A REVIEW _AND_ EXPOSITION, OF THE _FALSEHOODS_ AND _MISREPRESENTATIONS_, OF A PAMPHLET _ADDRESSED TO THE_ REPUBLICANS OF THE COUNTY OF SARATOGA, _SIGNED_, "A CITIZEN;"

 PRINTED BY "ULYSSES F. DOUBLEDAY. "

 BY AN ELECTOR. 

 _BALLSTON SPA:_ _March 1816_. 

TO THE REPUBLICANS OF THE COUNTY OF SARATOGA. 

_Fellow-Citizens_. 

The pamphlet signed "A Citizen, " and entitled "A defence, " &c. Generally known by the name of "The Book, " has at length made itsappearance; and as was expected, this last effort of an expiringfaction, has excited no other emotions in the mind of an enlightenedpublic, than those of contempt and pity--Contempt for the miserablearts of condign despair, and pity like that excited by an object in theagonies of dissolution, or a maniac dancing in his chains. Thisproduction should have been left to the oblivion which inevitablyawaits it, nor should my pen have been employed in its detection andexposure, had it not been characterized by the lowest attempts atconcealment and treachery, falsehood and detraction. --Like _Iago_ inthe play, a wretched abandonment of character, a destitution ofprinciple, and a fiend-like thirst for _revenge_, accompany the authorthro' the whole of his progress, and appear to acquire additionalforce, as he approaches the period of his downfall. That it is atissue, however, which it requires no strength to burst, will appear bythe examination of a single point on which the whole of the story ismade to rest. If the ridiculous charge made against two or threeindividuals that they had cheated Mr. Young out of his nomination, turns out to be the mere phantom of a disordered imagination, insteadof a logical deduction of truth, if the facts which have been urged insupport of this charge, are the mere creatures of misrepresentation, prevarication and falsehood; this alone will settle the controversy, and fix the imputation, upon its unprincipled authors. The loop onwhich this absurd tale is made to hang, is the _frail and feeble_certificate of Ketcham, Gardner and Cowles. That I should be authorisedto apply an epithet more severe than that of frail and feeble, I takeit upon me to prove in the first place by the certificate itself, compared with one which the same men issued last spring: And in thenext place by a plain statement of facts, given under the solemnity ofan oath, leaving it at present for _atheists_ and blasphemers, (for Iam sure none others will) to ascribe greater moral certainty to acertificate carrying on the face of it miserable evasion, than to ahistory sanctioned by an appeal to the Christians God. 

That this certificate is both suspicious and evasive, I appeal to thepamphlet page 27. Why do they not tell their fellow-citizens, that_they did not collectively or individually during that session chargeYoung with ill-treatment towards them_? Would not this have beenperfectly easy if true? Why do they blink the question, and tell a longstory about a conversation which they held with Mr. Bunce, whichwhether it was true or untrue, is totally immaterial? What do they meanin a later stage of their certificate, by the _unsuspecting and__unguarded conversation_, they had held with Mr. Bunce, and which theywere afraid he would make mischief of? Do they call the conversationwhich they detail an unguarded one? Or was it some other conversationand conversations which shall be proved upon them? Instead of sayingthat they expressed no opinion to Bunce that "Young ought not _again_to be nominated, " why do they not tell us, whether they or either ofthem expressed any opinion to Bunce, or any other person, against hisnomination _the then next spring_? In Mr. Kasson's letter (p. 33) itappears they told him that "_Bunce and another gentleman_" called onthem, with whom they held a conversation; whereas the one given intheir recent certificate is confined exclusively to Bunce. Read alsothe following certificate of these men, which they gave to the publiclast spring; in which they admit some other conversation which theycall _a free and unreserved conversation_, and protest against the"treacherous perversion" of it. 

"_To the Citizens of the county of Saratoga_. "

"Having heard that a private conversation of ours has been representedto our Fellow Citizens in a light unfavorable to the character ofSamuel Young, Esq. And has been used to his prejudice, in theestimation of his constituents. --We discharge a duty grateful to ourindividual feelings, due to the feelings and character of a highlyuseful, able, faithful and industrious Member of Assembly, and due toour county, to express our _pointed indignation_ against the_treacherous perversion_ of the spirit of a free and unreservedconversation by stating to our fellow citizens, that we have alwayslived in the most perfect harmony with Mr. Young, have had with him onall legislative business the most cordial co-operation and concert:that his uniform deportment towards us has been friendly and decorous, and that we never gave an intimation of any wish or opinion against hisrenomination to the Assembly. --HOWEL GARDNER, RICHARD KETCHUM, BENJAMINCOWLES. _Albany, April 17, 1815_. "[1]

Whatever name these gentlemen, may have given to their conversations, some times calling them _unsuspecting and unguarded_, and sometimes_free and unreserved_, in order to determine their nature and placethem in a clear light, I shall now go on to shew the public what theydid say, and not stop to quarrel about names so long as I am sure thatpublic will be content with the things themselves. I challengeincredulity itself after reading the following affidavits andstatements, to doubt one moment on the subject. 

 "Isaiah Bunce & Thomas Palmer being duly sworn, say, that they were at Albany in the early part of the late session of the Legislature, and put up at the house where the Delegates of the county of Saratoga quartered. That they and three of the Delegates from said county, viz. Messrs. Ketcham, Gardner and Cowles, conversed freely with each other on various political subjects, and in one conversation they had with these said Members, they told these Deponents, that they had not been well treated by their colleague Mr. Young--spoke freely of their unpleasant situation, owing to that treatment, mentioning a number of instances illustrating the same, both in the fall session and the then session of the Legislature. 

 "And these deponents further say, that they the said Ketcham, Gardner and Cowles, did in that conversation, decidedly express their opinion that the said Young ought not to represent this county again in the next session--at the same time signifying that they had no wish, that the talents of Mr. Young should be lost to the county, but believed it would be for his benefit, should he not be elected the ensuing session--or language to that import. 

 "And these deponents further say, that this conversation took place while it was generally believed and expected, and so expressed by the said Ketcham, Cowles and Gardner in particular, that Mr. Young would in a day or two, be appointed Secretary of the State of New-York. --ISAIAH BUNCE, THOMAS PALMER. _Sworn the 5th day of May, in the Year 1815, before me SAMUEL COOK, Master in Chancery_. "

 "John Dunning being sworn saith, That in March last, He went to Albany and there saw Benjamin Cowles Esq. One of the Delegates from Saratoga, who told this deponent, that Samuel Young Esq. Had treated the Members of this county with neglect, that their situation owing to the treatment they had received from him was very disagreeable, or words to that amount--mentioning instances of that neglect &c. 

 "And this deponent further saith, That on his return from Albany, he overtook Richard Ketchum Esq. Then going to visit his family in Stillwater--that he conversed with the said Ketchum, on the subject of Mr. Young's treatment to them, who informed this deponent the same as Mr. Cowles had done, and related several circumstances confirming the same. --JOHN DUNNING. Subscribed and sworn before me, Philo T. Beebe, one of the Justices of the Peace in Malta, County of Saratoga, the 4th day of May 1815_. PHILO T. BEEBE, _Justice of the Peace_. 

 "Amos Allcott being sworn saith, that Messrs. Ketchum, Gardner and Cowles, three of the Delegates from the county of Saratoga, some time in March last, when at Albany, told this Deponent, that they had been ill-treated, or not well treated by Samuel Young Esq. Their colleague--and expressed their opinion and wishes fully, that some other person than he, should the next session represent this county in Assembly. Mr. Ketchum in presence of the other two, said he had made up his mind fully in favor of George Palmer, Esq. Or Esek Cowen Esq. Being the man, to which the other two appeared to assent. --Mr. Gardner however remarked, that _some said_ Mr. Young might be sufficiently, mortified by not being appointed Secretary of State. --AMOS ALLCOTT. _Sworn the 5th day of May, in the Year 1815, before me SAMUEL COOK Master in Chancery_. "

 "Lewis B. Edwards being sworn saith, That a few days after Mr. Bunce and Palmer returned from Albany--Mr. Gardner Member of Assembly, called at the office of the _Saratoga Journal_, on his way home to see his family, and told Mr. Bunce among other things, that Mr. Young had lost the Office of Secretary of State, and that Mr. Porter was appointed. And further remarked, 'it may be best to suspend the thing we talked of, his loosing that may humble him enough, pride will have a all'--or words to that import. 

 "And this Deponent further saith, That about a fortnight after this, Mr. Cowles one of the other Members of Assembly, called at the Office on his return from Hadley to the Legislature, and on Mr. Bunce, asking him whether Mr. Young had treated them any better since his disappointment, he replied he had not--and that Mr. Young had never yet even asked them to walk to the House with him or words to that effect. On the said Bunces enquiry whether he had mentioned the subject to any of his friends while at home--he replied that he intended to have done so to Esq. Rockwell, but he had missed of him returning from Albany. Mr. Rockwell, as appeared having gone to Albany while Mr. Cowles was going to Hadley. --LEWIS B. EDWARDS. _Sworn the fifth day of May, in the year 1815, before me SAMUEL COOK, Master in Chancery_. "

It is here proper to remark, that on the 18th of April, the day of theMcBain meeting; Judge Child, recommended that no publication he made oneither side, and that after election a meeting should take placebetween the members and Messrs. Bunce and Palmer, and endeavor to cometo an amicable explanation. Mr. Stillwell, will well remember, that twodays afterwards he called on Mr. Palmer, with a message from JudgeChild, requesting him, "by all means not to publish any thing duringthe election, relative to the conversation with the members, " to whichMr. Palmer readily assented. Notwithstanding which, the next day thecertificate of the members, were brought to the Federal PrintingOffice, and several hundred copies struck off, with the knowledge ofMr. Stillwell, who then kept his office within a few rods of theFederal Press. Yet no contrary statements were published during theelection, nor until after two or three weeks had expired after the timeset by Mr. Cowles, for the members to meet Messrs. Bunce and Palmer. The members were requested by several Republicans to meet; they werefinally publicly invited in the Journal, but contrary to theexpectations and wishes of a great portion of the Republicans of theCounty, they did not come forward; and the above affidavits werepublished. And here the controversy on this point might have ended; butit seems the members, or rather the 'Citizen, ' was not satisfied, andhe procures _another_ certificate from them, which may be seen in page27 28 and 29 of that pamphlet. Compare their _two_ statements--examinethe above affidavits again--read the following certificates, and judgefor yourselves. 

 "I hereby certify, that I met Benjamin Cowles, Esq. At Jones' Inn in Halfmoon, _on his return home from the Legislature_, on the 20th of April last, two days after the McBain meeting, and we there conversed together on the subject of the conversation he Messrs. Ketchum and Gardner, had with Messrs. Bunce and Palmer, in Albany, (where it was alleged that they Ketchum, Cowles and Gardner, had complained of vanity, neglect and ill-treatment of Mr. Young. ) That I expressed my surplice to Mr. Cowles, that he, (Cowles) Ketchum and Gardner should lend their names to an instrument denying the conversation above alluded to, when he Cowles, Ketchum and Gardner, knew they had not only complained to Bunce and Palmer, but to myself and others. To which he answered, that the certificate given by them was not given meaning to deny any thing that had been said as respected ill-treatment, &c. Of Mr. Young, but only to re-but other things which the gentlemen who called for the certificate, (among whom were James Thompson, Esq. ) represented to have been said. On which I suggested the propriety of his calling on Bunce and Palmer, at the Springs; and immediately getting his colleagues to meet them, and have the thing explained, and prevent improper use being made of their certificate; to which preposition he, after expressing his regret that it had become public, cordially acceded. I then parted with him on my way to New-York. --AMOS ALLCOTT, _Ballston Spa, March 1816_. "

 "I certify, that Mr. Cowles did on that day, (20th April) call on Mr. Bunce as mentioned in the above certificate of Mr. Allcott he had agreed to do, and after some conversation on the subject, in which he admitted that he, Gardner and Ketchum, had complained of Young's ill treatment and haughtiness to them, and their expressing their opinion against his being nominated as a candidate for that election &c. He strongly solicited Mr. Bunce to have nothing published in his paper on the subject, till he could go and see his colleagues, Mr. Gardner and Ketchum, and get them to meet and have the affair explained and reconciled, which he said he would at all events endeavor to do before the next paper should come out, [this being _Thursday_, and the paper not to appear before the next _Wednesday_, ] that he was then in a great hurry, and must get home that night, but he would make it his business to immediately attend to it; to which proposition Mr. Bunce readily agreed, and promised Mr. Cowles accordingly. This conversation was in the office of the Saratoga Journal, in the room in which I was at work. The next day however, information was brought to Mr. Bunce in the office, that the certificate of the said Cowles, Gardner and Ketchum, denying the conversation relative to Mr. Young, was then striking off at Mr. Comstock's Office in this place, and shortly after a _printed copy_ was brought into the office. -- LEWIS B. EDWARDS. _Ballston Spa, March 1816_. "

