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Letter to Editor
May 24, 1783
The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Exeter, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
A letter to the printer from the Salem Gazette expresses regret over widespread American aversion to Scottish people due to their cruel treatment of prisoners during the late war. It proposes government warnings at landing places to deter Scottish settlement, including a satirical verse rejecting Scots while welcoming others.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
From the Salem Gazette:
FORE-WARNED-FORE-ARMED.
Mr. PRINTER,
It is to be lamented, that the people thro' these United States (with but few exceptions) have a great aversion to the Scotch people, not because they have been our most inveterate enemies in the late war, but for their ferocious and malicious behavior, especially to the unhappy people, who, by the fortune of war, fell into their hands, treating them (without distinction) with insults, inhumanity, and more than savage cruelty.
Therefore, to prevent their blood, (I wish I could add innocent) from being frequently shed in this land, and to warn them of the danger to which they must be exposed in attempting to settle in any part belonging to those States for the present, I wish Government would give them warning, in writings set up to the view at every public landing place throughout these States, to include (with submission to my superiors) the purport of the following lines, viz.
The Scottish people is rejected;
The world besides will be accepted.
Jews, Infidels and Hottentots
We welcome here--but not the Scots.
I will only add a phrase, frequently mentioned by our seafaring brethren, that Fair Play is a jewel; and remain the public's friend and humble servant,
BALANCE.
FORE-WARNED-FORE-ARMED.
Mr. PRINTER,
It is to be lamented, that the people thro' these United States (with but few exceptions) have a great aversion to the Scotch people, not because they have been our most inveterate enemies in the late war, but for their ferocious and malicious behavior, especially to the unhappy people, who, by the fortune of war, fell into their hands, treating them (without distinction) with insults, inhumanity, and more than savage cruelty.
Therefore, to prevent their blood, (I wish I could add innocent) from being frequently shed in this land, and to warn them of the danger to which they must be exposed in attempting to settle in any part belonging to those States for the present, I wish Government would give them warning, in writings set up to the view at every public landing place throughout these States, to include (with submission to my superiors) the purport of the following lines, viz.
The Scottish people is rejected;
The world besides will be accepted.
Jews, Infidels and Hottentots
We welcome here--but not the Scots.
I will only add a phrase, frequently mentioned by our seafaring brethren, that Fair Play is a jewel; and remain the public's friend and humble servant,
BALANCE.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satirical
Provocative
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
Military War
What keywords are associated?
Anti Scottish Prejudice
Post War Aversion
Scottish Settlement Warning
Satirical Verse
American Hostility
What entities or persons were involved?
Balance.
Mr. Printer,
Letter to Editor Details
Author
Balance.
Recipient
Mr. Printer,
Main Argument
americans harbor strong aversion to scots due to their cruel treatment of prisoners in the late war; government should post warnings at landings to deter scottish settlement and prevent violence, including a satirical verse rejecting scots.
Notable Details
Satirical Verse Rejecting Scots
References To 'Late War' And Scottish Cruelties
Phrase 'Fair Play Is A Jewel' From Seafaring Brethren