The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

The above advertisement, under the signature of "PETER KERAN," purporting my being his apprentice, having eloped from him, &c. &c. and cautioning against having any connexion with, or entertaining me, &c. &c.-- to all which I should not have condescended to have paid the smallest attention, had the equally impotent as malicious machinations been confined to the circle where the parties were particularly known, as also the transaction: but, as this mischievously disposed as base persecutor has made so public a thrust at me, and where, under all the disadvantages of an unknown and unprotected stranger, in order the more effectually to give the most fatal stab to my character, my interest, and my peace not only with respect to those friendly strangers among whom I now reside--but the world!-- at least so far as his little, but infamous active power could extend, it is become an indispensable duty to defend myself with equal notoriety, but perfect truth--however disagreeable to appear in print, to trouble the Public, or uninteresting it may prove to them:--but however I may, the treatment I have received, and the principle and right I contend for cannot prove uninteresting to them. The Public is too generous, too just, not to become a party with any, in a claim on equal justice--for the unmolested enjoyment of the desirable fruits of a fair name--and an unmolested character. But not to trespass further. I now beg leave, the most briefly, to relate the whole transaction on which Mr. Keran founds his claim on me, &c.

In March 1793, I agreed to keep store for him in Hardy County (of this state, Virginia) a memorandum was executed agreeably, and lodged in his hands: with which I should have fully complied, had it been possible for me to have submitted to the flagrantly-immoral, as well as shamefully circumstantial drudgery I was constantly a witness of-- hourly exposed to, Had I wished to have been initiated into a system of imposition, fraud, and knavery, secret, open, and by every means, Mr. Keran was my preceptor; or to have been honourably dubb'd the nurse, the attendant on a beasty, hourly intoxicated sot--the glossy faced cook--the smirted shoe boy--servile scrub holden; for set a beggar on horseback, he'll not only ride to the d--l himself, but he'll ride all he can drive there also) every character that was either wicked or degrading, it was with and by Mr. Keran, that I should have been finished.

But for such, neither nature, religion, nor yet spirit had form'd me. I spurned both at it and him; and signified my disgust, and intention to leave him; to free myself at all events, from a connexion so tainting-- so dishonourable a dependency. Accordingly, he agreed I should so on condition I would first put up his "ragged" books," which I effected the 13th of December last; when he himself did burn the above-mentioned memorandum; "and we parted apparently mutually agreed and pleased--at least for myself I can say so truly.

Thus have I given the Public a faithful and concise statement of the whole transaction; on the merit of which I shall leave them to judge, after just observing without indenture, I am posted as an apprentice, under the most perfect dissolution of the simple obligation that had existed, and too by his free and full consent, as the destroying it must evince; I am called a run-away! but to say more is certainly needless for they must be as blind and prejudiced, as the head and heart of my contemptible would-be-master is both weak and wicked, who will not be more than convinced by what has been shewn above, that I am none of his barely acquired property, that he can have no right in or over, no claim to my services, my person, time, or liberty: But, if this just, though far from perfect exposure of the pet's pernicious principles and scandalous practices, may but prevent a single innocent or unwary person, much more so, if the Public at large, from falling a prey to his iniquitous and rapacious schemes and conduct, I shall esteem his attempt to traduce and injure me, however disagreeable in the first instance, well repay'd, by thus proving a benefit to the public, whose excuse I hope for this trouble (but the last on this occasion) and whose I am most respectfully.

REUBEN BROUGHTON.

P. S. I had determined to leave this town, previous to Mr. Keran's advertisement, therefore hope it will not be construed I left it in consequence of his publication.

MARTINSBURG, MAY 26, 1794.