The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-09-23
MR.. BURGESS LETTER.

Providence, Sept. 9th, 1885.
Mcssrs. Miller & Paine,
You have doubtless read the letter of the Hon. d.
D. fearce, addressed to w. Simons, Esqr and print
cd by him, III the Herald, on the morning IL the
2ith August last. The letter was so eracly like the
priter of it, that at once l concluded no man, in
this State or any oter would believe it required any
nnswer from M. Since then, and very lately I
Rave been told, that one honest has said he shall
believe the statements of this letter, unless they are
contrajicted by me- This man is my DID, and high
ly respected friend Col FIave Patterson of Scitu-
ate. IL could see the Col. which is now not very
probable, as he has become my political adversary
/ could soon satisfy him, that the Hon. Mr. Pearce
has this summer, in his letter concerning me- fully
sustained that character far truth, which the Hon
T.. H. fotter, the last summer, proved this Hon.
gentleman SO well deserved, for his public statements
concerning the letter of Mr.. John Lowell to him.
Col. Patterson cannot wish me either to call his hon
orable friend liar, to prore him to be one. What
must be required to tell man he is a liar when
he already knOws it full as well as do myself |
DOGS he expect me to prove that gentleman to be a
liar aud scoundrcl, when man i'm the nation has |
done so much to deserve that character, and when
no one seems to question his title to the whole inf
my Of such an acquisition
1t is not my purpose to reply at large to the let
ter of MIR. Pearce, at this time: and should not
now, perhaps ever, have noticed il but for the
respect feel for the gentleman to whom have al
luded. Among host of falsehoods, | find two
truths in that letter. He says l am an old man.
This is true and, if that be a crime, | am guilty
He SO freely abuses for this error of my life that
one would think, he intends, among all his deln-
quencies, never to fall into this and, to do him JUS
ce, he may be assured, that if his rewards are but
equal to his merits he will never be guilty of the sin
OF old age. Should this, however, be the case,
md he should arrive at the age of sixty no one
unless he should do it himself will ever rebuke him
for that offence for he is, believe the only man
alive, who reproached any man for being old {:
and he will certainly be rs contemplate then as he
is infamous now.
In relation to my imperfect health, Mr.. Pearce
has accused me with much truth. When left the
plough and the cooper's shop, at twenty-one, for
course of study, the change great from very
laborous to very sadantary life. that for many
years my health was almost sacrificed. While in
the practice of law for more than 20 years previous
to 1885, such the force of hereditary complaint
that was compelled to sleep, if did sleep, in my
chair for at least two nights in every two weeks.
During all that time, those who employed me, will
remember whether ever neglected their business,
or ever gave forked counsel, or was concerned on
more than one side of case, betrayed facts pro-
fessionally committed to in confidence. Since
being in the public service, my health has been
more firm thaa for twenty years before and for the
last two years. have never, since twenty-onc wears
~ dges oScu picSt VIII ncaItn SO nrm ana continual
do not say this to palae or excuse the fault of
ing sometimes sick. All do say is that fully be-
lieye neither the pubic or any individual, has suf-
fered loss by my neglect while have been suffering
pain, on bed Of sickness
The Hon, Mr. Pearce certainly may in this mat
ter have the advantage of me. NV complaints are
chronic as to be almost constitutional; while his
ara temporary and merely habituaI. Mine often re-
qurc the advice of pyscioan and the aid of medi.
cine his, no matter how bad he may be over night
ore always carried off the next morning by a stiff
dose from /" the hair of the same dog"
rhe timo when member Of Congress takes his
seat IL the House, is recorded in the journal and
rie amount, received by him, for compensation, is
re ,srd Il in the account Of annual expenditure
Bafh these records are annually published, and the
Hon. Mr. Psarce neither alter Or aisfy them b,
cerfi6cstes afidavits by the journal it appear.
ss,sf" on TAwrsday, Dec. g., 1888, from X. Island
7vtse j. Pearcc appeared and took his seat" Th,
sSxidu commenced on Monday and by the same