Otis, James, 1725-1783 to Catharine Macaulay
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC01796 Author/Creator: Otis, James, 1725-1783 Place Written: Boston, Massachusetts Type: Autograph letter signed Date: July 27, 1769 Pagination: 8 p. : Height: 23 cm, Width: 19 cm Order a Copy
Otis praise's Macaulay's "The History of England from the accession of James I to that of the Brunswick line" and her skill as an historian. States that "God & Nature...have been equally kind to both sexes" and it is only the "Tyranny of Custom" that keeps more women from rivaling men in art and science. At her request, he discusses American affairs at length, denouncing greedy governors, oppressive revenue officers, and the damage being done to commerce by seizure of vessels owned by loyal Americans. He exclaims, "Good God! This is British liberty & felicity with a vengeance." Criticizes the Townshend Acts, commenting on the problem of Britain maintaining North America as a dependent and refuting the idea that it could be done in perpetuity. Discusses colonial history.
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