The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1822-04-23
Me-. su,arrY.

Mr.. SHIRLEY.
have read with some interest and attention. the
"nAoNtfsyas II has PROGRESSED. between Gen. Rich
''eson and Gen. King And As | have no prejudice
one side nor the other my enquiries have been made
merely 20 ascertain In what TIC truth consisted.
understand SIR. that the dispute commenced in tho
Legislature OF Mass the year 1919 ca the subject
~ a eona'on to NateEviile College. 1t seems that
o'i'an petuons- n printed FORM presented to
mat legislature for the purpose Of obtaining aid from
~. government 10 that institution but the language Of
,nese petitions giving offence the senate General
i.lei'e'oson 70 coutcfact the nniavourable impress
sio"s winch were made, authorised Gen. Fessenden
20 state Hatt these petitions tccre cot UP CitsM the
kaocdge Or the board and preferred tcihout lis con-
ssn'' inns statement contraocted by Gene ral
hin5 thereby leaving the 10 draw the infer
ehce tiaf Gea- X. had deliberately told fG'srhood
10 vlndicate himself from this censure Gen. K. as
gather from his pamphlet has thought proper 10 APP
pear before the public and in doing. lie is profes-
sor OF religion and lover of truth and the charge
was made m so respectable body the Senate "
MAS ana became extensively circulated, cannot for
one but justify thai gentleman ia bis attempt.
ne question now Is, has ne been successful in his
attempt In order to answer this question correctly
must FIRST ask another did these petitions which gave
offence b. hcir language the senate oi Mass. orig
mate IN any act 81 TIE corporation Of WatsrgiHe Coz
tgt and ioere hrg presented BY their authority2 Upon
the answer to this simple interrogatoryl Gen. King
Gen Richardson stands acquitted Of blame IN regard
TO the original subject OF controversy.
A. support the negative OF TINS question, Gen. r.
SHOWS that whatever might have taken place AZ the
meetings OF the Trustees previous presentation
OF the petitions to the legislature they were not Off
calv Authorised and were not the act of the Board,
but were brought to By Gen King already PIE pared
without the knowledge Of The trustees aud were not
sanctioned by tncm body. And this position is
supported By tie fact, that affer the Senate rejected
the hil IN consequence of the obnoxious haeyge Of
NE petitions, the corporation thought IL necessary TO
pass voie by which they recognized the petitions
and assumed the responsibility OF their aiiuTe Now
TINS TACT 10 my nina is strong argument against Cen
King for If the petitions got up BY tile corpora
ton, then surely there need Of a subsequent
vote to Justify Gen King but the subsequent Is
strong circumstance to show that they were not aa-
thorsed in the hrst instance b. the corporation.
Such being the simple prominent ground III the dis
pute the matter would probably soon nave been ter
minated, because it rested upon opea and rrovabie
facts. But the inference which Is drawn from Gen
King conduct that lie hostile to the institrtion
at Naterville. while by Of doaSla d - nc
attempting 10 gain popularity with its incnas, IS
not capable OF clear demonstration. The CoRtTn-
seems have settled upon this ground, and
upon the repelng Of this Implication. rather charge
az /. has become, the character OF Gen King. is ser-
ously concerned 1t is 10 be deeply regretted that this
controversy should have arisen between of such
standing in society conspicuous for the Office he
holds and has held in the government. and the other
for ms unarnished hcnour, and unnpeachahe integi-
w. But slill more is il 10 he regretted that should
have hcan carried on BY Gen. King with 50 mucn
passion and want Of dignity az was done by MIN tn
the last Argus If needs BE- that they quarrel
lei them quarrel with decency.
AIOVER OF TRUTH e PLAIN DEALING.