The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-04-04
Elon d. Y. Z. .lnfrirnn.

IRON ~ v. u. .tHtflfIH
II work hitherto issued quarterly rs
the Literary and Philosophical keposito-
~ has now become a faonthly publication,
under the tile of The United States Maya
zine. In IL original form, this periodical
work obtlined a considerable reputation
from several articles known TO be from the
pen of Genefal Armstrong, and we per-
eeisc that il Is still indebted To him for
mach OF It's important matter, the FIRST and
| principal article IN The number Just ISSUED
fbclng Il review of Johnson's Life ofGreepc
| by the now a,oWed writef of the New
bargh Letters. The notice of that bosra-
] ply IS marked with much of that caestic
| severity which is the chief, and we believe
the only remarkable characteristic of Gen.
| Armstrong, whose mind still preserves
some of the ability, and doubtless all the
inclination, 10 give a deceptive colnuring
10 right aud wross, and whose pen yet
retains some Of the peculiar qualities Of
lyle thai rendered his first known preduc-
lion SO dangerous anil celebrated. The
merits of Judge Johnson's work. however,
form but a secondary object with General
Armstrong, whose great aim IN his present
essay, is In detrac1 as far as he may from
the character of General Washington, and
to Vlndicatc the writing OF those notorious
letters, which were calculated and intend
ed 10 arm the revolutionary soldiers against
their country, and thus mar the glorious
work they had almost brought To It's ac-
compsbinent. The attempt to effect the
first Is by discrediting the known project
entertained AT one period Of the revolution,
to dsplace General Washington, aud ele-
yate Ia the command Of Our armies Gene
raj Gates and General Lee.-This, General
Armstrong Iabonrs 10 prove unionnded,
and ia the effort, ayails himself of the OPP
portunty TO indulge IN varioes nsnuatlons
against the talents of hlm through whom
I alone could the war have been brought 10
lis fortunate close. 1t is unnecessary TO
do more than point out for contempt those
futile attempts to diminish reputation
which has long since been removed from
the reach Of males olcncc, and If 1T were,
the traducer furnishes, in rhc eyidence'of
hisnwn defiance ottruth and public opin-
ion given in the very article which con
veys his attack, cnougl, TO inyalidate high
er authority than tilc world wall allow To the
differences and assertions of an lncendary
who would have sacrificed his country 10
his own selIishncss. The plot 10 supplant
General Washington is established beyond
question, and it will br only sufficient to
qaote the following extracts from the let
tcrs Of the TWO purest patriots and men that
have ever lived to satisfy Of It's truth
those who are not familiar With the events
of that period. Patrick Henry, rrIting
on tie subject 10 General Washington,
says -
while you face the armed enemies Of
our liberty in the field, and, by the favor Of
God, have been kept unhurt, trust your
country will never harbour IL her bosom
the miscreant who would ruin her best
supporter. lwishnott to Ga ter, but when a 10
unworthy honest men are used 10 detamc
and traduce you, think it not am!ss, but
Il duty, 10 assure you of that estimation IN
which the public hold you. Not that
think any testimony can bear, is necessa-
ry for your support, or private satisfaction
for bare recolie,t Oh of hat is pest mus;
give you sufficient pleasu III every clrcum-
stance of life. But cannot help assuring
you, on this occasion, of the high sense OF
gratitude which all ranks of men, III this
your native country, bear to You. 1t VIII
give me sincere pleasure to manifest my
regard, and render iny hestserNi ice To You
or yours. | do not like 10 make parade
OF these things, and know you are not
fohl of IL; however, hope the occasion
will plead my excuse"
To which General Washington replies
"T'hc anonymous letter with which you
were pleased to favor me WAS written by
. 4
similtudc of hands.
MY caution to avoid any thing thai
could lninre the service prevented me from
communicating, except To a very few oi
my friends, the intrgucs ola faction which
know was formed against me, snce II
might serve 10 publish our internal dIssen-
Z lions, but their ewn restless zeaIt advance
their views has teo clearly betrayed them,
and made conccalm, nj on my part fruit
less. l cannot precisely mark the extent
OF their views, but 1t appeared IN general
that General Gates was To he exalted on
the ruin Of my reputation and miiutncc.-
This am authorized To say from undenl-
able facts IN my possession, from PubIica-
tons, the evident scope of which could moi
be mistaken, and from private dctractior
ndustIiousy circulated, HfA"*''*4"T*f, il
is generally Supposed, bore tie second
part in the cahal aud General Conway
) know, was IA very active and malignant
partizan bat ] have good reason to
believe that their macfGnations have re-
coiltd most sensibly upon themselves"
, Yet IN the face Of this positive assertion
I by him whose simple expression OF bcIleI
the present age aud paster,y Will hold
a more sacred than a pledge Of Gen, Arm.
strolg's reputation in this world and SALIVA
ton i'll the next, that self discredlted libel
Ter AYERS that the SlaHder, prepagated
aud believed for half century, that TIVE
distinguished officers of the army Of the
- | rpVnlbfinn had onpc,,irnI "a, rttf IXwn tle