Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-12-18

Having thus, as he believed, aud as he still
beileyes, Sc, himselfright with the community,
the editor remained content, supposing thai inc
nicked slaadercr referred TO, had been for ever
sienced, and that DO one, wauld venture again
to put in circula,ionfthe base coinage, whose
authors had always SKID in coneealmrnt,
shrinking from the az owl Of the work OF their
own hands, bee ause TN ew 1t would neces>
sarially consigh them t1(hfamy.
Al the late general election in 1927, some
"bold bad men" were so far goaded and misled
by their malignant passions, as to bring This
exploded story again into notice. In placard'
whose authors concealed themselves behind the
biIl-sticker, they alluded, with sufficient dis
,inctness, TO the malicious and libellous inven-
ton of former times, and endeavoured 10 revive
the preiudjce which had cnce been raised a.
gainst the Subscriber. They WIRE willing TO
impose upon others, wha, they did not lhen-
selves believe. Their example, he percelves
from the newspapers, has been followed in 9TH
er parts Of the United States, and similar pa'
card has been circulated.
This inciden, has induced him TO lay before
his fellow, citizens the following narrative and
vouchers, exposing plainly, the infamous means
which have been employed for the destruction
Of his character by the authors OF this deiest-
able fabric alton. The principal paper subJoin'
ed, has been in the Subscribers possession
four years. When i. came 10 his hands he
deemed its publication unnecessary, because
he had, some time before, reiuted the caIumny,
in the manner he has already stated: by the
publication 1917, and he presumed II was 1of-
ever put to rest. AT that time, to in l82o) the
professional friend he consulted was averse TO
public alton, and he had not been able 10 obtain
copy Of the report Of the rial which contain
ed in an appendix, the genuine letter o! Mr..
O'Coigy. file has since procured l., and WIZ
now publish il, in connexion with the 1n0r1cafe0
letter. The narrative Of the crime and history
OF the Forgery will not only serve 10 vindicate
bis own repu, alton, but j, will disclose TO his
frIlow-citizens some Of the assassin-like acts
Which have been, and may be again, employed,
by unprinciped mea, 10 accomplish their base
purposes, and thus inspire a saiuta'y dis'rus'
Of anonymous charges. He feels, indeed, that
his cause, is, in this respect The Cause OF every
man who has a reputation to preserve.
On the 3oih day Of August, 1928, the follow
ing sentence appeared, among the notices to
CORE pondents, in the "Batance," paper pub
lished in Philadelphia.
"As TO the O'ColGLEY LETTER, it was MANU-
rAcrUaEp in Philadelphia"
A few days after, 10 wit, on the I'd OF Sep
TENDER, 1928, the Subscriber addressed note
to the editor Of the Balance, Of which the FOL-
lowing is copy
MIR. L. P FRAMES,
"S1R-I have been told that you have per-
feet knowledge Of the time, place, and manner
in which a certain letter imputed 10 the Rev.
Mr.. O'Coigley was forged. Although ! am
well sa isfied that whatever effect it was pos
sible 10 produce by tina, letter has long since
been effccied, and that the caluinny has explod-
ed itself, YET | should be much gratihed 10 be
nut in possessiul of The facts connected with
it's manufacture In your paper of the Soth uh.
1 find a rather respectful notice Of myself, to
which is appended these words: "As TO the
O. Coigleg letter it was manufactured in Philadel-
phia." Encouraged by this no ice, ard these
words, address TO you this letter, IN the hope
that YOU may feel yourself at liberty to do me
the Justice to put me in possession OF all the
facts connected with the origin progress, and
manufacture Of the letter alluded 10. II may be
proper to say, that very distinctly pledge my
self, tina; will institute no prosec"ti n against,
nor in any way endeavor TO injure, any one who
was directly, or indirectly, concerned in the
making, printing, or publishing the letter.
Further, Shali ieeI nySSfi uboer oo'ibatihhS u
You, whatever may have been the part you may
have heretof IRE acted, If you will do me the
Justice 10 give me whatever information you
may have on this subject.
am Sir, yours, sc.
(Sipned) JOHN BINNS.
Mn. L. P. FRANKS Sept. 2, 1923 "
About the 9th Of September, 1923, the Sub
scriber received reply. to the truth of which,
the writer Lewis P. Franks, made an affidavit
before Alderman Badger, OH the l4lh day of
November. 1928 The following is copy Of
the letter and affidavit.
"Philadelph,n, September 6, 1928.
81. BINNs, ESQ
"Sir-I feel no manner ofhesita,ion in COM
plying wit the quest contained IN your note
Of the Cd inst, Indeed it was my intention
some time back 10 have disclosed the circum-
stances relative 10 the impos,ure which was
prac,iced opon The public respecting you in
1909. This was, however, principally prevent.
ed by my going about that lime to the Stale OF
South Carolina. In the interim most OF the