The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1901-10-27
AUTHOR OF "BLENNHASSETT"
DEFENDS HIS STORY

In answer of the comment from many
sources upon his severe treatment of
the character of Alexander Hamilton
and Thomas Jefferson in his recently
issued novel, "Blennerhassett," the au-
thor has sent to the press the following
letter:
, Judging from the opinions expressed
by some of the reviewers of my book
the reader would naturally think that
1 was the first one to say anything
derogatory concerning Thomas Jeffer-
son. Allow me to call your attention
to an extract from part 6, pages 1885,
1885, of Winning the West" written by
Theodore Roosevelt. Thus ended in
gloriously the widest most spectacu-
lar, and least dangerous of all the in
trigues for Western disunion. 1t never
contained within itself the least hope
of success. 1t was never a serious
menace to the national government. 1t
was not by any means even a good ex
ample of Western particularistic feel
ing. 1t was simply a sporadic illustra
ton of the looseness of national senti
ment, here and there, throughout this
country but of no great significance,
because it was in no sense "a popular
movement, and had its origin in the
fantastic imagination of a single man.
TT left scarcely a ripple in the West.
When the danger was over Wilkinson
appeared in New Orleans, where he
strutted to the front for a little while,
playing the part of fussy dictator and
arresting, among others, Adair of Ken
lucky. AS the panic subsidized, they
were released. No Louisianian suffered
in person or property from any retalia-
tory action of the government; but
lasting good was done by the abject
fa il11rp of he nj f NV he owl
ton of unused strength by the Ameri-
can people. The Creoles ceased to NUT
ter discomfort, and all thought of Sc
dition died away in the province.
las to Burr, he was put on trial for
high treason, with Wilkinson as states
evidence. Jefferson made himself the
especial champion of Wilkinson; new
ertheless, the general cut a contempti-
BILE figure at the trial, for no explana-
ton could make his course square with
honorable dealing. Burr was acquitted
on a technicality. Wilkinson, the
double-traitor the bribe-taker, the cor
rupt servant of a foreign government,
remained at the head of the American
army tsHl
Other reviewers seem to think that I
am the first one to say anything i'll of
Alexander Hamilton. In reading the
extract below from the pen of Hon
Jere Clemens, it should be remembered
that he had exceptional opportunities
to study the life of Alexander Ham
ilton. Senator Clemens wrote:
"Of Alexander Hamilton 1 have writ
ten nothing of which 1 do not believe
he was capable, after the fullest ext
animation of his own writings and
those of others. That 1 have enter
tanned strong prejudices. against him
from boyhood is true: that those preiu-
dices may have influenced my judg-
ment is possible, but 1 tried to discard
them and look at his character in the
light of reason alone. The more l stud
led il the more I became convinced that
the world never presented such COM
bination of greatness and of meanness, !
of daring courage and of vile maligni
ty, of high aspirings and of low hypoc-
risy Shrewd artful and INSCRIPTIONS.
there were no means he would not en-
pIoy to accomplish his ends; no tool
too base to be used when its services
were needful."
If my reviewers would rely more
upon the history of their country and
less upon oral tradition their state
ments would have more value.
CHARLES F. PIDGIN.
Sept. 26, Gray Chambers. Boston.