Alright, my next guest on CNN Prime Time is a familiar
figure: George Washington. By the magic of a time warp, I am interviewing him
in 1788, shortly before he became our nation’s first president.
But first, let’s
set the stage. Some conservatives today believe that the United States was
founded by white people for the benefit of future generations of white people—and
this argument is used to justify strong, anti-immigration policies today.
It’s
true that some political leaders in America’s early history had that view.
But
others had a view that looks a lot like the position taken by many liberals—a view
that favors immigration to people who want to work and to enjoy freedom.
Mr. Washington, welcome to the show.
Now, you must promise to tell the truth because we are often accused of
promoting fake news.
Alright, let’s talk about your letter
of May 28, 1788 to Rev. Francis Adrian Vanderkamp. What did you say to this
Dutch man?
The letter which you did me
the favor to address to me the 15th. of this instt. from New York has been duly
received, and I take the speediest occasion to well-come your arrival on the
American shore.
Fair enough. What views on
immigration did you share with Rev. Vanderkemp?
I had always hoped that
this land might become a safe and agreeable Asylum to the virtuous and
persecuted part of mankind, to whatever nation they might belong; but I shall
be the more particularly happy, if this Country can be, by any means, useful to
the Patriots of Holland, with whose situation I am peculiarly touched, and of
whose public virtue I entertain a great opinion.
Alright. Mr. Washington, our
reporting shows that the Dutch economy was in terrible shape in the 1780s. Listen
while we play some earlier footage of our interview in the 1780s with James
Boswell, a student at Utrecht:
In such circumstances
this trading nation must be in a very bad way. Most of their principal towns
are sadly decayed, and instead of finding every mortal employed you meet with
multitudes of poor creatures who are starving in idleness. Utrecht is
remarkably ruined. There are whole lanes of wretches who have no other
subsistence than potatoes, gin, and stuff which they call tea and coffee.
Now, Mr. Washington, this sounds a
bit like many parts of the U.S. today. What did you say to Rev. Vanderkemp
about immigrating to America under those harsh conditions?
You may rest assured, Sir,
of my best and most friendly sentiments of your suffering compatriots, and
that, while I deplore the calamities to which many of the most worthy members
of your Community have been reduced … I shall flatter myself that many of them
will be able with the wrecks of their fortunes which may have escaped the
extensive devastation, to settle themselves in comfort, freedom and ease in
some corner of the vast regions of America.
Interesting. Okay, we need to wrap
up, but how did you leave things with the reverend? Did you offer hope or
discouragement?
The spirit of the Religions
and the genius of the political Institutions of this Country must be an
inducement. Under a good government (which I have no doubt we shall establish)
this Country certainly promises greater advantages, than almost any other, to
persons of moderate property, who are determined to be sober, industrious and
virtuous members of Society. And it must not be concealed, that a knowledge
that these are the general characteristics of your compatriots would be a principal
reason to consider their advent as a valuable acquisition to our infant
settlements. If you should meet with as favorable circumstances, as I hope will
attend your first operations; I think it probable that your coming will be the
harbinger for many more to adventure across the Atlantic.
In the meantime give me
leave to request that I may have the pleasure to see you at my house whensoever
it can be convenient to you, and to offer whatsoever services it may ever be in
my power to afford yourself, as well as to the other Patriots and friends to
the rights of Mankind of the Dutch Nation. I am etc.
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