 "I certify, that shortly after the rising of the Legislature, I saw Benjamin Cowles, Esq. In the village of Ballston Spa, on his way home; And in a conversation with him relative to the reports respecting Mr. Young, I asked him whether he had not told Mr. Bunce and Palmer, 'that Mr. Young had treated his colleagues with neglect, and that his treatment towards them was haughty and reserved, ' to which Mr. Cowles answered in the affirmative. I further asked him if he did not tell Mr. Palmer and Bunce, 'that he was convinced of Mr. Young's vanity, previous to his being in the Legislature with him, ' and state as an example 'that while they were Supervisors, they were appointed a committee to arrange or make out an account, for the board of Supervisors, and that he the said Benjamin Cowles, Esq. Made out the account himself and delivered it to Mr. Y. Who copied and presented it to the board of Supervisors, and claimed the credit of it himself. ' To all of which Mr. Cowles answered in the affirmative, and expressed a wish that Mr. B. And P. Would not publish any thing concerning the conversation, as he was anxious to see Messrs. Gardner and Ketchum, and have the affair reconciled. He further stated that he did not think that the certificate given by Mr. Ketchum, Gardner and himself, to Jas. Thompson; Esq. Did deny the conversation with Bunce and Palmer. --A. W. ODELL. _Ballston Spa, March, 1816_. "

 "I certify that some time in the month of February 1815, Benjamin Cowles, Esq. Came home from the Legislature on a visit, that I saw Mr. Cowles at Ensign's Inn, in the town of Hadley, in which town we both reside; and that we then and there entered into a conversation concerning Mr. Young, and that Mr. Cowles intimated to me that Mr. Young's treatment was haughty towards the members, and said that he was disappointed in his expectations in the treatment he received from Mr. Young, and he further told me that he thought it would be as well to send some _other_ man to the Legislature the then ensuing year. 

 "I further certify, that some time in the fall of 1815, I had another conversation with the said Benjamin Cowles, Esq. On the subject of the affidavits that had been published, relative to the conversation said to have passed between Isaiah Bunce and Thomas Palmer, and the members in Albany; and that during that conversation he did not contradict the statements published, but gave me to understand that the same were true, and intimated that he had inconsiderately signed the certificate published during the election. 

 "I further certify, that Mr. Cowles was the first person, who informed me of the ill-treatment the members had received from Mr. Young, and that it would be as well to send some other person to the Legislature the ensuing year. --BARRY FENTON. _Hadley, March 1816_. "

 "I, Jacob Thorn, of Galway, in the county of Saratoga; do certify, that shortly after the affidavits of Messrs. Bunce, Palmer, Allcott, Dunning and Edwards, were published, relative to the conversation they had with Messrs. Ketcham, Gardner and Cowles in Albany; I had a conversation with Mr. Ketcham in Stillwater, relative to the affidavits published. I told him if the affidavits were not true, he ought to contradict them. He replied, that his _friends advised him to say nothing about it_. I enquired of him the meaning of those affidavits---and whether the facts therein stated were true--to which the said Ketcham answered, that _they were true_--but said he did not expect it would have been made public. --JACOB THORN. "

 "I certify, that some time in the month of March 1815, I went to Albany on business, and called at the house where the members of this county resided; found Messrs. Gardner, Ketcham and Cowles, and made my business known. Mr. Cowles said he would call and see me at my lodgings. Accordingly he did; told me it was not according to his wish, that what I had to offer in the business could not be complied with. I then asked where Mr. Young quartered? He said he would tell me; on the way, Mr. Cowles said there had been _a coldness between the Speaker of the House, and the members from this County, since he became speaker and expected to be Secretary of State_, and on that account _declined going_. --JONATHAN KELLOGG. _Northumberland, April 8th 1816_. "

 "I hereby solemnly certify, that some time in the month of February, 1815, (and I believe in the early part of it, ) in a conversation Col. John Prior had with me just after his return from Albany, on the subject of candidates for the then approaching election; he the said Prior remarked, that 'Mr. Young was not so popular as he had been. ' On my asking him why, he replied, 'for his ill treatment to his colleagues, having grown haughty, &c. ' This I understood him to have received directly from the said members, Messrs. Gardner, Cowles and Ketcham. In the spring of the same year, after Messrs. Palmer and Bunce had made known similar complaints, that the said three members had made to them of Young's treatment, I had another conversation with the said Prior on the subject, in which he the said Prior intimated, 'he did not believe the said members had told the said Palmer and Bunce what they had pretended. ' I then asked him, if the members were not as likely to tell them of it, as himself, and repeated to the said Prior what he had told me in the winter, of the members having made the same complaint to him, which the said Prior did not pretend to deny as having heard from the members, nor having told me the same. --JOSEPH MITCHEL. _Dated, Greenfield, March 15, 1815_. "

 "I hereby certify, that in the early part of the winter past, I had a conversation with Isaac Myers of Stillwater, relative to the conduct of Richard Ketcham, late a member of the Legislature; when he the said Myers told me that _he knew_ the said Ketcham had _contradicted himself_, relative to what he had said of Mr. Young; that _previous_ to the McBain meeting, Ketcham had _denied_ to him, ever saying any thing _against_ Young, or complaining of his treatment; but that _afterwards_ he had _owned to several in his presence, that he had spoken against_ Young, &c. --ASA B. JEWEL. _Saratoga, March 25th 1816_. "

Other affidavits and statements might be produced to the same effectbut twelve or fourteen different conversations, at different times, and, in presence of different men are already proved upon them, allimporting explicitly that Mr. Young had ill-treated or neglectedthem--and shewing a desire on their part that Mr. Young should not besent to the Legislature the ensuing year. If then Mr. Young had anundoubted right to a seat in the legislature, which would perhaps bequestionable upon republican ground, and was deprived of that right by"management and fraud, " with whom did this system of corruptioncommence! and to whose account ought it to be placed? To that of hiscolleagues, or other men whom their misstatements and falsehoods hadseduced? It may however, be very well to enquire whether thesedeclarations were ever made use of to any purpose, and whether Mr. Young must have succeeded in his nomination, had these _free_ and_unreserved_ conversations of his colleagues, been kept entirely out ofview; whether Palmer and Bunce, were alone in singling out thecandidate who was nominated, or whether some other person or personshad not tho't of him even _before_ Palmer and Bunce went to Albany. 

Among the names which ornament the pages of "_The Citizen_, " I observethat of a _recent_ convert to the doctrine of "_Falsehood, Fraud & Co_"viz: William Stillwell, late a Judge, and now Clerk of this county. This political _Proteus_, together with a number of his, friends was Ibelieve, among the first to start Mr. Cowen as a candidate, before thecounty convention, and was from time to time very importunate with him, to consent that his name should be made use of for this purpose. Fromthe early part of February 1815, until he had got the Clerk's office, be appears to have been Mr. Cowen's indefatigable supporter. At theMcBain meeting however, he was as active and diligent to get rid ofthat nomination, as he had before been to effect it. Thomas Palmer, Esq. The secretary of that meeting, together with. Judge Stillwell, were chosen two of the committee to draw up the proceedings, and wereunquestionably in all respects the proper organ for that purpose. Sensible of this, Judge Stillwell, the evening after the meeting, _invited Mr. Palmer to his house_, where _they_ deliberately, andwithout any _disagreement_ drew up the statement, published p. 24 and25, of their pamphlet. They _jointly reviewed_ this statement the _nextmorning--agreed_ in its correctness, and ordered it to be printed. Shortly after, without the knowledge of Mr. Palmer or Mr. Cowen, Stillwell _secretly withdraws_ this statement from the printing office, and adopts and signs _another_ drawn up by Mr. Thompson, _differing inmany respects from the first_. This last statement the secretaryrefused to sign, and his name was inserted as you will see by thestatement itself, p. 16, without his knowledge or authority. Havingthus boxed the compass and settled down upon _point no point_, it isnot surprising that when Stillwell lends his name to "_The Citizen_"and appears in his Book, as the flaming advocate for "fair and openconduct, " and the zealous _detector_ of "fraud and duplicity, " that heshould hypocritically _skulk behind the scene_, and keep himself asmuch out of view as possible, in the strange and opposite parts whichhe had acted. The singular course which this man (Stillwell) hadpursued both in and out of "the book, " and especially his attempt toshew that "Mr. Cowen's nomination was procured by fraud, &c. " drew thefollowing sentiments from Doctor Clark, (who was one of the conventionwhich nominated Mr. Cowen) expressed in a letter to Thomas Palmer, Esq. --

 "_Moreau, March 12th 1816_. 

 Dear Sir, Having seen and examined a publication signed "A Citizen, " purporting to be an apology and justification of the gentlemen who composed the McBain meeting. In that publication I observe a studied and systematic attempt to fix on you and Mr. Bunce, the blame of having started Esek Cowen Esq. As a candidate for assembly, and of having procured his nomination by _fraud_ and _intrigue_. In consequence of seeing Wm. Stillwell's name affixed to the proceedings of that meeting, and being well informed that the said Stillwell hath gone great length to justify the conduct of the said meeting, in making void the nomination made by the county convention, I feel myself constrained by a sense of justice to declare, that some time on or about the 11th day of February 1815, being in company with Esek Cowen, at the house of Wm. Stillwell Esq. , he the said Stillwell did then and there introduce the subject of the then next election, by saying, that himself and a number of others had conversed on the subject, and agreed that Mr. Cowen ought to be a candidate--That Mr. Cowen made objections, and mentioned to him the names of several other gentlemen as being proper candidates in preference to himself; to which Mr. Stillwell objected, and urged Mr. Cowen with apparent zeal to suffer his name to be made use of as a candidate. Sir, you are at liberty to make such use of the above statement of facts, as in your judgment you shall think proper. 

 Yours, Respectfully, B. J. Clark. 

 Hon. T. Palmer Esq. "

It will also appear _amongst other things_, by the following letterwritten by John R. Mott, [2] who I believe is the second certifier in"the book, " that Judge Stillwell entertained sentiments opposed to Mr. Young's nomination, as late as the _sixth_ of _April_. 

 "_Saratoga, April 6, 1815_. 

 Dear sir, It was late when I returned from Ballston, which prevented my calling on you I had conversations with _several gentlemen_ on the subject of the nomination, particularly with _Judge Stillwell_, capt. Odell and Mr. Bunce, by whom I learned the sentiments of Mr. Palmer, and find the whole to be opposed to Mr. Young. I also saw Mr. Lee and Kasson. They were in favor of Mr. Young on the principle of _what they called sacrificing_ Mr. Young, if he was not nominated. The Milton committee are Thomas Palmer, Joel Keeler and Daniel Couch, junior Esquires. 

 From yours, with esteem, Esek Cowen, Esq. "

 JOHN R. MOTT. 

Mr. Mott, one of the delegation from Saratoga, informs Mr. Cowenanother of the delegation from that town, that Stillwell and others areopposed to Young. This presumption in Judge Stillwell, it seems couldnot be endured, and he in common with others was marked out as avictim. His name was originally connected with that of Palmer andBunce, in the letter of Kasson, dated the 12th April, p. 33, as beingconcerned with them in "this _black business_" as he calls it, until bymaking his peace, this _crow_ is suddenly changed into a _swan_, andhis name erased from the letter. 

If farther proof is wanting that the loss of Mr. Young's nomination didnot depend on any thing which fell from his colleagues, or anyindividual exertion made against it, you may have it by calling on thefollowing gentlemen, who acted on the county convention, to wit:

 Avery Starkweather, John Pettit, Eli Smith, Joel Keeler, Isaac Rice, Nathan Raymond, Jessup Raymond, Richard Dunning, James Clark, Isaac Andrus, Solomon Parks, Nicholas W. Angle, Billy J. Clark, Potter Johnson, Benjamin Burton, Joseph Mitchell, William Taylor, Samuel Cook, Nathan Pardee, Joshua Finch, John Brown, Samuel S. Barker, Isaac Brewster, &c. 

You will find among them many of the most respectable names in thecounty. By them it will also appear how far Mr. Young's failuredepended on Palmer and Bunce, and how far it was regulated by publicsentiment. But, it is presumed that what Doctor Clark very properlycalls a _systematic attempt_, to fix a course of fraud upon two orthree individuals, and ascribe the result of that convention to them, must appear as absurd and ridiculous in the eyes of the public, as itdid to Doctor Clark and his associates on the committee. 

