Elite patriots backed republican independence despite distrusting popular rule

Evidence

Having ruled out reconciliation as an option, Hewes all but directed the North Carolina Provincial Congress to endorse independence. Perhaps worried that planter-class opposition to republican rule might keep the convention from doing so, Hewes sent a second letter to Johnson adding, “I hate republicks and would almost prefer the Government of Turkey to live under, however I expect I must Submit to it for I see no prospect of reconciliation.” Despite his distrust of popular rule, Hewes preferred it to an oppressive monarchy. “If the people can be made happy I shall endeavor to be content,” he wrote with a sigh of resignation and some regret. — Edward J. Larson, Declaring Independence, 136

Categorization

• XREF: Previews the later tension between republican governance and aristocratic planter interests — relevant to how ‘freedom’ competed against property and hierarchy among founders.