Jonas Clarke - Prophet or Wise Man?
In late October 1765, a town meeting was held and the town selectmen were instructed to draft instructions for the townspeople of Lexington with regards to the newly enacted Stamp Act. This document was penned by the Rev. Jonas Clarke, who wrote many a document for Lexington and Massachusetts.
In the first paragraph of the Instructions to the People of Lexington, Rev. Clarke exhibits a profound sense of the liberty that the founders gave up their lives and fortunes for. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
“We have looked upon men as beings naturally free. And it is a truth which the history of ages, and the common experience of mankind have fully confirmed, that a people can never be divested of these invaluable rights and liberties, which are necessary to the happiness of individuals, to the well-being of communities, or to a well regulated state ; but by their own negligence, imprudence, timidity or rashness. They are seldom lost, but when foolishly forfeited or tamely resigned.”
The book William Diamond’s Drum points out that Rev. Clarke, after this first profound paragraph goes on to dissect the Stamp Act on constitutional grounds. The Act:
“Violated their charter
Violated the ancient rights of British subjects
Passed without a hearing
Deprived citizens of trial by jury
Violated to essential principles of the Magna Carta: indictments by the oath of honest men and trial by one’s peers
It spawned a class of informers, paid to report violators and cutting off any means of redress.”
Methinks the Rev. Clarke was one liberty minded man.
To read the complete document – which is really amazing – go here.