But why spend a moments time in refuting so base a calumny; bysearching for argument and demonstration while it must be rendereduseless by conviction. Another year has rolled away; another conventionhave met--have made a nomination for Congress and Assembly--They wereunanimous--Mr. Young is not nominated, nor even named for the year1816. This too was not till the blood-hounds of imaginary fraud hadyelled their notes thro' the county, the quivers of malice had beenexhausted of their poisoned arrows, and "the book, " that great gun of afalling faction which they had been loading during the whole Summerpast, had gone off with a harmless explosion. 

It may not be amiss however, to examine the behaviour of these famouspretenders to fair and open conduct, and see how far they practice whatthey preach. In doing this, permit me to call your attention to thefollowing certificates. 

 "I notice in the pamphlet signed 'A Citizen' lately published, an assertion that the committee in the town of _Milton_ in the Spring of 1815, 'was procured by management, fraud and falsehood. ' I attended the meeting in this town, according to previous notice in the Journal for that purpose, at which I saw Mr. T. Palmer and Mr. Bunce, but saw nothing in them like either fraud or management. I voted in that committee for Mess. Palmer, Keeler and Couch, but not from any solicitations of either Mr. Bunce or Mr. Palmer, but because I believed them the best men; nor had any one of these, or any one else, then told me that the three members had complained of Mr. Young. 

 "James Thompson, Esq. Was a candidate for the same committee, and his partner, Alpheus Goodrich, Esq. Wrote votes for the said James Thompson; but I refused to vote for him, not, however, from any thing I had ever heard either the said Palmer or Bunce say against him. There was a large majority for the three above named committee, but I saw no unusual exertions, or any thing that looked like unfair proceedings, in any one at the meeting who appeared to be voting the ticket which I did. --EBENEZER DIBBLE. _Milton, March, 1816_. "

 "I also was present at the above mentioned meeting for the purpose of choosing delegates to the county convention. The meeting was notified in the Journal, at Gregory & Hawkins', on the day some of the town officers met there. The meeting proceeded to organize by choosing Joel Keeler, Esq. Chairman, and Thomas Palmer secretary, and then without opposition, voted to choose the committee by ballot. The candidates for whom ballots were wrote, were, on one ticket, James Thompson, Archy Kasson and Elias Benedict--On the other, Daniel Couch jun, Joel Keeler and Thomas Palmer. Mr. Bunce was there; and in the room, wrote votes for the latter three gentlemen, for whom I voted, but not from the insinuations or persuasions of any one. And I saw no intrigue, management or improper electioneering in either the said Palmer or Bunce, or any one else for that ticket; but believe every thing was conducted fairly. 

 "I had on that day, before I came there, heard of reports against Mr. Young, but not from either Mr. Palmer or Mr. Bunce; but to the best of my recollection from _Elihu Roe_ in a conversation between him and _Deacon Stillwell_. I had before heard no intimation of the same from any one. --EZRA NASH. _Milton, March 1816_. "

 "I was present at the republican meeting in Milton, in the Spring of 1815, for the purpose of choosing a committee to meet the general committee to make a nomination. I saw no deception or intrigue on the part of either Mr. Palmer or Mr. Bunce, nor any particular exertion of either of them to procure the committee that were elected. Some time _before_ the said meeting, I had understood that James Thompson, Esq. Of said town, had _expressed a wish_ to be one of the committee, and at the above mentioned meeting Alpheus Goodrich, Esq. _his partner_ took a very active part to get him appointed--wrote votes and endeavored to get others to take them and vote for the said Thompson, his name being on the same ticket with Archy Kasson and Elias Benedict; but they received at the meeting, which consisted of about thirty, but very few votes, the other ticket, which I voted, obtaining a large majority. And I hereby further certify, that neither the said Palmer nor Bunce, both being present at the meeting, had ever informed me, or given me an intimation that there was any complaint against Mr. Young, nor did I ever hear of any complaints against Young, from any one until some time afterwards; and from the best of my recollection, _Joel Lee_ was the first who informed me of these complaints against the said Young. --DAVID DERRICK. _Milton, March 1816_. "

It appears that in the town of Milton Mr. Archy Kasson, Elias Benedictand James Thompson Esq. Were candidates at the meeting in that town forthe choice of delegates in 1815. --That Alpheus Goodrich Esq. Thompson'spartner, in particular, acted decidedly in favor of "_Master Jimmy_" ashe calls him, perhaps with a good deal of propriety, and peddledtickets with Mr. Kasson and his master's name on them. Now Mr. Thompsonwhose situation in point of _popularity_ especially in his _own town_is not to be questioned, was very naturally surprised at his failure, and could not in his own mind attribute it to any thing short of"_fraud and management_. " He had failed in despite of the combinedefforts of his partner and Mr. Kasson. Finding how poor doctor Childhad been cheated into a vote for three gentlemen whom Thompsonconsidered mere tools compared to himself, it leaves him no doubt onthe subject, and he can no longer avoid bristling with astonishment andrage. Tho' several days before the convention met, a hue and cry wasimmediately raised, and he repairs to court with almost the whole ofthe McBain meeting at his heels--The convention till this year (1816)had regularly met on the second day of April court. 

The evil of this practice had been long felt and deplored by theadvocates for freedom of deliberation in this body, without being ableto attain a remedy. The scenes of this day however have for a whilesuspended, and I trust forever abolished the pernicious and degradingpractice of _court_ conventions. Tuesday gave them leisure to organizetheir forces and reconnoiter the points of attack. On Wednesday theseveteran lobby members of a county convention each knew his post, andeach was prepared with his story. The members of the convention, livingscattered in different directions, some near and some in the moreremote towns, arrive in small parties of one, two, and three insuccession, which gives full leisure to the court hangers on to see anddiscourse with them in detail, and the astonished members of theconvention the moment they arrive were thus assailed on all hands witha universal cry of Young, Young, Young for the candidate. No scheme wasleft untried, no pretence neglected, no argument overlooked, no pathunexplored to entrap, to drive, to persuade and to lead the conventioncontrary to their old established practice, to nominate Mr. Young a_third_ time as a candidate. Still despairing of success, Thompson andhis associates (I trust in God but few of them) change their ground andbecome the _black and unmanly assassins_ of individual character. Thestory of the pretended fraud attempted by Mr. Palmer, Mr. Bunce andothers, was administered in profusion, and crammed down with epithets;not more than two or three of the convention having ever heard theaccount given of Mr Young by his worthy colleagues, and its reachingthem thus for the first time thro' his huffing friends, it soundedtruly like "a tale told by an idiot full of sound and fury, signifyingnothing. " Their pride was alarmed, and their sympathies excited, bybeing told that Judge Spencer had first cheated Mr. Young out of theSecretary's office, and that his wrath now burnt after him into thecounty of Saratoga, and what was passing strange--pitiful and wondrouspitiful was, that the Judge had thrust his hand so far into this dishof woes as to employ in his service the press and Editor of theSaratoga Journal. --Kasson's letter which appears in "the book, " tho'now altered by striking out Stillwell's name, arrives by _express fromAlbany_, in season to make up for this dish, its last ingredient--ButAlas! to no purpose; the people's delegates nominate Mr. Cowen. 

I boldly and solemnly appeal to that convention whether they or themost of them were not individually called upon, by Thompson or some ofthose acting under him, and urged to support Mr. Young upon part or allof the pretences above mentioned. In order to render assurance doublysure, these strong and noisy opposers of fraud, these high minded andhonest politicians discover another circumstance of which they quicklyavail themselves. One of the towns had neglected to choose a committee. The ceremony of packing was immediately resorted to, and three men whowere ready to go all lengths with these upright gentry, presented andpalmed themselves upon the convention, as legitimate members. Thushaving been belabored incessantly for two-thirds of an April day, theconvention retire to their duty, and as usual ballot for thecandidates. After balloting and before the votes were canvassed, theyunanimously resolve, that the lawyer having the greatest number ofvotes shall be considered the candidate, and the other rejected. Aftercanvassing and finding that Mr. Cowen had two votes more than Mr. Young, it was again unanimously resolved that he be considered thecandidate. 

This _arrogance_ and _presumption_ in the delegates of the people, wasnot tamely to be endured by the _court party_; and these high-mindedadvocates of _Republican purity_ immediately cast about for the meansof correcting the evil. And what more easy and certain mode of doingthis, than to solicit and procure the friendly interference of_federalism_, whose doctrine by this time appears to be in perfect coincidence with their own? They could abhor coalition, management andintrigue in the ranks of Republicans;--nay the intrigue which owed itsbirth and maturity to their heated imaginations alone, was odious andabominable in its fancied perpetrators; while they themselves werebasely courting the embraces of Federalism in secret; and buildingtheir hopes of success on the vile basis of a _political bargain_ withthat party;--like a drunken clergyman who enters the pulpit heated withhis bottle, and excites your disgust by a long discourse on the folliesof intemperance. The high pretensions of these men to chastity andplain dealing, will be better tested by reading the followingcertificates;--the reader being first reminded that Mr. Elihu Roe andJames Thompson, Esq. Are holden forth both in _the book_, and in thesestatements, as twin leaders--a sort of _Castor_ and _Pollux_ or_du_-umvirate in the tribe; and for this reason they are resorted to, as furnishing together with a few subordinate officers, a clue to theimmaculate character which they and their friends so loudly claim. 

 "I certify, that I heard Elihu Roe declare, to Jonathan Minor, at the store of Epenetus White, that James Thompson Esq. Had at the last election, made overtures to the federalists to support Samuel Young Esq as a member of Assembly. --BURR WAKEMAN. _March 1816_. "

 "Thereby certify, that I had a conversation with Mr. Elihu Roe, in the store of Epenetus White, in the presence of Mr. Burr Wakeman, in which Mr. Roe declared that James Thompson Esq. Did propose to the federalists, to support a federal candidate for member of Assembly, if the federalists would support Samuel Young, Esq. As a candidate for member of Assembly at the election of 1815. --JONATHAN MINOR. _Ballston, March 28th 1816_. "

 "I, Gideon Goodrich, late of the town of Milton, in the county of Saratoga, do hereby certify to my fellow-citizens; that on the first day of election of 1815 in said town, where I then resided, at St. John's Inn, where the polls of election were that day held, in a conversation on the subject of supporting Samuel Young, contrary to the general nomination; Archy Kasson, a leading friend of Young admitted in presence of a number of persons, that he had said that he had rather have three federalists go to the legislature from this county with Young, than not to have Young elected. On my expressing surprise at such sentiments, from a man professing to be a republican, he added he still felt or thought so. Mr. James Thompson who was present, then replied, that he would say he had rather have _seven_ federalist go with Young, than not to have him elected--or any number that would not give a federal majority, [3] or words to that import. 

