Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810 to Henry Knox

GLC02437.04396

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GLC#
GLC02437.04396-View header record
Type
Letters
Date
October 25, 1789
Author/Creator
Carrington, Edward, 1749-1810
Title
to Henry Knox
Place Written
Richmond, Virginia
Pagination
3 p. : address : docket ; Height: 23.2 cm, Width: 18.4 cm
Primary time period
The New Nation, 1783-1815
Sub-Era
The Early Republic

Opens by thanking Knox for his role in obtaining Carrington a presidential appointment [as marshal of Virginia]. He then discusses the French revolution, writing that "[t]he Revolution in France is as singular as it is important to the cause of Liberty. It is perhaps the first instance in the History of Nations of a King & his people uniting to extend the Rights of the latter in abridging the power and privileges of the Nobles. The Common tendency of Revolutions founded in a [sense] amongst the people of oppression from the Nobility has ever been to an implicit surrender of every thing unto the hands of the Sovereign to say nothing of ancient Precedents, the modern, nay recent, Revolution in Denmark & Sweden terminated thus: there is in France a spirit never before known in the old world; my pride suggests that it was imbibed from America, and I am compleatly [sic] gratified in being that a Son of America did in the extremity of confusion, 'Mount the Whirlwind & direct the Storm.'" Sends greetings to Mrs. Knox and mutual friends. Stamped "Richmond." "Free" stamped on address leaf with no signature.

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