The Family News
But it is well known, that impotations, however unfounded in their origin, will if constantly repeated and not repelled by facts, at length assume the tone of reality, and by those who are ignorant of their author be received as truth. Delicacy would, indeed impose silence upon me now, as for years it has done, did not duty to myself, and justice to my family and friends imperiously forbid it. Did the injury rest alone upon me, I might conceal my sufferings; but when I have parents and relatives to share in the degradation into which their slanders would plunge me, and more cruel still, a child; torn from me, to share the disgrace which its father's cruelty would impose upon its mother---to be silent would be criminal.
The personal abuses I have endured, unbeknown to the world, at my domestic fire-side, from Asa Tukesbury, once my husband, and now my accuser, were excited by a jealous disposition in him, which is cruel as the grave, both to him who indulges it, and to those who are the objects of its virulence, and the victims of its revenge. Reason and principle bend alike to its dominion, and innocence and virtue are the most likely to become the subjects of its foolish suspicions.
At present I shall not go into a detail of the abuses and injuries I have received from Asa Tukesbury, and which have led to our final separation. These facts, if necessary, will appear before the public in another form. It is sufficient to say, here, that they were such as to induce me to leave him before I did, and I was dissuaded from my perpose only, by his plighted promises to abouse me no more. These promises were as often violated as made. But this will not appear strange to those who know the violence of his passions when once excited, and especially when stimulated by ardent spirits.
It was not until recently that my own parents were apprised of my unhappy situation. I could not brook the idea of unbosoming to them my troubles. I knew I had crossed their wishes, spurned their counsel and advice, and rudely treated their feelings in forming a relation with Asa Tukesbury. Self condemned as I felt for this ingratitude, I wished not to distress their feelings by a recital of my sufferings. I chose rather to weep in silence over my own indiscretion and folly. I did so, until the accumulation of injuries I received, compelled me, like the prodigal, to return to my father's house, and by the tears of repentance to atone for the wrong I had done them, and throw myself upon their protection.
This circumstance is the reason, why slanders of the darkest character are circulated against me. Jealousy and the deep toned malice which attends it, are determined to blast my reputation with imfamy and scandal, as the last act of vengeance in their power. Mean insinuations and dark surmises are often more fatal and cruel than direct charges; bit tjeu are tje coverings from under, which sycophants and vagrants emit the "garbage and rank rottenness" of their malignant feelings. But I ask, only, of the public, the suspension of their judgement, until they shall have become acquainted with the facts of this transaction. I wish not to be condemned unheard, nor to be sacrificed on the altar of private resentment, without the privilege of self defence. Still, I owe it, in justice to myself, to state, that a tormenting jealousy is Asa Tukesbury's predominant infirmity. A common degree of civility, towards any gentleman that might happen in, seldom failed of being construed in his mind, into some portentous omen of mischief, for which, I was made the subject of "railing accusations." If I paid them common respect I portended intimacy; if I treated them with neglect, it was to deceive him. So he was always under the narrow of his jealousy. I hope there are few men tormented with such a spirit, and but few women tormented with such a man.
Attention may be due from these concerned, to the following "appeal" of Mrs. Tukesbury, in vindication of her character. We know nothing of the matter to which she alludes in this spirited article: but coming as it does from such a source, we insert it in our columns as a matter of course. It appears, however, that her husband has been violently attacked with the jealousy, which has raged to such a degree that he "is being revenged" by defaming her character! Verily, "the jealous are the damn'd!"
APPEAL TO THE PUBLIC
This appeal to the public in vindication of my character from the aspersions and calumnies which ignorance and malice are heaping upon it, will doubtless receive the approbation of some, and the censure of others. But this course is dictated by necessity. It is true, that did every listener to these false and foul reports, know the character and motives of him from whom they emanate, and the name and character also of those servile co-workers who are engaged in their spread and propagation, this appeal would be altogether unneccessary.
Brooklyn, June 15, 1829
