"GRAND DEMOCRATIC CONVENTION" BROADSIDE
Excellent content early American political broadside, 1p. folio, reproducing the resolutions adopted at the "Grand Democratic Convention" held at Topsfield, Massachusetts on Feb. 20, 1809. The document stands as an interesting window into the most pertinent political considerations of that era, most notably the international economic tensions between the United States, Britain, and France that would lead to the War of 1812. In part: "... Whereas the two great belligerent powers of Europe have in the most violent and unprovoked manner invaded our rights as an independent nation, by their infamous orders and decrees ... and notwithstanding some difference of opinion will always exist among freemen, on internal subjects, yet in times of public and eminent danger, we consider it not only the interest but the solemn duty of every good and faithful citizen to bury in oblivion all party feelings - to sacrifice every minor consideration on the altar of patriotism - to rise in support of the Constitution and Laws of Government, and to exert every energy in maintaining the honor and independence of our beloved country. Resolved - That our confidence in the wisdom, patriotism, and integrity of Thomas Jefferson ... remains unimpaired, and that we firmly believe that the Embargo was wisely calculated to preserve our seamen from slavery, and our commerce from plunder - and that it would before this time have produced the redress of our wrongs, and the repeal of the decrees of England and France, had not the voice of faction in our own country encouraged the British ministry to perseverance of injustice. Resolved - That we consider submission to the decrees of England and France as a surrender of our national independence, which must degrade us from the rank of a sovereign power to that of a colony - that the claim to impress our seamen from our ships ought to be resisted at all hazards, and that we pledge our lives and estates to support the government in securing our seamen from impressment, in opposing the decrees of France and England and in resisting all claims of any nation to license and tax our commerce ... Resolved - That the conduct of the British ministry in refusing to rescind their unrighteous edicts, evinces their determination to force a revenue from our commerce, or annihilate it - and that the murder of Pierce, the savage attack on the Chesapeake, the murder and impressment of our seamen - the proclamation enticing our citizens to violate the laws - and the orders in council, declaring that no American vessel shall go to or from any part of the continent of Europe without first going to England, and paying an infamous tribute - are each in themselves sufficient cause for immediate war - and that those persons who publicly declare that 'England has done us no essential injury,' while they known these murders, insults, and plunders remain unredressed - ought to be considered traitors, and unworthy the confidence of any real American ... Resolved - That it affords us the greatest happiness to reflect on the eminent talents, and exalted virtues, and the pure patriotism, which have distinguished James Madison, and that we consider him worthy to be successor of the illustrious Jefferson as Chief Magistrate of the United States..." This broadside serves as a fascinating reminder of a fractious moment in American political history comparable to the current climate. Folds, matted and mounted, else very good.