Becoming America - An Exploration of American Literature from Precolonial to Post-Revolution, 2018a

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
it, though I was conscious that not a tenth part of the wisdom was my own, which
he ascribed to me; but rather the gleanings that I had made of the sense of all ages
and nations. However, I resolved to be the better for the echo of it; and, though I
had at rst determined to buy stu for a new coat, I went away, resolved to wear
my old one a little longer. Reader, if thou wilt do the same, thy prot will be as
great as mine.—I am, as ever, thine to serve thee,
RICHARD SAUNDERS.
3.4.2 “An Edict by the King of Prussia”
(1773)
For the Public Advertiser.
The SUBJECT of the following Article of FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE being
exceeding EXTRAORDINARY, is the Reason of its being separated from the usual
Articles of Foreign News.
Dantzick, September 5.
WE have long wondered here at the Supineness of the English Nation, under
the Prussian Impositions upon its Trade entering our Port. We did not till lately
know the Claims, antient and modern, that hang over that Nation, and therefore
could not suspect that it might submit to those Impositions from a Sense of Duty,
or from Principles of Equity. The following Edict, just made public, may, if serious,
throw some Light upon this Matter.
“FREDERICK, by the Grace of God, King of Prussia, &c. &c. &c. to all present
and to come, HEALTH. The Peace now enjoyed throughout our Dominions,
having aorded us Leisure to apply ourselves to the Regulation of Commerce,
the Improvement of our Finances, and at the same Time the easing our Domestic
Subjects in their Taxes: For these Causes, and other good Considerations us
thereunto moving, We hereby make known, that after having deliberated these
Aairs in our Council, present our dear Brothers, and other great Ocers of
the State, Members of the same, WE, of our certain Knowledge, full Power and
Authority Royal, have made and issued this present Edict, viz.
WHEREAS it is well known to all the World, that the rst German Settlements
made in the Island of Britain, were by Colonies of People, Subjects to our renowned
Ducal Ancestors, and drawn from their Dominions, under the Conduct of Hengist,
Horsa, Hella, Ua, Cerdicus, Ida, and others; and that the said Colonies have
ourished under the Protection of our august House, for Ages past, have never
been emancipated therefrom, and yet have hitherto yielded little Prot to the
same. And whereas We Ourself have in the last War fought for and defended the
said Colonies against the Power of France, and thereby enabled them to make
Conquests from the said Power in America, for which we have not yet received
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