking it into safe & sure custody may meet with a just reward in this World, & and I shall conclude with my hearty Prayers that this & all other your works may follow you to the day of Rewards & Punishments. in the next
And so I bid you a hearty farewell
Antidemocratious
[docket]
1715
Antedemorcratics Letter
To ye Council of boston
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