 "Having removed from this county, but now on a visit at my old residence in Milton, and being called upon by those who feel themselves abused in the support of the cause of their country, no one will consider it officiousness in me, to thus repeat what was expressed in so public a manner on that occasion. --GIDEON GOODRICH. _Milton, April 19th 1816_. "

 "I hereby certify, that shortly after the last spring's election, but before the official returns of election in the state were received, I was at the office of James Thompson, Esq. In Milton, and remarked to him, that I was afraid the legislature would be federal, to which the said Thompson replied, that he was afraid it would _not be federal_, or that he began to be afraid there would not be _a federal_ house. I also certify, that during the election then just past, I was by several of Mr. Young's friends in said town, strongly urged to vote for a federalist, if by that I could get a federalist to vote for Mr. Young; which I believe many of them did, as I heard those friends of his repeatedly say _they would barter_ in that way, if they could by it obtain votes for the said Young. --BENJAMIN BENNETT. _Milton, March 1816_. "

 "I hereby certify, that previous to the meeting of the committee to make a nomination for members of Assembly, in the spring of 1815--I saw Archy Kasson in the village of Ballston Spa, who commenced a conversation with me on the subject of the then approaching nomination; and he solicited me with much zeal to vote for Mr. Young in the convention--And among other things, he declared, that he would be better satisfied to have Mr. Young on the nomination with three federalists, than to have four republicans without him--And gave me distinctly to understand that if Young was not nominated, he would not support the nomination. --ISAAC RICE. _Ballston, March 1816_. "

 "I, Simeon P. Allcott, of the town of Milton and county of Saratoga, do certify; That I attended the election in the spring of 1815, at D. Thomas' inn, in said town, at which place I saw James Merrill of said town, and heard him declare in the presence and hearing of a number of republican and federal electors, 'that some people very fearful that a _federalist_ would be elected from this county, but for his part, he said that there would be no _harm in it_--it would be a _good thing to have federals elected_--and that if Mr. Young could be elected, he did not care _how many federals_ were elected. '

 "I further certify, that I attended the election the following day at Goodrich's inn, in the said town, and the said James Merrill then and there made similar declarations in the presence and hearing of a number of republicans and federals; and the said James Merrill and others who were advocating the election of Mr. Young, appeared to act in unison with _the federalists_; and I saw a number of _federalists have Mr. Young's name on their ticket_, and who told me they voted that ticket. --SIMEON P. ALLCOTT. _Milton, April 1816_. "

 "I hereby certify, that a leading federalist, being as I understood, one of the _federal_ convention from the town of Northumberland, who met at the Court-House on the 14th of April last, to make the federal nomination for members of Assembly, &c. --informed me on his return home from that convention, that James Merril, Esq. Urged some of that convention to place Samuel Young Esq. On their ticket, and offered one hundred _dollars_ if they would _go halves_ with Young's friends in the _ticket_ they should run at the then next election, for the purpose of defraying the expences of the election; and that the said Merrill took from his pocket the _hundred, dollars_, and laid it on the table for that purpose, as I understood it. --HENRY STAFFORD. _Saratoga Springs, March 1816_. "

 "I, Joseph Ogden, of Malta in the county of Saratoga, do hereby certify; that I was at the inn of James Jones in Halfmoon, a few days after the election of 1815, and Aaron Morehouse of Ballston, and a leading federalist of Halfmoon were there, conversing together on the late election. Mr. Morehouse said he voted for Mr. Hamilton, the federal candidate, to get a federalist in his town to vote for Mr. Young; and the federal replied, that be voted for Mr. Young, and that it was the understanding among some of the federalists and _some_ of the republicans in Halfmoon, that the federals should vote for Mr. Young, and that the republicans should vote for Mr. Hamilton. Mr. Isaac Kellogg, jun. Was present at the same time. --JOSEPH OGDEN. "

 "I, Isaac Kellogg, Jun. Of Malta in the county of Saratoga, do certify, that I was present and heard a part of the conversation above stated by Joseph Ogden, and remember hearing Mr. Morehouse state, that he voted for Mr. Hamilton, and the abovementioned federalist say that he voted for Mr. Young. I also heard another federalist of Halfmoon then present, say that he voted for Mr. Young also; and I distinctly understood from them, that there had been an understanding between the federalists and Mr. Young's friends, to support Mr. Young and Mr. Hamilton as members of Assembly. --ISAAC KELLOGG, jun. "

It is also a fact, that Young's supporters did in two or three of thetowns _hide_ and _suppress_ the tickets printed by direction of thecounty convention, for Mr. Cowen and the other candidates. 

These certificates and these facts serve then to explain how Mr. Youngcame by a greater number of _votes_ than Mr. Cowen;--and no doubt isleft on this subject when on calculating from the _returns_, youperceive that the _votes_ for Mr. Young and Mr. Cowen in the aggregateexceed by a great number the whole votes for any other candidate oneither side, and that _one_ of the federal candidates received a _less_number of votes than the others. This would of itself shew as far asthe subject is susceptible of proof, a _bargain_ between _some_ of Mr. Young's friends and _some_ of the federalists. Shortly after thisbargain which Mr. Roe speaks of, the McBain Meeting[4] was called, where every exertion tended to produce a political abortion. 

I cordially join with "the book" in censuring the editor of the Journalfor resembling this meeting to a political _funeral_;--for I do notbelieve that the lifeless _embryo_ which it bro't forth, ever raisedthe tho't of a _funeral_ in its poor _distracted father_. And while Icould not have the face to vindicate him from falsehood in not making abetter distinction, I should feel the less inclined to deny his being asavage, while I behold him wantoning with the wounded feelings of aforlorn, hopeless and unhappy _parent_. If his personification hadembraced the meeting merely, he ought to have known that even the_dead_ are not always unavenged, and that its ghost at least, wouldhave arisen from the tomb to flutter round and haunt the unhappy countyof Saratoga on the eve of the next nomination, in the form of a _book_;that thing which like the poet is justly admired for giving

 "To airy nothing, A local habitation and a name. "

We could hardly say of that book, however, as Hamlet said of hisFather's ghost that

 "He would take his word for a thousand pounds"--

Or why do we hear it insisted that the fault of keeping alive discordand division in the county, is imputable to a few individuals named andpointed out by it?--Aside from the base and unprincipled attempts ofRoe, Thompson and some of their co-adjutors, to prostrate the only_republican press_ in the county, by a system of slander anddetraction; The public cannot have forgotten that Mr Young's _famous_colleagues were mildly and publicly invited to an amicable explanation, which they refused and rendered the publication of affidavits necessaryin justification. The only reply which was received, was a still moregeneral, malignant and furious attack upon the press, not only from thecolumns of the Schenectady Cabinet, but the foul lingo of Roe, Thompson& co. With bitter complaints whenever that press either ridiculed theirfolly and impertinence, or defended itself against their insidious andsecret attempts to effect its destruction. 

Amongst other things in order to create a pretence for their _book_, itwill be recollected that judge Child has authorised the charge offalsehood against the Journal in its maintaining that he had threatenedto get a new press into the county &c. --Indeed the judge appears to beremarkably well pleased with that production, not only by his longcertificates, but by a letter which he afterwards wrote to the printerof the _Courier_, recognizing its merits and trying to _divide withfederalists_ the honor of carrying clothes to the army;[5] which itseems was given him by the _book_ in order to render his standing as acertifier more conspicuous, by uniting on his broad brow, both the_military_ and _civic_ wreath. How far the _denial_ of this mock_Cincinnatus_ that he threatened as early as May to get a new press, "_with all his blushing honors thick upon him_, " will satisfy thepublic, may in some measure he determined by the following certificate. 

 "I hereby solemnly certify, that on the last of May or first of June last, when at the house of Judge Child, in a conversation relating to the Saratoga Journal, and the conduct of its Editor Mr. Isaiah Bunce, the said Judge then and there made use of the following expression to me, viz. 'You must remember that the friends of Mr. Young, are not men of the _least property_, nor _least influence_ in the County, and Bunce may have _another press set up by his side_ in less than six months--That he [the said Judge] should withdraw his support from him, and said that it was best for every one to do the same, and then his press would fall of course. ' And at the same time said, that he had rather _support the federal press at the Springs_ than the _Journal_. Shortly after this I informed Mr. Bunce of the above conversation at his office. '--JONATHAN WESTCOTT. _Milton, March 14th 1816_. "

Young and Thompson made similar declarations of their intention to getanother press about the same time, with which they have been oftencharged, and it seems thought best not to hazard a denial in thebook--therefore no other certificate but the one relating to Child'shas been procured--And the judge's conduct would have been morechristian-like, had he written a letter exculpating the editor of theJournal from an undeserved odium cast upon him by his authority, thanthus to have given it confirmation and support, at the same timeknowing it to be _untrue_. 

Of a piece with this however, appears to have been his previous conductabout the time of his presiding over the _abortion_ at McBains. Iallude to his sending the history of that meeting with orders byThompson and Stillwell, to the editor of the Journal to print withoutreading it. 

 "I Lyman B. Langworthy, of the village of Ballston Spa, do certify to my fellow-citizens the following facts;--That on the night of the 20th April 1815, two days after the McBain meeting--being in the office of the Saratoga Journal late in the evening, James Thompson, James Merrill and Wm. Stillwell, Esqs. Came into the room. Immediately after being seated, Mr. Thompson who acted as chief speaker, pompously displayed a fold of paper which he wished Mr. Bunce to print off in the form of Handbills by morning, it being then quite late. Mr. Bunce wished to see it and its contents. 

 "Here Mr. Thompson to my astonishment flatly refused, unless Mr. B. Would first promise on his word and honor that he would _positively_ and _unconditionally_ agree to print it _let it contain what it would_. This bro't on a long parley; Mr. Bunce wished to see it if for nothing more than to shew his workman its length, to learn from him whether it was possible to execute it in the time allowed. Mr. Thompson refused, and entered pretty lengthy into the subject, in his _precise roundabout_ manner: asserting that it was _none of his business what it contained_--that it was impertinent in a '_mechanic_' to ask his employers the use or destination of any work he should employ him to do; and frequently by way of a _salve_ interlarding his conversation with '_we do not wish you to do it for nothing Mr. Bunce, we have money enough_. ' After much chaffering between the parties, judge Stillwell in a very candid manner, desired that the paper might be read, asking him if it _contained any thing they were ashamed of_. Mr. Thompson then looked to Mr. Merrill as for his opinion. Mr. Merrill said with some warmth, 'he shan't see it. ' This brot' on considerable bickerings--crimination and re-crimination between Mess. Bunce, and Thompson, which judge Stillwell tho't rather indecorous, and quite earnestly rebuked the two gentlemen for their wrath, and at the same time said he thot' it high time to deliver judge Child's message. Here Mr. Thompson apparently supposing himself only entrusted with the charge, seemed not to understand. --After a great deal of argument, the paper at last had a 'first reading, ' & was the proceedings of the McBain meeting, signed by Child, Thompson and Stillwell; and was delivered to Mr. Bunce, to shew his compositor, who was in bed. Mr. Bunce insisted that some of the gentlemen should deliver the message which judge Stillwell seemed to be so anxious about. Here the three gentlemen were thrown into great confusion--eyed each other as though each supposed the other ignorant of what he himself knew. Judge Stillwell's countenance seemed to labor with something which he was bound to reveal; and Mr. Thompson noting this, desired judge Stillwell _if he knew it to let it out_. Judge Stillwell then putting himself in an attitude corresponding, as he appeared to think, with the magnitude of the subject, began by saying that judge Child had instructed him to say to Mr. Bunce, _that he had always been a particular friend of his--had always given him all of his business--and should be sorry to withdraw it after the friendly intercourse which had subsisted between them--that it was the earnest desire of judge Child that Mr. Bunce should have the refusal of printing it; 'but as a last resort say to him from me, that if he refuses to print it as desired by Mr. Thompson, that I forever withdraw my patronage from his press. '_"

Here Mr. Bunce indignantly threw back the paper to Mr. Thompson, anddeclared that under those circumstances he should not print it--sayingthat after buffeting the storm of federalism, and the dark days of thewars of our country, he little expected such treatment from one whoseduty it was to protect the press &c. &c. --and it was after muchpersuasion, and partly through my own importunities, that he wasinduced to print it. 

 "Mr. Bunce's conduct through the whole transaction, which must have lasted two hours or more, was _consistent, firm_ and _independent_ to my conception, as was the others _haughty_, _supercilious_ and _overbearing_. --Lyman B. Langworthy. _March, 1816_. "

Here fellow citizens is the _iron club of power_ held over the head ofan editor of a _free press_, during an election--to coerce him and hispress into obedience to their dictates. What are we coming to when menhigh in office use their offices, influence and patronage to controlthe freedom of the press, which all the champions of freedom esteem theorgan and safeguard of our _liberties_--and attempt to compell it tobend to their purposes--to sell itself and rush _blind fold_ on anymeasure their interest or ambition may dictate?

The independent conduct of Mr. Bunce on this occasion was probably onereason among _others_ why the judge aided in the introduction ofanother printer of the more _pliant sort_; who would more readily bendto his purposes and serve as a pipe with which his friends Roe, Thompson, Stillwell &c. Could spit their venom thro' the county in themore permanent form of a _pamphlet_. 

In this, with _three_ insolvent advertisements staring him in the facefrom the _Independent American_, the judge denies, or sanctions adenial, that he ever ordered an advertisement to be printed in thatpaper _at all_. Unblushing impudence indeed!--Thus to ask the public topervert the eternal principles of truth and justice by giving credit tosuch assertions as these. 

The examination of a few more topics under this head shallsuffice. --Indeed amongst the disgusting details of falsehood andmeanness with which that production abounds; you find many remarksimputed to the Journal which it never made, while those which it hasmade, on examination will be found strictly true. 

The writer of that pamphlet is guilty of falsehood in asserting thatthe _editorial_ remarks of the Journal are not copied into otherpapers. Not to mention others, they have been copied the year past inseveral instances, by the _National Intelligencer_ at Washington, andby _Niles' Weekly Register_ at Baltimore, two of the ablest papers inthe _Union_. The remarks which the book falsely calls a _scurrilousattack_ upon the _Governor_, instead of being an attack on him, it sohappens that they were merely calculated to let the public know whatevery republican had a right to expect, and which they in fact_realized_ from our worthy chief magistrate in the season of perilwhich dictated them. --They were such as he would himself approve, whilehe would frown contemptuously on the _little fry_ who attempt so base aslander in his name. Would to God the conduct of some of the governor'sfawning and pretended admirers could endure investigation like that ofthis great and good man--the pride and ornament of his country!

