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Letter to Editor
January 26, 1776
The Virginia Gazette
Williamsburg, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a 1776 letter to printer Purdie, William Crawford and John Stephenson from Nansemond defend against accusations of treason and enemy ties, portraying themselves as loyal to American rights and defying their slanderers publicly.
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OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Nansemond, Jan. 20. 1776.
MR. PURDIE,
IT is with great reluctance we are drawn into this publication. Had our enemies meditated their attacks against our persons, or property, we had been silent; but they have, in violation of truth, of the duties of society, and of every principle of generosity, practised very cruel and insidious arts to deprive us of, what is of much higher value, our CHARACTERS as men, and the esteem of our fellow-citizens. They have depicted us to our brethren as traitors to the American cause, and consequently inimical to their dearest and invaluable rights. We are accused of holding connections with the avowed enemies to this greatly injured country. It is therefore incumbent on us to challenge those wicked men into open fight, that we may have the opportunity of evincing our innocence to the world in the most publick manner. In the interim, we set them at the utmost defiance; and are yours, &c.
WILLIAM CRAWFORD.
JOHN STEPHENSON.
WEST AUGUSTA, JAN. 3, 1776.
MR. PURDIE,
IT is with great reluctance we are drawn into this publication. Had our enemies meditated their attacks against our persons, or property, we had been silent; but they have, in violation of truth, of the duties of society, and of every principle of generosity, practised very cruel and insidious arts to deprive us of, what is of much higher value, our CHARACTERS as men, and the esteem of our fellow-citizens. They have depicted us to our brethren as traitors to the American cause, and consequently inimical to their dearest and invaluable rights. We are accused of holding connections with the avowed enemies to this greatly injured country. It is therefore incumbent on us to challenge those wicked men into open fight, that we may have the opportunity of evincing our innocence to the world in the most publick manner. In the interim, we set them at the utmost defiance; and are yours, &c.
WILLIAM CRAWFORD.
JOHN STEPHENSON.
WEST AUGUSTA, JAN. 3, 1776.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Political
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Constitutional Rights
What keywords are associated?
Treason Accusations
American Cause
Character Defense
Public Challenge
Nansemond
West Augusta
What entities or persons were involved?
William Crawford, John Stephenson
Mr. Purdie
Letter to Editor Details
Author
William Crawford, John Stephenson
Recipient
Mr. Purdie
Main Argument
the writers defend their characters against false accusations of treason and connections to enemies of the american cause, challenging their accusers to public confrontation to prove their innocence.
Notable Details
Violation Of Truth, Duties Of Society, And Principles Of Generosity
Depicted As Traitors Inimical To American Rights
Set Accusers At Utmost Defiance