The Voice of Freedom: Publisher Clementina Rind

I meant to publish this for the 4th of July, but forgot and published something else.  Sorry!  She was such a great patriot.  I WAS Clementina Rind for a week at a Teachers’ Institute Colonial Williamsburg.  She became my heroine.

Marsha Lee in front of Clementina Rind’s home in Colonial Williamsburg, April 20, 2010.
 As the the editor of the Virginia Gazette, on Thursday, March 17, 1774 she printed the following article: 

“On the Present Neutrality of Great Britain”

Those who endeavor to stimulate the military by their writings, to take an active part in the present broils of Europe, either do not perceive the pernicious consequences of such a measure, or do it with a factious view, in hopes of getting them out, and other persons in thereby.  Nothing can be more clear and manifest, than it is in the interest of this nation to preserve the peace as long as possible in order to give time for lessening our immense public debt, and removing those heavy taxes which the late war laid upon the shoulders of the people.  Were the ministry to take an active part in the present quarrels, and engage the kingdom in the expense of a fresh war, before any of the burdensome taxes had been taken off, which were imposed upon us for the support of the last, it would be absolutely impossible for them to find out resources for maintaining it, without distressing the people beyond their patience, or power of bearing.  Besides, these writers have not shewn, nor can shew, any just cause why the crown of Great Britain should take any part in the quarrels of Europe, or enter into a war with any power therein.  By whom hath Great Britain been injured, or by what prince in Europe hath she been hurt?  Is the division of Poland amongst the confederate princes, of any detriment to this nation?  Of by what means have we been  sufferers by the war between the Turks and Russians?  Let us no longer play the Quixote, by meddling with matters, and entering into quarrels wherein neither our honor nor our interest are at all concerned.  Long experience must surely have shewn us the folly of such proceedings.  All the debt of the nation, and all the heavy taxes we now labour under are owing to our entering into other people’s quarrels, and fighting their battles.  Will not our great sufferings teach us a little wisdom?  Let us learn at least to mind our own concerns, and  pursue our own interests.  Peace is now not only necessary for our interests, but for our very existence, as a nation.  Let us imitate the prudence of the Dutch, who, but their situation have more reason to meddle with, and interest themselves in continental quarrels, than the English nation. yet avoid taking any part whatever therein.  They know, and pursue their own interests, and it is high time we did so too.  It is therefore to be hoped that our ministry will regard less of what factious persons may write or say, and take every prudent step and measure for continuing to su the blessings of peace.

Clementina Rind, Virginia’s first female printer who also printed, Thomas Jefferson’s A Summary View of the Rights of British America.   “George Washington was among the first to purchase a copy, writing in his diary that it cost him three shillings and ninepence. The pamphlet was reprinted in Philadelphia and London, and its importance has been described as “second only to the Declaration of Independence.”  http://www.vahistorical.org/publications/historycorner_rind.htm

For other articles about Clementina Rind:

Biography:  Clementina Rind  by Barbara Wells Sarudy
Sordid Friday:  Tales of Clementina Rind by Marsha Ingrao (me)  :)