As to the charge against the Journal for asserting that the first judgeand others had combined to domineer and rule the people of this county, you already have a taste of the judge's fondness for domineering oversome of the people, and over their press; and that other persons namedhave _acted_ in concert with him is equally true and notorious;--And itis hardly necessary to enquire whether they combined for the purpose, or instinctively assembled like birds of the same feather, from acommon spirit of domination. It is false, however, that the Journalever made such a charge. This and a number of these remarks are onlysuffering them to wear a coat which they themselves have cut out ofwhole cloth, and which seems to fit them so exactly. That paper nevercharged Mr. Young with any management or compromise with thefederalists, further than what justly resulted from his being chosen_supervisor_ in _Ballston_ by _federalists_, contrary to the _regulartown nomination_, and his afterwards being complimented by the federalpaper as a modern political _Luther_, on account of his having quit hisown party in that town and submitted to federal policy, not denied bythe _book_--from his having _aided_ in the election of the _federalcandidate for Congress_ in the fall of 1812; and from his "at least"conniving at _federal aid_, in the spring of 1815--all of which arefacts of too general notoriety to be denied. 

But the Journal did charge some of Mr. Young's friends with a_political understanding_ between them and the federalists, which isnot only passed over in silence by the _book_, but proved by theforegoing estimates and certificates. 

On seeing Mr. Young supporting, and supported in his turn by a Senatoror Senators of this state for office, the Journal did ask the question, whether it was pursuant to an _arrangement_ on the subject betweenthem? This question was put in the Journal directly to Mr. Young--taking it for granted that Mr. Young has adopted the language inthe book on this question as his own, this might be received as an_answer_, had not a mere _question_ been first perverted into a charge. 

The Journal did also ask him the question, whether he intended to make_one Joel Lee, clerk of this county?_ To which the book, replies thathe never promised any office to any man whatever. It is perhapsnecessary, in justice to the Editor of the Journal, to introduce thefollowing certificate, and leave this part of the subject withoutfarther comment. 

 "I hereby certify, that shortly after the appointment of Wm. Stillwell, as a clerk, of this county, I was in the city of Albany, and conversed with Mr. Young on the subject of that appointment, in which conversation I expressed my surprise at his appointment, to which Mr. Young replied, it was not his fault, that there was a petition for him from some of the most respectable men in the county, and it would not do for him to oppose it, but that his mind was the strongest on _Joel Lee_ for that office. --ELI BEARDSLEE. _Milton, March 1816_. "

Among others to whom Lee admitted he had been promised of _offered_ theClerk's office by Young, is Mr. Nicholas Smith, but it is thoughtunnecessary to multiply certificates on this head. 

The writer of that pamphlet also displays his characteristic ignorance, or stupid disregard to truth, when he says that the Journal evercharged Young with receiving pay in three capacities, during the _extrasession_ of 1815. It never made the charge as it respected _that_, orany other _year_;--but it so happens that during the _extra, session_of 1814, Mr. Young did receive $5 per day, which was the pay for amember of the house, and $2. 25 per day, which was the _extra allowance_on account of his being speaker. See New Revised Laws, Vol. I. P. 528, and the act of April 18th 1815, called the _supply bill_, Sec. 15, bywhich two acts, the wages of the Assembly are fixed at _$5_, and thoseof the speaker at $7. 25, and extended to the extra session of 1814. Altho' the Journal _never_ made the charge imputed to it, yet you seehow easily and conclusively that charge might have been supported, hadthe assertion ever been made. 

With regard to Mr. Young's receiving the pay of a Col. He never wascharged with having done this during any _extra session_. That paperdid insinuate that he at one time as aid to the governor received thatpay. And it is hardly worth stopping to enquire whether he did or not, so long as we have _his word_ that the Governor _offered_ it to him, inconsequence of which he _agreed_ to serve. Whether he got the _cash_and gave a _receipt_ for it;--or it was absorbed in his _expences_;--orlaid it out to buy another press;--or yet _remains due_, is altogetherimmaterial, so long as an answer is substantially made out to aquestion raised by his _good friends_, and to which the public mayexpect a reply: The following certificate is therefore given withoutcomment. 

 "I certify, that a day or two previous to Samuel Young's accompanying his excellency the Governor to New-York, in conversation with Mr. Young at his house, he informed me that while he was at Albany, from where he had but just returned, he called on his excellency, who then informed him of his intended expedition to New-York, and pressed him, Mr. Young to accompany him; that he objected, and said that he should be much pleased with the jaunt, but his business was such, as to render it impossible; that the Governor urged him still stronger, and he replied that he was wholly unprepared for leaving home any length of time, and the Governor calculated to go the next day or day but one--that the Governor told him if he would accompany him, he would make him _an aid_ with the _pay_ of a _colonel_, and _bear his expences_, and that he would defer going until the next steam boat; that he wished to take time to consider the Governor's proposals as he informed the Governor--and soon after told him he would accompany him. --SETH C. BALDWIN, Junior. _Warren County, March 1816_. "

The Journal never charged Young with having informed Merrill that he"was not now Secretary, but should be to-morrow. " At it again Merrill. Will you certify that you did not give a friendly hint to a gentlemanwho was going to Albany, that you had a connexion who would make anexcellent clerk in the Secretary's office, and request his name to begiven to Mr. Young, to whom Young replied, _I am not now Secretary butshall be to-morrow_? I believe an intimation to this effect was givenin the Journal, which you blink with as much ingenuity as though youhad been bred in the same school with Mr. Young's colleagues. Amongstthe great number to whom Mr. Young _did give_ the information that hewas shortly to be Secretary, _you_, then it seems were omitted!

The facts disclosed in the following certificate, cannot fail to remindone of the fable of the "Country maid, and her milk pail. "

 "I hereby certify, that while riding in company with Samuel Young from Ballston to Albany, when going to the _winter session_ of 1815, the day before the legislature met, the said Young informed me that he expected to be Secretary of State when the republican council should be chosen; that he could be a member of the _legislature_ and _Secretary of State at the same time_, and _could reside at the Springs_ or Ballstown in the summer, and do the business of Secretary in Albany by Deputy, and that _these two_ offices would give him a _pretty good living_, or words to that effect. --JESUP RAYMOND. _Ballston, April 1816_. "

"Green--let me consider; yes, green becomes my complexion best, andgreen it shall be. "

Mr. Kasson, was early spoken of by the _Independent American_ as anapplicant for the _Sheriff's office_, and as it appeals, was afterwardsa candidate for the county convention, and pledged to the support ofMr. Young. In consequence of this, the Journal did ask the question toMr. Young, whether he intended Mr. Kasson as the Sheriff of thiscounty?--and nothing more. I think a farther inquiry was made whetherhe was not authorised to purchase a "_mansion house_ for the _newsecretary_, in the village of Ballston Spa?" on which he preserves acautious silence. 

It is remarkable in this and other instances, with what industry _TheCitizen_ manufactures assertions to suit his own purpose, and thendenies them. Having at length exhausted his fancy in fabricating, shaping and denying particular charges, hardly one of which everexisted, he ranges up his whole artillery of vengeance;--the battlebecomes general:--And the famous Doctor Slop, the man midwife, did notpour a more copious and continued shower of curses upon Obadiah, whohad tied his bag of instruments with hard knots, than is thus suddenlylet fly upon the devoted head of the Editor of the Saratoga Journal. "_Really_" said the Frenchman to an old woman who had been storming andfretting at Napoleon, "the Emperor, my master would feel himselfinfinitely grieved, if he knew how hard your _lady-ship_ thought ofhim. "

But it seems the Editor of the Journal "has indulged himself in acourse of low and vulgar sarcasms, " tho' no particular instance ispointed out. Thus the citizen, after sending his friend, Mr. EliasBenedict, into the bar-room, to certify the _damns_ and _god damns_ ofMr. Wilkins, suddenly becomes extremely modest and refined, and fallsto moralizing like Michael Cassio, after his _own_ drunken fit is over. Mr. Bunce might really be esteemed far gone, had he reached the climaxof vulgarity which distinguishes the _citizen_ and his _book_. 

But says the _book_ in another place, "the manners of Mr. Bunce are_coarse and vulgar_. " I suppose an immediate allusion is here intendedto the _manner_ in which he treated _Stillwell_ and _Thompson's_supercilious proposition to agree to print their famous history of theMcBain Meeting, without reading it, under penalty of losing the firstJudge's patronage in case of a refusal. Perhaps they mean that he didnot on that occasion, turn out his toes exactly as he ought; or make abecoming bow to so much mock consequence as surrounded them. I know notin what language to describe their notions. We have already admittedthat Mr. Bunce does not pretend to vie in _purity_ of dialect with thecertificate of Mr. Elias Benedict. Suppose we also admit that he cannothold competition with Roe as a profound _linguist_--with Mr. Thompsonin _fairness_, _high mindedness_, _openness_ and _candor_--nor with Mr. Linnendoll in belleslettres--and that he would not make so good a_dancing master_ as Mr James Merrill[6] and leave the public to judgewhether coming short of these qualifications, he can be any waytolerable in his person or polished in his conversation. 

But 'tis said again, that he has presented some of our citizens "in theludicrous attitude of being in chase of one of the wheels of a_political hack_. " This plain farmer-like simile has given greatoffence, and perhaps justly, to the high and refined notions of certainbook gentry; who have been too much in the habit of _hunting_ an_office_, or _chasing_ a _dollar_, to believe that the idea of soordinary an occupation, could ever have been connected with that ofsuch _great men_ as themselves. 

It may not be amiss to here remark, that Mr. Bunce was admitted anAttorney of the Supreme Court in 1804; he settled in the village ofSalina in the county of Onondaga; shortly afterwards it was made a posttown, and he was appointed Post-Master[7] by the general government, and continued in that office until he removed from that place. Soonafter his removal to Bridgewater, Oneida County, he was appointedPost-Master at that place, and continued in that office until heresigned on his removal to the county of Saratoga. During his residencein the Western District, he attended with industry and fidelity to theprofession in which he was educated. 

Soon after the declaration of war he concluded to quit the practice oflaw, and purchased the establishment of the Republican press of thiscounty, and became the editor of the Journal. 

Mr. Bunce has been a faithful, able, zealous and indefatigablesupporter and defender of our republican institutions, and of themeasures of our general and state government; and I confidently ask, who ever accused him till this faction commenced their operations. During the memorable campaign of 1814, he was not only vigilant andfaithful to our rights as an editor; but when danger threatened fromall quarters, he hired, equipped, and sent a common soldier into thefield for the defence of New-York. 

Several who were active in introducing Mr. Bunce to the republicans ofthis county, after finding him too independent to bend to their"_particular_" views, and after he had rejected with disdain theirproffers to surrender to them his rights as an editor, they formedthemselves into a court of Inquisition, and ushered forth their courtlymandates "Bunce must be sacrificed" "the Journal shall go down, " eventhis proscription extended to his family, and to his fireside; and soeager were certain of these factionists, that they formed a plan tobreak up his establishment by _force_, and actually threatened _toscatter his types_. This fact is too susceptible of proof to be denied. 

The republicans for a long time were silent spectators, while viewingthe persecution of their editor, and attack upon their own rights andprivileges; they fondly hoped, that time would cure the evil, and soberreflection convince them of their error; but in this hope they weredisappointed, their persecutions encreased; and to them more certainlyto effect their object, and encouraged by the smiles of federalists, they secretly brought a new printing press into the county--it was thenthe designs of these men were more apparent--it was then therepublicans proclaimed their rights, and spoke to these "conspirators"in language too loud not to be heard--too emphatic not to beunderstood. And as long as these "conspirators" continue their press towar against the rights and privileges of the people, Mr. Bunce as afaithful centinel, will remain firm at his post. What though a gang ofoffice-holders should "in the mild spirit of Christian humility" (seepage 7 of the book) fulminate their maledictions against him; thepeople will not be frightened into submission, nor the editor from hisduty. 

