Mathew Locke, An Early Tea Partier

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Here's something ripped out of today's politics, but written more than 200 years ago by one of my husband's ancestors:

"To the freemen, of the Counties of Rowan, Irecell, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, and Montgomery.

Gentlemen:

At the request of a number of my fellow-citizens concurring wut do believe, that millions of dollars hae been expended, that ought to have been saved. These measures I have always opposed, and shall always in a legislative capacity, think it my duty, to give my negative to all propositions or attempts, that in my opinion, have a dtendency, unnecessarily to oppress the citizens or enslave posterity.

With my own inclination, I purpose to be a candidate at the ensuing election, for a seat in Congress. I declare myself a real friend to the Federal government, and a zealous defender of the Constitution, which I have often sworn to support, but do not implicitly rely upon a belief, that all the present measures of Government have been wisely adopted, and impartially administered; b

"I have been for a number of years honored with your suffrages to represent you in the Congress of the United States, and fully believing that on a fair investigation of my political conduct. whilst in your service, I shall stand acquitted from the calumny raised against me in my absence, to which I impute the result of my last unsuccessful attempt. Should I again be the object of your choice, my exertions shall not be wanting to render myself worthy of your confidence, and to convince your, that no one has the welfare of his country more sincerely at heart, than

Your most obedient

Humble servant,

MATTHEW LOCKE

July 15, 1800.