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'''Cato's Letters''' (1720-23) were English political essays that shaped [[Republicanism]], demanding civic virtue and denouncing [[corruption]]. It had an enormous influence on the American [[Founding Fathers]]

'''Cato's Letters''' (1720-23) were English political essays that shaped [[Republicanism]], demanding civic virtue and denouncing [[corruption]]. It had an enormous influence on the American [[Founding Fathers]]

The example of Roman hero [[Cato the Younger]] inspired English political journalists [[John Trenchard]] and [[Thomas Gordon]] to publish anonymously a series of letters in the ''London Journal''  under the title "Cato's Letters". These 138 short essays appeared in 1720-23, and appeared in book form in 1723.  

The example of Roman hero [[Cato the Younger]] inspired English political journalists [[John Trenchard]] and [[Thomas Gordon]] to publish anonymously a series of letters in the ''London Journal''  under the title "Cato's Letters". These 138 short essays appeared in 1720-23; with six new ones they appeared in book form in 1723.  

==Republicanism==

==Republicanism==

They expounded on republicanism. The Roman Republic was the ideal against which they judged all governance. The authors' knowledge of Roman history and literature is staggering; the text is liberally sprinkled with Latin quotations. (The Latin was translated in Hamowy's 1995 edition.)

They expounded on republicanism. The Roman Republic was the ideal against which they judged all governance. The authors' knowledge of Roman history and literature is staggering; the text is liberally sprinkled with Latin quotations. (The Latin was translated in Hamowy's 1995 edition.)

:"It is wickedness not to destroy a destroyer."

:"It is wickedness not to destroy a destroyer."

===On Luxury===

===On Luxury===

:They will promote luxury, idleness, and expence, and a general depravation of manners. In order to do this, they will bring into fashion gaming, drunkenness, gluttony, and profuse and costly dress. They will debauch their country with foreign vices, and foreign instruments of vicious pleasures; and will contrive and encourage public revels, nightly disguises, and debauched mummedes.

:[from #17] "They will promote luxury, Idleness, and Expence, and a general Depravation of Manners, by their own Example, as well as by Connivance and publick Encouragement. They will not only divert Mens Thoughts frown examining their Behaviour and Politicks, but likewise let them loose from all the Restraints of private and publick Virtue. From Immorality and Excesses they will fall into Necessity; and from thence into a servile Dependence upon Power. In order to do this, they will bring into Fashion Gaming, Drunkenness, Gluttony, and profuse and costly Dress. They will debauch their country with foreign Vices, and foreign Instruments of vicious Pleasures; and will contrive and encourage publick Revels, nightly Disguises, and debauched Mummeries.

 

==Imfluence==

==Imfluence==

The ''Letters'' greatly influenced the American Founding Fathers.

The ''Letters'' greatly influenced the American Founding Fathers.

* Mitchell, Annie. "A Liberal Republican 'Cato'". ''American Journal of Political Science'', July 2004, Vol. 48 Issue 3, p588-603, in [[EBSCO]]

* Mitchell, Annie. "A Liberal Republican 'Cato'". ''American Journal of Political Science'', July 2004, Vol. 48 Issue 3, p588-603, in [[EBSCO]]

===Primary sources===

===Primary sources===

* Trenchard, John, and Thomas Gordon. ''Cato's Letters: Or, Essays on Liberty, Civil and Religious, and Other Important Subjects,'' ed. and annotated by Ronald Hamowy. (1995)

* Trenchard, John, and Thomas Gordon. ''Cato's Letters: Or, Essays on Liberty, Civil and Religious, and Other Important Subjects,'' ed. and annotated by Ronald Hamowy. (1995); the Latin is translated

 

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[[Category:Republicanism]]

[[Category:Republicanism]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]

[[Category:Founding Fathers]]