The Correspondence of Thomas Jefferson
By Subject
FOREIGN RELATIONS / BRITAIN
We are in suspense here to see the fate and effect of Mr. Pitt's bill
against democratic societies. I wish extremely to get at the true
history of this effort to suppress freedom of meeting, speaking,
writing and printing. Your acquaintance with Sedgwick will enable you
to do it. Pray get the outlines of the bill he intended to have
brought in for this purpose. This will enable us to judge whether we
have the merit of the invention; whether we were really beforehand
with the British minister on this subject; whether he took his hint
from our proposition, or whether the concurrence in the sentiment is
merely the result of the general truth that great men will think alike
and act alike, though without intercommunication. I am serious in
desiring extremely the outlines of the bill intended for us.
to William B. Giles, 19 March 1796
|