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Letter to Editor
March 31, 1775
The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle
Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
John Sullivan defends an agreement by Durham residents to meet weekly for six months to learn military arts, criticizing 'Monitor's' newspaper piece for ignorant attacks on its legality, royal prerogative interference, and economic costs, while ridiculing the opponent's logic.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
Mr. PRINTER:
In your Paper of the 17th inst. I observed a Piece signed by a Person who calls himself Monitor, full of ill-natured Reflections upon an Agreement entered into by a Number of Persons in Durham, to assemble once a Week for the Space of six Months, to instruct each other in the military Art.--- The feeble attempt of this currilous Writer, to display his Wit in the former; & latter Part of his nonsensical Piece, can deserve nothing but Contempt and Ridicule.
His Assertion, that a Number of Persons assembling for this Purpose of instructing each other in the Art of War, and appointing Persons to give the Words of Command, interferes with the Royal Prerogative in the Appointment of Officers, and amounts to an Evasion, if not a Violation of the Province Laws, fully demonstrates his Ignorance, both of the Law and Constitution,
The curious Calculation he makes of the Loss New-Hampshire must sustain, if the same military Ardor (which he ignorantly calls an Infection) should prevail throughout the Province, merits the Ridicule of all Mankind.
I am surprised, that this curious Calculator while his Hand was in) did not inform us of the amazing Loss this Government would sustain by devoting a seventh Part of the Time to religious Exercises ; and endeavour to convince us, that as our Cloathing costs a large Sum, it would be best to go naked.
After which, I should be glad to know from him, if we were to lay down our Arms, and make the infamous Submission he contends for ; how much Money we should be able to earn in a Day, and how much of our Earnings we should be able to keep in our Pockets,
I hope the Public will excuse my not giving a more serious and particular Answer to the Production of a distempered Brain, as that might make him wise in his own Conceit ; and induce this nonsensical Scribler to think himself a Person of some Consequence.
I shall conclude with reminding him, "that a Shoe-Maker never ought to go beyond his Last." Your's JOHN SULLIVAN.
In your Paper of the 17th inst. I observed a Piece signed by a Person who calls himself Monitor, full of ill-natured Reflections upon an Agreement entered into by a Number of Persons in Durham, to assemble once a Week for the Space of six Months, to instruct each other in the military Art.--- The feeble attempt of this currilous Writer, to display his Wit in the former; & latter Part of his nonsensical Piece, can deserve nothing but Contempt and Ridicule.
His Assertion, that a Number of Persons assembling for this Purpose of instructing each other in the Art of War, and appointing Persons to give the Words of Command, interferes with the Royal Prerogative in the Appointment of Officers, and amounts to an Evasion, if not a Violation of the Province Laws, fully demonstrates his Ignorance, both of the Law and Constitution,
The curious Calculation he makes of the Loss New-Hampshire must sustain, if the same military Ardor (which he ignorantly calls an Infection) should prevail throughout the Province, merits the Ridicule of all Mankind.
I am surprised, that this curious Calculator while his Hand was in) did not inform us of the amazing Loss this Government would sustain by devoting a seventh Part of the Time to religious Exercises ; and endeavour to convince us, that as our Cloathing costs a large Sum, it would be best to go naked.
After which, I should be glad to know from him, if we were to lay down our Arms, and make the infamous Submission he contends for ; how much Money we should be able to earn in a Day, and how much of our Earnings we should be able to keep in our Pockets,
I hope the Public will excuse my not giving a more serious and particular Answer to the Production of a distempered Brain, as that might make him wise in his own Conceit ; and induce this nonsensical Scribler to think himself a Person of some Consequence.
I shall conclude with reminding him, "that a Shoe-Maker never ought to go beyond his Last." Your's JOHN SULLIVAN.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Political
Satirical
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Military War
Constitutional Rights
What keywords are associated?
Military Training
Durham Agreement
Monitor Criticism
Royal Prerogative
Province Laws
New Hampshire
Economic Loss
Submission
What entities or persons were involved?
John Sullivan
Mr. Printer
Letter to Editor Details
Author
John Sullivan
Recipient
Mr. Printer
Main Argument
the military training agreement in durham does not violate laws or the royal prerogative, and monitor's criticisms, including economic loss calculations and calls for submission, are ignorant and ridiculous.
Notable Details
Ridicules Monitor's Wit And Calculations
References To Religious Exercises And Going Naked As Absurd Parallels
Quote: 'That A Shoe Maker Never Ought To Go Beyond His Last.'