The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-08-21
From the National Intelligencer.1

10 the Citizens Of the United States.
FELLow-CTTZENs-It will not be de-
MED that the liberty of the Press stands
high among the rights of freemen; but
there are other rights equally dear, Sc
cured to US by the constitution and laws
OF our country. We're not this the case.
the press would soon become scouree
to this happy land
Ihe laws are paramount to the press.
and TO them, all who are injured by it.
can, of right, resort for redress; but
Tor an intimation of my intention TO ex-
ercise this right, common to all, to pun
lsh threatened attack, have drawn
down on me the prosecuting spirit of
those who, believing they have much
power in their hands, have persuaded
themselves there was no limitation to if.
They have arrogated the right to in
tilct lnJury-and the slightest resistance
10 their tyranny, or even an appeal TO
their justice, draws down their anathe-
mas and their vengeance. am told
others, higher in authority than myself.
have been so punished, and am asked.
Why should not bare my back to the
lash Why dare resistthis unmerited
chastlsement Why should | be so SEN
sltive :! | am told am servant of the
people. Granted-hut has the slave no
claims to mercy? Do Forfeit the right
OF citizenship by nay servitude? or does
my sensIbllity render me less worthy of
your confidence?
Fetto7o-Citaxens-The official trial of
Lieut.. Abbot is now published and. al
though the authors of the attack on me
have deserved little courtesy from nv
hand, they will be furnished with copies.
The SUBJECT is now fairly before you
and, as far as am concerned. | iay;te
criticism. The publick have now the
same means of making ZIP their decision
that tie Court-ilartial had, aud can now
judge OF the propriety or impropriety
OF their sentence. For thatSI am in no
way accountable.
My agency originated in the accom-
panying orders; they were faithfully
executed. | oferthem for myAiusti(ica-
ton; and, however painful the duty
Imposed on ne by them, did not shrink
from its execution, and the performance
was marked with studicl deiicacy to.
and received protestations of thanks. al
the time, from Lieut.. Abbot, and was
marked with none of those blemishes
with which his coadjutors and abettors,
(lot he) have since discolouredit.
The sentence of the Court-MartiaI
has been approved Of by the proper
authorities: the proceedings in the case
OF MT. Kinney have also been approved
OF, and he continues in the exercise of
his official duties, with the full conf
dence Of the government Then. where
in have | offended
fetto0v- Cdizens--This explanation
was due to you; and not only to your
candour, but your interest appeal-for
you have the same interest with myself.
Your case may be like mine, or like
Mr.. Blake's, or Capt. Hull's. or Mr. Bin.
ney's. What mans character is safe. if
RIGHTEOUSNESS distinguishes the press of
orr country? country, the character
of which, even, it has, 10 some instances,
.aboured TO destroy To the laws of
that country, to the Strong arm of its
justice, | shall, when necessary, resort
for protection aud redress When this
determination was formed, was aware
of the storm that would be raised around
me. | am prepared TO resist it. The
more it RACES, the more sensible YOU
viii be OF. the propriety of my appeal,
and the stronger will be my claims for
justice.
1t will be thought am contending
with immense odds against me. 1t is
an error: there are presses in this coun-
try, governed by the strictest rules Of
propriety, and from them, as we'll as
from you. confidently look for support.
ask you not for your suffrages |
ask you not for continuation of the
office | now hold: ask from the laws
of my country only that justice which
is my right; and from you, only your
good opinion, which hare no conscious
ness of having forfeited.
1t rests with you, then, to say wheth-
er the press shall be kept within its
proper bounds, or be permitted to tram
pie on your dearest rights. Whether it
shall be useful and salutary to you, or
prove scourge, a poison, a reproach
to your country.
The idea of my attempting to destroy
the liberty Of the nress. ia foo nraros-