Alexandria Advertiser And Commercial Intelligencer

Colchester, Aug. 29, 1801.
Messrs. Snowden & Co.

PURSUANT to my promise, I now come forward to exhibit to the world the character of Walter S. Belt: whose infamous conduct must consign him to eternal infamy, with every honest man. The most immaculate characters have been assailed by the shafts of infamy--but, I trust, I shall repel this attack on me, by a pusillanimous puppy, as it behoves a man who regards his reputation. He charges me with having underhandedly attempted to injure his reputation: The fact is quite otherwise;--for upon receiving positive information of his baseness, I wrote to him and stated each particular against him, and am prepared to give up my authors. Agreeable to my ideas of the business, there is nothing like underhandedness or lying in this. He has never made the least attempt to controvert a single charge;--but about ten days afterwards, sends me a challenge--which he never would have thought of, had it not been for the information he got from Mr. James G. Smith, who was the bearer of the challenge.--Mr. Smith's certificate, (No. 1,) will shew, previous to Belt's displaying so much bravery, that he had been informed that I would not accept a challenge from him; as I considered him amongst the most degraded of the human species. I probably differ from Mr. Belt, in not having a desire to publish my valorous deeds; and was the circulation of your paper confined to my acquaintance, it would be unnecessary for me to say any thing about it: But the testimony of some of the most respectable characters in Maryland, can be adduced to prove, that I have been unfortunately engaged as, a principal in more duels than one, and that my conduct on these occasions would not reflect a stain on any one. I am not afraid of Mr. Belt, or any other person; but my life is too valuable to my family, to risk it with one as obscure and infamous as he is. We have a specimen of his bravery exhibited in Mr. Huskins's certificate, (No. 2,) and of his integrity in the certificate of a lady of unimpeachable character;--but being a lady, would not wish her name to appear in public, a copy of it is left with the printer.) In which is clearly shewn an attempt to defraud, by selling goods at one price and charging them at another--was it a solitary instance of his mal-conduct, it might be termed a casualty, but there are a number of similar complaints. The letter from Mr. Shumate, (No. 3,) convinces of the villainy of said Belt:--There it is clearly illustrated, that he either meant to keep the pocket book altogether, or extort from Mr. Shumate an extravagant premium. As he is frequently under the intoxicating influence of ardent spirits, that might have been an excuse for him, had not a night intervened, which must have brought him to his reflection. I presume the public did not expect more coercive reasons than I have adduced, for not descending to equalize myself with him. I could adduce several other acts of his equally bad: but it would be protracting this publication to an unnecessary length, and bestowing more time and paper than the contemptible object merits: therefore, I shall conclude by referring the public to the annexed certificates and letter.

JAMES H. BLAKE.

(No. 1.)
I do hereby certify, that I heard Dr. Blake say, that he considered Mr. Walter Belt a villain, and that he had forfeited all pretensions to the character of a gentleman--further that he should go prepared in case of an attack from said Belt, but never would put himself on a level with him. Which conversation passed antecedent to his sending the challenge, and I told said Belt that I knew the doctor would not fight him.

JAMES G. SMITH.

(No. 2.)
Colchester, Aug. 27, 1801.
I do hereby certify, that some time ago, I was insulted by Walter S. Belt, when I struck him several times, which he calmly received without resenting it.

Wm. HUSKINS.

No. 3.
Dumfries, August 15th, 1801.
SIR:
I received yours of the 9th, requesting me to inform you of Mr. Belt's conduct respecting a Pocket Book of mine, which he found on the road.--The case is as follows: When Mr. Joseph Gilbert and myself passed the church about four miles from Colchester, we saw Mr: Belt and a young lady at the church--after we had passed some distance, we saw them start on after us. Between that place and Colchester I happened to drop my pocket book, a few minutes after I got to Colchester Mr. Belt rode up. and came into Mr. Ward's tavern and saw me, but never let me know any thing about it, and I had never missed it. After I got home I went to get some papers out and missed my pocket book; the next morning as soon as it was day my brother. John Shumate, hired a horse and started on as far as Colchester, where he made every enquiry that was necessary. Mr. Belt asked him what was in the pocket book -he told him there were $30 dollars in cash and several valuable papers Mr. Belt observed that he should suppose I would think myself well off if I should get my book and papers and give up the $30 dollars in cash. After my brother was about to write to Mr. Renee of Alexandria about it, or had wrote, Mr. Belt called -him out and asked whereabouts he meant to offer, his reply was that any person finding it should be entitled to a reasonable reward--Mr. Belt said ten dollars was with the expense he could think of asking, but at $12.5 it was finally agreed with horse hire and other expenses made it cost me L.2 4 6, when the gentleman might have given it to me the night before, as he knew me, and as I have been informed since, he mentioned that he had found it, in the private room, while I was there--my name was on the back of almost every paper. If the gentleman denies this, my brother will move to this place in a few days and he will come to Colchester
I am yours, &c.
JOS. SHUMATE.
N. B. After he had got the money he requested him to say nothing about it, as it was a young lady that found it.