Well—you have now read the mysterious paper, which
you will perceive, by and by, was to be framed “in the
worst terms, that contempt could devise!” What do you
think of it?
And now, for my account of the transaction. I shall be
very particular—very—for, it were a thousand pities, that
so complete a ceremony should not be circumstantially recorded,
for the benefit of all who are so prone to valorous
achievement—in time of peace—as are the junior population
of our navy.
Soon after the terrible book, “styled Randolph,” had appeared
in this place;---while it was yet generally understood,
and believed, to be made up of profanity, blasphemy,
and obscenity;---and generally reported, on the best authority,
that the author had denounced Jesus Christ, for a
juggler---William Pinkney, for a blackguard---and George
Washington, as no better than he should be:---while the
whole town was ringing with a report, that the book had
been suppressed, over, and over again; and that none of
that class of men, so proverbial for their independence, and
moral purity---and disinterstedness—and publick spirit---
and courage—called booksellers, would venture to touch
it with a pair of tongs---a gentleman called upon me, late
one afternoon, with the following very modest, and polite
note.
