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Letter to Editor
August 7, 1812
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In 1812, John B. Speed counters a slanderous report by Maj. Thos. L. Smith claiming Speed wished U.S. failure against Britain, publishing Smith's certificate admitting the error and misconception. Speed expresses pity for detractors with a poetic analogy.
Clipping
OCR Quality
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Full Text
From a report stated upon the authority of Maj. Thos. L. Smith that I had in a conversation with Maj. J. G. Mosby wished in the event of a conflict with G. Britain, the arms of my country unsuccessful. it became necessary to call upon Major Smith, when he gave the subjoined certificate.
With my friends and those who are not predetermined to believe slander & false demeanor against reputable convictions, this will be sufficient, and those of a contrary mind are left, and intended to be left, to repose upon unfortunate representations, "growing out of error—For the giddy and turbulent. I can but feel a generous pity, mingled with an honest contempt, that they should in their struggles for notice
"Resemble Ocean into Tempest wrought,
"To waft a Feather, or to drown a Fly.
JOHN B. SPEED
"Whereas in a conversation between Maj. John H. Speed and Mr. John G. Mosby which took place at Mr. Wade Mosby's. I understood from an expression of Mr. Speed's that he wished—our arms to fail against our enemy, and such I incautiously spoke of it—Since that time I have conversed with gentlemen who were present, and am convinced in my representation that I have innocently injured him by a misconception of facts—I feel myself bound under those circumstances to make him amends by acknowledging the representation grew out of error.
THOS. L. SMITH"
8th July, 1812.
With my friends and those who are not predetermined to believe slander & false demeanor against reputable convictions, this will be sufficient, and those of a contrary mind are left, and intended to be left, to repose upon unfortunate representations, "growing out of error—For the giddy and turbulent. I can but feel a generous pity, mingled with an honest contempt, that they should in their struggles for notice
"Resemble Ocean into Tempest wrought,
"To waft a Feather, or to drown a Fly.
JOHN B. SPEED
"Whereas in a conversation between Maj. John H. Speed and Mr. John G. Mosby which took place at Mr. Wade Mosby's. I understood from an expression of Mr. Speed's that he wished—our arms to fail against our enemy, and such I incautiously spoke of it—Since that time I have conversed with gentlemen who were present, and am convinced in my representation that I have innocently injured him by a misconception of facts—I feel myself bound under those circumstances to make him amends by acknowledging the representation grew out of error.
THOS. L. SMITH"
8th July, 1812.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Military War
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Reputation Defense
War With Britain
Misconception
Slander
Military Officers
What entities or persons were involved?
John B. Speed
Letter to Editor Details
Author
John B. Speed
Main Argument
john b. speed defends his reputation against a false report that he wished u.s. arms unsuccessful in a potential conflict with great britain, providing a certificate from maj. thos. l. smith admitting the misrepresentation arose from error.
Notable Details
Poetic Quote From An Unidentified Source Comparing Turbulent Individuals To An Ocean Tempest.
Certificate From Thos. L. Smith Retracting His Earlier Statement Based On Conversations With Witnesses.