But the Editor of the Journal has abused some of us, say they--Does the_truth_ abuse them? does the _exposition_ of the _foulest combination_that ever disgraced this or any other county, _constitute abuse_? Isthere such terrible majesty surrounding an _office_? No matter of what_misrepresentations_ they are the authors of--No matter how _basely_and _shamefully_ they have _belied and slandered their neighbors_--Nomatter of what deception, hypocrisy and intrigue, they are guilty--Nomatter how long they have conspired against the rights and privilegesof the people--No matter how unbecoming, gross and absurd their conductmay have been; if an independent Editor, in vindicating the rights ofthe people, and those of his own, questions the propriety of theirconduct; they immediately skulk behind their offices, and impudentlyexclaim, "_touch us not--we are privileged_. " 'Pigmies are Pigmiesstill tho' perch'd on Alps. '

While I would not refrain from censuring the improper conduct of theseoffice _leaders_, I shall ever be ready to extend the hand offellowship to such as have been deluded by them--Nay, I would gofarther, let _them_ exhibit signs of repentance--let them evince adetermination to support our republican rights---let them cease to waragainst the people, their editor, and individuals--let them removetheir _pensioned_ press--then shall they have my voice and my heart, tointercede for them with an insulted and abused community. 

But faint indeed is the hope of a reformation in _that_ man whoviolates all honor, truth and decency. Who but the author[8] of thatbook would charge the Milton committee, of being the tools of "fraudand management?" Who but him would affix the charge of "miscreants" tothe republicans of Galway, Milton, Greenfield, Saratoga, Malta andBallston? Who but him would have the unblushing effrontery to publish, "_that the general committee in nominating Mr. Cowen, instead of Mr. Young, committed an OUTRAGE on the feelings and wishes of theirconstituents_?" [see page 8. Of that pamphlet. ] Who but the author ofthat pamphlet would--but I beg pardon--read the pamphlet itself, andyou have abundant evidence of the authors views, his principles, hisheart and his designs. 

But the vengeful serpents of malice and persecution have not confinedtheir labors to _the book_, Early last spring, a thrust was made at theEditor of the Journal, on the authority _it was said_ of Mr. Hackley, late a member from Herkimer, who _(so Thompson said)_ had authorisedhim to tell the people, that Mr. Bunce was unworthy ofconfidence:--nay, to make use of a number of debasing epithets, --suchas would quadrate with the palate of Roe or Thompson, much better thanthat of a gentleman like Mr. Hackley. But as this gentleman hasdeclined appearing in the book, and certainly never did, and neverwould authorize Thompson to use his name for the vile purpose in whichhe employed it, I barely glance at this circumstance as one article, which would otherwise have been pressed into the Pandoras box which hasbeen so industriously served up for the public. 

Instead of atoning by a mild, moderate and conciliatory course ofconduct, for the injuries attempted, not only against an individual, but the public, in endeavoring to put down and destroy a free press;the project is set on foot of introducing and palming upon the countyanother press;--a child of their own;--a copartner in all their labors, their joys and sorrows. It is however, _one thing_ to introduce apress, and _another_ to get the _people_ to support it. While a fewmalicious imps, hungering for revenge, were "_grinning horrible aghastly smile, to hear their famine should be filled_;" the people in anumber of different towns assembled, and freely expressed theirsentiments on the fatal tendency of such measures; and animadvertedwith freedom and spirit on the motives which prompted them;--for whichthe book printed by the printer of their paper, stigmatizes them withthe epithet of _miscreants_; and treats the whole of their labors asmere _cant and slang_; I suppose it must mean compared with its owndignified and masterly pages. _The majesty of the people_ is truly a_monstrous Deity_ in the eye of venal and sell-created consequence. Itis merely for repeating _some of the sentiments expressed at thesemeetings_, that the editor of the Journal is assailed as thearch-disturber of our political repose. 

_The Citizen_, in one place storms furiously at the allegation, thatthe _Albany committee_ had advised them to remove their press. Thatcommittee was appointed to inquire into the difficulties which agitatedthe republican family in this county, and devise if possible the meansof removing them. Thompson as _chief cook_ of his own party, appearedbefore them, with the book in his hand and Judge Child at his elbow _asusual_; and I do believe the citizen from my very soul, when he saysthey gave him no such advice. The committee were composed of _sensible_men; and after listening to his incoherent display of folly andnonsense on that occasion, it would be literally casting pearl before_swine_, to have given them any advice on the subject. 

Having established and considered some extraneous facts, for which I amaware certain _gentlemen_ will not thank me especially as it maydisorder the thread of their own reasoning a little; I shall nowproceed briefly to consider the charge of FRAUD, FALSEHOOD, DUPLICITYand CORRUPTION, as it appears in the book itself, on their own proof, independent of the foregoing _memorandums_, leaving the memory of Mr. Young's _colleagues_ and others at full leisure to be refreshed bythem. 

That charge it will be recollected, is the turning point of thecontroversy;--the _vox et preterea nihil_, which _boils, and foams, andwheels_ thro' _the book_, like a torrent thro' the _Augean_ stable, collecting in its course accretions of foulness and impurity. For thispurpose, Mr. _Bunce_ and Mr. _Palmer_ are represented as a political_Archimedes_, controlling at their will the destinies of thecounty;--dictating the number and sort and deliberations of the countydelegates, prostrating the Speaker of the house of assembly; anddealing _havoc, spoil_ and _ruin_ around them. Mr. Cowen is representedas their associate, aiming at his own elevation thro' the lowest artsof cunning and duplicity. But fortunately for the cause of commonsense, the touch-stone of these mighty maggots of the brain are the_facts_ on which they are founded. And here let us for a moment takethem as they stand among the certificate gentry, and examine theiractual bearings;--in doing which I shall still have occasion to mentionnames, who, if they have finally not much cause for self gratulation, must thank their good friend _the Citizen_ for bringing them before thepublic. 

The Motts[9] say, that on or about the 21st of March, Mr. _Cowen_ toldthem that _Young_ was becoming _unpopular_;--that he had behavedhaughtily and disrespectfully towards his colleagues; and that a fewdays before, he had been informed of this fact by several gentlemen towhom they were referred. Now it will be recollected that Mr. Cowen andJohn R. Mott were two of the _delegates_ from Saratoga, and as suchmutually bound to discuss with freedom the _allegation for and against_Mr Young, or any other person who would be a candidate before thegeneral committee; and Mr. Cowen at this time _at least_, had no reasonto doubt the truth of what Young's colleagues had asserted. He alsomentioned it to James Mott, who was spoken of as a substitute in theevent of his brother's absence. It seems he also conversed freely withthese men on the subject of _his_ having consented to be considered acandidate, and (so James Mott says) examined the probability of hissuccess, by calculating the favorable state of the delegation. But itseems that communications to these _leaky gentlemen_ on the subject ofcandidates are not to be made under any circumstances with impunity;and Mr. Cowen is to be censured as _criminal_ for giving thatinformation, which it would have been _criminal_ to withhold. The onlyway to make his act in this respect _criminal_ is by saying, "he oughtto have known that Young's colleagues had _lied_. " But it will berecollected that this was impossible, for the public did not know them_then_ as well as it does _now_; nor had Mr. Cowen yet seen their_certificate_ which is herewith published, by which they acknowledge_what the book_ is so anxious for Mr. Cowen to have assumed. He didafterwards see it, and then (so say the certificates) bore publictestimony to his opinion of the merits of Mr. Young, as well asafterwards by letter to judge Child. 

Thus does the charge of duplicity, made against Mr. Cowen, resolveitself into a base attempt to fix upon him, what so snugly suits theshoulders of others. It seems he finally bestows that justice upon a_political adversary_, which the baseness and treachery of his_colleagues_ and pretended friends had withheld. Am I acting the partof an accuser towards those men? No. They have accused themselves. Whyare they again before the public? Had they hopes of skulking intoobscurity among the _motley_ multitude of certificates which throng thefolio of _the book_? or have they like one of the moral personages in_Hudibras_, "_catch'd the itch on purpose to be scratch'd_?" It nowrequires an eye less keen than that of a ministering spirit to piercethe cob web veil which shields them from detection. 

But in the process of this investigation, we are led to theconsideration of a subject "_too awful for irony_. " The interestedcertificates of these men are ushered to a Christian public, and ahigher sanction demanded for them, by the author, than he is willing toallow to facts attested under the _solemnity_ of _an oath_. One couldhardly have anticipated this _atheistical_ appeal to the credulity ofthe public, even tho' human nature were as vile and monstrous in_others_, as it appears to be in _that author_. But perhaps there was anecessity for it, in order to preserve the _dark_ uniformity of hisproduction. If, as has been asserted more than _one_ of his prominentcertifiers (among whom I would by no means rank these men) arethemselves _atheists_, what could he swear them upon?--Upon theevangelists think you?--He might as well swear them on Payn's age ofreason, or his own vile book itself. Where they "believe that theirmiserable bodies must take eternal refuge in the grave, and the lastpuff of their nostrils will send their souls to annihilation, theylaugh at the solemnity of an oath and tell you that the grave intowhich they sink as a log, forms an intrenchment against the throne ofGod, and the vengeance of exasperated justice!" Such is the characterwhich the writer fixes upon _himself_. --Such is the character whichseveral of his _disciples_ sustain in public. 

True, the falsity of an extra-judicial oath, carries with it no_temporal_ punishment; but the _moral obligation_ remains to give itvalidity. That _eternal reward or punishment_ which the _Citizen_ hastaken so much pains to blot out from the mind of his readers, willstill continue the delight and terror of the Christian, the eternalfountain of his hopes and fears;--with him a sufficient motive totruth, without the artificial and imperfect aid of _national law_. Theaffidavits of four or five _credible witnesses_ were already before thepublic, that Mr. Young's Colleagues did make a charge against him; butit seems that every moral sanction must be trampled upon or trifledwith by the _Citizen_, to secure a triumph for his false and infidelprinciples. He skips, like a grasshopper, over facts and premises andpropositions, and perches upon his pitiful assertions, which he wishesthe public to pervert into conclusions. Why did he not give theseaffidavits lo the public?--He cannot surely complain that he forgotthem, for they appear to haunt his guilty imagination through the wholeof his progress; nor can he complain of wanting room. But the answer iseasy. He knew it would make his bait so very bad that even his owngulls would not nibble. --

He was afraid of injuring his credit as an author even among his _ownsort_--for these affidavits prove conclusively and indubitably, thatnot one jot nor tittle more was uttered against Mr. Young, than whatemanated from his own colleagues, in the course of the winter of 1814and 1815. 

It is still more remarkable so far forth as the charge of fraud isconcerned, with what logical precision _the Citizen_ pursues hisinquiry. --One is naturally led to expect from his _positive rant_, nothing short of _point blank demonstration_ at least, that the fraud, (which if there was any originated with Mr. Young's colleagues) hadproduced the desired effect. That the attempt to cheat the people outof this _mammoth legislator_, --this _sine qua non_ to their politicalsalvation, should have at least produced some influence with the menupon whom it was exerted. Is there no _lost and wandering sheep_ readyto return to the fold, and certify the delusions practised upon him bythese wolves in sheeps clothing? Even Mr. Thompson, whose attention isapt to be otherwise directed, the moment he falls in conversation withPalmer and Bunce, scents out the fraud with all the instinctivekeenness of a blood hound--Mr. Kasson on the same track, hardly thelength of a nose behind, and unwilling to be outdone in sagacity, echoes the howlings of his leader. Judge Stillwell, tho' it seems thedullest of the pack, follows hard and completes the choir; or in otherwords Thompson and Kasson make a certificate that they _were notdeceived_, and Stillwell _endorses_ to give it a proper currency. 

Even Mr. Roe lays claim to the same spirit of discernment, tho' histitle to that claim might be questionable on another _ground_. He isreadily led into a conclusion that Mr. Wilkins must have visited theNorthern towns to procure Mr. Cowen's nomination; when it happens thatthe committees in those towns had been chosen before his name had beenmentioned in them as a candidate, and before he had consented to beconsidered one. Mr. Roe had much better have satisfied himself byconsulting the northern delegation on this subject. He is remarkably_alert_ to detect a _fraud_ where there is none, but is willing to takeany thing upon _tick_ which accommodates his good friend the _Citizen_. He certifies that he could not be deceived by the poor stories ofPalmer and Bunce;--But believing the public to be greater numbscullsthan himself, imagines that he can trick them into a belief, that thegentlemen who composed the northern delegation (among whom are many ofthe most respectable names in the county) are the mere creatures ofanother's will. It is perhaps fortunate that this man is an exceptionto the general law of nature, that _like_ produces _like_, or he mighthave made _tools_ of the whole county convention. 

