A heated exchange.

It appears that Thomas Jackson and the editor of the Reading Times had had lively disagreements previously,

This contents of this letter became the source of considerable criticism and although it was clearly sent to the editor in response to an earlier editorial, it appears that TJ had suggested that it would not be published.  However, the Editor of newspaper went ahead anyway and published it with stars instead of the TJ’s name and prefaced it with his own editorial disapproval of the contents.

As can be seen from later letters, these opinions were like pouring gasoline onto a fire and caused heated condemnation of the author.  Not unexpectedly, Thomas Jackson accepted the challenge to justify these opinions (and belittle the editor) in his later reply.  In that way, these series of newspaper exchanges provide a good introduction to TJ’s strong and unwavering opinions and his rapier like use of his knowledge and his words whenever anything to do with slavery was discussed.

The legal right to stop and question a Slaving Ship

In this case, it appears that Thomas Jackson was angry because some northerners were disapproving that a British ship had chased and seized “Reufus Soule”  (should be spelt Rufus Soulé), a ship initially flying the stars and stripes  but in practice was soon revealed as a slave ship flying false colors.  Some of Thomas’s opponents  claimed that only an American  vessel of war should be able to stop and quiz any ship showing the stars and stripes, a claim that Jackson mocked. Facts later proved that ship was indeed a Spanish slave trader and was not entitled to American Protection. As such it was violating treaty obligations with Spain.

The situation was made more controversial because the English and American laws differed regarding slave trade laws. On May 15, 1820 in America, the Congress  passed an act that made the captain and crew of a United States flagship suspected of being involved with the slave trade liable for arrest and, if found guilty, their execution was mandatory. On the other hand, the British parliament  authorized officers of British war vessels to board, seize and destroy without trial ships engaged in the slave trade.

In contrast the United States denied that foreign ships had the right to stop and search American vessels and had fought the War of 1812 over this matter

Thomas Jackson’s passion stemmed from an incident where a slave carrying ship that was flying the stars and stripes was intercepted by a British ship and challenged. The captain of the slave ship seemingly hauled down the American flag and threw his false papers overboard.

“Most recent wars were unnecessary- American war  of Independence the exception.”

TJ then goes on, probably unwisely, to suggest that “America has only been engaged in a just and unavoidable war once before” and that was the war for independence.  He writes off the war of 1812 as “should have been honorably settled and profitably avoided.”

He goes on to offer considerable evidence for his views and finishes suggesting that his letter should not be published because the editor “was not liberal enough to allow opinions which refute his editorials”!

Well the editor did not take kindly to that challenge as the following letters show.

(NOTE: the newspaper archives records this as being published on 21 February 1959.  However it is not found there but was in fact printed in the newspaper on 22 February as reflected here.)

Looking back with the wisdom of hindsight, it seems as if Thomas Jackson feels he does not need to temper his words to avoid alienating his editor or his readers. He may have achieved more support for his views by more gently arguing his case.

In the context of viewing ones actions as “a drop in the ocean”, it is appropriate to consider when and whether aggressively expressing ones opinions actually helps or hinders winning over others to one’s cause.

Unusual words

buncombe = insincere speech making by a politician intended to merely please local constituents insincere talk.  Claptrap