Introduction
In March, 1817, English radical William Cobbett fled to the US, in the belief that he was about to arrested for his cheap, popular and highly critical digest of Parliamentary news, the Political Register. A few months later, he wrote back home to his supporters from his Long Island farm explaining how, as an expat, he would balance his divided loyalties.
Whatever I send to be published in England I shall publish here in some shape or another,* and, as you will see, though I have been so ill-treated by those who govern England, I shall never turn my back upon my country or my countrymen. There are persons here, who will think well of no Englishman, who will not only distinctly and explicitly disclaim all allegiance to the King, but all regard for his country.* I will do neither. I owe allegiance to the King as much as any American owes allegiance to the laws of his country. I cannot, if I would, according to the laws of England, get rid of it. And, as to my country and my countrymen, my attachment to them can never be equalled by my attachment to any other country or people. I owe a temporary allegiance to this country, and am bound to obey its excellent laws and Government. I am even bound to assist in repelling my own countrymen, and to consider them as enemies, if they attack this country. All this I owe in return for the protection I receive.
Précis
In 1817, fearing a crackdown on Government critics, William Cobbett fled England and became a New York farmer. Nonetheless, he told supporters back home that even though he owed a duty to the US, and might conceivably have to fight against Britain in a war, he could never, as some Americans demanded, wholly repudiate his King or his country.
(59 / 60 words)
In 1817, fearing a crackdown on Government critics, William Cobbett fled England and became a New York farmer. Nonetheless, he told supporters back home that even though he owed a duty to the US, and might conceivably have to fight against Britain in a war, he could never, as some Americans demanded, wholly repudiate his King or his country.
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