Hodgkinson 
 
 Narrative of his Connection with 
 the Old American Company
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 
 OF 
 
 THE UNIVERSITY 
 
 OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 LOS ANGELES
 
 NARRATIVE 
 
 OS HIS 
 
 CONNECTION 
 
 WITH T'lE 
 
 OLD AMERICA. COMPANY, 
 
 FROM THE FIFTH SEPTEMBER, 1792, 
 TO THE THIRTY-FIRST OF MARCH, 1797, 
 
 BY JOHN HODGKINSON. 
 
 BY J. ORAM, XO. 33,
 
 NARRATIVE, &c. 
 
 ON the 29th of March I was prevented from going 
 on with my Character for the Evening, by a Part 
 of the Audience calling for Mrs. Hallam, formerly an 
 Aftrefs in the Company, but who, for Reafons which 
 will hereafter appear, was no longer under any En 
 gagements. Mrs. Hallam, contrary to the Regulations 
 of the Theatre, and to an exprefs Article figned by 
 Mr. HaHam, came through the private Door into the 
 Theatre, and, on the Stage, where me was fupported 
 by Mr. Hallam, a Performer and principal Proprietor of 
 the Theatre, who addrefled the Audience, and obtained 
 Permifiion for her to read a Paper intended for their 
 hearing ; the Purport of which was, a Complaint of having 
 been driven unjuftly from the Stage, after having been ten 
 Years on it, without any fuffitient Caufe ; intimating all 
 this had been effected by my Agency. In the Confufion 
 which followed, I was not allowed to juftify myfelf. 
 After fome Time, I fubmitted, engaging to exculpate 
 myfelf by a Publication in the Papers, or elfewhere. 
 
 THE Proceedings of this Evening, in Connection with 
 what had patted in the Courfe of the Winter, left no 
 Room to doubt of Concert between fome of the Spec 
 tators and Mr. and Mrs. Hallam. 
 
 ON the 3 1 ft, a ftill larger Party attended the Repre- 
 fentation at the Theatre, with an apparent Determination 
 to prejudge and condem me. Marks of this Determi 
 nation were fo renew'd and repeated, that I thought it no 
 longer pofilble for me to continue on the Stage. It re 
 mains for me to fulfil my Engagement with the Public : 
 For thisEurpofe I fnall exhibit a brief Narrative of my 
 whole Connection with the American Theatres. The 
 
 Refuk
 
 [ 4 1 
 
 Refult will mew, that fo far from having conducted un- 
 juftly towards Mrs. Hallam, and the Public, in Regard 
 to her, that Ihe has been the Source of the principal 
 Troubles which have arifen : that my Conduct in this 
 Refpect, at leaft, has been becoming my Situation, and 
 that it is I, and not me or Mr. Hallam, who have been 
 injured on the prefent Occafion. 
 
 I was engaged from one of the firft Theatres in Eng 
 land, by the late Mr. Jchn Henry, as a principal Per 
 former for the New- York and Philadelphia Theatres, 
 and arrived in this Country September 5th, 1792. An 
 Idea inftilled into me, that every Article of Life was full 
 as cheap again here as there, made me accept a more 
 moderate Salary than I mould have done, had I been 
 rightly informed. I was to remain for two Years and 
 fix Months, at three Guineas and a Half weekly ; to be 
 fccured to me for ten Months in the Year. This Con 
 tract I fulfilled on my Part, though violated in feveral 
 Inflances by the Managers, Hallam and Henry, and eleven 
 Weeks of Salary due at this Hour to me and my Family 
 fro ,11 them, on my original Agreements. 
 
 I found the Theatre under Regulations widely dif 
 ferent from my Expectations ; the Managers and their 
 Families did not know each other out of the Profeflion ; 
 and when they met in it, their whole Study feemed to 
 be the fowing Diflcntions and creating different Interefts 
 a Syftem of Government avowed and recommended 
 by Mr. Hallam. The Confequence of this was Neg 
 ligence, Party, and Strife. I foon was given to under- 
 ftand that this had ah-jays been the Cafe. Mr. Henry' % 
 Conclua and Behaviour feemed fo different from the 
 Gentleman, I had converted with in England, that I 
 could not avoid forming Prejudices againft him, and in 
 favour of Hallam. This Mr. Henry law, and took an 
 Opportunity of telling me I misjudg'd him j and that 
 Mr. Hallam, though appearing perfectly mild and cin- 
 ciid, v gave him every Difqui- r aru! "vlilervj and 
 
 had utterly broke his Temper. The Want of Unani 
 mity
 
 [ 5 1 
 
 mky at laft extended to a total Subversion of all Order: 
 Pieces were given out, and no Manager attended to point 
 a fmgle Direction. The Orcheftra was compofed of 
 about fix Muficians, fome of whom were incapable of 
 their Bufmefs; and had I not been induced by Confider- 
 ations for my own Reputation as an Actor, to take Care 
 that the Stage Department was not totally deftroyed 
 where I was concern 'd, this neglect would have been more 
 apparent than it was ! Notwithftanding my Exertions, 
 the Theatre was nearly deferted. Mr. Henry faid he 
 could not exiil under fuch Torment longer, and offered 
 to fell his Share of the Property. I urged Mr. Hallam to 
 negotiate for it, and offered to become aPurchafer after 
 ward from him, and that I would undertake the conduct 
 ing of the Theatre. The Terms of Sale were left for 
 Mr. Hal/am to arrange with a Friend of Mr. Henry's; 
 and at this Period I law a Letter of his, requefling a 
 fpeedy End to the Bufinefs ; for that, fooner than be 
 concerned any longer where Mrs. Hallam was, he would 
 tranfport fiimfelf to Btotany Bay. I deemed this the Effect 
 of violent Anger r Prejudice, and fuffered it to make 
 no Impreffion on my Mind at the Time. 
 
