New Hampshire Statesman And Concord Register

Concord,
SATURDAY.........JUNE 16, 1827.

[We lay by an article we had prepared on the subject, to give place to the following Communication from the Hon. John Taylor Gilman. We would merely remark that the Patriot Editor's talk "about the aged Gov. Gilman," and the insinuation that the agency of his political friends had wrought upon his "second childishness," and brought him at this time before the public, comes with an ill grace from one who gave to the public, but a fortnight ago, with high encomiums, a communication purporting to be from Robert Alcock, of Deering—a man twenty years older than John Taylor Gilman, and acknowledged to be "nearly blind from extreme age"—but, according to the Patriot Editor, "possessing his mental faculties in full vigor." That man can be made to talk about "the superannuated Rufus King," and the sins of the present Administration, and it is all very well;—but the moment the Patriot Editor's corruption and falsehood are exposed by others, they are either "young" men, and of course not to be credited—or "aged" men, and acting under the delusive dictation of others.]

TO THE EDITOR OF THE STATESMAN.

In your paper of the 9th inst. was published a statement, containing an extract from a newspaper published by Isaac Hill, of Concord, dated March 5, 1827, which extract I pronounced to contain absolute falsehoods.

I referred to the records of the proceedings of the Governor and Council, and to the members of the Council, and required of Mr. Hill to unsay what he had said and insinuated in the extract. A gentleman handed me Mr. Hill's paper of June 11th, in which I find the following:

"We are sorry to perceive that some of the political friends of the aged Gov. Gilman have induced that gentleman to appear before the public in the Concord Register, and virtually denying his wish to call the Legislature together for the purpose of choosing delegates to the Hartford Convention, charge on the editor of the N. H. Patriot falsehood, for having represented that the firmness of the Patriots, Elijah Hall and Benjamin Pierce, then of the Council, prevented that public disgrace on the State of New-Hampshire.

If Governor Gilman was not at the time in favor of electing delegates to the Hartford Convention—if he did not then cordially unite with the views of Governor Strong, H. G. Otis and Josiah Quincy in Massachusetts, and Daniel Webster and Jeremiah Mason and their associates in New-Hampshire, not only did Hall and Pierce, but thousands of republicans in this State, then totally and entirely misunderstand his motives and his policy. We respect the age of Gov. Gilman; but we cannot respect the intentions of those who attempt to cover the deformities of Hartford Convention federalism at the expense of our veracity."

Is it possible that Mr. Hill, or any man of common sense, can consider this as an answer to my charge and requisition? He begins with the addition of an insult to his former attempt to injure my reputation. He says, "we are sorry to perceive," &c. (see above.) I declare that no person ever mentioned to me Mr. Hill's charge against me; or that I ought to write, or knew my intention. I saw the publication accidentally, and immediately determined what to do. No person ever saw any part of what I wrote, until it was given to a gentleman to carry to Concord, and it was published in exact conformity to my writing:

He says, "we respect the age of Gov. Gilman." Query how? He closes with the words, "at the expense of our veracity." Query—what is it worth? My charge remains—and my requirements are unsatisfied.

JOHN TAYLOR GILMAN.
Exeter, June 13, 1827.