Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-10-28
For the Staunton Spectator.

He hath ,cronsed ms, indeed he hath, at a
tcord, he hath, believe ms; Robert Shaliotc,
Esquire, saith he Is toronged."
MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR.
ROBERT STEELE, Esq. blazons forth "to
the public" in half sheet "eXtra' of the
Spectator, an awful array OF "vindication"
and accompanying documents against d. w.
Patteson and others, with all the shrewdness
arrangement and reference, as though it had
been icrittsn by a La,ryer, who supposed he
was framing bill OF indictment, and filing
his exhibits against culprit and his accom-
plices in some plot oftreason He complains
grievously, ofmost grievous injuries, as truly
and justly he may but,
III some power the gift would gi' him,
To see himself as others see him,
1t would from many blunder free him"
II has been his own pretended friends who
have nlis-used and abused him not his real
friends, for they advised him to attend TO his
merchandise of goods and cattle, and not suf-
fer himself TO be made tool of, by the enc
mics OF any man. My purpose is not 10 hurt
the feelings of Mr.. s. by reminding him of a
fact, which he has no doubt discovered before
this. No-his feelings must have been suf-
ciently hurt when he was lying flat on his
back, in u mud puddle, in the streets of Staun-
ton, on last Thursday. My only object in
calling the attention of any one who may have
read Mr.. Steele's publication again 10 this
ridiculous matter, is to correct several mis-
statements that might otherwise be taken for
truths, in that publication and thus project
the feelings and character of several gentle
men who have become participants in the
controversy without their own seeking. Mr.
Steele in the I'd column ofhis indictment says
among other things, -"Now, for the life of
me, | cannot recolect single syllable this
elegant speech and, notwithstanding Mr..
P's statement and the certificate at the bot
tom of it, do most unhesitatingly and conf
IDENTIFY assert, that it never was made in my
hearing. In making this denial | am posi-
tive and am supported by DR.. White and his
brother Mr.. James White, ,cho ,Cere both
present during the interoietU, and who both
say no such language was used in their hear
ing" And again, some ten or dozen lines
below this, he says: "The truth is, this
speech of his never was made, his whole de-
meanor TO me that day was ofthe most con-
ciliatory character, and nothing passed on his
part, with which the most jealous honor could
haze been offended"
That Mr.. p. did use the precise language
stated, 10 Mr.. S. is sustained not only by his
own dlSinterssted statement, but by the dis
tInct remembrance and positive assertion of
MIR. Iapp, MIR. Points and DIR. Montgomery,
tSee DIR. Ms letter TO Mr.. Points who
were all three present, and it is believed, they
were the only persons then present, except
MIR. P. and Mr.. S., Dr. White having left
the room some minutes before, to accompany
to the country, some ladies, who were, he
said, waiting for him; and Mr.. Jas White,
by whom also, MIR. S. says he is "supported''
in his denial, so far from being "present dur
ing the interview" ,Uas not present at all,
during any part of the interview No, not
even in the same room "And this, he is
:'edy TO verify Mr.. J. w. was, however,
nj. S. admit 'that it was deductioani, OIL Of his
own"
One word in relation to Mr. P's ''concilia-
tory conduct" and Mr. SIS "jealous honor"
Mr. S. will hardly deny that Mr. p did tell
him twice with earnest emphasis, that he,
MIR. s., "was bound, as an honorable man"
to have done what he did not-yet his 'tieal-
GUS honor" though it had been As years ri
pening, seemed not TO heed. Finally, if Mr..
S. will execute the bond he proposes, with
good security, and make its provisions appli-
cable TO the other defendants, as we'll as MIR.
+. he shall be excused by at least
ONE CONCERNED.
October 10Th, 1881.
"I am happy TO state that my recollection
is perfectly distinct respecting the decara-
tionS of MIR. Patteson, that he had thought
MIR. Steele had acted the part of base Ca
lumniator, &c.
attest the facts which Mr. Tapp and yourself
did, | would have subscribed to the truth of
their occurrence.
am, sir, respectfully,
your obedient servant,
HIJGART MnNTCnTEDU