Who then was defrauded?--The Molts are by no means willing to admitthat this was the case with them. The Citizen cannot produce even onepoor certificate from any _one_ of the _county convention_, that theywere deceived or misled--neither Mr. Deake nor judge Child were of thecommittee, and if they had been, they are both so good as to tell usthey were not gulled in that instance _at least_. John R. Mott, one ofthe delegation from the town of Saratoga, according to his owncertificate had gone to New-York and sent Mr Olmstead who, with Mr. _Cowen's consent_ (for it must have been by his consent that he actedas a substitute) sat in convention, and voted for Mr. Young. Thusingeniously does the citizen rummage the chain of cause and effect, toeke out his favorite conclusion. 

But stop, I confess I had like to have forgotten the certificate of Dr. Child (Increase W. Child) a son of judge Child, one of the mostdistinguished among the _dramatis personæ_ who figure in the book!--Hedoes go the length of saying, that he voted on the strength of Mr. Bunce's representation. Voted for whom? For Mr. Cowen? O no. --But hevoted for a _committee_, who were to meet a _committee_, to make outthe _county nomination_!--And shocking to relate, poor Dr. Child wasgalled into a vote for three of the most respectable men in the town ofMilton!!--viz: Daniel Couch jun. Esq. Joel Keeler Esq. Late a member ofthe legislature, and Thomas Palmer Esq!!!--It is derogatory to no manin that town, to say that a more respectable delegation could not havebeen procured. And what is more shameful still, one of those gentlemen, viz: Daniel Couch jun Esq. Whom the Doctor had thus honestly sent _tovote for Mr. Cowen_, actually deceived his constituent, and _voted forMr. Young_!!!!--Doctor Guild's certificate is very happily illustratedby the burlesque syllogism; _that Moses was the meekest man:--Solomonwas the wisest man;--And therefore St. Paul was ship wrecked_. Theconclusion of a fraudulent nomination, follows about as direct upon Dr. Child's premises, as the shipwreck of St. Paul did upon the meekness ofMoses or the wisdom of Solomon. We should be almost led to suspect fromthis specimen, that the Doctor is a greater _infant in politics_, thanin _dissection_. 

This famous pamphleteer is by no means more fortunate, when heapproaches the topic of the McBain meeting. The materials of which thismeeting was composed are now known as far as the book, which has kindlygiven their names to the public. It consisted of one _first judge_. One_Sheriff_ and one _Clerk_, appointed under the administration of_Samuel Young_ Esq. --_George Palmer_ Esq. Master in Chancery, As't. Justice, Justice of the peace, Post Master, &c, and whom _the book_holds out as the _expectant_ of the _Surrogates office_--_Roe_ deputySheriff and _ci-devant_ constable--_James Mutt_--_James Thompson_ Esq. Who had kindly volunteered, as early as the 1st of April, to take theinterests of the county under his charge as _public prosecutor_ and_States evidence_--_Alpheus Goodrich Esq. His partner_--Doctor _NathanThompson_ his brother--Mr _Elias Benedict_ his client;--the one willingto _receive_, and the other to _pay_ in certificates of the mostcurrent stamp--_A justice or justices_ from Ballston, who knew theirpolitical God-father--Dr. _Samuel Pitkin_, who acted as ministerplenipotentiary from _Milton_ to _Saratoga_, making thirteen, who it isadmitted, were from all the different towns enumerated in the captionof the meeting viz: Ballston, Stillwater, Galway, Saratoga, Greenfieldand Milton. Add to these some others of minor note, and you make, asthe Citizen would have it, the number of 21 _or more_. The Citizen tootells us he was there; but whether in the character of ---- ---- or---- we are left to grope in the gloom of conjecture. 

Such was the formidable _Areopagus_ convened to purify the _bodypolitic_; to correct the poor misguided county convention;--and guardthe people against _being their own worst enemies_; such was theassembly presented to the public as a _numerous and respectable_meeting from 6 towns out of 14 (judge Child and Dr. Thompson kindlyrepresenting the towns of _Greenfield_ and _Galway_. )

No sooner had this _numerous meeting_ assembled, than it was tho'tnecessary to divide them into the proper committees;--This being more_genteel_ and _parliamentary_ than to act in a body;--Accordingly_Stillwell, Thompson and Palmer_ were created a committee to draw upthe proceedings of the meeting; _Child_ and _Stillwell_, a committee of_Logic_ and _Rhetoric_, to call on _absent friends_ and get them toconsent that he _should resign. Mott_ and _Child acted_ as a _committeeof vigilance_ to pick up and report scraps of conversations and lettersfrom Mr. Gowen after the meeting was over. _Mott, Thompson, Kasson, Stillwell, Roe, _ &c acted as a committee to report to the county, thefraud which had deprived _Mr Young_ of his undoubted right to go to theLegislature, whether the people were _willing_ or _not_. Mr. EliasBenedict to draw up the proceedings of _Mr. Wilkins_ and _possibly_ toenforce the statute for the suppression of Vice and Immorality;--andcommittee of the whole to tell the county they had been there; and doaway the strange reports which had gone abroad, that they were a littleself-created body, without _precedent, authority or premises_, resembling what saucy people would call a _faction_. 

All might yet have gone well, had not _Stillwell_ been such a miserable_slouch_ at telling a story. It appears that Stillwell and Palmer hadwritten a history of the meeting for publication, in which _Mr. Cowen_tells the meeting, "that _they_ must be responsible if they act withouthis absolute resignation. " See p. 24 and 5. This presumptuous actthrows the Citizen into a whirlwind of passion; and he falls a _cursinglike a very drab_, at _Palmer, Bunce and Cowen_, apparently notbelieving that his _friend Stillwell_ would ever have told so dangerousa _truth_. He calls it a _farrago of nonsense_, after having beforeasserted that _Palmer as Secretary_ had nothing to do with it; that itbelonged exclusively to the _committee of publication;_ and _then_recollecting that Palmer and Stillwell were a majority of that_committee_, and consequently the _proper authority_, he takes anotherleap, and says, that the _rough draft_ of the _proceedings_ were givento _James Thompson Esq_ for wham he claims the _copy right_. 

Now altho' _Thompson_ is unwilling to be outdone in telling a story, and tho' he had peaceable and quiet possession according to _the book_of the _consciences_ of _Stillwell and Child_, instead of telling thepublic that _Mr. Cowen had resigned_, he says something which to besure would look "_like that_, " _as the citizen says_, upon the firstimpression; but which on being critically examined, contradicts thefact on the face of it. Even the compound of jargon and inconsistencydrawn up by Thompson, and published in page 16 of the book, could notbe tortured into an _unconditional resignation_. Mr. Cowen is theremade to say, not that he _resigned_ nomination;--But that for reasonsthere enumerated, "it was his _personal wish to resign his ownnomination_ &c. And he submitted to the decision of the meeting, thequestion whether it would be most expedient to act on his _resignationwhich_ he now made (_which_ must refer to the _personal wish_ beforeexpressed, for no other resignation is pretended) if the meeting shouldjudge a postponement impracticable, or to postpone acting until hecould have time to communicate to some of the particular friends of hisnomination (beside those who were present at the meeting) his reasonsfor resigning, and procure their concurrence _before hand_ &c. "

Mr Cowen thus makes the concurrence of his friends _before hand_ a_condition precedent_;--but the meeting disregard it--reject thecondition, and gravely resolve to accept _a resignation_, which had notyet been tendered to them. Such is the rickety production which camestraggling before the public in search of the Secretary, who hadrefused it the sanction of his name. In order to remedy this evil, and"_throw it into form_" as the citizen would say, _his_ name gives placeto that of _Thompson and Stillwell_, who it is agreed are _larger_ menthan the Secretary, [10] and must therefore carry greater weight. Eventhe certificate which follows, signed by nearly the whole of themeeting, after going on to say that Mr. Cowen openly and publiclyresigned, immediately defeats itself by referring back to, and adoptingthe statement drawn up by Thompson as a _candid, fair and faithfulstatement of facts_;--and it is evident that such part of thecertificate as overshoots the premises upon which it is professedlyfounded, must mean nothing more than to give a _construction_ advocatedby the Citizen, and which they esteem so necessary for their defence. The certificate of Peters, Stewart and How, shew the miserable shiftsto which the Citizen and his friends were driven in order to bearthemselves out in their conduct. They are perhaps excusable so long asthey keep to the question of _construction_; but when they tax the zealof their friends with certificates and declarations so far beyond whatthey themselves are willing to say--nay, which actually _contradict_the certificates and declarations that precede them, one is almostinduced to overlook the difficulties of their defence, and to suspectthe moral honesty--not of these men; but of those who have drawn theminto this singular situation. 

After all this round of certifying and reasoning, the shoe stillcontinues to pinch, and the first Judge again appears before the publicto help the defect. Altho' he signed Thompson's statement in which heis careful to make use of the language employed by it, and the epithet_personal_ when he speaks of Mr. Cowen's language, yet when heafterwards hears of a distinction between _personally_ and _absolutely_he seems almost struck dumb with astonishment, and says he had neverheard of the distinction before. Now altho' the public will make allrational allowance for the judge's want of distinction where Mr. Thompson is concerned, yet I suspect they could hardly account for hispresent lack of apprehension, unless he took that statement upon tick, and signed without reading it. 

Still despairing of any thing like a defence upon this ground, theCitizen at length, p. 24, dismisses his whole train of statements, certificates and letters, & undertakes very learnedly and elaboratelyto refine upon the distinction; and insists that if a man expresses his_personal wish to resign_, it is to all intents and purposes a_resignation_, and that no other was ever heard of; as if it wasimpossible to consult the opinions of others, and make a _generalresignation_ depend upon their consent. All that it seems necessary inthat case, is for the McBain meeting to resolve to accept what theythus are pleased to call a resignation, and nominate another candidate. And this it seems accords with the sense of all the world on thesubject, both federal and republican. Thus the world are at lengthafter a lapse of ages, furnished with an easy recipe for aresignation--a sort of _panacea_ to correct all the sores of the bodypolitic and produce a "_speedy composure of the public mind" "TereatisRisum Amici_;" and call no one a political quack playing off hiswhimsical nostrums upon the people, whose mental repose lies so nearhis heart. If the meeting are told that they _shall be responsible ifthey act on a declaration thus limited_, keep it out of view as much aspossible, or say as the citizen does, p. 40, that it was only something_like that_ or _out of season_, or some such thing. If a committee of_three_ are chosen to publish the proceedings and _two_ of them write a_farrago of nonsense_ which puts the whole together by the ears, inorder to decide the quarrel and "_speedily compose the public mind_, "let them raffle upon the question, and to see that every thing is fair, appoint the _First Judge_ to hold the hat. Ancient history tells us ofmore important controversies than this, decided in the same way;

 Old Hector was a wary chap, At pitch and chuck and hustle-cap, An old Scotch bonnet quickly takes, In which he three brass farthings shakes; Then turn'd his head without deceit, To shew them that he scorn'd to cheat; And cries aloud, here goes, my boy, 'Tis _heads_ for Greece and _tails_ for Troy; Then turns the cap: _great Troy_ prevails, _Two farthings_ out of three were tails. 

But it is time to lift the curtain, and attend more minutely to the_chief jugglers_ who figure behind it. _The Sheriff and others_, whosign the McBain certificate, alledge that Mr. Cowen (_according totheir construction_) not only _resigned his nomination_ but _did so_without any previous _request (as they perceived)_ It would seem from_this_, that these men were kept as a sort of _puppets_ to dance inaccordance with the wires which actuated them, from behind the scene;being thus, _according to their own account_, strangers to the_pressing request_ made to Mr. Cowen, and the _arguments_ by which itwas enforced. They are excluded the main _performance_ and reserved forthe _farce_--probably for the _wisest_ of reasons, as there are certainimportant parts which would be ruined in _vulgar hands_. It is timethat these men _should perceive_, if they have _not yet learned_ oneimportant fact among others, which their famous masters, _Thompson andChild_, have thus hypocritically concealed throughout. For this purposeI give the following extract of a _letter_ from Judge Child, written onthe subject of that _meeting_, the day after it took place, dated atGreenfield, April 19, 1815:

 "We accordingly met, and had a free candid and friendly _consultation_ with _Mr. Cowen_; and when he came to hear the _communication from Esquire Cowles, Ketchum and Gardner_, on the subject of Mr. Young's _conduct_ and _usefulness_ in the Legislature;--_and taking into consideration all the circumstances_, he cheerfully declared that, _in his judgement_, it was best for him to resign being a candidate; and use his influence for the election of Mr. Young;--but that he _really desired_ an opportunity of _consulting those friends_ who had exerted themselves to procure his nomination, that were not present. It was stated to him that they lived or at least _some_ of them, at such a distance, that it would be very difficult to give seasonable information to the county of his _resignation_ in favor of Mr Young, should it be put bye till Thursday or Friday as he requested;--and that the same _reasons_[11] _which convinced him that it would be proper for him to resign, would satisfy them on the subject_. Mr. Cowen _still_ tho't it would be _the best way to proceed_ and the most gratifying to his feelings, _to take time to consult his friends_. "

Thus you see Mr. Cowen was requested to resign, and the _arguments_ infavor of that resignation founded upon the _famous certificate_, datedAlbany, April 17, 1815, published Ante, page 4--a statement_jesuitically_ calculated to shew that the zeal of his friends had, _byperverting the conversation of Ketchum &c. _ aided in procuring _his_nomination. And when he expresses a _desire_ to consult his friends;_an answer_ is ready, emanating from the same false and deceptivesource. Thus are the most _shameful arts_ employed to destroy his_confidence in those friends_, and induce in him a reluctance _underall the circumstances_ (as the first judge expresses it) against beinga candidate--You thus see their _rotten certificate_ made thefoundation for the _rise_--_progress_ and _result_ of that _meeting_. Thus does the charge of DUPLICITY, FRAUD and FALSEHOOD recoil upon theheads of those _arch-certifiers_, or _the men_ employed in _obtaining_and _giving currency_ to their shameful communication. 

