The New Hampshire Gazette

PORTSMOUTH.

The Indignation I have conceived at a late scandalous and false Report propagated against me, as an Informer against the Schooner Elizabeth and her Cargo, John Frost Master, which occasion'd her being seized at Boston, hath transported me into the Presumption of appearing from the Press, though the Report itself, as far as I can trace it, appears to be like an Exhalation rising from the Bowels of the meanest and basest Earth; yet such Exhalations have often darken'd, and sometimes eclips'd the Sun: It would be needless for me to enumerate the particular Circumstances that would convince every unprejudiced Person that I was no Ways even acquainted with what said Schooner's Cargo consisted of: The following Declarations from the Persons more immediately interested, will suffice; which ( to wipe off the public Censure ) I was at the Expence of a Journey to Boston purposely to procure. It seems I must be the Person, because being an Officer to prevent all Illicit Proceedings, and at Boston the very Time--it could be no other--I can prove nineteen Persons from this Place at Boston when I was, though I would not presume to even surmise any of them as Informers, yet I will affirm they are as much to be suspected as myself. Notwithstanding I have attempted to convince the Public of my Innocence in this particular Affair, yet I will, with a Boldness which my Oath and Employment will justify, declare, that when at any Time I can detect any of His Majesty's Revenues in Danger from Illegal Importations, when (it is not immediately in my Power) I will make an open Protest against the same, but not with the sneaking Slyness of an Informer; which Character in a private Capacity, I as much detest as any Man living.

THESE Certify whom it may concern, That I have not seen, or by Letter, or any other Means heard from Mr. John Wendell of Portsmouth for twelve Months past, so that I could not receive any Information from him against the Schooner Elizabeth or her Cargo. In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my Hand. Danvers, October. 21: 1757.
Charles Paxton.

THIS may certify all concern'd, That whereas Mr. John Wendell of Portsmouth (it's reported there) was the Occasion of my Rum's being seized in the Schooner Elizabeth, John Frost Master, I declare & believe said Wendell entirely clear of said Imputation. Boston, October. 21. 1757. Timothy Fitch.

WHEREAS I suspected that Mr. John Wendell of Portsmouth Informed against me so as to get my Vessel seized. I am now convinced and satisfied to the contrary, that he was no Ways concern'd therein; therefore I desire every one who hears thereof, would contradict it. Boston, Oct. 21. 1757.
John Frost.

I the Subscriber do hereby offer a Reward of Ten Dollars to any three or two Persons that will fix the aforesaid Report on any one as the Author, so that by their Evidence I may obtain Justice, due to my injur'd Reputation.
Portsmouth, October. 28. 1757.
John Wendell.