A Westchester Farmer Analysis

A Full Vindication of the measures of Congress
"A full vindication of measures of Congress" is one of Alexander Hamilton's first published letters, in response to the letter of " A Westchester Farmer", which accuses the actions of the first Continental Congress. Hamilton starts the letter with defending decisions and actions of the Congress, and disproving the "Farmer's" accusations by logically and precisely responding to his main points, with facts and examples. Then, he proves how the Congress has recommended the only effective way to secure Colonial security and establish a solid future, mainly by boycotting all trades with the British empire and gaining independence. Hamilton then, addresses the farmers of New York directly and talks them
Colonial farmers play a vital role in shaping the Colonial economics platform, before and after the measures taken by the Continental Congress, and Hamilton deeply realizes that, therefore tries to convince them to agree with the Congress.
First, Hamilton tells the farmers that the British Parliament is trying to ruin their lives and their children's, by forcing them to pay heavy taxes. He believes the English men have no interest in the farmers' wellbeing and would take their properties and lands whenever they please, once they become their masters. In addition, Hamilton tells the farmers that none of them should choose to become a slave! Choosing to become a slave sounds ironic, since no man would ever "choose" to live under horrible conditions with no liberty or right. Therefore, Hamilton adds: " The only distinction between freedom and slavery consists in this: In the former state a man is governed by the laws to which he has given his consent, either in person or by his representative; in the latter, he is governed by the will of another. In the one case, his life and
Being a Protestant, Hamilton mentions how the British Parliament let the Popery system continue in Canada, and didn’t stop it only to maintain their power. Hamilton tries to convince the farmers that the British Parliament is not their friend, because of the encouragement they gave to the Popery. Recent Religious compromises of the British government, especially in Canada, play a strong role in Hamilton's negative Perception of the British Parliament. That is, by introducing “arbitrary power and Popery”, the latter which Hamilton considers as enemy to Protestantism, the British Parliament is, by settling with the people of Canada, disregarding some major values only in order to maintain its power and control over them. Hamilton even makes the farmers feel guilty if they "neglect what [they] owe to God" (Hamilton, 31). Although Hamilton repeatedly encourages freedom and its necessity, but apparently freedom is only for land and life. When it comes to religion he isn't willing to accept the freedom in religion and has strong opinions against anyone who isn't Protestant. Hamilton is worried that the British Parliament would establish Popery in New York or other colonies, and the colonies would put "[themselves] in the way of losing everything that is precious" (Hamilton, 33). This shows that in that time, religious people were strict and couldn’t stand different