Devon Streelman

Ms. Johnson / Period 5

AP English Lang

Semester 2

Felons and Rattlesnakes

In his letter “Felons and Rattlesnakes” author Americanus compares the importation of

felons from Britain in to the United States to the importation of rattlesnakes from the United

States. Americanus does this to make the government of Great Britain realize how it would feel

to have dangerous animals, such as felons or rattlesnakes, put into Britain by utilizing numerous

rhetorical devices. By utilizing hyperbole, irony and zoomorphism, Americanus persuades the

argument that it is necessary for a law to be put in place that prevents the importation of

criminals into the United States.

To begin with, Americanus takes advantage of hyperbole to persuade his argument that

there needs to be a law preventing the importation of felons into the U.S. Americanus

exaggerates that these felons will create “Child's Brains beat out with an axe”(5). Americanus

knows this is an exaggeration, however it helps to persuade the argument to Great Britain that

this “PEOPLING of the Colonies” is not good (5). Thus conveying a law needs to be put in place

to stop this importation of felons. Americanus also proposes that when rattlesnakes are collected

to take to Britain he would “carefully distribute them” in “places of pleasure about London”

including “the gardens of the prime minister [and] the Lords of Trade”(4). Americanus knows

this is ridiculous, and so does the government of Great Britain, which then makes the

government of Great Britain realize how ridiculous it is that they are importing felons into the
United States. Felons are even more dangerous than rattlesnakes “For the rattlesnake gives

warning before attacking, giving the government of Great Britain a clear perspective of what the

felons are going to do in the U.S.

Secondly, Americanus utilizes irony to persuade his argument which is to be able to

create a law stopping the importation of felons into the United States. The British government

assumes the felons will change their ways once in the U.S. so Americanus compares that the

rattlesnakes “may possibly change their nature [as well] if they were to change climate”(3).

Knowing well that the rattlesnakes will not change their ways in Britain, the British government

realizes that neither will the felons when put in the U.S. This would help to persuade

Americanus’ argument because the British would consider halting the importation of felons into

the U.S after the comparison. Americanus also addresses Britain’s claim that the importation of

felons would an “improvement and peopling of the colonies” (5). Adding felons would most

definitely not improve the colonies due to the fact that the felons commit crime.This is an ironic

statement and repeating it to the British government may persuade them that the U.S. should be

able to make a law to halt this practice.

Lastly, Americanus utilizes zoomorphism to compare the snakes to the felons.

Americanus conveys that “Rattlesnakes seem the most suitable [trade] for human serpents”(7).

This statement would convey that felons are just as dangerous is not more dangerous than

rattlesnakes. Americanus also believes the British gentry should pick up on characteristics such

as to “creep”,”insinuate”, and “slaver” because it would be an improvement to their character.

This would help to persuade to the British government that this is hurting their government's
reputation because it is a terrible action. Americanus portrays a snake would be a more logical

character to run the government.