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Letter to Editor
May 9, 1794
Gazette Of The United States & Evening Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A letter to Mr. Fenno critiques a report in the American Brussels Gazette about a civic feast, questioning the accuracy of attendance numbers, participation, customs, a peculiar incident with a pig's head, and the toasts given.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
For the GAZETTE of the UNITED STATES.
Mr. FENNO,
A writer in the American Brussels Gazette, of the 2d instant, appears to be wonderfully tickled with the number, object and description of those persons who were present at the Civic Feast on Saturday last. That the writer and his companions experienced much pleasure on the occasion is possible, -and if he had remained satisfied with giving us a description of his feelings, without exaggerating some of the circumstances upon which he founds his triumph, it would have been very well. In order therefore to draw some further information from this impartial biographer, relative to the occurrences of that ever memorable day, I shall beg leave to ask him the following questions:
Whether any body besides himself and the Editor of the Brussels Gazette aforesaid, was at the pains of ascertaining the number of persons who went out for the laudable purposes mentioned in his publication, and whether they amounted to two hundred or eight hundred?
Whether all those who walked in the procession or followed it, are to be considered as partakers of the feast, or members of the Twin Societies?
Whether it is customary at entertainments given by subscription, and upon the modern principles of democracy, for all the best viands to be placed at the head of one table only?
Whether it is true, that a member of one of the Twin Societies was seen walking in the streets with the head of a barbecued pig in his pocket, after it had been resolved that the fragments of the feast should be applied to a charitable purpose?
Whether the toasts said to have been given at the entertainment, were repeated aloud, and applauded by all the company?
Mr. FENNO,
A writer in the American Brussels Gazette, of the 2d instant, appears to be wonderfully tickled with the number, object and description of those persons who were present at the Civic Feast on Saturday last. That the writer and his companions experienced much pleasure on the occasion is possible, -and if he had remained satisfied with giving us a description of his feelings, without exaggerating some of the circumstances upon which he founds his triumph, it would have been very well. In order therefore to draw some further information from this impartial biographer, relative to the occurrences of that ever memorable day, I shall beg leave to ask him the following questions:
Whether any body besides himself and the Editor of the Brussels Gazette aforesaid, was at the pains of ascertaining the number of persons who went out for the laudable purposes mentioned in his publication, and whether they amounted to two hundred or eight hundred?
Whether all those who walked in the procession or followed it, are to be considered as partakers of the feast, or members of the Twin Societies?
Whether it is customary at entertainments given by subscription, and upon the modern principles of democracy, for all the best viands to be placed at the head of one table only?
Whether it is true, that a member of one of the Twin Societies was seen walking in the streets with the head of a barbecued pig in his pocket, after it had been resolved that the fragments of the feast should be applied to a charitable purpose?
Whether the toasts said to have been given at the entertainment, were repeated aloud, and applauded by all the company?
What sub-type of article is it?
Satirical
Provocative
Investigative
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Civic Feast
American Brussels Gazette
Twin Societies
Procession
Democracy
Toasts
Barbecued Pig
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Fenno
Letter to Editor Details
Recipient
Mr. Fenno
Main Argument
the letter challenges the exaggerated and inaccurate account of a civic feast in the american brussels gazette by posing pointed questions about attendance, participation, customs, an odd incident, and toasts to expose potential inconsistencies.
Notable Details
Questions The Number Of Attendees: 200 Or 800?
Inquires If Procession Followers Count As Feast Partakers Or Twin Society Members.
Asks About Unequal Distribution Of Viands At A Democratic Subscription Entertainment.
Mentions A Member Carrying A Barbecued Pig's Head In His Pocket Despite Charitable Resolution For Remnants.
Questions If Toasts Were Aloud And Applauded By All.