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Letter to Editor
August 15, 1766
The Virginia Gazette
Richmond, Williamsburg, Richmond County, Virginia
What is this article about?
In Williamsburg, Virginia, on August 15, the writer corrects his prior mistaken report on the coroner's inquest into Mr. Routledge's death, clarifying it resulted from a wound inflicted by Col. Chiswell's hand. He stresses the moral duty to acknowledge errors to avoid harmful consequences and urges others to do the same.
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Full Text
WILLIAMSBURG, August 15.
A MISTAKE rectified.
The writer of the queries having discovered that he committed an error in his account of the inquest taken before the coroner upon Mr. Routledge, is very glad to acknowledge it, as he willingly deceives nobody. It was found, in that inquest (as he hears) that Mr. Routledge got his death, was killed, or words to the same effect, by a wound in the hand of Col. Chiswell. In the first relation, it was said (from misinformation) that he was found to be murdered, &c. Every man is liable to error. Every ingenuous man will esteem it his duty rather to confess than to maintain one, and the more if his mistake may be attended with consequences extensively evil. If this is not the case with respect to his own mistake, it clearly is with respect to that of some others; which ought in like manner to be confessed, but which is however strenuously maintained.
VIRGINIA, ss.
A MISTAKE rectified.
The writer of the queries having discovered that he committed an error in his account of the inquest taken before the coroner upon Mr. Routledge, is very glad to acknowledge it, as he willingly deceives nobody. It was found, in that inquest (as he hears) that Mr. Routledge got his death, was killed, or words to the same effect, by a wound in the hand of Col. Chiswell. In the first relation, it was said (from misinformation) that he was found to be murdered, &c. Every man is liable to error. Every ingenuous man will esteem it his duty rather to confess than to maintain one, and the more if his mistake may be attended with consequences extensively evil. If this is not the case with respect to his own mistake, it clearly is with respect to that of some others; which ought in like manner to be confessed, but which is however strenuously maintained.
VIRGINIA, ss.
What sub-type of article is it?
Informative
Ethical Moral
What themes does it cover?
Crime Punishment
What keywords are associated?
Inquest Correction
Routledge Death
Chiswell Wound
Acknowledging Error
Moral Duty
Letter to Editor Details
Main Argument
the writer acknowledges and corrects his error in reporting the inquest on mr. routledge's death, clarifying it was caused by a wound from col. chiswell, and emphasizes the duty to confess mistakes to prevent evil consequences, urging others to do likewise.
Notable Details
Correction Of Inquest Findings
Wound In The Hand Of Col. Chiswell
Duty To Confess Errors