Kentucky Gazette And General Advertiser

FOR THE KENTUCKY GAZETTE.

Lexington, Sept. 25th, 1806.

Mr. Humphrey Marshall,

SIR,

Having seen your answer to Mr. Bradford's letter, which enclosed the conditions on which you could obtain the real name of the author of "Independence," wherein you say, you will comply with one of the conditions stipulated. To relieve the Editor from embarrassment, to convince you that it is not my wish to shrink from investigation, and to prove to the world that I consider myself accountable for every part of my conduct, I do not hesitate to declare that I am the real author of the several publications in the Kentucky Gazette signed "Independence."

Lest you should misconstrue my motives, or be at a loss to account for the attack, I think proper to assign the reasons which induced me to make the remarks contained in these publications.

1st. Because I was informed that you had in several instances declared your opinion, that my interference in the affray between Mr. Adams and Mr. Street, in Frankfort, must have been with a view to give Adams an opportunity to kill Street, and that you believed Adams and others were employed by the conspirators to assassinate Street, &c. (or expressions of the same import) this information I was induced to believe, from the high opinion entertained of my authors, and from the misrepresentation of facts in a statement of the affair given in the Western World, which I considered under your patronage and influence.

2d. Because, from my own knowledge of your character, from general report, from proofs which can be adduced, and from all the circumstances of the case, I did, and still do believe, that you are a principal patron, and one of the most prominent supporters of the Western World, that a considerable part of the information contained in the history of the Spanish Association, &c. was derived from you and others of a party possessing like politics, that the object of that narrative was to traduce the characters of some of our most worthy citizens, to divide and distract our country, and by imposing false statements upon the credulous, to diminish the confidence reposed in our public officers, thereby to bring about a division of the Republican interest, with a view to effect the next Presidential election.

3d. Because it is a well known fact, that you have been the avowed and most inveterate enemy of almost every character in Kentucky who are implicated in the Spanish Conspiracy, &c. and special reasons can be given for your hatred and malice towards these characters.

4th. Because it has been currently reported, generally believed, and I think, can be proved that you are the author of the different essays in the Western-World signed "An Observer," and that you have furnished the Editors with many other occasional essays, and much information to enable them to fill the columns of their scurrilous paper.

5th. Because I believed that the Western World was established for party purposes, that it has a tendency to create feuds at home, and detract from the character of our country abroad, that there are actors behind the curtain, who ought to be exhibited to public view, whose real motives require only to be known, to be condemned.

6th. Because I considered it the duty of every good citizen, as far as in his power, to expose and counteract the designs of the enemies of his country, for this reason I selected you, as the most prominent character-believing that by exposing the cause the effect would cease, I therefore commenced the attack in your own way, and have taken you on your favorite ground.

Under these impressions I have given the hints and made the remarks contained in "Independence." If the cap fits, you are welcome to wear it-if you feel yourself injured, you have your redress, pursue your own mode I ask no favours-you will always find me possessed of firmness enough to support the character I have assumed.

Should I have succeeded in drawing the public attention to proper objects, I shall feel gratified, and will cheerfully decline further investigation, in favour of those who have more leisure and talents to pursue it-therefore, will recommend to your serious attention the several numbers of Franklin, published in the Kentucky Gazette : but I shall always be ready, and feel disposed to repel any attack, from whatever quarter, or in whatever manner it may be made.

I am well aware that the vengeance of your whole phalanx will be hurled against me, and that the Western World, that vehicle of slander, will teem with the grossest abuse; but I shall treat every act from that quarter according to its merit.

I shall expect to hear from you as soon as convenient.

With due regard,

I have the honor to be

Yours, &c.

THOMAS BODLEY.