WHEREAS I, T. SPENCE, by publishing a small pamphlet entitled "THE END OF OPPRESSION," has given great cause of uneasiness and alarm to many well-meaning Democrats and Friends to Reform, I hope by thus publicly retracting, denying and recanting all those doctrines of an offensive nature propagated by me, to regain the good-will and applause of my fellow-citizens.

And first, when I have foolishly laid it down as a fundamental, that the earth belongs at all times to the living inhabitants, and that mankind come into the world with as clear a title to eat grass, 4 and subsist on the produce of the earth, as any other class of reptiles or creatures whatever, to the great alarming of the landed interest — I being deeply concerned for the peace of every gentleman and lady, whether Aristocrat or Democrat, do, most solemnly for myself and for the whole plebean race of mankind, renounce and give up all claims to this world, to its soil, and every product thereof, for the time present and for ever — save what we can earn of the crumbs that fall, from the tables of the landed interest, by rendering ourselves subservient and useful to their pleasures and luxuries; and so this renunciation I hope every humble plebean will most readily set his hand.

And secondly, whereas I foolishly supposed, agreeable to the aforsesaid fundamental, that mankind ought equally to share in the produce of rents of their common property, and argued that for that purpose the lands and buildings, and other appurtenances, should in every parish belong to, and be at, the disposal of the parishioners, foolishly supposing that mankind could manage the affairs of a parish as well as of a nation; I solemnly renounce this absurd opinion for the following cogent reasons, viz.

First, Because every city, corporation or corporate body, that has landed property, invariably chuse men of landed property to manage the property of the corporation, without troubling the plebean part of the community with such affairs which they cannot be supposed to anything of, they not being used to receive rents.

Secondly, Because the mental powers of mankind are so depraved, crooked and perverse, that even suppose some gentleman without heirs was to bequeath to a benefit society, of either males or females, and estate as large as a parish, or as large as two or three parishes, they would not know what to do with it. It could not be supposed they would be wise enough to send their stewards to collect the rents and bring them home to their box. Neither if they did would they know what to do with the money thus collected though it would over-flow the box. They would never think of dividing it among them. And if they did divide it, behold the evils attending it. The idle, I mean the poor of the society, would be claiming as large dividends as the more wealthy, which would be insufferable. Every body knows that the wealthy only are the industrious, the laborious, and the honest, and therefore have an indefeasible right to the principal shares in all divisions. Therefore, according to the present intellects and practice of the world, a society thus encumbered with landed property could not subsist without some great man or men to manage their estate, take the intolerable burthen from off their shoulders, and order matters so that the poor should not be bothered with counting, nor suffered to get drunk with the money, as is humanely done in other august corporations; and therefore, according to my system, as there would be no aristocracy remaining to manage the parish estates, and take the trouble from the people, and as a benefit society may be supposed to be as wise as a parish, I renounce the parochial system as impracticable and absurd.

6 Thirdly, Because the dread of not being able to buy land, according to my system (it being all engrossed by the parishes,) having deprived many poor families of sleep and comfort, though seldom possessed of a shilling of their own property: I say because it is a sin to lessen even the ideal comforts of the poor by destroying their hopes of distant greatness: I leave them therefore to the enjoyment of their golden dreams, and give up that system which I foolishly conceived for their happiness, that they may yet have a right to buy land! Yes, that pennyless beggars may yet have have a right to buy land!!!

Moreover I repent of having added to my Pamphlet so malignant a title as “THE END OF OPPRESSION:” but I protest I did it innocently, without suspecting that almost the whole of the human race, from the highest to the lowest, would be convulsed and thrown into agonies at the very sound thereof! No, I rather anticipated their joy at the intimation that justice was again returning to the earth. But as I am disappointed and anxious to destroy all alarming apprehensions from the breasts of my fellow creatures, I resolve, in the greatest contrition, not to offend any more in like manner.

“END OF OPPRESSION!” say the people. “What would this world be good for without oppression? Why thousands of gentleman like callings and professions, that now fasten on the existence, luxuries, and profligacies of the great would either cease, or be very much reduced, with the END OF OPRESSION. No, rather perish the beggars! Up with the landed interest! 7 huzza! Great is the deity Aristocracy, which all the world worships!”

Now considering the innumerable host these doctrines raise against me, among both poor and rich, I am advised to leave Justice and Right to find other advocates, and they slily hint, that if I would cease to propagate these alarming opinions, I should find such patronage as would render my situation very much superior to what it could possibly be under my own system of mediocrity were it even established.

Adieu then to striving against the stream, since the readiest way to get to port is to go with it. So here goes, my boys, for an estate and vassals to buy to me! Who would not be a gentleman and live without care! Especially a Democratic gentleman without a King. Avaunt Rights of Man! I am henceforth a Democrat, but no Leveller.