The Recorder

In pleading before the court of Henrico against the King of Clubs, Mr. William Marshall observed that the Recorder had "the most extensive circulation of any newspaper in Virginia; and that there was never, perhaps, an instance of such an extensive patronage acquired by any other newspaper, in so short a time."--This patronage has been acquired by exposing, with an impartial hand, the faults of all parties. There never was more occasion for political vigilance than at present. As the bible says, there is DEATH in the pot. There exists an atrocious conspiracy against the liberty of the press, and, of course, against the liberty of the people. This can be doubted by nobody that has heard of Croswell's trial, on which we have enlarged at so much length. Again, the right of electing their own magistrates has in effect, been torn from a majority of the citizens of Richmond, by a phalanx of democratical usurpers. Take notice, also, of what follows. In last session assembly, Mr. Venable proposed a declaratory resolution that the truth shall be given in evidence in cases of libel. This resolution was, for that time, defeated by Peter Carr, the correspondent, such as he was, of general Washington,* and the confidential agent and nephew of Thomas Jefferson. There can be no doubt that Peter, like his apostolical namesake, was inspired from ABOVE.

Richmond,
March 23. 1803.