It then in fact ceases to be a question what was _said_ or _done_ bythat meeting, or any member of it. For according to every principle ofreasoning, _divine_ or _human_; if the _whole_ was grounded on _fraud_, the whole was a _nullity_, and possessed no _moral force_. "If" saysthe book, "Mr. Cowen's _nomination_ was procured _by fraud_, it cannotbe called a _nomination_; and may be departed from with impunity. " Itturning out on investigation, that his _nomination_ was a _perfectlyfair one_, and his pretended _resignation_ founded on the _grossestduplicity_;--whether it was _conditional_ or _absolute_, whether it was_personal_ or _general_, it is void, and unworthy the name of a_resignation_. _Eternal justice_ disavows it; _Political justice_disowns it; and _common sense_ condemns the perversion. The_nomination_ of _Mr. Young_, by a meeting thus _packed_ for thepurpose, by a few of _his friends_, was not only _void_ for thatreason, but it had its origin in the _same duplicity_, and wastherefore equally void with _every thing founded upon it_. 

Were Young's colleagues correctly informed, as to the manner _theirconversations_ were spoken of? or were they deceived by _Kasson_ and_Thompson_ when they called for their _certificates_ at Albany? If the_latter_, they had near one year before giving their _second_certificate, to correct the error. Why have they always shrunk frominvestigation? Why in their _second_ certificate, contradict the_first_? Why after having _near a year_ to _prepare_ it, does their_second_ certificate _contradict itself_? As they now stand, theypresent a more shocking _caricature_ of folly and inconsistency, thanever _figured_ before the public. They have burst the bands ofpolitical faith--They have melted the cement of affection, and drivento a returnless distance, the best and dearest of friends. No man knewwhat to say or think of what they said or certified--Individual ruin isthreatened, and the destruction of a _free press_ aimed at; while inthe political atmosphere all is uproar, disorder and confusion. 

 --Alas. --"That _men_, Clothed with a little _brief authority_, Should play such antic tricks before high heaven, As make the angels weep!"

With these men however I have now done--But let their _Pander_ beware;let him _pause and reflect_, ere it be too late--"Already are thesluices of public indignation opened upon him--Already is he _driftedalong on the surface of the stream, the object of_ CONTAGION andABOMINATION"--AN ELECTOR. MAY 1816. 

 * * * * *

NOTE: The public will duly _appreciate_ the reasons for _postponing_the publication of the foregoing till _after Election_. The writerhopes he has avoided the example of the _Citizen_, by not _descending_to the retreats of _private_ character. --Even the author of the bookhas not been named. The character given of that author, ante page 30 innote, is not intended to apply to any one named in thatpamphlet. --Indeed I hope for the honor of human nature, that however_strange_ and _inconsistently_ some of these men have acted who have inthat production given their names to the public, yet that none of themare so far gone as to prostitute themselves to the vile purpose ofwriting such a work as that in which their names are interlarded. 

NOTES

[1] _Several hundred of these certificates were a day or two after theMcBain Meeting, struck off at the FEDERAL Printing' Office in thisVillage, and circulated thro' the County during the election_. 

[2] _It will be recollected that the writer of this letter is thefamous conversation-monger, who together with his brother James Mott, are made the instruments of proving duplicity in Mr. Cowen. John R. Mott pretends that as early as the 1st of March, Mr. Cowen told himthat Palmer and Bunce were opposed to Young, &c and yet on the 6th dayof_ April _following, he very gravely informs Mr. Cowen by letter, ofthe very facts which he says Mr. Cowen had told him before. This is theman too who tells so much about_ private _conversation, and Mr. Cowen's_ hesitating _to tell him names; and enjoining him to_ secresy, _and who so very spunkily says that he called Gen. Dunning "a fool. "Mr. Cowen must, I think, feel himself greatly indebted to these_brother _certifiers for their honor and patriotism. This too is theman, who sometime before wrote a fawning letter, asking Mr. Cowen togive him an office (Assistant Assessor of the U. S. ) which he had at hisdisposal; to which Mr. Cowen readily acceded, and afterwards on anotherwritten request, conferred the same office on his_ brother certifier_James Mott. [The inhabitants of Halfmoon, will furnish amplecredentials, for their extraordinary_ attention _and_ correctness _inthe execution of their offices, One of these men shortly before theelection was appointed deputy to the Sheriff: He suddenly veers aboutand becomes a convert to_ court _doctrine, and evinces his zeal in thenew cause he had espoused, by his_ anathemas _against his formerfriends. ] These brothers in blood, in politics and in virtue, generously avail themselves of the advantages afforded them by officialintercourse with Mr. Cowen on business, and then patriotically tenderthe fruits of their_ rotten-hearted _labor to_ "the citizen" _and hisfriends as proofs of duplicity_. 

[3] _This was on the_ first _day of the Polls--but it seems by Mr. Bennet's certificate, that as soon as the election was over, Thompsonflung off the mask, and exhibited his_ cloven foot _without reserve_. 

[4] _Altho' it is a fact well known that this meeting was projected by, and the canting pretences which bro't it together and sent forth thestrange account which it gives of itself, originated with_ two or three"demagogues, " _yet it is a subject of real regret that a_ few honestmen _have suffered themselves to be duped by their shameful artifices. It commenced with_ Mr. Thompson of Milton, _who during the summer pasthas been very industrious in serving up and peddling little doses ofslander against_ Mr. Baldwin, Mr. Bunce, and others. _This man has beena real political_ scold, _ever since he found himself capable ofthrowing a little confusion into the ranks of the county; He is thefirst_ male Xantippe _who has reduced the doctrine of scolding to asystem, and certified it in a_ book. _Of such characters there islittle hopes:_

 "_Destroy his_ web and sophistry _in vain_, _The creature's at his_ dirty work _again_. "

[5] _Altho' no man more sincerely rejoices in the charitable donationsof the people of Saratoga, for the relief of our brethren at_ Sacket'sHarbor, _than the writer of these remarks, yet he cannot avoid joiningin the general disgust at the vanity of Judge Child, in trying toelicit public applause for himself. The judge cannot bear to hide hischarming light under a bushel. Instead of not suffering one hand toknow what the other is doing, he is not content with its beingpublished in a_ book, _but advertises his charity in a newspaper as aman would one of his_ stray cattle. _From his liberal conduct to theEditor of the Journal and others, he is perhaps excusable in callinghis charity about him as soon as possible, even if he offers aconsiderable reward for it in the next advertisement which he puts intohis darling paper_. 

[6] By a new species of logic adopted by the author of the Book, a manis accounted _honorable_ and _virtuous_ by the square foot of carcase. Ergo, "a little man" in stature, comprehends all that is _hypocritical_and _wicked_. The _great man_, James Merrill, who is the subject ofthis note, by the above rule is of course, the most _honorable_, bestinformed and _religious_ man of the whole group, who embellish the fairpages of that "book. " It is proper that the public should know a littleof his _debut_ and _denoument_ as a political character. 

His _first_ notorious feat was performed in his first and lastappearance as a member of assembly, where his colleague by a friendlyrap on the knuckle convinced him that he was _endeavoring_ to read offa _federal_ vote for a council of appointment, which a federal memberhad assured him was more _legible_ than the one _prepared_ for him. 

The _second_ time as a quid of the _Burr_ stamp, and willing to spend500 dollars rather than the republican candidate should succeed. 

The _third_ time in a _new_ character; with his name blazoned in largecapitals in recommendation of S. Van Rensselaer for governor, inopposition to Daniel D. Tompkins in 1813. 

The fourth time in 1815, as the _sub_ agent and director of the McBainmeeting; still ready with 100 dollars, to divide the ticket with thefederalists rather than the regular nomination should succeed and Mr. Young not be elected; swearing he had not _before taken hold since hisfriend Burr went down_. 

On the _first_ day of election he is a flaming democrat. 

On the _second_ day, at the opening of the polls, he makes publicproclamation "for all those who did not intend to vote for Mr Young tocome forward and state their reasons, _and they should be heard_; andthat _now_ he had no objections that _three federalists_ should beelected. "

On the third day of the election, "_it depended on a word, and thetypes of the republican printer would be scattered_. " A true sample of"the mild spirit of Christian humility" Vid. _book_. 

[7] _This circumstance would not have been mentioned had not the_CITIZEN_ boasted of the same office confering great honor on one ofhis disciples_. 

[8] In treating of the productions of an author, it is customary togive some account of his character, pursuits, &c. &c. This is usuallydone by way of _introduction_ or _appendix_. I beg leave in thisinstance to deviate from the regular method, and present him in themore appropriate station of a _Nota Bene_. 

The author of that pamphlet is a _lawyer_ in _practice_ and a_moralist_ by _profession_; by the former, he has acquired great_booty_; by the latter a ---- and what is peculiar to himself (and all'peculiar' men have their peculiarities) he never suffers his_profession_ to interfere with his _practice_; and yet in _moneyconcerns_, he has been known to handle _both_, with great _adroitness_. In his _practice_ his fellow townsmen are "pine plains men, " in hisprofession "a contemptible rabble;" and truly so, for the former tellhim "the farm you live on was once the soil of a revolutionarysoldier. " This is truly saucey, for he acquired it by his _practice_. The latter tell him, "you sued us for small sums due the estate of arelative; you made us ten times more costs than the demands--you tookadvantage of a then existing law, to oppress us; you feasted on ourmisfortunes, and rioted on our distresses; till an _ugly_ law extendedrelief to the '_rabble_'. "

One of these men living in an adjoining town, tells him, "I once ownedtwo farms; I own no farms now--They are swallowed up in '_morality_. '"It is not yet ascertained, whether his rate of 40 per cent interest, isregulated by his _practice_ or his _profession_. It certainly cannotbe, as has been supposed, in proportion to the wants of the distressed. I am inclined to think his _morality_ often runs ahead of his_practice_, in this case. 

A _good reputation_ is not common to all men. Our author haspractically demonstrated the truth of this position, and conclusivelyshewn, that the _needy_ have an absolute right to filch a supply fromtheir neighbor; and has exhibited such powerful proofs in support of_his_ claims, that he has actually obtained more than a _quantumsufficit_, and conferred the surplus on some of his _needy_ friends. 

The misfortunes of his neighbor, forms the chief round in his _ladder_to eminence; it rests on the sanctuary of domestic afflictions, and issupported by the tears of the widow and the orphan. Lo! Avarice claimshim for her own--Billingsgate yields her choicest flowers--Envyentwines the glowing wreath--and malice triumphantly crowns him "lordof the ascendant. "

[9] _The certificates of these men interlard several points ofconversation as minute as the souls which gave operation to theirmemory; and which appear to be designed to answer no other purpose, than to shew the extraordinary strength and accuracy of intellect bywhich they are characterized. Their fixed attention to such matters mayserve as some excuse for the manner in which they executed theiroffices of U. S. Assessors. But I have had occasion to note thesegentlemen once before_. 

[10] _The Citizen is perhaps correct when he calls Mr. Palmer a_ littleman, _and Judges of his own_ favorites _by the quantity of_ matter_instead of_ mind;--_Like the Italian Farmer in estimating thequalities of a_ grave animal _no less famous for_ strength and dullness_than for the_ length _of his_ ears. 

[11] _It seems that an effort was afterwards made to convince theirfriends, by publishing several hundreds of the famous communicationfrom Young's colleagues, notwithstanding an express stipulation to thecontrary_.