Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1813-09-16
TO THE PUBLIC.

high, nor too low, to respect public opinion,
and cheerfully submit TO its inquest and de
Uision, according to the rules Of morality and
honor.
lam aware that public considerations
lone would have absoivod me from noticing a
vulgar and indecent libel which appeared la
the Federal Republican OF this day, signed
"LEMuEL Taylor - but i; is due TO truth,
and to my own character, to put down the
vile slander-by a plain exhibition OF facts,
elucidased by few brief remarks. My ac.
quaintance with MIR. Taylor, as VIII be seen
by his letter, was of the most transcient
kind, atlording no foundation for private OF
CONFIDENTIAL correspondence, nor had any
such existed. On the 2lst ult l received
letter, of which the folio wing is literal CO.
py: f~
"BALTIMoRE Y. Aug. Goth, 1915.
"WILLIAM JOKES ESQ.
DEAR SIR know that cur acquaiEt-
snoe does not justify my using such familiar
terms as l have began with, but / feel So
much on the subject am about 60 mention
that could not help addressing you, as am
convinced should always do, il we were
better acquainted. II is mentioned IN one of
oar prints this evening, that Joshua Barney
~ appointed TO the Command of our flotilia-
TOT myself, tio not believe it, because pre-
sumo you are acquainted with his character
but II you are not, permit me to inform y on,
that lie Is most abandoned rascal, both a.
to politics and morals; and that he is des-
pisSd by nineteenth OF all that have taken an
active part IN the defence of Baltimore, and
by none more than capt George Stiles,
whose zeal and activity you must have heard
OF I; and IN truth it Barney is appointed to any
command, most OF the most useful men VIII
be obliged 10 retire. Ii it is not done, let me
beg OF You, for the sake Of the government,
the safety Of Baltimore, and for your own
character, not to make such an appoint
lneHt.
All ask of you is to believe me, when
say l have nothing in view in writing this,
but Inc good of my couhtry, government, and
the city where l reside.
. am, dear sir, your very obedicnt SER
want,
"LEMUEL TAYLOR.
lillian Jones, Esq.
Secretary y the Navy.
8. Washington"
This letter, addressed to the Secretary of
the Navy, without reservation or restriction,
betraying either absolute ignorance of pro
priety, or sheer impotence, appeared to use
a bold, intrepid denunciation, which the au
thor would have proclaimed from the house
publicity rather than conceaimenf. The tenn
per and style, to be sure, appeared neither
proper fcrpublic or private correspondence
but least of all did | sup ose. that the author
meant to make the Secretary of the Navy
either the official CT private depository of as
PERSONS so bread, foul and in definite and
particularly when applied to an officer WHO
had received SO many marks of public conf.
dence, and had just then been appointed is
an honorable command, that of the United
States fotilla for the defence OF the upper
part Of the Chesapeake.
Knowing hat officer to possess in pro-
miaen. degree aHthe qualities for Command,
and believeing that vast majority of the
Community of The district which he was APP
pointed to defend, and of The nation, would
feel the same confidence in his skill. prov
css, zeal and integrity / could not but sus
pect that other motives and feelings than
those avowed, had participated in The de-
ANNEXATION.
In Com. Barney recognized an intrepid
distinguished officer of the Revolutionary
Navy, whose achievements have been the
theme of public admiration and the subject
of the pencil, whose vivid representation of
one of those scenes, has long been a3promi-
nent ornament in the chamber of the Navy
Department.
| knew hira as one of the six captains first
appointed under the administration of Presi
dent Washington, and mad he not resigned he
would long since have been at the head of
our present navy.
also knew that President Washington had
considered him citizen much entitled to
public consideration that vessel aid special
messenger was sent to Jamaica to demand
his release from confinement aud menaced
g,
gaiust British depredatioB--and all this
when his character was as perfectly known
as at the present time. Under these circum-
stances could not in justice TO Com. Barney
or to the public, whose officer he is, have
withheld from him the opportunity of vindi-
eating his reputation; nor could l suffer the
denunoiation to remain secretly on the files
Of the Department nor indeed had | the
tnost distant idea that concealment was the
wish of the writer, until his open ayowaI
proved both his folly and his bassness. Com.
Barney cameto westinghouse read to him
the SANDER from the original, and displayed
10 him the autncr The result is known and
/ am happy it is no worse--it will improve
the manners OF Mr.. 1. and hope without
impairing his health.
Mr.. Taylor had the audacity to charge me
with " fragrant breach oftrust"-demands
ed an explanation through his friend.
gave in substance the reasons I have here
assigned, and exhibited to his friend the or
igiaal letter--this was not satisfactory-hi
passion or his vanity had prompted him to
prepare an alternative. a challenge was
produced and, as every man Of honor and
common sense in my situation would have
done, ! declined the invitation.
The next resort was an abortye attempt
10 publish IN the Baltimore papers the argu-
mentaIive, and eloquent norsel, that ap.