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Letter to Editor
June 16, 1819
The Rhode Island Republican
Newport, Newport County, Rhode Island
What is this article about?
In 1819, Hampton Lillibridge of South Kingstown, RI, publishes certificates defending his honesty and moral character against election smears by Elisha R. Potter and Mr. Hall, positioning himself as superior for public roles like representative.
Merged-components note: Merged sequential components containing testimonials and certificates supporting the defense of Hampton Lillibridge's character as part of the same letter to the editor.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
ADVERTISEMENT
WHEREAS, at the late General Election, holden at Newport, Elisha R Potter, of this town and Mr. Hall, of Portsmouth, (I should say through malignantly, more than any desire to subserve the public good,) were pleased to assail my character, and make an opposition to my re-election as a Justice of the Peace-I produce the following certificates from men, who, for truth and veracity are equal to any in this state. The above well acquainted with Mr Potter and myself. I shall hereafter notice my assailers more particularly. If they wantonly asperse characters, I am willing this shall be put to the test-we shall then see whose character for morality, honesty, truth and integrity will bear the closest scrutiny.
HAMPTON LILLIBRIDGE
South Kingstown, May 15 1819.
TO THE PUBLICK.
This may certify, that I have been acquainted with Hampton Lillibridge Esq. from his childhood -I never knew or heard of his being any otherwise than honest -in all his dealings-I never knew nor heard of his character being impeached for any injustice, while he sustained the office of Justice of the Peace. I never knew or heard of his buying a note against his neighbor, and premium ten per cent for it and putting it in suit by mul Cost, in order to gratify an ill-natured disposition. Never knew or heard of his owing his neighbours book account, and charge him more than three times as a debt as was due him afterwards in evidence of the Court and Jury with his own hand more than two thirds the amount of his account. A man to be teacher for honesty uprightness, and morality, to be superior to his opponent. When he set himself up Governor, his friends in the newspapers endeavored to prove him to be a man of talents, morals and religion; but not from that, I never could find out that they proved him to be a man of good breeding, or, even possessed of common decency. I think Hampton Lillibridge to be a better man for the public good, and that he would be far preferable to Mr. Potter for the first representative of this town.
TIMOTHY PECKHAM JUN
South-Kingstown, May 15,1819.
To whom it may Concern.
This may certify that I have been acquainted with Hampton Lillibridge, Esq. for many years. I never knew or heard of his being any wise then honest in all his dealings- I never nor heard of his character being impeached injustice, while he sustained the office of the Peace. I think Hampton Lillibridge character for morality honesty and justice to superior to Mr. Potter. Finding him to be better man for the public good, that he would be far preferable to Mr. Potter for the first representative of this town and I would vote for him in preference.
JOHN RIGGS
South-Kingstown. May 15. 1819.
This certifies, that I have had considerable dealings With Hampton Lillibridge.
-have always found him honourable in his dealings -and believe him to be an honest man.
JAMES HELM
South-Kingstown, May 15, 1819
WHEREAS, at the late General Election, holden at Newport, Elisha R Potter, of this town and Mr. Hall, of Portsmouth, (I should say through malignantly, more than any desire to subserve the public good,) were pleased to assail my character, and make an opposition to my re-election as a Justice of the Peace-I produce the following certificates from men, who, for truth and veracity are equal to any in this state. The above well acquainted with Mr Potter and myself. I shall hereafter notice my assailers more particularly. If they wantonly asperse characters, I am willing this shall be put to the test-we shall then see whose character for morality, honesty, truth and integrity will bear the closest scrutiny.
HAMPTON LILLIBRIDGE
South Kingstown, May 15 1819.
TO THE PUBLICK.
This may certify, that I have been acquainted with Hampton Lillibridge Esq. from his childhood -I never knew or heard of his being any otherwise than honest -in all his dealings-I never knew nor heard of his character being impeached for any injustice, while he sustained the office of Justice of the Peace. I never knew or heard of his buying a note against his neighbor, and premium ten per cent for it and putting it in suit by mul Cost, in order to gratify an ill-natured disposition. Never knew or heard of his owing his neighbours book account, and charge him more than three times as a debt as was due him afterwards in evidence of the Court and Jury with his own hand more than two thirds the amount of his account. A man to be teacher for honesty uprightness, and morality, to be superior to his opponent. When he set himself up Governor, his friends in the newspapers endeavored to prove him to be a man of talents, morals and religion; but not from that, I never could find out that they proved him to be a man of good breeding, or, even possessed of common decency. I think Hampton Lillibridge to be a better man for the public good, and that he would be far preferable to Mr. Potter for the first representative of this town.
TIMOTHY PECKHAM JUN
South-Kingstown, May 15,1819.
To whom it may Concern.
This may certify that I have been acquainted with Hampton Lillibridge, Esq. for many years. I never knew or heard of his being any wise then honest in all his dealings- I never nor heard of his character being impeached injustice, while he sustained the office of the Peace. I think Hampton Lillibridge character for morality honesty and justice to superior to Mr. Potter. Finding him to be better man for the public good, that he would be far preferable to Mr. Potter for the first representative of this town and I would vote for him in preference.
JOHN RIGGS
South-Kingstown. May 15. 1819.
This certifies, that I have had considerable dealings With Hampton Lillibridge.
-have always found him honourable in his dealings -and believe him to be an honest man.
JAMES HELM
South-Kingstown, May 15, 1819
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Ethical Moral
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Election Defense
Character Attack
Honesty Certificate
Morality Comparison
Justice Of Peace
Elisha Potter
South Kingstown
What entities or persons were involved?
Hampton Lillibridge
To The Publick
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Hampton Lillibridge
Recipient
To The Publick
Main Argument
hampton lillibridge defends his character against attacks by elisha r. potter and mr. hall during the election for justice of the peace, presenting certificates attesting to his honesty, morality, and suitability for public office over potter.
Notable Details
Certificates From Timothy Peckham Jun, John Riggs, And James Helm Praising Lillibridge's Honesty And Criticizing Potter's Actions Like Buying Notes At Premium To Sue Neighbors And Overcharging Debts.
References To Potter's Lack Of Good Breeding And Common Decency Despite Claims Of Talents, Morals, And Religion.