The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1810-09-25
EXTRACTS,
From Mr.. Cobbett's first address from, Nssp sa.s
Gael, to the Readers Of has Political Register
EXTRACTS,

Gael, to the Readers Of his Political Register
After having published seventeen volumes of
this Work, embracing the period of eighty years
and half, during which time, have written
with my own hand, nearly two thousand articles
upon various subjects, without having, except IN
one single instance, incurred even the threats of
the law, begin the Eighteenth Volume in a pri.
son. In this respect however, only share the
lot of many men, who have inhabited this very
prison before mel nor have the smallest doubt
that shall hereafter be enabled to follow the ex
ample of those men. On the triunphing, the
boundless JOY, the feasting and shouting OF the
Peculators, or Public Robbers, and If all those,
whether proagste or hypocritical villains, of
whom have been the scourge. look with con
tempt, knowing very WELL and feeling in my
heart, that my situation, at this time, is in.
hntely preferable TO theirs and as to the future,
can reasonably promise myself days of peace
and happiness, while continual dread must
haunt their guilty minds while every stir, and e.
very sound must make them quake for fear.-
Their day is yetto come.
From my outset as writer, to the present
hour, ] have always preferred principle to gain
In America, the Kings minister made, and not
at all improperly, offers of service to me, on the
part of the ministry at home. The offer was put,
as of service any relations that might have
In England, and my answer was, that i'll could
earn any thing myself wherewith to assist my re
1ations. should assist them, Sut that would
not be the cause of their receiving any thing out
OF the public purse Mr.. ListoD, then our minis
ter in America, can bear testimony to tile truth
of this statement. And, was this the conduct of
man who sought after base .ucre Z" Is this
the conduct which is now fashionable among
those, who call themselves I" the loy,l" and the
Sc Kings friends ~ Do they reject offers OF the
public purse Do they take care to keep .hrir.
poor relations, out of their own earnings or pro
perry, or do they throw them, neck aud heels,
FL.
ee, as higher order of paupers have acted
up to my professions have, al this time, 1e
pendent upon me, for almost every thing, nearly
twenty children besides my own. salk oa
root, while others would ride IN coach, thar
may have the means of yielding them support !;
that may have the means of preventing every
one belonging to me, from seeking support from
the public, in any shape whatever Is this the
fashion of " the loysl'" Do " the loyal" act
thus Do they make sacrifices in order that their
poor relations may not become charge to the
public Let that public answer tbs question,
and Soy TO whom the charge of seeking after
:" base lucre'' belongs.
wonder whether it has ever happened 10 TIE
.Attorney General to reject the offer of two ser
vices of plate, rendered him for the successful
exertion of his talents I This has happened to
me, though the offer, on each occasion, was made
IN the most delicate manner, though the service
had already been performed, though the thing
, was done with, and the offer could not have a
prospective view, and though the service had
been performed without any previous application
wonder whether Sir Weary Gibbs did ever re-
Ject an offer of this sort And / do wonder how
Klany there are amongst the whole tribe of
learned friends, who have, or ever will have to
accuse themselves Of such an act Yet has he the
assurance to impute my writings to motives of
base lucre. The truth is, that am hated by the
pretended loyal because am proof against all
the temptations of base iucre. have spoken of
the offer made me, while in America. Upon my
return home, the ministers made me other offers
and. amongst the rest, they offered me share of
the True Briton newspaper, conducted, and no
ninally owned by Mr.. Herriot l who was
what the country people call green horn, as to
such matters, and who wss dull enough to think,
ahat it was principle that actuated every writer
on what then deemed the right side was
quite astonished 10 find, that the treasury a,
Bile to offer me share in newspaper. Irejec-
ted the offer in the most delicate manner that
could but never was forgiven. i have expe.
rienced, as might have been expected, every spe.
cies of abuse since that time, but, did not,
must confess, expect ever TO be accused of Wi
ting :" for base lucre" This is a charge, which,
as / Showed upon the trial, originated with the
very scum of the press, and had its foundation in
abe worst and most villainous Of pa sions.
In general it is topic of exultation, that indus.
try and talent are rewarded with the possession
of wealth. The great object of the teachers of
ycutii, III till3 country seems 10 nave Deen
the sure reward of industry and ability. Upon
what ground, then, is 1t that the &c amsssng Of
wealth." the Masking of a fortune" BY the use
ofindustry and talents, is to be considered as
Tneriting reproach in me ? The fact is not true -
have not aIDassed wealth, and have not made
fortune, in any fair sense ofthose phrases do
not possess quarter part much as should in
all probability, have gained, by the of the
same degree OF industry and ability in trade or
commerce. But, If the fact were other wise, and
If rode in a coach and four instead If keeping
one pleasure horse, and that one only because il
Is thought necessary to the health of my wife ;
If had reaIl; fortune worthy OF being so called
what right would any one have to reproach me
with the possession of il | have been iebouring
seventeen years, since Iquitted the army. l
have never known what IT was to enjoy any OF
that which the world calls pleasure From a be.
ginning with nothing, have acquired the means
ofmaking some little provision for family of
SIX children (the remains of thrteen.) besides
having for several years, maintained almost Who'll,
ly, three times many children of my relations.
And, am to be reproached as a lover Of -" base
iacre," because to have prospect (ior 1t
Is nothing more) OF making such a provision :
And, am now, upon such charge, to be stripped
IN one way another, OF the means of making
such provision Was it manly and brave for
the Attorney General, when he knew thai
should not be permitted to answer him, to make
such AN attack, not only upon but upon the
future comforts of those, who depend upon me
for support Verify this is not to be forgotten
presently. AS long as or my children are able
TO remember, this will be borne IN mind and,
have not the smallest doubt Of seeing the day,
when Sir Weary Gibbs, and those who belong