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Letter to Editor
June 2, 1819
Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
In a humorous ghostly letter dated June 2, 1819, the 'Ghost of Johnny Gladden' visits the Potomac fisheries near Mount Vernon and observes improvements like gill nets. He criticizes fishermen for harassing gill net operators with cannon fire, arguing the river should be free for all lawful fishing pursuits.
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ALEXANDRIA:
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2. 1819.
Mr. SNOWDEN,
It is but seldom that ghosts are permitted to leave " the recesses of condemned spirits," and take a peep at this "uppermost" world. Being on my parole of honor for the month of April last, I visited my old haunts, the fisheries on the Potomac. I was astonished at the wonderful improvement in the country adjacent. and in the apparatus for taking fish, since Captain Posey made a ghost of me. I was particularly pleased with a simple and cheap contrivance called a gill net. I thought at first had this invention been known in my time I might escape Captain Posey's buck shot; but soon found I was probably mistaken. As I stood on the identical spot, just below Mount Vernon.'where I was killed. I heard the fish catchers and fish buyers, without an exception, damning every vessel they saw sailing the Potomac, for "a rascally gill-net-man;" and hearing several heavy explosions, and seeing columns of water raised on the river by cannon bullets, I discovered by the laughing and shouting of the fishermen that they were directed at the gill net men, whom they all wished at the bottom of the channel.- I addressed myself to a grave and venerable looking gentleman, who seemed to be a man of excellent understanding. I said it was a hardship to drive men from their industrious, lawful pursuits-that the river was free for all--that the license of every vessel stated she was permitted to enjoy the benefit of the coasting trade and the fisheries--that if the usual quantity of fish were taken it was immaterial by whom, whether Yankees, Eastern Shore men, or Potomac seine owners-and that unusual quantities of shad were taken, as they were very cheap in the markets.—Notwithstanding all this was so plain, the gentleman was not convinced of my logic, but scowling at me with a mixture of contempt and indignation, he turned from me, whistling the tune of "Johnny Gladden killed a negro." Fearing I was discovered, and just at that moment-hearing another explosion, I thought it prudent to retire and vanish into thin air
.GHOST OF JOHNNY GLADDEN.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 2. 1819.
Mr. SNOWDEN,
It is but seldom that ghosts are permitted to leave " the recesses of condemned spirits," and take a peep at this "uppermost" world. Being on my parole of honor for the month of April last, I visited my old haunts, the fisheries on the Potomac. I was astonished at the wonderful improvement in the country adjacent. and in the apparatus for taking fish, since Captain Posey made a ghost of me. I was particularly pleased with a simple and cheap contrivance called a gill net. I thought at first had this invention been known in my time I might escape Captain Posey's buck shot; but soon found I was probably mistaken. As I stood on the identical spot, just below Mount Vernon.'where I was killed. I heard the fish catchers and fish buyers, without an exception, damning every vessel they saw sailing the Potomac, for "a rascally gill-net-man;" and hearing several heavy explosions, and seeing columns of water raised on the river by cannon bullets, I discovered by the laughing and shouting of the fishermen that they were directed at the gill net men, whom they all wished at the bottom of the channel.- I addressed myself to a grave and venerable looking gentleman, who seemed to be a man of excellent understanding. I said it was a hardship to drive men from their industrious, lawful pursuits-that the river was free for all--that the license of every vessel stated she was permitted to enjoy the benefit of the coasting trade and the fisheries--that if the usual quantity of fish were taken it was immaterial by whom, whether Yankees, Eastern Shore men, or Potomac seine owners-and that unusual quantities of shad were taken, as they were very cheap in the markets.—Notwithstanding all this was so plain, the gentleman was not convinced of my logic, but scowling at me with a mixture of contempt and indignation, he turned from me, whistling the tune of "Johnny Gladden killed a negro." Fearing I was discovered, and just at that moment-hearing another explosion, I thought it prudent to retire and vanish into thin air
.GHOST OF JOHNNY GLADDEN.
What sub-type of article is it?
Comedic
Satirical
Persuasive
What themes does it cover?
Commerce Trade
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Potomac Fisheries
Gill Nets
Fishing Rights
Shad Market
Ghost Narrative
Johnny Gladden
What entities or persons were involved?
Ghost Of Johnny Gladden
Mr. Snowden
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Ghost Of Johnny Gladden
Recipient
Mr. Snowden
Main Argument
the potomac river should be free for all to engage in lawful fishing pursuits, including gill net operators, without harassment from other fishermen, as licenses permit the fisheries and the quantity of fish taken benefits the market regardless of who catches them.
Notable Details
References Captain Posey Who 'Made A Ghost' Of The Writer
Location: Fisheries Below Mount Vernon
Fishermen Use Cannon Bullets Against Gill Net Men
Gentleman Whistles 'Johnny Gladden Killed A Negro'