Edward Carrington To Henry Knox Regarding Government Appointments And The French Revolution 25 October 1789

Opens by thanking Knox for his role in obtaining Carrington a presidential appointment [as marshal of Virginia]. He then discusses the French revolution, writing that [t]he Revolution in France is as singular as it is important to the cause of Liberty. It is perhaps the first instance in the History of Nations of a King & his people uniting to extend the Rights of the latter in abridging the power and privileges of the Nobles. The Common tendency of Revolutions founded in a [sense] amongst the people of oppression from the Nobility has ever been to an implicit surrender of every thing unto the hands of the Sovereign to say nothing of ancient Precedents, the modern, nay recent, Revolution in Denmark & Sweden terminated thus: there is in France a spirit never before known in the old world; my pride suggests that it was imbibed from America, and I am compleatly [sic] gratified in being that a Son of America did in the extremity of confusion, 'Mount the Whirlwind & direct the Storm.' Sends greetings to Mrs. Knox and mutual friends. Stamped Richmond. Free stamped on address leaf with no signature.