Empire of Liberty

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Empire of Liberty (Magill’s Literary Annual 1991-2005)

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Thomas Jefferson first used the term “empire of liberty” in a letter to George Rogers Clark dated Christmas Day, 1779. It was a phrase he would use many times in the years that followed when referring to the vast expanse of western lands adjacent to the original thirteen colonies. This continent was to be peacefully occupied by an agrarian people speaking the same language, sharing similar customs and manners, and believing in the same form of government—one that would not interfere with their individual pursuit of happiness. In this territory, Old World forms of tyranny justified...

[The entire page is 1803 words long]

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