[693] Ibid. With a “summary account” of the documents upon which Robison had relied in the composition of his book and of which Morse had no first-hand knowledge, and with an examination of the alleged differences between the accounts of the “conspiracy” by Robison and Barruel (cf. ibid., Aug. 31, 1798), Morse’s prolix discussion of the subject came to a close. During the time that his articles were in process of publication, “Censor” contributed a fresh article to the Mercury, admitting that his faith in the existence of the European Illuminati was growing, but still protesting that Robison was to be regarded as extremely blameworthy on account of the false and calumnious attacks that he had made on worthy private characters in his Proofs. Cf. the Massachusetts Mercury of August 28 for this article by “Censor.” What degree of unmixed comfort this may have afforded Morse, we may guess.
[694] As yet Barruel’s Memoirs of Jacobinism was known to Americans only in the literature of English reviews.
[695] Massachusetts Mercury, Nov. 3, 1798: article by “A Customer.”
[696] Massachusetts Mercury, Nov. 13, 1798.
[697] Ibid.
[698] Ibid., Nov. 16, 1798. Extracts from Barruel’s Memoirs, garnered from English reviews, were offered in evidence by this writer. The charge of contradiction was hotly commanded by him to give place to the darker charge of designed perversion on the part of Robison’s enemies.
[699] Ibid., Nov. 30, 1798.
[700] Massachusetts Mercury, Nov. 30, 1798.
[701] Massachusetts Mercury, Oct. 26, 1798.
[702] Ibid.