AN ORATION WRITTEN AT THE REQUEST OF THE YOUNG MEN OF BOSTON, AND DELIVERED, JULY 17th, 1799, IN COMMEMORATION OF THE DISSOLUTION OF THE TREATIES, AND CONSULAR CONVENTION, BETWEEN FRANCE AND THE UNITED STATES OF AMERIC
1799 · Boston
by Paine, Thomas, [i.e. Robert Treat Paine, Jr.
Boston: Printed by John Russel, 1799. 30pp. Modern paper boards. Early inscription at head of titlepage. A very good copy. A speech composed by Robert Treat Paine, Jr., who in 1799 was still using his given name of "Thomas Paine." Robert Treat Paine, Jr., an ardent Federalist, legally changed his name from Thomas Paine in 1801, "to avoid mistaken identification with the 'infidel' author of the AGE OF REASON" (quoted in ANB). The speech was delivered to the Young Men of Boston one year into the Quasi-War with France. On July 7, 1798, Congress dissolved treaties with France in response to the continuing depredations against American vessels by French privateers. Paine declares that while the "FOURTH OF JULY will be celebrated by our latest posterity as the splendid æra of our national glory...the SEVENTH will be venerated as the dignified epoch of our American character.... The one annihilated our colonial submission to a powerful, avowed and determined foe; - the other emancipated us from the oppressive friendship of an ambitious, malignant, treacherous ally" (p.6). Page five features an early vignette of the Stars and Stripes surrounding the Great Seal. The present issue includes the errata note on page 30. A fine representation of Federalist anti-Gallic sentiment at the height of the Quasi-War with France. EVANS 36030. SABIN 58200. ANB 16, pp.923-925 (Inventory #: WRCAM37035)