Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

Philadelphia, 7th Sept. 1799.

Mr. Fenno,

Enclosed I send you a letter from the committee of correspondence for Washington county, covering a certificate from a number of the most respectable gentlemen in that county, proving Mr. JAMES ROSS of Pittsburgh's attachment to the Christian Religion, in contradiction to a false and scandalous report propagated and industriously circulated, by the friends to Mr. M'Kean's election, 'that Mr. Ross is an Atheist, a Deist,' &c. I have known Mr. Ross from his youth, and his father and friends of York county, where he was born, and a more religious and virtuous family is not to be produced. In my long acquaintance with him, I have never heard an irreligious or indelicate expression from him, and believe him to be a moral, wise and virtuous citizen, a good Christian, and well qualified to fill the important office of Governor.

LEVI HOLLINGSWORTH.

Washington, August 28, 1799.

SIR,

THE committee in this county for promoting the election of Mr. Ross, have learnt where Mr. Ross is less known than here, currency is given by the enemies to his election, (the same conscientious men who supported the election of Mr. Jefferson,) to a report, that Mr. Ross is a Deist.

To prevent the effect of this report, one of the committee in this town, where Mr. Ross lived more than ten years, and until about five years ago, applied to such elders and other persons, noted for their piety and regard for religion, as have known Mr. Ross during the whole of this time, and as easily could be applied to, and they cheerfully signed the enclosed certificate. It was regretted that the absence of the Rev. John M'Millan, (who is the minister nearest to this place, is intimately and has been about twenty years well acquainted with Mr. Ross, and is zealous for his election,) and of the other Presbyterian ministers in this neighbourhood, who are now sitting in Presbytery, more than fifty miles from this town, prevented the obtaining of their contradiction to this false and malicious report. But it was not thought prudent for the sake of this, to suffer the report to gain force, by the delay of another week's post; especially as those who have signed, are distinguished characters, for good sense, honesty and piety, and respectable for their stations in society. Mr. Allison is judge of this county, Mr. Swearengen, Mr. Mitchell and Mr. Ritchie are justices of the peace, and the last has been a member of assembly. Mr. Cotton and Mr. Brice, are county commissioners, and the last has been a member of assembly. Mr. Cunningham is a substantial merchant and Mr. Mercer a substantial farmer. These gentlemen being all in town at the time, were readily applied to, and you may be assured, that the certificate of any one of them, is sufficient to outweigh the report. Many more names could have been obtained, but to seek numbers was thought to be giving too much respect to the slander, and a selection of a few unquestionable characters was thought best.

The presence of the Rev. John Smith, of Cannonsburgh, a learned and respectable Seceder minister, who, about three years ago, removed to this country from Octorara, in Lancaster county, enabled us to procure his certificate also, and upon this we are content to rest the character of Mr. Ross and of ourselves.

We could with as much ease have obtained as positive a denial of all the other malicious reports lately propagated against Mr. Ross, and we do pledge ourselves that they are false. But we thought it not of consequence to do so, as they are, we trust, generally known to be false; and as such reports from unprincipled and designing men are usually expected on such occasions. But there are so few means of ascertaining the credit due to a report of infidelity and a respect for religion is of such importance in public stations, that we thought it a duty to our fellow citizens to disprove the aspersion of deism.

Lest, therefore, this aspersion should mislead good people, unacquainted with Mr. Ross, the committee here request that you will publish, if you think proper, these documents in the newspapers or in hand bills, as you think best, and in such manner as you think most fit. The original of these certificates is in the hands of the committee of Franklin county.

ALEXANDER ADDISON,
Chairman of the committee of Washington co.

Washington, (Pa.) Aug. 26th 1799.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.

WE the subscribers, regular members of sundry Presbyterian congregations in the county of Washington, have heard with surprise and regret, that among the many slanderous reports propagated against the respectable character of James Ross, Esq. of Pittsburgh, who has been proposed to be chosen governor of Pennsylvania, one is, that he is a Deist.

We trust that we have a sincere regard for truth and religion, and we feel ourselves bound by the duties we owe to both, so far as our testimony can go to remove from our fellow citizens, this obstruction to the free exercise of our votes in favour of Mr. Ross.

God forbid that we should assist in placing in such an important station, a man defective in respect for religion. And we but obey the dictates of our own consciences in making the following declaration of what we know of Mr. Ross, from our own observation and indubitable information.

Mr. Ross was born of respectable and pious parents, of the Presbyterian church in York county in this state, and received from them a religious education. He is well instructed in the scriptures and the doctrines of christianity as held by our church; and we are persuaded believes and respects them. He lived long in this town, and longer in this county, and we have had good opportunities of knowing him. Where he has lived, there has not been any stated minister, and only occasional supplies for public worship. But he has contributed to the support of public worship where he lived, and attended it regularly and there is nothing known to us to justify the imputation that he is an infidel or deist, and we think this imputation false and malicious.

In witness whereof we have hereto set our hands.

A. Swearengen
Elders of Washington
Robert Stockton
Congregation.
Joseph Wherry
John Cotton Elders of Buffalo Congregation.
James Brice
gation.
James Mitchell, Elder of Peters Congregation.
John Mercer
Elders of Chartiers
James Allison
Congregation.
Craig Ritchie
Alexander Cunningham.

Since I lived in Washington county, I have had opportunity of conversing and being well acquainted with James Ross, Esq. of Pittsburgh, and of knowing his character from serious and respectable persons well acquainted with his opinions and conversation, and I am well persuaded that he is sincerely respectful of the Christian Protestant Religion, and do verily believe that the report of his being an infidel or deist is altogether without foundation.

JOHN SMITH,
Minister of Associated Congregation Chartiers.