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Letter to Editor
August 4, 1812
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
John H. Speed refutes a report by Maj. Thos. L. Smith accusing him of wishing U.S. arms to fail against Great Britain, providing Smith's certificate admitting the claim stemmed from a misconception. Speed expresses pity for those spreading slander.
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OCR Quality
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Full Text
From a report stated upon the authority of Maj. Thos. L. Smith that I had in a conversation with Mr. J. G. Mosby wished in the event of a conflict with G. Britain, the arms of my country unsuccessful, it became necessary to call upon Major Smith, when he gave the subjoined certificate.
With my friends and those who are not predetermined to believe slander & close their minds against reputable convictions, this will be sufficient; and those of a contrary mould are left, and intended to be left, to repose upon unfortunate representations, "growing out of error" For the giddy and turbulent, I can but feel a generous pity, mingled with an honest contempt, that they should in their struggles for notice
"Resemble Ocean into Tempest wrought,
To waft a Feather, or to drown a Fly."
JOHN H. SPEED.
"Whereas in a conversation between Mr. John H. Speed and Mr. John G. Mosby, which took place at Mr. Wade Mosby's, I understood from an expression of Mr. Speed's that he wished our arms to fail against our enemy, and such I repeatedly spoke of it—Since that time I have conversed with gentlemen who were present, and am convinced in my representation that I have innocently injured him by a misconception of facts—I feel myself bound under those circumstances to make him amends by acknowledging the representation grew out of error."
THOS. L. SMITH.
With my friends and those who are not predetermined to believe slander & close their minds against reputable convictions, this will be sufficient; and those of a contrary mould are left, and intended to be left, to repose upon unfortunate representations, "growing out of error" For the giddy and turbulent, I can but feel a generous pity, mingled with an honest contempt, that they should in their struggles for notice
"Resemble Ocean into Tempest wrought,
To waft a Feather, or to drown a Fly."
JOHN H. SPEED.
"Whereas in a conversation between Mr. John H. Speed and Mr. John G. Mosby, which took place at Mr. Wade Mosby's, I understood from an expression of Mr. Speed's that he wished our arms to fail against our enemy, and such I repeatedly spoke of it—Since that time I have conversed with gentlemen who were present, and am convinced in my representation that I have innocently injured him by a misconception of facts—I feel myself bound under those circumstances to make him amends by acknowledging the representation grew out of error."
THOS. L. SMITH.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Reflective
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Morality
What keywords are associated?
Slander
Misconception
War With Britain
Reputation
Certificate
What entities or persons were involved?
John H. Speed
Letter to Editor Details
Author
John H. Speed
Main Argument
john h. speed defends his reputation against accusations of disloyalty during a potential conflict with great britain, supported by maj. thos. l. smith's certificate retracting the claim as a misconception.
Notable Details
Quotes Poetry From An Unnamed Source Comparing Slanderers To A Tempest Over A Feather Or Fly.
Certificate Details Conversation At Mr. Wade Mosby's Involving Mr. John G. Mosby.