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

BECOMING AMERICA
REVOLUTIONARY AND EARLY NATIONAL PERIOD LITERATURE
the coach-door, and ordered those within to deliver their purses. A shriek of terror
showed me that a lady was within, who eagerly consented to preserve her life by
the loss of her money.
To walk unarmed in the neighbourhood of Dublin, especially at night, has
always been accounted dangerous. I had about me the usual instruments of
defence. I was desirous of rescuing this person from the danger which surrounded
her, but was somewhat at a loss how to eect my purpose. My single strength was
insucient to contend with three ruans. After a moment’s debate, an expedient
was suggested, which I hastened to execute.
Time had not been allowed for the ruan who stood beside the carriage to
receive the plunder, when several voices, loud, clamorous, and eager, were heard
in the quarter whence the traveller had come. By trampling with quickness, it
was easy to imitate the sound of many feet. The robbers were alarmed, and one
called upon another to attend. The sounds increased, and, at the next moment,
they betook themselves to ight, but not till a pistol was discharged. Whether it
was aimed at the lady in the carriage, or at the coachman, I was not permitted to
discover, for the report arighted the horses, and they set o at full speed.
I could not hope to overtake them: I knew not whither the robbers had ed, and
whether, by proceeding, I might not fall into their hands . . . . . These considerations
induced me to resume my feet, and retire from the scene as expeditiously as
possible. I regained my own habitation without injury.
I have said that I occupied separate apartments from those of Ludloe. To these
there were means of access without disturbing the family. I hasted to my chamber,
but was considerably surprized to nd, on entering my apartment, Ludloe seated
at a table, with a lamp before him.
My momentary confusion was greater than his. On discovering who it was,
he assumed his accustomed looks, and explained appearances, by saying, that he
wished to converse with me on a subject of importance, and had therefore sought
me at this secret hour, in my own chamber. Contrary to his expectation, I was
absent. Conceiving it possible that I might shortly return, he had waited till now.
He took no further notice of my absence, nor manifested any desire to know the
cause of it, but proceeded to mention the subject which had brought him hither.
These were his words.
You have nothing which the laws permit you to call your own. Justice entitles
you to the supply of your physical wants, from those who are able to supply them;
but there are few who will acknowledge your claim, or spare an atom of their
superuity to appease your cravings. That which they will not spontaneously give,
it is not right to wrest from them by violence. What then is to be done?
Property is necessary to your own subsistence. It is useful, by enabling you to
supply the wants of others. To give food, and clothing, and shelter, is to give life,
to annihilate temptation, to unshackle virtue, and propagate felicity. How shall
property be gained?
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