A Distant Heritage: The Growth of Free Speech in Early America

218 Pages·1994·50.403 MB·English

by  Larry Eldridge

A D I S T A N T H E R I T A G E

A Distant Heritag e
The Growth of Free Speech
in Early America
L A R RY D . E L D R I D G E
NEW YOR K UNIVERSIT Y PRES S
NEW YOR K AN D LONDO N
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY PRESS
New York and London
Copyright © 1994 by New York University
All rights reserved
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Eldridge, Larry D.
A distant heritage : the growth of free speech in early America /
Larry D. Eldridge.
p. cm .
Revision of the author's thesis (Ph.D.)—Vanderbilt University,
1990.
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 0-8147-2192-3 (acid-free paper)
1. Freedom of speech—United States—History—17th century.
I. Title.
KF4772.E39 199 4
342.73'0853—dc20
[347.3028531 93-579 6
CIP
New York University Press books are printed on acid-free paper,
and their binding materials are chosen for strength and durability.
Manufactured i n the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
For Robin M. Rudoff
My first mentor. My Jong-time friend.

Contents
Charts i x
Acknowledgments x i
Abbreviations xii i
Introduction: Leaving the Shadow 1
1 Th e Boundaries of Colonial Speech 5
2 Seditiou s Speech Law 2 0
3 Th e Nature of the Words 4 2
4 Betwee n the Millstones 6 7
5 Sanction s in Decline 9 1
6 A Growing Leniency 11 4
7 Fruit s of Circumstance 13 2
Notes 14 3
vii
viii Contents
Bibliography 17 5
Index 19 5
Charts
1 "Bodil y Correction" in New England and the South 9 7
2 Humiliatio n 10 3
3 Exclusio n 10 7
4 Imprisonmen t 11 2
5 Fine s of £5 and Over 11 7
IX