The Virginia Gazette

PITTSYLVANIA, JULY 29, 1769.

WITH
great astonishment I observed an
advertisement of Thomas Underwood's in Mr. Rind's
paper of the 20th of this month, who apologizes for appearing in
print, but says his sole motive for so doing is to exculpate himself
from the charge I have accused him with in Purdie and Dixon's
paper some time in last May. Perhaps the attestation of George
Clough may induce some persons to believe I made a contract with
Underwood which I did not perform. I agree, as I did in my
last advertisement, that I offered a Negro boy for sale to Thomas
Underwood, but that I ever confirmed a sale of him I do positively
deny. Was the contract as Mr. Clough has attested, he would
be benefited twenty odd pounds by it; therefore I think if that
man had any regard for his reputation, being party interested, he
would not have had the impudence to endeavour to put false
gloss on my transaction in this affair. I can, upon my honour,
say that Clough has advanced in his attestation nothing but false-
hood. Mr. Nathaniel West Dandridge says in his attestation that
I told him I intended to sell the boy at a cockfight a few days after
I came there to discharge a debt I owed Underwood, and another
I owed Clough. I agree I intended to discharge those debts by
money arising from the sale of that boy, and I agree I offered the
boy to Underwood for 63 l. and that Underwood promised to buy
him at that price, if I brought him to Hanover court next, which
I intended to have done, had I not been disappointed, by many
accidents too tedious now to mention; but that I ever made a
positive bargain for the boy, or that I ever transferred my property
in him, I deny, and publicly declare those who said I did are
void of truth, and are not to be confided in. Let Thomas Under.
wood produce any conveyance from under my hand for the boy,
or any directions given by me to pay George Clough any money,
and then he may advertise; but until then I shall expect every
rational being will believe he is one of a vile disposition. I have
ordered suit in the General Court against Underwood, and will
likewise do the same against George Clough.

JOHN AYLETT.

N. B. Col. Nathaniel Harrison is desired to advertise a copy
of Underwood's letters and accounts I sent him, or to advertise in
what manner he contradicts himself in his letters and accounts,
and if he does not think he is to blame; I likewise desire Mr.
Richard Buckner, sen. to declare what he knows concerning my
sending the slave to his son.