as applied to the colonists. [The word American was applied to the American Indians far into the eighteenth contury: as in the Wesley hymn,
| The dark Americans convert, | |
| And shine in every pagan heart.] |
1647. Divers make it an article of our American creed.—Ward, ‘Simple Cobbler of Agawam,’ p. 24. (N.E.D.)
1743. Under the heading, America, news is collected from Philadelphia, New-York, Newport, and Woodstock.—Boston Evening Post, Aug. 22.
1759. Mr. Pratt [afterwards Lord Camden] said to Mr. Franklin, in a course of free conversation, “For all what you Americans say of your loyalty, I know you will one day throw off your dependence on this country; and, notwithstanding your boasted affection to it, will set up for independence.”—Wm. Gordon, ‘Hist. Am. Revol.,’ i. 136 (Lond., 1788).
1764. America can answer all expenses of government.—Providence Gazette, Aug. 18.
1766. When the resolution was taken in this house to tax America, I was ill in my bed…. I would fain know by whom an American is represented here…. The Gentleman tells us, America is almost in open rebellion. I rejoice that America has resisted.—Speech of William Pitt in Parliament, Boston Ev. Post, May 12.
1774. Called upon Mr Keene, who asked whether it was not better to give up to the Americans, than to be at the expense necessary to reduce, and afterwards secure them?—Thomas Hutchinson, ‘Diary,’ Dec. 21 (i. 329).
1787. The Americans are amphibious animals. They cannot be confined to the land alone.—Letter from Captain John Sullivan, March 1, American Museum, iii. 437/2.
1791. America is used very generally both by writers and public speakers, when they only intend the territory of the United States…. It may have come into use, as being shorter to say Americans, than citizens of the United States.—Letter to The Gazette of the U.S., Phila., Feb. 16.
1795. Shall it be said in Europe, that the American nation is insensible to merit?—Gazette of the U.S., March 2.
