The Virginia Gazette

WITH great astonishment I observed an advertisement of Thomas Underwood's in Mr. Rind's paper of the 20th of this month, who apologizes for appearing in print, but says his chief motive for so doing is to exculpate himself from the charge I have accused him with in Purdie and Dixon's paper some time in last May. Perhaps the attestation of George Clough may induce some persons to believe I made a contract with Underwood which I did not perform. I agree, as I did in my last advertisement, that I offered a Negro boy for sale to Thomas Underwood, but that I ever confirmed a sale of him I do positively deny. Was the contract as Mr. Clough has attested, he would be benefited twenty odd pounds by it; therefore I think if that man had any regard for his reputation, being party interested, he would not have had the impudence to endeavour to put false glozes on my transaction in this affair. I can, upon my honour, say that Clough has advanced in his attestation nothing but falsehood. Mr. Nathaniel West Dandridge says in his attestation that I told him I intended to sell the boy at a cockfight a few days after I came there to discharge a debt I owed Underwood, and another I owed Clough. I agree I intended to discharge those debts by money arising from the sale of that boy, and I agree I offered the boy to Underwood for 63l. and that Underwood promised to buy him at that price, if I brought him to Hanover court next, which I intended to have done, had I not been disappointed, by many accidents too tedious now to mention; but that I ever made a positive bargain for the boy, or that I ever transferred my property in him, I deny, and publicly declare those who said I did are void of truth, and are not to be confided in. Let Thomas Underwood produce any conveyance from under my hand for the boy, or any directions given by me to pay George Clough any money, and then he may advertise; but until then I shall expect every rational being will believe he is one of a vile disposition. I have ordered suit in the General Court against Underwood, and will likewise do the same against George Clough.

JOHN AYLETT.

N. B. Col. Nathaniel Harrison is desired to advertise a copy of Underwood's letters and accounts I sent him, or to advertise in what manner he contradicts himself in his letters and accounts, and if he does not think he is to blame; I likewise desire Mr. Richard Buckner, sen. to declare what he knows concerning my sending the slave to his sons.