The Virginia Gazette

To Capt. RICHARD STEVENS.

SIR,

As you have been induced, by necessity, to publish me to take a public notice of you, Sir, in consequence of this attack, as unwarrantable in its nature, as illiberal in its manner, which you have been pleased to make upon my character. Liberality, indeed, I had no mighty reason to expect from your hands, but I had a right to expect justice. This language, Sir, may be considered as very free, but it cannot be considered as very improper. Elevated as your situation is, and humble as mine may be, the eye of unprejudiced reason does not behold us in a light of disparity. Now, Sir, I will not hesitate a moment to justify the liberty I now take, and do most humbly request of you to give attention to what I am going to relate.

Are you not sensible of the engagements that were made between me and Mr. Vivion, whom I was only to serve one year as a waggoner? Mr. Vivion was then lieutenant in your company, but has now resigned, in consequence whereof you have violated that contract, by endeavouring to make me a common soldier, to serve three years. You have published me as a deserter undeservedly, but I am ready and willing to follow the calling in which I engaged. As a common soldier, I did not enlist, nor will I ever submit to be one. I hope, Sir, you will let these circumstances teach you to avoid the meanness of injuring so inconsiderable an object as myself. I could say much more, Sir, and aggravate the impropriety of your procedure to me, but I shall conclude here, and save you from the shame of doing me an additional wrong, even while I despair of your retraction to do me a common act of justice. I am, Sir, your sincere wellwisher, though not your much obliged,

JOHN MALONE.

Mr. Vivion's Certificate.

This is to certify, that John Malone entered into the service with me only for one year, and in that time to serve as a waggoner. Given under my hand,

CHARLES VIVION.