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Letter to Editor
February 19, 1798
Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A sarcastic letter responding to a query about compensation for ships seized by the French, interpreting Monroe's declaration negatively and advising application to the French marine commissary. It extends similar ironic advice for losses to the English, applying to the British king. Signed Equal-Reason, Feb. 12.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Baltimore Federal Gazette.
Messrs. Printers,
I have seen in your paper of Thursday last, an article copied from the Gazette of the United States, entitled, 'Law Quere.' Supposing the writer to be some distressed ship-owner, not able to pay the extravagant fees of lawyers, and thus reduced to ask advice on charity--I, therefore, beg you to insert this answer, that the Editor of the United States Gazette may, with the same kind intentions as your own, copy from you in return.
The declaration of Mr. Monroe, 'If such conduct, &c.', is plainly negative; such a mode of speech being often used, and well understood to imply the contrary of what is supposed. That the French did so under-stand it, is plain from the arrete of their committee of safety, &c. of the 18th Nov. 1794. The querist, therefore, will please to apply as there directed, for payment, viz. to the commissary of marine.
To extend the favor which I mean to this poor client of the public, I will give him as cheap advice on the other side. If, as is the case with very many, he has lost a ship by the English, he will please to apply as the only recourse signified by Mr. Jay, to the magnanimity and justice of his Britannic Majesty.
EQUAL-REASON.
N. B. It is supposed the applicant in this case is not an Englishman, Scotchman, or a mere American agent for them under false colours.
Feb. 12.
Messrs. Printers,
I have seen in your paper of Thursday last, an article copied from the Gazette of the United States, entitled, 'Law Quere.' Supposing the writer to be some distressed ship-owner, not able to pay the extravagant fees of lawyers, and thus reduced to ask advice on charity--I, therefore, beg you to insert this answer, that the Editor of the United States Gazette may, with the same kind intentions as your own, copy from you in return.
The declaration of Mr. Monroe, 'If such conduct, &c.', is plainly negative; such a mode of speech being often used, and well understood to imply the contrary of what is supposed. That the French did so under-stand it, is plain from the arrete of their committee of safety, &c. of the 18th Nov. 1794. The querist, therefore, will please to apply as there directed, for payment, viz. to the commissary of marine.
To extend the favor which I mean to this poor client of the public, I will give him as cheap advice on the other side. If, as is the case with very many, he has lost a ship by the English, he will please to apply as the only recourse signified by Mr. Jay, to the magnanimity and justice of his Britannic Majesty.
EQUAL-REASON.
N. B. It is supposed the applicant in this case is not an Englishman, Scotchman, or a mere American agent for them under false colours.
Feb. 12.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satirical
Informative
Provocative
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Commerce Trade
Military War
What keywords are associated?
Monroe Declaration
French Captures
Ship Compensation
Jay Treaty
British Majesty
Marine Commissary
What entities or persons were involved?
Equal Reason
Messrs. Printers
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Equal Reason
Recipient
Messrs. Printers
Main Argument
monroe's declaration is negative and implies the contrary, as understood by the french per their 1794 arrete; the querist should apply to the french marine commissary for payment. for english losses, apply to the british king's magnanimity as per jay.
Notable Details
References Monroe's Declaration 'If Such Conduct, &C.'
Cites French Arrete Of 18th Nov. 1794
Mentions Mr. Jay's Recourse