Two hundred fifty years ago, on January 30, 1772, Annapolis publisher Anne Catharine Green reprinted a positive piece of political prognostication penned by an “old Correspondent” to a London periodical. The unnamed English writer basked in the glow of “the present agreeable Aspect of national Affairs” and predicted “the probable Permanency of the publick Tranquility abroad and at home.” But unbeknownst to our prophetic optimist, “the happiest Nation under the Sun” was in for some dark and stormy days ahead.
The anonymous author wrote that “France, our most potent Enemy, are themselves in a State of Distraction, the People there groaning under a Complication of real Grievances, their publick Revenues anticipated, their Credit at the lowest Ebb.” For these and other reasons, the writer explained, the French were “utterly incapable to undertake a fresh War, and which therefore her present Ministers will take Care most industriously to avoid.” England could also rest assured that it had nothing to fear from “the rest of the European Powers (Spain excepted, and who can do nothing without France).”
As it turned out, France and Spain were both at war with England before the end of the decade.
Looking overseas to America, the political pundit discerned that “the Disputes with our Colonies have of themselves gradually subsided, the Causes of Complaint on their Part being in a great Measure removed.” Reasonable subjects of King George III “on both Sides of the Atlantic” recognized “that their mutual Prosperity and Security depend upon their firm and cordial Union.”
But tensions with America were soon to rise again, and renewed colonial protests against British policies would lead to rebellion and revolution in a few short years.
According to this writer, the king put “the Glory and Prosperity of his Subjects” above any other interests. The king’s ministers devoted themselves to carrying out his “royal Intentions, and of Course possess his full Confidence.” Lord North headed the Treasury and served as Prime Minister not “from Motives of Interest or Ambition, but from a sincere Desire to serve his royal Master.” North had already demonstrated proof of his “sound and manly Judgment, Courage without Temerity, Steadiness without Obstinacy, Patience without Timidity, assiduously discharging the Duties of his Office without Ostentation, and whose Integrity is without a Stain.”
Yet only four years later, Thomas Paine’s Common Sense would name George III the “Royal Brute of Britain” and call out Lord North as the despicable head of “the whole detestable junto” of royal ministers. The following July, the Declaration of Independence would describe the king as a “Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a Tyrant, … unfit to be the ruler of a free people.”
Looking to the past, we can see that predicting the future is never an easy task.
You can read the January 30, 1772 issue of the Maryland Gazette starting here: https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc4800/sc4872/001282/html/m1282-0024.html
Glenn E. Campbell
HA Senior Historian
