Courtney's+(John+Smithson)+letter

Dear Cousin Christian, We are so close by, yet we have not met or written for so long. How is your father? Your mother? George, Jeremy, Dan, and Emily? Me and my family are fine. My youngest son has entered college, and my daughter has been married to a man potent and well-reputed man. Things are all going well, except for the controversy with Britain. Are you and your family going to side with America of Britain? It seems that that is the most common question thrown around these days. Years a go, I would have been baffled at the thought that this conflict with Britain was to last so long—we’ve always had our differences, but ‘til the tax issue we had not seen such turmoil and threats to peace. I take it that you have gotten word of a possible war coming… against Britain! It is absurd that America should go to war against Britain—we’ve less resources and power and stability of government… who will organize the army? Who will enforce the laws? Who will lead us? What will become of us? Just last week I went to the book store to purchase some newly published biographies and bought a copy of __Common Sense__ by Thomas Paine—not because I’m feeling “patriotic”, but to find out the contents of the current best-selling book. I must say… It had changed my opinion a bit… I used to be against the war undoubtedly, but later I felt as if we could go to war for the insult we have taken… However, seeing all those wars break out many years a go made me decide that any affair leading to war is completely unnecessary! People dying, loss of family members, shortages of foods and goods, and such hostility! I do not want such things happening. Anyways, concerning __Common Sense__, it states that governments are necessary to set limits to society and to protect the natural rights of their people, but that Britain is only limiting and not protecting. Paine approves only elected officials, neither King nor House of Lords should have authority, in his opinion. He criticized the “idea” of a monarchy…a line of family ruling entire nations, I guess sounds legitimate, but things have been in this way for so long it is impossible to have a different point of view on the subject. He emphasizes the fact that not all of us colonists are British…we descend from various Europeans persecuted and fleeing for civil and religious freedom. He stated that America has ample enough resources for war—many armed men, tar, timber, iron, and cordage. The thought that people support such a book declaring incentives for war makes me feel alienated, even in my own home. Sincerely, John