Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1827-12-19
TO TIE PUBLIC

Reports having been pat into circulation riuriops
to my repuistun ask of the nnhI, tho m ,;ro r.,
read my defence.
resided in Lynchbarg, TO die end of the wear 1923
ana therefad the misfortune from derent causes TO
make many personal enemies. During my residence
IN that place, contest euiistipg violent feeling was
"agsd between iro parties The seeking 10 retain
their ascendancy in the Farmers Bark the ether to
P'od"cc reform and revolution. took part with the
ia''er. and with warmth Amongst adyetsaries
was MT lho Higginbothan, more than aI,y other ob.
noxious TO all Conducting paper in I.vnchburq at
the time, received different anonymous attacks of a
very lnianmatosy claia cief, upon the private life OF
Mr. Hgg;uootham. Ihese.l had no view or wish 10
publish, hut willing TO annoy AR Fl they suggested
a quiz, which proceeded to pnt into execution I
"ro'e 10 hii that unless he acivauced q certain
sum OF money upon loan, would publish tie attacks
upon hum IN my possessions; aud ppnn his silence re
peaied The demand and Tie threat and even called IL,
person Ia ENJOY Tie OF perplexy in which,
believed him placed. lie remained passive aud
surprising that he penetrated ms object and ,,,
1.-The amusement proposed te inYseIf ard f~;enJs
was thereby defeated, thought of il. | was
very young man at Tue time. and perhaps neither
did justice TO true character of Nh II. which stands
TAR 10 The Tord paid the proper Difference 10 his
age and feelings looked upon him as n,ser and
as III subject for game, and acted accordingly.
Recent circumstances have caused this toughlless
transaction 10 be impnted the DARK est rit
The L,rchburg Jackson Address, wri:tea as il sp
Peared 10 re under great excitement, ca,g ed the d
Address from tie place viii. borrow
ing the language of unprinoiplsd men, conducting
considered Ibis charge though couchcd IN general erms
as ieveted at me particularly, and for the reason
that the terms faciious and unprincpIe" alleged TO
have been borrowed by tie Adninistr ion Address
I IN Lynchburg, 'frcm uDprincipied men" &C. were
terms used hy al very early stage OF the present
Presidential contest and applied TO certain persons
IN the Senate OF the United States. Believing. il to
have oeen intended To charge me Individuality cas-,
about among the Commute 10 discover the ar,hor
and finally, from various reasons; rs believing that no
other Inan eit so much hostility 10 me to impufe such
charge upon suspicion that was soi 10 The Al
rInstralionom finding that others agreed ,giti me
III opinion, and from imaginary simuIc OF STYLE
settled down in Tic conTcton, that Nh. ~ IN DadfOr
was the author. lie president of the Farmer.
BaDk al the time referred to, aud The lengths TO Inch
party spri; had then carried both sides believed had
ieii in MS mind strong personal and dislike
However plausible The reasoning By which inferred
him to be the author was aeier all mistaken THIS
author proved 10 be Judge of The General Court; al
reIna kab!e for the violence Of his preuiices as Tor t
power OF his intellect weriui though HAT be- ber
discovered my error mortified and distressed
~ and prepared 10 make every atonenlent in ny powe
10 RIr. Radford's feelings R!y bearing Of his ,nakpo
threats alone prevented me-. My attack upon him adj
NIT was rude, bu consider ing hat the address 7hcf
believed him the author. bad charged rae beiev.
edI and others hciievcd, with being sold, allow
aDce will be made for MY feelings by the public.
BY way Of aysngng himself Mr. r Immediately
made public my letters to MIR fiigcin boiirarn--npu
ting 10 me, the Infamous purpose Of eytortinn rlouey
from Mr. II. by threats and circulated these letters ex
tensivey, and ojuriousIy as extensiyeIy 10 nv
reputation. My object in tins defence being expana,
ton aud not recrimuation, proceed to address the
public on the former.
My defence is addressed TO the reason Of every ma
who reads 1T. have evidence to command tht
/ conviction OF the public. ] mentioned to gentle
man, then citizen Of Lynchburg, with whom rrs
on familiar terms, my purpose of quizziDg MIR II -
He does not remember The essential circumstances
Passing over his evidence, nhavailing to me- ask
the public 10 CONSIDER the following crcuns anccs MI
9igginboIham and myself, enemies, open and de-
clared-Dot merely, party enemies, but personally
hosiJe--for there was interchange of friendly re-
ations between us whatever. Is rational 10 suppcse
or credible to beleye, that would put my reputation
absolutely 10 the power Of snown enemy for Q OF
SOC? Had been conscious at the time Of disho
noto5lo purpose in writing MIR Higgnboihsrn, viii
il De believed that you'd have adopted and attcrap-
ted 10 effect that purpose and surrendered the fsir
Which had the happiness 10 enjoy for loan OF So OF
/ 5000 Had imagined. tlia. had placed N ysel
n hlF. HIS power, would have continued to act against
him party man with the violence That | hat
done before Had been conscious that in atiernpt-
ing uefarious purpose, had placed myself absolute
~ in MIR. IFS power would not have osgayed 10 COZ
ciiias him and prevail on bin either 10 observe silence
~ to restore the letter.? Would recently, have at
tscked Mr. Radord, the party and personal friend. o
mr IT and n VIII -