Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Poem
August 20, 1792
The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser
Martinsburg, Shepherdstown, Berkeley County, Jefferson County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
A satirical verse epistle in which a disgraced politician pleads with friends and countrymen for support to return to Congress, denying Tory sympathies, admitting lawyerly knavery, and boasting of organizing the federal government and siting the capital on the Potomac.
Clipping
OCR Quality
75%
Good
Full Text
MR. WILL'S,
Be pleased to admit to your Guardian the enclosed "A SUPPLICATING, MODEST AND AFFECTING EPISTLE:" as copied from a late paper with a few variations and improvements, and which, by whatever the letter and spirit of the original are preserved with the greatest care and fidelity.
BY FRIENDS! OH COUNTRYMEN! your LANGUAGE lend,
Ah! save a hapless WIGHT, by foes oppress'd,
Let now your gen'rous aid my cause befriend,
For oft she rears her ugly crest.
How much I'm wrong'd you'll gather from my story,
By those confounded dogs: good lack a day!
Thirty I was, then married, call'd a Tory!
I pray good folks, believe not what they say.
'Tis true, my conscience ne'er did war approve;
But Peace! blest peace! I strongly recommended,
I, meek and harmless as the tender dove,
Lay close at home until the contest ended.
Because my feeble arm could not oppose
(E'en had it been permitted by my fears)
Full fifty thousand bloody minded foes,
That sounded war's dread clarion in our ears.
You see they fain would lessen my consequence,
In that august assembly of our nation;
Where ever since the first I took possession,
I fill'd with proper dignity the station.
They also say, I've study'd arts that might
"Insnare the wretched in the toils of law,
"Fomenting discord, and perplexing right,"
And then with fees, I'd glut my hungry maw.
Now, since in public I must make confession,
"'Tis true I play'd the knave, a fee to get:
But then, 'twas in the line of my profession,
And damme if the folks have paid me yet.
To lose my "sweat's-worth" in this wicked world,
And in the next, ah me! from hope debar'd;
My conscience says, to hell I shall be hurl'd;
Now is not this, my friends, exceeding hard?
When none would serve you, mark me, gentlemen,
In the great Council of our rising nation;
I, with reluctance, did accept, and then
Stood foremost in Virginia's delegation.
My touring genius pointed out each plan,
For settling all those great affairs of state;
And in the house, I was the very man,
That labour'd long in many a warm debate.
I organized the federal government,
I on Potomac placed Columbia's city:
I rais'd your credit more than cent per cent:
And now to be left out would be a pity.
But, sirs, my merit you must plainly see,
So send me but to Congress once again,
With cap in hand, and great respect, I woe,
Your most obedient servant, gentlemen.
* See the Potomac Guardian-No. 41.-Vol.2.
Be pleased to admit to your Guardian the enclosed "A SUPPLICATING, MODEST AND AFFECTING EPISTLE:" as copied from a late paper with a few variations and improvements, and which, by whatever the letter and spirit of the original are preserved with the greatest care and fidelity.
BY FRIENDS! OH COUNTRYMEN! your LANGUAGE lend,
Ah! save a hapless WIGHT, by foes oppress'd,
Let now your gen'rous aid my cause befriend,
For oft she rears her ugly crest.
How much I'm wrong'd you'll gather from my story,
By those confounded dogs: good lack a day!
Thirty I was, then married, call'd a Tory!
I pray good folks, believe not what they say.
'Tis true, my conscience ne'er did war approve;
But Peace! blest peace! I strongly recommended,
I, meek and harmless as the tender dove,
Lay close at home until the contest ended.
Because my feeble arm could not oppose
(E'en had it been permitted by my fears)
Full fifty thousand bloody minded foes,
That sounded war's dread clarion in our ears.
You see they fain would lessen my consequence,
In that august assembly of our nation;
Where ever since the first I took possession,
I fill'd with proper dignity the station.
They also say, I've study'd arts that might
"Insnare the wretched in the toils of law,
"Fomenting discord, and perplexing right,"
And then with fees, I'd glut my hungry maw.
Now, since in public I must make confession,
"'Tis true I play'd the knave, a fee to get:
But then, 'twas in the line of my profession,
And damme if the folks have paid me yet.
To lose my "sweat's-worth" in this wicked world,
And in the next, ah me! from hope debar'd;
My conscience says, to hell I shall be hurl'd;
Now is not this, my friends, exceeding hard?
When none would serve you, mark me, gentlemen,
In the great Council of our rising nation;
I, with reluctance, did accept, and then
Stood foremost in Virginia's delegation.
My touring genius pointed out each plan,
For settling all those great affairs of state;
And in the house, I was the very man,
That labour'd long in many a warm debate.
I organized the federal government,
I on Potomac placed Columbia's city:
I rais'd your credit more than cent per cent:
And now to be left out would be a pity.
But, sirs, my merit you must plainly see,
So send me but to Congress once again,
With cap in hand, and great respect, I woe,
Your most obedient servant, gentlemen.
* See the Potomac Guardian-No. 41.-Vol.2.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satire
Verse Letter
What themes does it cover?
Political
Satire Society
What keywords are associated?
Political Satire
Congress Plea
Federal Government
Potomac Capital
Virginia Delegation
Poem Details
Title
A Supplicating, Modest And Affecting Epistle
Subject
Plea For Re Election To Congress
Form / Style
Rhymed Couplets
Key Lines
'Tis True I Play'd The Knave, A Fee To Get: But Then, 'Twas In The Line Of My Profeision, And Damme If The Folks Have Paid Me Yet.
I Organi D The Federal Goverument, I On Potowmec Plac'd Columhia's City : I Rais'd Yout Credit More Than Cent Per Cent: And Now To Be Left Out Wouid Be A Pity.
So Fend Me But To Con E Fs Once Owein, With Cap In Hand, And Great Refpect, It' Oe, Your Mosi Obedient Fervant, Gentlemen.