Kentucky Gazette And General Advertiser

Frankfort, August 14, 1806.

TO JOHN WOOD.

You sir, know why Col. M'Dowell in his letter of the 26th of July, did not express his surprise at the statement given in the Western World, in regard to Mr. Brown. You know that he had already declared it false publicly, and to your face, in Frankfort. Where then was the necessity of his writing to you, from home, what he had told you personally, just before he went home?

Patriotic, impartial, persecuted man! why did you not subjoin this statement of truth when you subjoined Judge M'Dowell's letter? you had a hope, a little hope, that by withholding it, you might make that venerable Judge appear inconsistent. It is a pity that you did not know that no man could injure Judge M'Dowell's character, who had not some character of his own. But Judge M'Dowell has wished you some prosperity, (and I wonder who had more need of such wishes,) and the same Judge has said he was your very humble servant. Yet he is not your servant, but the President of the General court. What inconsistency! who can know what to make of this?

Let me congratulate you on your living witnesses; Joseph George, your last one says your statement is false. How will you like him for a certificate man. Indeed Mr Wood this appealing to living witness will ruin you. You must hereafter appeal to such as are dead, or have run away; then if you are condemned, it will not be out of your own mouth.

After my best wishes for your prosperity, believe me to be your friend and

Very humble servant,

WILLIAM LITTELL.