The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-07-10
From the New-York Statesman of June 28. /
Mr.. RUSSELL,


Mr.. RUSSELL.
Our readers will recollect, that some time
since, We published, without comment, Sc
RES OF inquiries, addressed to the Hon. Jona-
than Russell, by correspondent, under the
signature of .4riel. That communication APP
pears to have given serious offence to the gem
tlrmen to whom the queries were directed,
ana has called forth severe animadversions
from some OF his friends. In the American
lBoston) Statesman Of June Oath, we find the
loiiowlng remarks on the article from our
paper -
8 One Of the most violent libels which
the free press of this country has ever
consented to circulate, has lately APP
peared In the Newton Statesman. in
the form of qneries from correspon-
dent, addressed to the Hon. Jonathan
Russell. They distinctly charge him
with holding criminal intercourse with
the enemies of this country, under a
contract by which Mr.. Russell used the
opportunity of his official employment
at Client, to convey to an English house
daily advices of the state of the nego-
citation and of the prospects of peace,
ter the purpose of commercial Ispecula-
ton, IN which Mr.. Russell was TO have
Part.-The charge is too serious to be
passed off as the ordinary scandal of
licentlous press-it has demanded and
met Mr.. Russell's attention, who has
required of the Newly ork editors the
name Of the slapderer, and made an ut
ter and indignant denial of the accu-
sation.o
Mr.. Russell's note TO us, which is alluded
TO in the foregoing remarks, was duly receiv-
ed but as we Were doubtful from its tenor
whether he intended any part of it to be made
publlck, we concluded, after mature delibera-
ton, that its publication might be deemed
improper, and the safer course would BE- to
wait, until his intentions and wishes could be
ascertained. But the editors of the American
Statesman have removed all doubt and re-
stra'nt and we therefore feel at liberty to
present the note, which is as follows =
'Mendon, Goth June, 1922.
Messrs. Carter & Prentss,
Gentlemen-I have this moment seen in
the Statesman and Advertiser for the Country.
OF which you are editors, a series of insidi-
Gus queries, highly derogatory to my honour,
as minister and man. demand Of YOU the
name of that correspondent and in the mean
time assure you, that there is not shadow
OF foundation, not plausible pretext TO
excuse the malignity and depravity, which
could have suggested those queries. An i'm
mediate answer is requested.
Your obedient servant,
JONATHAN RUSSELL"
The above letter, post mark, Boston 2lst
June, was received ON Sunday LIST, the Odd
inst. We Immediately addressed a note to
our correspondent .Ariel, advising him of the
receipt and purport of the letter, requesting
his decision as to the course the business
should take.
as TO the merits Of the article communicate
ed by our correspondent, we have never ex-
pressed an opinion, nor have any proofs been
furnished us of the suggestions it contains.-
The queries were from a respectable gentle
man, and we did not consider them at the
time as Justifying the ground taken in the
Boston Statesman-that they contain gross
libel, changing an Individual with mal-prac-
tees, and with aiding the enemies of his coun-
try. Certain Questions were propounded and an
appeal was made to Mr.. Russell, whether he
had any knowledge of their truth or falsity.-
lie has now positively declared under his own
name, that there was not the shadow of a
foundation--a plausible pretext for such
queries; and The publick are therefore bound
to consider his denial perfectly satisfactory,
until Ariel shall choose to avow himself, and
establish his claims to an equal degree OF con-
fdence. We are momently expecting TO hear
from our correspondent, when prompt and
decisive answer will be given to the demand
OF Mr.. Russell.
From The same, June 90.
Our correspondent g .4riel' has returned
TO the city from which he has been absent for
the last fortnight. We have had an interview
with him this morning, and he authorizes us to
say, that in a few days he will write Mr.. Rus
sell, in relation to the queries which were
published in the Statesman on the 18th inst.
and communicate to him his real name and
address. As soon as the letter is forwarded,
We will give publick notice of il.
From The same, July 3.
The writer Of" .4rSer' has addressed him
self by mail, under his real signature, 70 the
gentleman who required his name.
We find the following article in the Bali
more Patriot. The Editor is understood to
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