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Letter to Editor
December 5, 1788
The Daily Advertiser
New York, New York County, New York
What is this article about?
A supporter defends Dr. Bayley's character against accusations in the Daily Advertiser by Commentator, recounting an incident in April/May where Bailey showed firmness by erasing Mr. M'Knight's name from a school subscription list to provoke a challenge over professional insults.
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MR. CHILDS,
SIR,
Commentator having made his appearance in your Daily Advertiser of yesterday, reflecting on the character of Dr. Bayley, supported as he asserts, with documents to validate his charges, it becomes I think the duty of every honest mind that profess friendship for the party accused, to come forward (especially in his absence) with such refutation as truth and justice warrant.
In all controversies between individuals, where appeals are made to the public "audi alteram partem," "hear both sides of the question," is the only safe and sure way to judge impartially.
In order therefore to set aside the accusation of Mr. Bailey's being devoid of principle, manliness and firmness; I trust it will only be required to support either personally or by affidavit (both of which I am willing and ready to do) the following fact:
Late in the month of April, or early in May last, Mr. Bailey waited on me, and made me acquainted with his intention of calling Mr. M'Knight to an account for many liberties unwarrantable ones indeed, from his relation (and I never had any reason to doubt Mr. Bailey's veracity) which Mr. M'Knight had taken with his professional character, requesting at the same time my friendship on the occasion: Promising however, that in order to bring their different opinions of each other to an issue, he had taken the freedom to erase Mr. M'Knight's name from the list of subscribers, who had associated to form a private school and support a teacher for the education of their respective children. This he observed was not productive of the end he had in view, namely, to draw down Mr. M'Knight's vengeance upon him, he therefore earnestly entreated me to carry a challenge to Mr. M'Knight, that the public might not any longer be teazed with their private disputes." My reply to this request was simply this— You have taken Mr. M'Knight's rank from him by erasing his name from the subscription paper, you have given him the highest possible insult; the business in my judgment, rests with him—content yourself and be prepared—when necessity requires—I will be your friend.
Dec. 4. A Friend to Fair Play
SIR,
Commentator having made his appearance in your Daily Advertiser of yesterday, reflecting on the character of Dr. Bayley, supported as he asserts, with documents to validate his charges, it becomes I think the duty of every honest mind that profess friendship for the party accused, to come forward (especially in his absence) with such refutation as truth and justice warrant.
In all controversies between individuals, where appeals are made to the public "audi alteram partem," "hear both sides of the question," is the only safe and sure way to judge impartially.
In order therefore to set aside the accusation of Mr. Bailey's being devoid of principle, manliness and firmness; I trust it will only be required to support either personally or by affidavit (both of which I am willing and ready to do) the following fact:
Late in the month of April, or early in May last, Mr. Bailey waited on me, and made me acquainted with his intention of calling Mr. M'Knight to an account for many liberties unwarrantable ones indeed, from his relation (and I never had any reason to doubt Mr. Bailey's veracity) which Mr. M'Knight had taken with his professional character, requesting at the same time my friendship on the occasion: Promising however, that in order to bring their different opinions of each other to an issue, he had taken the freedom to erase Mr. M'Knight's name from the list of subscribers, who had associated to form a private school and support a teacher for the education of their respective children. This he observed was not productive of the end he had in view, namely, to draw down Mr. M'Knight's vengeance upon him, he therefore earnestly entreated me to carry a challenge to Mr. M'Knight, that the public might not any longer be teazed with their private disputes." My reply to this request was simply this— You have taken Mr. M'Knight's rank from him by erasing his name from the subscription paper, you have given him the highest possible insult; the business in my judgment, rests with him—content yourself and be prepared—when necessity requires—I will be your friend.
Dec. 4. A Friend to Fair Play
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Ethical Moral
What themes does it cover?
Education
Morality
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Dr Bayley Defense
Mcknight Dispute
Character Refutation
School Subscription
Challenge Provocation
What entities or persons were involved?
A Friend To Fair Play
Mr. Childs
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A Friend To Fair Play
Recipient
Mr. Childs
Main Argument
dr. bayley demonstrates principle, manliness, and firmness by intending to challenge mr. m'knight over professional insults, including erasing his name from a school subscription list to provoke a response, refuting commentator's accusations.
Notable Details
Audi Alteram Partem
Erasing Name From Subscriber List
Request To Carry Challenge
Potential Duel Over Private Disputes