John Thelwall: Letter to Henry Cline, Esq. on Imperfect Developments of the Faculties, Mental and Moral, as well as Constitutional and Organic; and on the Treatment of Impediments of Speech

Introduction to Thelwall and the Letter

Tried for treason in 1794, and hunted like a “Jacobin fox” after his acquittal, John Thelwall was notorious in his own time for his continued pursuit of free speech and social association even in the face of government repression (Thompson 156). Though Thelwall is better known to history as an outspoken political reformer, in late 1797, after being violently pursued in print and in person for his convictions, Thelwall claimed to “retire” from politics. He became a farmer, poet, and then a successful elocutionist, a career he pursued until his death in 1834. During his elocutionary career, Thelwall taught students in his home, gave lectures, and wrote …