Rev. Sir,
In justification of my character I think it is necessary to lay before the public the bad usage you have given me at Mass last Sunday and likewise all the provocation I gave you for doing so.
You are aware that I am a man that lives by my industry, and of course I both weigh and pay with every person without regarding what religious opinions they may hold, provided I find them honest in their dealings. I therefore have sold to the Colony people some potatoes, for which you have treated me at Mass in a most unmerciful manner by cursing and abusing me, and then turning me out of the Chapel in presence of all the congregation as you would a complete heretic .
Indeed if I were going to change my religion I would not blame you for cursing me the same as you do every other person that turns Protestant, but this is not the case with me, I only gave them the value of their money the same as I would to any other person, and I won’t be prevented from doing so, and you may curse away as much as you like because I am sure that God won’t suffer them to fall upon me in such a case.
Now as you have put me to it, I shall expose before the public your mean principles, even in the private affairs of your own congregation. You know that the last time that you held confessions in my house, after going to the next village, you told the neighbours there that you hoped they would give yourselves and your horses better usage than I did, that you were never in so poor a house, that I starved both yourself and the horses therefore in repudiation of such a statement I shall only appeal to Messrs. T.& R.& M’G. three respectable persons whom I brought to dinner with you and keep you company on that occasion.
You know that it happened upon a Friday, and ye could eat no meat, I therefore prepared a good seasoned Ling for your dinner, and plenty of whiskey, and I gave you plenty of bread and butter and tea, for breakfast and supper, and after that as much punch as you were able to drink, and the horses got plenty of potatoes, as there was no oats to be got, and all the thanks ye had for me, was to begin to speak bad of me behind my back.
I am, Sir, your humble servant,
Patrick Mc Hugh.
Duniver, July 5, 1839
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