1G9 



The excited and virulent political feeling at various times 

 betAveen 1802 and 1815, embracing the events connected 

 ■with the last war with Great Britain, was fully exhibited in 

 the columns of the Gazette, Although Mr. Gushing was him- 

 self of a mild and peaceable disposition, he allowed a pretty 

 free use of his columns by writers who did not emulate his own 

 virtues. The republican party were assailed in violent and of- 

 ten extremely personal language. Sarcasm, ridicule, and 

 severe denunciation were freely employed. Nor was the Reg- 

 ister at all backward in returning the assault in a similar tone 

 and spirit. This mode of warfare led on several occasions to 

 serious personal difficulties. 



In the fall of 1802 a violent contest arose between the 

 Federal and Republican parties, concerning the election of a 

 member of Congress from this district. The result was favorable 

 to the republicans. When it was over, in November, the 

 editors of the Register and Gazette were called upon to answer 

 for the tone of their papers, the former by a libel suit, and the 

 latter by threats of personal violence. Mr. Gushing was visit- 

 ed at his house by Capts. Richard and Benj. Crowninshield and 

 Mr. Joseph Story, and taken into a private room, where he was 

 charged with malicious publications, of a purely personal and 

 offensive character, against the complainants and their friends, 

 designed to injure them in the estimation of the community. 

 After detailing their grievances at some length, Gapt. Benj. 

 Growninshield threatened to shoot Mr. Gushing if he continued 

 to publish such things as they had complained of. Mr. Gushing 

 replied that it had been his endeavor to keep his paper free 

 from undue personalities, though he considered public charac- 

 ters and public conduct as proper subjects of animadversion ; 

 and as for the future he should give no pledges, but should be 

 governed by his regard for decency, and endeavor to give no 

 just cause of offence. The conversation became so loud and 

 boisterous that it alarmed the females of Mr. Gushing's family, 

 who called a number of persons into an adjoining apartment, 

 as listeners ; and thus the whole affair became a matter of public 

 notoriety. The excitement which ensued was so great that Mr. 

 Gushing was obliged to publish a full account of the interview. 



Party politics continued to rage for several years afterwards 

 with a degree of violence which we hope may never again 

 be experienced. 



One of the most amusing circumstances connected with this 

 period was that of the Pictorial Gerrymander. The democra- 



ESSEX INST. PROCEED. 22, 



