Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1829-09-16
THOMAS JEFFERSON.



10 the Editor gfhs Democratic Press
Sn.-Ths IeuerofNr NcCaIa as Civ
en l1 your paper ofthe DIST inst, Is caIcu
lated 90 excite some surprise, not only n
MYSELF but u that potion of the PhIladel-
lHIa public who attended the discourse
pronounced agamstme and the System of
knowledge" he supposed me to advocate,
"a few weeks since 500 the church where he
lresldes
Upon that occasion, Mr.. McCalIa, al
the close of philippe Of whose style !
shall say nothing. and TO which the public
Journals and be himself .by means OF a
correspondence In your columus) have CIV
GOO additional. n0toucfy az the close of lhaf
ahihar.c AIR. McCaIIa gave pubIic chal
'eage Oh me or TO any of my friends 70 en-
Ter with hm Into a public investigation Of
the subject be bad tla, day pro.essed TO
discuss, namely, my 'system of knowI-
edge' lnc1useqGeuce, one ofny friends
waited upon Mr. McCaIla and asked mm
whether be was really disposed 20 hold to
his proposition; that, If SO, be might com
municlte it TO me-. lie replied distinctly
u ,he affirmative i0 consequence, The
gentleman wrote 10 me communicating this
confirmation of lHe public challenge, of
which [ had previously received u.orua.
u0a from another quarter
Before .hereceIptoftlis invitation con
rsre5 with Mr. McCa.h's express con.
sean ] had perused in your paper Of Aug
ust 10. AIr NcCOlia's reply 20 these Jour
uals who had commented on the style and
matter ofhis pulpit attack on my character;
.far &c would appear my v'el0s had been
LETT ont of the question
refer you, SIR, and the public TO that
communication .in your paper of the 18th
ms.' as a sufficient explanation why ] did
moi. think proper to accede to the offered
meeting. when no security was given for
tl5 style and be ayjour of the challenger
ODD the discussion. Abuse / never resent;
to rudeuess never reply; but neither do /
voluntarily expose myself TO either. Nor
l1 my character ola moral teacher, would
ever willingly afford an opportunity for
,as public 20 hear incorporate language,
nor temptation 90 misguided fellow crea-
,ure to give ute aace 20 it.
Ihgd Consequently determined to let the
r-ItI,. f...I-.. .-.-.-..-l ,l,-
rsrwbich Mr.. NcCalla pronounces sp1-
rous. 81 which conveyed exactly the same
challenge which had been given by him 10
public aHi Zoo private, but supplied The adj
IHoaaI inform uoa that Doctors EIy and
jaaewoy, would preside on the occasion.
The nam, of DR.. Jlncway furnished an
assurance, that dcccrun wau'd not be v.o-
lated, individuals opposed TO him even IN
opinion uniting DO the voice of his private
friends IN prouolncing him. IN manners s.
mind. O gentleman. Fully satisfied ON The
only point which would have made me de-
cline q challenge on such q ground as that
proposed. that is 90 say. "the investigation
ormy own views as expressed in my pub
lie disc0urses and writings. - answered in
acceptance 20 the challenge, as rendered
5v " UcCgHI himself from tie psIg1
lo less thln bvthewrter oftle letter which
Nr. NcCalh d.savows.
WHY. thel. does SIR. McCalla. In disa-
y0wug the letter, profess ignorance of the
grounds ofthe challenge OF which my re-
DIy expressed acceptance! lie SAYS TOO
that the letter which he dlsclaims essen
tally detective In inviting discussion.
without proposing any definite subject TO
debate" This vita respect 10 the letter,
from Whatever quarter It came, Is incoy
rect. L distinctly states the ground ofthe|
challenge to be the same as that Mr.. Nc
Gala bad proposed for the topic ofhis laseI