Virginia Argus

TO THE PEOPLE.

A Retort courteous for John Clarke.

In a note lately published in the Enquirer, I understand, that I shall not be allowed the full privilege of replying to John Clarke's fictions, rodomontades, and gasconades, until his defence, as he calls it, is ended. He seems now to be completely at a loss. He can't tell where to begin, how to proceed, nor where to end. And seems to be an adept in nothing but vilification. Among other important accusations against my fame, he says I was a candidate for the office which has been so much disgraced by himself, and that I applied to him to obtain the appointment, so great a man was he. Even admitting the truth, I know of no harm, in entertaining or advancing such a wish. I believe I could prove by a thousand persons, to whom I have made the declaration, that I was not a candidate for that office. Whilst John Clarke, like the fable of the man killing the Lyon, will be the sole, the solitary witness to establish this heinous offence. That I was not the foe of John Clarke or of the institution, two years ago, will be fully ascertained by the following extract, written by me, under those impressions of regard, as well as confidence, which had been excited by his own false statements and deceitful reports.

Argus, No. 1336, March 13th, 1807.

"Of all the public institutions which exist in Virginia, there is but one whereon the eye of the patriot and philosopher can dwell with pleasure; where it can look with satisfaction, turn away, and look again, with renovated delight! This is the manufactory of arms. The plan has been conceived with greatness, and has been executed with talents, taste and a general regard to public usefulness."

"The reflections which involuntarily arise, as relates to this establishment, are so different, so widely different from those which have occurred upon other objects, that I will not here disturb the pleasurable sensations, which this subject cannot fail to excite: and to me it is a cause of deep regret, that I cannot in justice to my own conscience, present results, or even cultivate hopes, as relate to others which are equally acceptable and delightful."

FREEHOLDER.

Such were the liberal and generous sentiments by which I was actuated, in March, 1807? only two years ago!! At that time, like others, I was completely deluded, and in the spirit of honest confidence, devoted my pen to deceive others also. Can any one believe, that at the time when this extract was published, I entertained one single emotion of hostility, against the officers or any other individuals, who at that time and long before, as I now know, had contributed to deceive and defraud the public? I am assured by Mr. Ritchie, that I shall have a satisfactory opportunity of replying in his paper as soon as Clarke's defence, (as he calls it) is ended. But the method in which it proceeds, reminds me of a puppy running after his own tail; an endless and fruitless race!! It is in the mean time proper to remind the reader of a very good rule to ascertain the quantum of truth contained in John Clarke's productions: His first estimate for erecting the manufactory of arms, was forty thousand dollars, the money laid out, including the machinery, is about five times as much as his first estimate; according to this rule, not more than one fifth part of his productions are true. So far as relates to me, this rule is by far too liberal, unless when he is disposed to speak of my misfortunes, and then prolific as his imagination is, and prone to exaggeration, his genius is not sufficiently towering to do justice to the subject. What a pity that one so willing should want talents on so important and popular a theme. But I ask, will the promulgation of my misfortunes, however great, restore life to those who have been murdered by the bursting of his worthless guns; or arm the militia in those times of peril with good and trustworthy muskets; or refund to the treasury almost half a million of squandered dollars? An injured, deceived, and defrauded people, are anxious to hear how these points will be managed; and it is nothing to the purpose, whether I am blessed with the most propitious gales of prosperity, or compelled to drink from the bitter cup of adversity even to the very dregs, or be like Clarke himself, damned to everlasting fume Adverse as my fortune has been, chequered by numberless crosses, yet were they ten times more numerous and severe, and should they be all amalgamated, or brought against me in the most perplexing form, I would sooner meet, confront, and endure them all, than suffer that pang of the soul, which will be most surely excited in Clarke's bosom when he shall read this sentence. - Nor would I, great as his offences are, were it my lot to prescribe and execute the most stern and rigid justice, wish to inflict upon him any punishment more severe than to be himself. It is from himself, he can never escape: His own bosom will be his perpetual hell. His own reflections, his tormentors. And tho' he may fly to the most inaccessible wilds, and call upon the rocks and mountains to hide him, still he will be forever wedded to that heart-rending conscience, which will accompany him wheresoever he shall go; and doom him to everlasting wretchedness. The following description by Milton, of Satan, after his fall, is very suitable to John Clarke.

"Me miserable, which way shall I fly

Infinite wrath, and infinite despair?

Which way I fly is Hell; myself am Hell;

And in the lowest deep a lower deep,

Still threat'ning to devour me, opens wide."

Much indeed am I mistaken if this be not a correct representation of that depraved and wretched mind, which, for some time past, has been pouring out its miseries, its venom, and its vengeance, in the columns of the Enquirer.

HENRY BANKS.

P. S. No man is more sensible than I am of the impropriety of using intemperate language, in a public print: but cases sometimes happen when it is unavoidable. That I have been extremely cautious and guarded in this respect, can be proved by more than a hundred columns, published in this paper and the Enquirer. In this case: every impartial man must admit that I have had great cause, that I am not the offender, but have been provoked. It is true I might have defended myself in a manner to satisfy many readers; but if I had pursued that course there would have been no end to the contest. As well might a man, who is attacked in the street, merely endeavor to avoid the blows of a bully, and retreat into a place of safety. No, sir, they must be punished. It is the only argument which will reduce them to reason and make them passive: and tho' every man of manners and feelings, will regret to be so engaged, yet, in such a case, precisely as I do in this, he will feel, if he can feel at all, self justification.