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Letter to Editor
November 7, 1794
Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser
Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
H.H. Brackenridge addresses the advancing army, defending his innocence in the recent western insurrection. He notes using presidential amnesty but offers to submit to judicial examination to prove his conduct.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Citizens of the Army, advancing to the Western Country.
Serious intimations are given me that I am considered by you, as greatly criminal in the late insurrection in this country, and that though I may have shielded myself from the law by taking advantage of the terms of the amnesty proposed by the commissioners, and sanctioned by the proclamation of the President, yet that I shall not escape the resentment of individuals. It would seem to me totally improbable that republican soldiers would sully the glory of their voluntary rising by a single intemperate act. Nevertheless, as it would wound me with exquisite sensibility, to be treated with indignity, by words, or looks, short of violence, I beg leave to suggest to you, that it is a maxim of reason that a man "shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved," and I give you a strong presumption of my innocence, viz. that though having the opportunity of relinquishing the country, I stand firm, and will surrender myself to the closest examination of the judges, and put myself entirely on the merit or demerit of my conduct, through the whole of the unfortunate crisis.
H. H. BRACKENRIDGE.
Pittsburgh, October 26, 1794
Serious intimations are given me that I am considered by you, as greatly criminal in the late insurrection in this country, and that though I may have shielded myself from the law by taking advantage of the terms of the amnesty proposed by the commissioners, and sanctioned by the proclamation of the President, yet that I shall not escape the resentment of individuals. It would seem to me totally improbable that republican soldiers would sully the glory of their voluntary rising by a single intemperate act. Nevertheless, as it would wound me with exquisite sensibility, to be treated with indignity, by words, or looks, short of violence, I beg leave to suggest to you, that it is a maxim of reason that a man "shall be presumed innocent until the contrary is proved," and I give you a strong presumption of my innocence, viz. that though having the opportunity of relinquishing the country, I stand firm, and will surrender myself to the closest examination of the judges, and put myself entirely on the merit or demerit of my conduct, through the whole of the unfortunate crisis.
H. H. BRACKENRIDGE.
Pittsburgh, October 26, 1794
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Insurrection
Amnesty
Presumed Innocent
Western Country
Pittsburgh
What entities or persons were involved?
H. H. Brackenridge
Citizens Of The Army, Advancing To The Western Country
Letter to Editor Details
Author
H. H. Brackenridge
Recipient
Citizens Of The Army, Advancing To The Western Country
Main Argument
the author asserts his innocence in the late insurrection, having used amnesty but willing to face full judicial examination to demonstrate the merit of his conduct.
Notable Details
Maxim Of Reason: Presumed Innocent Until Proved Otherwise
Amnesty Proposed By Commissioners And Sanctioned By President's Proclamation