[829] Christopher D. Ebeling (1741–1817) was a German geographer and historian who was greatly interested in everything relating to America. In 1794 he was elected a corresponding member of the Massachusetts Historical Society. He was in correspondence with such public characters in America as Morse, Dr. Jeremy Belknap, President Stiles, and Thomas Jefferson. After his death, Ebeling’s large and valuable library became the property of Harvard University. [830] _Cf. op. cit._ [831] _Ibid._ [832] _American Mercury_, Sept. 26, 1799. The entire article was well calculated to nettle the feelings of Morse. He was referred to therein as “a celebrated calumniator of Masonry” and “an eagle-eyed detector of Illuminatism.” The concluding statement was peculiarly humiliating and irritating: “Many people wonder why the Rev. Granny, who has officiated at the birth of so many _mice_ (when Mountains have travailed), had not published the letter he has lately received from Professor Ebeling: many others suppose he will publish it as an Appendix to his next Fast-Day Sermon.” In addition to the _American Mercury_, the _Bee_ and the _Aurora_ both published this account of the Ebeling-Morse letter. _Cf._ the edition of the former for Oct. 9, 1799, and of the latter for Nov. 25, Dec. 6, 9, 1799. Thus wide publicity was given to the matter, on account of which Morse was justly aroused. [833] _American Mercury_, Nov. 7, 1799 _Cf._ _Columbian Centinel_, Nov. 23, 1799. [834] Morse’s letter to Babcock, editor of the _American Mercury_, bore date of October 4, 1799. It drew no further response from Babcock than a private epistle, calling upon Morse to refute the statements which had appeared in the Mercury, and promising that then the editor’s “man” would be produced. _Cf._ _American Mercury_, Nov. 7, 1799. [835] _American Mercury_, Nov. 14, 1799. _Cf._ _Columbian Centinel_, Nov. 23, 1799. [836] _American Mercury_, Nov. 14, 1799. The affidavits of Tappan and Pearson were actually offered in evidence later. _Cf._ _Connecticut Courant_, May 19, 1800; _Massachusetts Mercury_, May 23, 1800. [837] _Cf._ the issue of this paper for Sept. 30, 1799. [838] _Ibid._, Nov. 4, 1799. [839] _Cf._ article by “Candidus” in the issue of this paper for Nov. 23, 1799. [840] _Cf._ the issue of this paper for Dec. 27, 1799. [841] _Cf._ _Bee_, Nov. 20, 1799. [842] _Ibid._ [843] _Ibid._, Nov. 20, 27, 1799. [844] _Ibid._, Nov. 20, 1799. [845] _Cf._ _Aurora_, Nov. 16, 25, Dec. 6, 9, 1799. [846] _Ibid._, Nov. 16, 1799. [847] _Ibid._ [848] _Ibid._ [849] This fact was acknowledged by Ebeling. _Cf. Ebeling MSS._: Ebeling’s letters to Bentley, July 28, 1800; July 1, 1801.