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Letter to Editor
March 6, 1787
The New York Packet
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
Herman Hoffman defends himself against Reyer Schermerhorn's public accusations of improper conduct in office, particularly regarding a letter from New York Governor to Massachusetts Governor Bowdoin suspecting forgery. He proposes formal inquiry via court or Governor and Council rather than newspaper debate. Dated February 18, 1787, from Red-Hook.
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Full Text
To the Printers of the New-York Packet.
Have lately seen in one of your papers, a publication, in the form of a letter from Mr. Reyer Schermerhorn to his Excellency the Governor, and intended doubtless to charge me with improper conduct in the execution of my office. The character of my accuser is well known: I do not mention this, however, as supposing that from that circumstance only it will be concluded that the accusation is altogether malicious and cannot be supported ; but only as a reason for my not altercating with him in a public news-paper. He chiefly complains of a letter, from His Excellency the Governor of this State to Governor Bowdoin of Massachusetts, intimating suspicions of forgery against him. This letter was written on my application, and from my information, and if I have imposed falsehoods on the Governor it was highly offensive in me. It is not for me to invite an enquiry which may occasion expence and trouble to me ; if any part of my conduct however has been improper, I may be questioned for it in a Court of Justice or before the Governor and Council of Appointment, and I shall be ready to answer at either of those tribunals.
On a proper application from Mr. Schermerhorn, such an enquiry may take place, and I conceive that this is the only mode in which the questions between him and me can be examined in order to determine the truth or falsity of his accusations.
I remain your most obedient servant,
HERMAN HOFFMAN.
Red-Hook, Feb. 18, 1787
Have lately seen in one of your papers, a publication, in the form of a letter from Mr. Reyer Schermerhorn to his Excellency the Governor, and intended doubtless to charge me with improper conduct in the execution of my office. The character of my accuser is well known: I do not mention this, however, as supposing that from that circumstance only it will be concluded that the accusation is altogether malicious and cannot be supported ; but only as a reason for my not altercating with him in a public news-paper. He chiefly complains of a letter, from His Excellency the Governor of this State to Governor Bowdoin of Massachusetts, intimating suspicions of forgery against him. This letter was written on my application, and from my information, and if I have imposed falsehoods on the Governor it was highly offensive in me. It is not for me to invite an enquiry which may occasion expence and trouble to me ; if any part of my conduct however has been improper, I may be questioned for it in a Court of Justice or before the Governor and Council of Appointment, and I shall be ready to answer at either of those tribunals.
On a proper application from Mr. Schermerhorn, such an enquiry may take place, and I conceive that this is the only mode in which the questions between him and me can be examined in order to determine the truth or falsity of his accusations.
I remain your most obedient servant,
HERMAN HOFFMAN.
Red-Hook, Feb. 18, 1787
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Politics
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Accusation
Forgery
Governor
Inquiry
Official Conduct
Newspaper Debate
What entities or persons were involved?
Herman Hoffman
To The Printers Of The New York Packet
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Herman Hoffman
Recipient
To The Printers Of The New York Packet
Main Argument
herman hoffman denies improper conduct in reporting suspicions of forgery to the governor and urges mr. schermerhorn to pursue formal inquiry through court or official channels rather than public newspaper altercation.
Notable Details
Accusation Via Letter From Schermerhorn To The Governor
Letter From Ny Governor To Ma Governor Bowdoin On Forgery Suspicions
Hoffman's Information Prompted The Governor's Letter
Offers To Answer In Court Of Justice Or Before Governor And Council Of Appointment