Westchester County, New York, During the American Revolution

" I would now recommend to the notice of every " reader of Rivington's Farmer, that it is the usual '' practice of evil minded persons, when they would " disturb the quiet of any man, or body of men, " against whom they can find no just cause of com- " plaint, to raise against them, without any evidence, " the highest clamours, suggest the most criminal de- " signs, and if possible, represent even their most " laudable actions in an odious light : The best char- '" acters and most commendable actions, are no secur- " ities against attacks like these of the Farmer, to " which the best of men are most exposed ; but it is " a proof against them, that they are unsupported by .

" reason, or by credible evidence ; when, if either had " existed, they would certainly have been produced " by the same malevolence that raised the clamour " without them. I would only desire the reader to " consider the Farmer's clamour, invectives and " abuse, calmly and dispassionately, give them their " due weight and no more. I would not even desire to " turn them upon his own head, and cause him, like " Haman, to be hanged on his own gallows -- I only " desire that, unjust and unreasonable as they are, " they may have no weight with the reader, or raise " any prejudice in his mind against the cause of truth " & his country, or against any man or body of men, '" especially those worthy men who have nobly stood " forth and exerted themselves to save their country " from slavery and destruction.