base and cowardly transaction. The ability, zeal, and impartiality shewn by you as a judge, during your residence amongst us, have proved that you are undeserving of censure, – but, on the contrary, your general attention to the interests of this community, require our warmest thanks.
“We beg leave further to add, that all diligence will be manifested by us to discover the malicious writer in question, whereby he may be prosecuted. In the mean time, permit us to subscribe ourselves, with respect. Sir, your obedient servant,
“[At the request of the meeting].”
“To John Toup Nicolas, C.B., &c &c. &c.”
On receipt of the above address, Captain Nicolas returned the following reply:–
“Sir,– Did I not sensibly feel the great attention which has been shewn me by the respectable meeting of which you are the chairman, in thus coming forward so handsomely to mark your detestation of the writer of the base libel against my public character, – some coward who, like an assassin, has in the dark dared to insinuate that my judgment as a surrogate has been corruptly influenced, in favour of one of the poorer classes of society, in opposition to the justice due to one of the more wealthy, – I should ill deserve the favor which has been done me. – The honorable and liberal conduct of the inhabitants on this occasion, is the best answer to such a charge, for those who during the last seven months, have almost daily witnessed the proceedings of this court, arc the best qualified to reply to such an aspersion. Next to the approval of our own conscience, and Its assurance that we have done right, every man must be proud to learn, that he has succeeded in giving satisfaction to those to whom he has been called upon to administer, to the best of his abilities, the laws of his country. Under these impressions, no man can feel more deeply than I do, on this occasion, the truth of the words of a great statesman, now no more, that ‘to be the object of calumny and misrepresentation, will cause uneasiness, it is true, but an uneasiness not wholly unmixed with pride and satisfaction, since the experience of all ages teaches us, that calumny and misrepresentation are frequently the most unequivocal testimonies of the zeal, and possibly the effect, with which he, against whom they are directed, has done his duty.’
“The strong armour of truth is not always proof against the shafts of calumny;– truth however will ultimately make its way to the light, and bring its reward.
“Calumny, like persecution, may for the moment be enjoyed In secret by those who may have employed such weapons to irritate, and perhaps