The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1821-06-20
SLANDER..

SLENDER.
OF all vices prominent in the human charac-
ter, that Of revenge is the most abhorrent. II
seeks to destroy, and finds qualification in the
complete ruin of Others When such spirit
Is iosteFed under phiz of savage moroscness,
lts victim may be admonished of the monster
that seeks him, and put upon his guard; but
when matured under the mask of hypocritical
clyillty, the sufferer has no chance for defence
until, perhaps, he finds himself involved n a
hostility dictated by the most malignant re-
Venge. very striking instance of this kind
attended the circumstances which occasoned
the following production, which was designed
for publication.
10 all srhom this may concern
Whereas there is report gotten into circu-
lation by reason of some sgaadrerfent ex-
pressions, which were dropped by me in con-
.tdence, without any intent to iniure any
one-that Mr.. CHARLES LEE. of Barre. has
been guilty Of an erasure on a Note or
Due-Bill made by me to one Peter Lewis. ~
for the sum of nine dollars and ninety-fye
cents, dated April s., 1921, (said endorsement
being two dollars, which was taken up and
paid by said Lee at my request. feel it nv
duty to state, and do hereby declare, although
there were circumstances at first which led me
to suspect that said erasure was made by said
Lee, am now, after full examination and in
vestgation of the subject and papers, fully sat-
lshed OF his innocence. NA1'HL. JONES.
Barre, May %, 1921.
The following queries are submitted to the
publick -
!. Has man a right to publish to the
world circumstance eliminating another IN
the highest degree, and at once DESTROYING his
reputation and his means of obtaining living.
without the positive knowledge of its being a
matter OF fact, or even without making thor
ouSh investigation in order to ascertain ito
truth?
q before man gives publicity to such a
transaction, instead of admitting of there being
possibility of his doing it himself, had he not
ought to be able to declare, without even
doubt, that he is not the author of it and 10
1t not fairly presumable that be could teIl
whether he is or not?
8. Is it probable that man should recollect
that he agreed to pay to another sum &c
money ON settlement, and balance his account
BY Due-bill and Cash - and then. tearino
that he would make all improper use of it. adj.
wise him to let him keep it in his own han l..
until he had some particular use forit. which he
did, and in few days paid it again whea cal.
ed Tor! Is it probable that man would recol-
iect all these circumstances, and forget whetb-
er ne endorsed said sum upon the due-bill at
the time of settlement, and then persuadine
! nm to let HIM keep it, erased it out himself:
or, whether he endorsed it few DAYS after.
! when the money was actually paid especial
y when only few days had elapsed before
the subject was brought in question?
4. Would man of spirit and honour. and
one who means to hold fast to the principles of
integrity, and act only from fair and honoura-
Die motives, be apt to give to the publick the
foregoing acknowledgment, and retract in pubs
hex what he spoke in the spirit of truth? Had
man acted judciously, without any intent
to mJure any ono, could there have been anv
occasion for any such acknowledgment? Does
IT not rather indicate very great degree of
lndlscretion, or an equal degree of wickedness.
and fear that the Odiunt which was intended
to be liked upon another was like to recoil up-
on himself?
3. Does the reputed responsibility of man
pallate or aggravate the degree Of wrong in
such case; and does a publick confession
make the sufferer compensation, when there
are always some so malignant they had rather
oelleVe man guilty than innocent.
Mordecai was hung on the gal,ows he had
erected for Hannah ARENAS IEF
1eolpletOn, June, 1921.
- negro.