III. Political speech, [ca. 1798]

Paper notebook containing a twenty-page handwritten political speech bound with a ribbon. The document is undated and unattributed, but the text promotes a Federalist ideology that praises the "great and immortal Washington," reflects on the patriots of the Revolutionary War and the United States Constitution, and references Napoleon and the "war which exists in Europe." The text begins, "If Ancient and modern nations have been proud of their Heroes & states-men--and by celebrations and monuments have endeavored to perpetuate their form, & preserve the memory of great events--shall we be considered enthusiastic and vain, if we commemorate the day, which gave birth to our empire..."