Oliver Goldsmith's Indigent Philosopher, U.S. Foreign Policy, and Three American Editions of The Vicar Of Wakefield, 1791–1839.

This article examines the unexpected role of a speech attributed to Oliver Goldsmith’s "Indigent Philosopher," originally published in 1762, in influencing American attitudes toward war with Spain during three key historical moments. The speech, which urges against declaring war on Spain, was reprinted in editions of Goldsmith’s *The Vicar of Wakefield* published in Philadelphia (1791 and 1795) and Washington (1839), coinciding with periods of diplomatic tension between the United States and Spain. These moments include the aftermath of the Seven Years’ War, negotiations leading to Pinckney’s Treaty (1795) securing U.S. navigation rights on the Mississippi, and the Amistad slave ship legal case (1839), all reflecting ongoing complexities in U.S.–Spanish relations. The article highlights how this literary piece was used by publishers to caution against conflict, despite its obscure origins and Goldsmith’s usual disassociation from U.S. foreign policy.