Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-08-19
COMVEMrroM.
TF,.on, the .4icIandria Herald

From, the .i{eLuldrid Herald
A severe indspositon 10y which was attacked
on the day first saw the second No. OF GO Free
man of 1925 published in the Phoenix Gazette of
the 9Th ulIino, and under the effects OF which
sill, in degree labor, has compelled nae most
reluctantly TO defer until this late day. such notice
OF a portion of that publication I consider I'M
periously demanded Il, my hands, by an assault
made therein against my veracity by Mr.. Mercer.
say by Mr. Mercer, for he has so distinctly
avowed himself in that piece authorize me 10
his without the risk of rendering my self OBJ
noxious 10 the charge of 90 mdecorum, which, for
like cause he has made against another.
The portion of the publication alluded 10, is that
IN which Mr.. NJ. says---
II no better authority shall exist for the charge
Of umairness, in ascertaining in every county, the
OF the people the subject OF a conv ention
Khan Is derived from the course pursued in Fairfax
at the last spring election then indeed the friends of
convention may confidently abide by the result.
1t is not unknown this writer that such charge
has been made, and he is not at all surprised that
is now repeated by Mr.. Leigh: but its truth is nei-
iher proved by making the charge nor confirmed by
ITS repetition. 1t has been hitherto deemed alike
unworthy of contradiction Of notice"
Now that The writer of the article containing the
charge here alluded by Mr. Mercer is but an OBJ
scure and humble individual, he IS most ready to
admit. lie processes to lie but OF the people;
and, 80 far he is CONCERNED in the matter, it is
not at all surprising thai -lIr .Nercer should deem
II too low a condescension 20 bestow any portion
OF his notice upon such utdiridtlal But when
charge OF uniairness made by unknown the
world, charge oil course, Involving the integrity of
him who was exposed TO II, and which Mr.. Mercer
has taken 10 himself, had hardly imagined Mr.
Mercer SO hackneyed in political intrigue and cleo
pioneering trick 20 " deem such subject un-
worthy of his notice. But such, il seems, is Mr..
Mercer own declaration; and although gen.
"A self is adj
nissiJle TO condemn him, yet in this instance, if
nave been correctly informed, Mr. Mercer presents
Tic strange anomaly Of one who bears testimony
against himself not entirely susainable by fact. For
whiist 1t is true that Mr.. Mercer did 50 hitherto
deem it alike unworthy of contradiction of
notice. in public manner, will ask him if be
never contradcted it in prioate, after he had be-
STOW ed much attention upon > find out the
author OF The communication! And lest may he
misunderstood take leave here to remark that by
the distinction made between public aud pirate
contradiction, mean 20 discriminate between that
which is published, and that made in conversation.
OF Mr. MERGERS denial was dIl :, and believe
correctly informed; and was then not a little sur
prised that gentleman OF Mr.. MERGERS character
could undertake 10 deny what he knew 10 be true.
AS his denial, however, was not made through
The medium OF any public print, considered it
;reiy unnecessary for me TO take any notice of it ;
and il appears that Mr. Mercer, having interpreted
truth of his denial has at length the holiness to
publish that denial, and the civiity TO charge me
(with freedom that seems habitual with him of
iae) directly with falsehood. How far this, ana
the charge against another OF &" Misrepresentation
gross tina; if the eye did not behold, he under
standing would rot credit their existence are CON
sstent with theIues OF decorum hlch that gentle
wo Id fegn profess himself capable of teach
ing, we have yel TO learn from himself
AT the first view OF the paragraph have cited,
could hardly believe possib that Mr. Mercer who
apologies the public for personal controv ersy
which he declares, however 9 aC0Htoniy produced
by OF the parties, j. too apt terminate to the
prejudice Of bo;h', and who expresses his pain at
being compelled 10 vindcate his own character at
the expense of his dssaiiant,' could so boldly and
wantoniy assail another, ill-grolnded as he knew
tile assault TO De; and was strongly tempted to be-
Ieye that In this instance, appears to evident
IN some others, he really meant something different
from what he had written; but on a closer exam-
nation iouAd his phras Geology "droitly equiv o.
cal that my suspicious awakened that Mr.
Mercer had Intentionally so expressed himself as
tocOnvey " his readers the idea that the charge
Of uniairness not true; and yet TO reserve
to himself convenient refuge under bubble
about eTIns--for have understood IL is his habit on
some betting occasions, TO measure by rule Of
the nces; accurlc the exact import Of his language
And although the declaration that " its truth is
neither proved b making the charge nor confirmed
By its repeiion;'' may, by the ingenuity of mr..
Mercer, be made susceptible of a. finely sophis
iicated explanation that he has given of his
intention 70 sound appeal 50 dis tinc and audi
lie 10 the next general assembly,, and also give
70 those who would urge him TO intemperance
sill farther evidence Of hs forbearance and modera-
iiUn. Yet as i an not in the habit of such hair
splitting. but rather content to look a, the sum
and substance OF things as they present themselves
70 ny plain understanding 1 consider it an attack
against my veracity, wLich can IN no manner be
justified, and feel myself called upon to show to the
public what tie % authority" is, OF which Mr..
Mercer speaks % lightly, and on which rests The
charge oil uniarness, ia ascertainng The sense of the
people OF falriax at the last spring elecion and 10
exhibit what presume Mr.. Mercer himself will al
low 10 he sufficient proof Of it's truth. Here,
however, Tor one moment, beg leave TO invite the
public attention to the altitude Mr. NJ bag assumed
ia relation 10 this subject, by which it j. made evil
dent that out Of his own mouth, he stands CON
denned without farther prooi--he has volunteered
to deny thetrulh Of, ard to excupsie iamself from