Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

For the Gazette of the United States.

TO THE PUBLIC

HAVING been personally attacked in a set of queries signed "Americanus," and by the answers to them, I feel myself impelled in justice to myself, and to expose imposture and untruth, to state a few facts and remarks It is necessary to the introduction of the subject, and to give it its full weight, to say, that the author of the Queries, signed "Americanus" is P. P. Price, and that the respondent to them is John James Barralet It will be remembered that both these renowned Artists were among the eight, who resigned their membership in the Columbianum. How a foreigner, who has just emigrated to this Country, came by the name of an American, is a little difficult to conceive. It savours some what of imposture, for a man, who is not even a Citizen of the United States, to sign himself "An American". An American! Is P. P. Price, such an adept in Alchemy, that he is competent to the transmutation of men as well as of metals! Should this be the case, he need no longer search for the Philosopher's stone in a Columbianum—Wonderful faculty indeed! An Englishman transmuted into an American in the short space of a few months! This wonderful Doctor, has, no doubt, by the same power become an Artist; for his abilities as an artist, can receive no other explanation; unless indeed a professor's chair should have had such magic powers, as by the mere anticipation to work wonders— Thus much in relation to the signature of the Querist, and now let me pay a little attention to the respondent John James Barralet's reply is that I did positively recommend to the artists to withdraw themselves from Peale's Museum, and that I would follow their example to preserve the Columbianum.

The fact is as follows: In conversation with J. J. Barralet, previously to his resignation, he suggested that he intended to bring forward a motion at the next meeting of the Columbianum, to dissolve the association, and produced a paper to this effect, which he wished me to sign. This paper not only obliged those who gave their signature to it to aid in dissolving the Columbianum; but it also obligated them to make opposition to every association of a similar nature, which should interfere with their views. It may well be supposed that a proposition so arbitrary, and so daring startled me, and to prevent the ill blood and confusion which would result from it, I proposed a resignation as a more honorable and pacific measure. I suggested that the rights of others would be attacked by their proposition; but that their own rights were implicated in a resignation, and might be used as they thought expedient; and added ironically, that as they were the pillars of the Society, if they should withdraw their support, the association would fall of course.

They acquiesced in this and resigned accordingly. That I promised to follow their example is as true as that I advised them to "withdraw"; for I did not advise them to withdraw, but to resign, and they followed my advice—As neither Querist nor Respondent have exhibited any other credentials to the public than their ipse dixit, I flatter myself that I shall have an equal if not superior claim to belief; for the man who is a stranger and unknown will surely not dispute the claim of one whose whole life and actions have been within the cognizance of the Citizens of Philadelphia.

The other questions and answers are of a piece with those which relate to myself; but as other gentlemen are implicated in them, and are as competent as I am to their defence, I shall pass them by without further notice.

I would ask P. P. Price the querist, and J. J. Barralet the respondent, whether they are employed by the Society to which they profess to belong, to scribble? for they appear to be as disinterested in the business, as they are in the establishment of a national College; neither of them can be supposed to have any expectations of private emoluments; but their pure unadulterated love for this Country is the only stimulus to their zeal and labour.—Worthy gentlemen, how much are your associates indebted to you for wielding the quill for them: and how much are the Citizens of America your debtors for abandoning the rich harvests of your native Country to instruct us untaught creatures, without even the anticipation of reward!!!

These gentlemen have rung the changes upon their originality, and tuned the public ear with their having withdrawn from the Society—the truth of both may be tried by the same evidence; and as the World are already in possession of their resignation, they will be fully able to determine the degree of credit due to their original labours—To "withdraw" from a Society is still to keep up a claim to it; but to resign is to abandon it entirely.—Let the gentlemen cease to quibble and no longer attempt to impose upon the public, for they will find in the end, that honesty is the best policy.

This statement shall close my appeals to the public, in relation to P. P. Price and J. J. Barralet; for I shall ever decline any controversy with men who have so wantonly sported with reputation and truth.

WILLIAM RUSH, CARVER.

March 13th, 1795.