The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-03-18
FERITAS.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE ENQUIRER.
CVIRGINIA.)
Rstersbureh. e6th Eel. 1905

James Cheethalu of New-York, in his paper
called the " Republican Watch Tower" dated
.ae 25th day of December last, published false
malicious, and unprovoketl libel against the re-
ports OF the trials of Col. Aaron Burr, which
am now preparing for the press, dcnouncinle it
under the immediate auspices OF Burr and
Martin"-as paid for by thcm'-:,nd g intend
ed to suit their palates."-H also " cautions the
public against purchasing it and recommends
another report as "perhaps the only faithful one"
AS soon l heard OF this attack | wrote to
Chectham and assured him that he had been ms
iett-that his whole statement was unfo,mded,
tto at that time, could not think him so unprin-
ciPed as to invent the calunliy himself THAT
li&d no sort or connection either with Col. Burr.
Or MI. Martin-that had undertaken the report
reluctantly at the earnest request of MANY rcspec-
table men OF all parties, and that my principles
and situat On in life forbade my SUBMISSION to
the degradation and int;lmy Of being partial re-
portcr-t demanded OF him as a matter OF right,
an explicit and public recantation OF all that he
had said against me.
Though moro than six weeks have since chaps.
ed, and he has had full time for inquiry and re-
lection, he still persists III his injustice AS it is
not easy to account for his perseverance in this
unjust conduct, but BY surprising that he is inte-
rested In the other report, and as do not know
what publicity may have been given 70 his SLAM
der, 1t may be necessary to rcpel its effects among
those TO whom am unknown. From motives of
dcrtook the publication, and in justice to myself,
request you to publish i'll your paper, the
subIoined statement and certificate of the coun-
sci engaged iii the prosecution and defence Of
Col. Burr The honorable testimony which the
able and respectable counsel on both sides bear
to my character, VIII shew now little dependence
ought to be put ia the maleyolent assertions of
Cheetham.
The opiricn Of the other report expressed by
mosrot those gentlemen, was not inserted at my
request, but IN justification of themselves TO
prevent The belief, they publicly declared, that
die speeches therein ascribed TO them, was a cor
rect representation Of their arguments. Their
statement in my vindic- ION, was voluntarily
made, as soon as they saw the unjust attack Of
Chectham. Ii has always Been, and still is, my
wish, that each report should be estimated accor-
ding to its merits only concerning which, nei-
Their tine applause of friends nor the detraction of
foes, can ultimately mislead the public. desire
to attack no person, but to defend myself against
an insidious and unprinclpicd'libel
DAVID ROBERTSON.
Mr.. DAVID RoBERTsoN OF Petersburg, has
ibis day put into our hands Gazette printed by
James Chectsam Of New-Ycrk, and dated De
cember 25th, 1907.
In this Gazette the Editor st:tes, "that the
" notes of the Edition of Burr's trial, row pre-
" pariDg tor the press, under the immediate aus
Pces Of Burr and Martin, were taken by Mr..
:" RobcrtsGnj andthat he has seen the affidavit
e" OF a respectable gentleman, stating that Luz
=" Their Martin had declared to the deponent that
Z" lie and Burr had engaged and paid the said Ro-
bcrtsoh for taking the notes" He adds, that
Mi. Westcotts edition of that trial viii perhaps
be the only faithful one"
! We have known Mr.. Robertson for many years,
and from our knowledge ofhs conduct and prin-
cpes,, we do not hesitate to declare to the public,
our belief, that he will faithfuiy and 1nbdrtiGiy
execute the task which he has undertaken to- per-
form. The charges that the Edition is " nrcpar-
cd under tho auspices OF Burr and Martin" that
it will be cooked TO suit their palate, and 50 that
| Mr.. Robertson was engaged and paid for it by
Luther Murtn," we believe to be utterly with
out foundation. II tbore shall be any defects III
the account of the trial offered by Mr.. Robertson
| to the public, have no doubt that they willrc-
sult from the difficulty which the best stenogra.
| piers must frequently experience in the course
! Of long, elaborate, animated, and sometimes ir-
REGULAR discussion ; and not from any dispositi-
on To mjSrCprcsCnt. We are confident. that he is
incapable Of wIltu misrepres entation any sub
! jcct With what ability the work w.llbe exc.
cutcd, VIC cannot pretend to ioretcl, except from
! tho debates OF the Virginia Convention bit il
II be not more correct representation Of tic ar
! gmc1JtS of counsel, than the specimen which we
have seen from the press of Mcssrs Wcstcott
| & Co. itwould be waste of money 20 bug, and
q waste Of time to read il
GEORGE HAY,
WILLIAM WRIT,
BENJAMl.G BOTTS,
EDMUND RhHDOLPH
RichanoHd, Ie5 25t, 1903.
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