The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

Messieurs Printers,

It has been alleged that Amator's Address, was the production of ill nature, and indebted for its origin to so bad a motive as to gratify a fit of resentment; I felt severely pained at the reflection, and really wounded by the suspicion: was sensible of equal violence offered to my feelings, as injustice done to my sentiments. Surely nothing could be produced sufficient to justify, excuse, or palliate, a disposition so illiberal and ungenerous, an indulgence of malevolence.--To assign a motive, would be vain, happily there is no necessity.-- The original is known from the portrait, or it is not a good likeness ;--when, therefore, it is denied to have any such motive. it stands in need of no great persuasion of argument to gain belief. It is neither particular nor local, nor has it any of those virulent asperities, or railing expressions which are the distinguishing traits of passion. To suppose it wears the mask of dissimulation, is hardly admissible ; should any entertain such an opinion, it is apparent they have but an incompetent knowledge of the affections of the mind. or have not sufficiently considered how extremely difficult and almost impossible it is, (to bid farewell of temper and heat of anger, united with coolness and moderation, or restrain invectives in the fire of indignation) which seem to flow. the one from the other, almost as naturally and consequentially as pain from a wound.

The truth is. some perceiving little that is good or laudable in their own minds.and it is impossible to form any conception of the nature and operation of that of others, but by comparison with their own--and nothing can operate where it is not-they are reduced by necessity to attribute it to such cause as in their minds are adequate to. or productive of the same or similar effects.

There are minds I am induced to compare to the Bee, who performs her necessary excursions industriously, collecting balmy dew from almost every thing which she finds in her range, which her heart expanded by benevolence. treasures up for the good of her friendly society. There are others, whose envious malignant dispositions, like the hateful Spider, spin webs of deceit around. and extract baleful poison from the fairest flowers ; to which unsuspecting innocence, is ever the most exposed ; their arts. their toils demand attention, and require penetration in order to detect.

Alas ! Virtue has so few sincere friends. it is difficult for her to maintain her ground ; her post. is a post of danger ; should vice by the enpoisoned shafts of ridicule. or other means. detach honor from her cause. she will be voted out of repute : to be her advocate has already become quite unpolite, very unfashionable, and truly eccentric from modern practice.

When one thing succeeds another, as its consequence, as naturally and almost inevitably as effect from the cause.it little merits our pity ; for surely, our compassion is justly excited, only in proportion as the event was unforeseen, or providential, allowing for the frailty of humanity.

Let candor attentively examine the whole of that address, or the most exceptionable paragraph, and determine, whether it was painted by the unjust hand of rage, or the impartial finger of truth.--Compassion mourns, and rigid justice drops a tear when truth is severity.

O candor, thou constant associate of the