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Letter to Editor
August 8, 1771
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
John Wilkes challenges Reverend Mr. Horne for failing to justify his account of the Westminster Business, accuses him of falsehoods and moral hypocrisy, defends his own repentance of past frailties, and demands responses before Midsummer due to potential election to Sheriff of London.
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OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
To the Reverend Mr. HORNE.
SIR,
Prince's Court, May 15.
I have waited, with Impatience, ever since November, for the Justification of your Account of the Westminster Business, in the very Preface of which you advanced the Falsehood that you were ready to vouch the Authenticity of it. I called upon you, in Print, the Day after its Publication. In your Letter of January 16th, you declared, "the Westminster Business I shall reserve for my future Letter." Another Letter now appears, which neither mentions nor promises any Thing on that Subject. Now you trifle with the Publick; before, you dared to impose. You say, "it is not my Intention here to open any Account with you on the Score of private Character; in that Respect, the Publick have kindly passed an Act of Insolvency in your Favour." I believe, indeed, you will not choose to open any Account on the Score of private Character. A Gentleman in holy Orders, whose Hand appears to testify his Belief of the Church of England, the least moral, the least conscientious of Men, whose Life has been in a constant direct Opposition to the Precepts of the Gospel, whose Creed, from the first Article in it to the last, is known to be read, such a Person, with wonderful Prudence, chooses not to open an Account on the Score of private Character. I do not mean, Sir, to be impertinent enough to a Publick, whom I respect, to descend to those Particulars of private Life in which they are not interested, either to accuse you or to defend myself. The Frailties of which I have repented I will not justify. I will not even plead, with Horace,
Nec justae pudet, sed nescire ludum.
But I hope to redeem, and bury in Oblivion, every past Folly, by great and virtuous Actions, by real Services to my Country. Your Letter of yesterday contains no Charge, although it promises many. Every One shall be fully answered. I have only to desire that your future Letter, or Letters, may appear before Midsummer Day; because it is possible, that, by the Favour of the Livery of London, I may, after that Time, be wholly engaged in preparing for the Duties of a very important Office, and the faithful Discharge of the Sheriff's Oath, not of that which you falsified.
I am, Sir,
Your humble Servant,
JOHN WILKES.
SIR,
Prince's Court, May 15.
I have waited, with Impatience, ever since November, for the Justification of your Account of the Westminster Business, in the very Preface of which you advanced the Falsehood that you were ready to vouch the Authenticity of it. I called upon you, in Print, the Day after its Publication. In your Letter of January 16th, you declared, "the Westminster Business I shall reserve for my future Letter." Another Letter now appears, which neither mentions nor promises any Thing on that Subject. Now you trifle with the Publick; before, you dared to impose. You say, "it is not my Intention here to open any Account with you on the Score of private Character; in that Respect, the Publick have kindly passed an Act of Insolvency in your Favour." I believe, indeed, you will not choose to open any Account on the Score of private Character. A Gentleman in holy Orders, whose Hand appears to testify his Belief of the Church of England, the least moral, the least conscientious of Men, whose Life has been in a constant direct Opposition to the Precepts of the Gospel, whose Creed, from the first Article in it to the last, is known to be read, such a Person, with wonderful Prudence, chooses not to open an Account on the Score of private Character. I do not mean, Sir, to be impertinent enough to a Publick, whom I respect, to descend to those Particulars of private Life in which they are not interested, either to accuse you or to defend myself. The Frailties of which I have repented I will not justify. I will not even plead, with Horace,
Nec justae pudet, sed nescire ludum.
But I hope to redeem, and bury in Oblivion, every past Folly, by great and virtuous Actions, by real Services to my Country. Your Letter of yesterday contains no Charge, although it promises many. Every One shall be fully answered. I have only to desire that your future Letter, or Letters, may appear before Midsummer Day; because it is possible, that, by the Favour of the Livery of London, I may, after that Time, be wholly engaged in preparing for the Duties of a very important Office, and the faithful Discharge of the Sheriff's Oath, not of that which you falsified.
I am, Sir,
Your humble Servant,
JOHN WILKES.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Provocative
Political
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Morality
Press Freedom
What keywords are associated?
John Wilkes
Reverend Horne
Westminster Business
Private Character
Sheriff Election
Livery Of London
Moral Hypocrisy
What entities or persons were involved?
John Wilkes
Reverend Mr. Horne
Letter to Editor Details
Author
John Wilkes
Recipient
Reverend Mr. Horne
Main Argument
wilkes demands horne justify his false account of the westminster business and respond to charges before midsummer, while highlighting horne's hypocrisy on private character and affirming his own intent to redeem past follies through public service.
Notable Details
Reference To Horne's Preface Falsehood
Previous Letters Dated November And January 16th
Quote From Horace: 'Nec Justae Pudet, Sed Nescire Ludum.'
Mention Of Livery Of London And Sheriff's Oath