Note 47 — UNCLE SAM. BY ALBERT MATTHEWS.
Reading edition
Two may be specified. The following is taken from the New York Herald of April 10, 1813: "Fracas at Albany.—By the passengers in the Steam Boat we are informed, that a fracas took place in Albany last Wednesday [April 7], between Col. Peter B. Porter and John Lovett, Esq., occasioned by some publications which have been made relative to the affair between Col. S. Van Rensselaer and Col. Porter. It is said Col. Porter, after some high words had passed, attacked Mr. Lovett with a cane, on which Mr. Lovett closed in with him and was like to demolish him, when some of the by-standers interfered and put an end to the contest" (p. 3-2).
The other case, curiously enough, concerns a man of whom we shall hear later in connection with the alleged origin of Uncle Sam. In the Albany Gazette of September 20, 1813, appeared this (p. 3-4):
"The following note has been handed to us by Mr. Butler—We do not intend to prejudge the cause of dispute by its insertion. The Gazette will be freely open to Mr. Anderson.
"ELBERT ANDERSON, Jun. Contractor U. S. Army, is a base Villain, a Liar and a Coward.
James BUTLER.
"18th September, 1813."
Anderson and Butler apparently had a hand to hand scrimmage at Plattsburgh, for in the Albany Gazette of September 30, 1813, was printed a communication in part as follows (p. 3-3):
"Albany, 28th, Sept. 1813.
"Messrs. Websters and Skinners,
"A publication having appeared in your paper, during the absence of the Contractor, signed 'James Butler,' a friend to the former gentleman, who was an eye witness to the fracas at Plattsburgh, requests you to publish the following statement from the Plattsburgh Republican, of the 18th inst. . . .
"A rash man has applied to the Contractor for the Army, epithets of a libellous and scurrilous nature. . . .
"Plattsburgh, Sept. 15, 1813."
So far as I have noted, the incident closed with the publication in the Albany Gazette of October 4, 1813, of a card from Butler dated Lansingburgh, September 29, stating that the writer of the above letter was "an infamous liar" (p. 3-2).