Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
The New Hampshire Gazette
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
In a letter dated November 1, 1758, from Portsmouth, Robert Traill responds to Benjamin Hallowell, clarifying a misunderstanding about his son's name and offering to submit their ongoing personal and possibly commercial dispute to judgment by three gentlemen. He proposes public acknowledgment of fault by the guilty party to vindicate his character and end the matter, motivated by respect for Hallowell's family.
Clipping
OCR Quality
Full Text
Mr. Benjamin Hallowell,
SIR,
Having seen your long Letter to your Friend here, who delivered yours of the 23d ult. which was inclosed therein for me; which please to excuse my answering particularly this Post.
By one Paragraph in it, find your Son's Name was Samuel that told you I denied myself, and not my Name Sake Mr. Robert; as I thought, and have said, therefore supposing that to be fact, I ask his Pardon, for making such a Mistake.
Really, Sir, on account of your extreme good Wife, and some of your Offspring, especially that worthy Friend Capt. Benjamin, it grieves me to think of what you have already obliged me to do. Foolishness may close your Eyes, and Prudence and Duty must wisely shut their Mouth's; However, they cannot but be sensible of my Offers to you; and of your imprudent Refusals from time to time to me. And as you intended to treat me in the Manner, as mentioned in mine of the 29th ult. all which I have now from under your Hand; I could do no less in Vindication of my own Character, than to lay a true State of the Affair before the Publick; I lay on account of your Family, as aforesaid; let me recommend it to you as a Friend, to leave it to any three Gentlemen; Whether You or I is to blame in our Proceedings? If they chance to find it's you, only say in the publick Papers, I have not treated Robert Traill as I ought to have done; and sign the same.
If they find I am culpable, I will sign any Acknowledgement, you, or they shall order; which will put a Stop to my further Intentions; which otherwise, rely on my Honour, Nothing shall: But this being done, shall be so much my own Friend, as to have no more to do with Mr. Hallowell, and So much of the Gentleman as never to let the Affair be mentioned again, Sir, by Robert Traill.
* To any three Gentlemen that frequents either Mr. Dorle's or Mr. Savage's Offices, giving Mr. Hughes an Opportunity to be present.
What sub-type of article is it?
What themes does it cover?
What keywords are associated?
What entities or persons were involved?
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Robert Traill
Recipient
Mr. Benjamin Hallowell
Main Argument
traill proposes submitting their dispute to three impartial gentlemen for judgment; the guilty party will publicly acknowledge fault, allowing him to vindicate his character and end involvement with hallowell if resolved.
Notable Details