 IN the Month of May, 1794, Mr. Henry fold to Mr. 
 Hallam all his Share of the theatrical Property within the 
 United States of America, for .4000, payable by four 
 annual Initalments of icoo each. 
 
 IN the fame Month, I purchafed from Lewis Hallam 
 one Half the Property of the Old American Company 
 within the United States, for 4000, payable by four 
 annual Inftalments of 1000 each. 
 
 DURING the Summer, I endeavoured to make fuch Ad 
 ditions to the Company as were neceffary; and on the 
 22d of September commenced my unfortunate Career as a 
 Manager and Proprietor in the City of Philadelphia. On 
 the 2oth October, Mrs. Hdlam performed Lady Racketf, 
 in too degraded a State to be feen ; and on obferving that 
 fome of the Ladies of the Theatre noticed her Situation, 
 gave them ill Language, and finifhed with this ExprefTion 
 Wretches teat I iupport by my Labours!"
 
 October, in a violent Fit of Intern- 
 was quarreling with Mr. Ajhton, 
 
 a Mem I he Company; and as the Performance of 
 
 n Wild O.':s," was then proceeding, I mildly interfered, 
 and begged her for the Prefent to treat whatever the 
 iicr was as not worth her Notice. She immediately 
 commenced a ftrain of Inveclive and Abufe, fuch as I 
 
 >\ never heard, or ever did expect to hear, from the 
 Mouth of a Female: Rejcc.ll Scoundrel! Swindler of her 
 I lufband's Property! and other Epithets equally unjuft, 
 for two Hours v/ns I baited with ; and during the Per 
 formance of the After-piece, ' Don Juan/' every Mock 
 and Ridicule that could be was cafb on my Endeavours 
 to conduct lb troublefome a Pantomime to its Clofe. 
 Some of the Performers then with us, ftill remain. 
 
 ON the Morning of the 2801, I wrote Mr. Hallc.m a 
 Let:t:r to the following; Effect : " That having taken 
 
 ^J O 
 
 twelve Hours to paufe on the unmerited Treatment I 
 had received, I muft beg to decline any further official 
 Capacity in the Old American Company : obferving, 
 that the Property had been lb little a T^rne in my Hands; 
 Mr. Plallan could receive no Inconveniency by accept- 
 
 it back en the fame Terms I had purchs.fed ; that 
 I hud no \Yifh to diirrefs him by an immediate Re- 
 
 ^ai, b'.it would itry \virh him upon the Fulfilment of 
 
 my cri !i c.s to the Expiration of them, 
 
 :h'_ fbllowing York Seaibn." To 
 
 tliis Letter Mr. Hallam wrote the following; : 
 
 b 
 
 " Dear Sir, 
 
 '* I cannot anfwer you I have not clofed my Eyes 
 " from the Circiv. 01 lafl Night Will you meet 
 
 / Tavern, and we will dine alone ?" 
 
 , to the Theatre, to conduct the Re- 
 Time after my Arrival there 
 ;e from Mrs. Hallam that me was at 
 i .--erne. I returned for anfwer, 
 
 I
 
 [ 7 ] 
 
 I was at the Theatre, and could not attend Mrs. Hatiam. 
 She fent my Servant back to fay fne muft fee me, and that 
 if I would not wait on her then, (he would remain till I 
 fhould come Home. I determined on feeing her : She 
 began with Tears, a very ftrong Apology for her Con- 
 dud, and faid fne was utterly ruined with Mr. Hc.llam if 
 1 periifted in refigning the Property. I afked her if me 
 remembered the Events of the preceding Evening ? She 
 replied, me had no Recollection of them, and that my 
 Letter to her Hufband was a Thunderbolt to her. I 
 repeated the Epithets me had made ufe of, and fi\efe.emed 
 very much fhock'd. She begged my forgetfulnefs of the 
 pail, folemnly aflerting me mould look upon herfcUf 
 as the vcricft Wretch exifbing, mould me ever, by fimikr 
 Imprudence, rifle a future Mifunderflanding. I forgave 
 her fincerely, and we parted. I dined the fame Day at 
 a Tavern, with Mr. Hallatn, according to his Appoint 
 ment, who feemed, and I believe was moft fejafibly affect 
 ed, and I recollect made ufe of the following Expreffion : 
 " I know that Girl fo well, I'm fure me never will for- 
 " give herfelf, or drink any Thing but Water as long as 
 " me lives." I told Mr. Hallam, it was a Failing that, 
 if not put an effectual Stop to, would deftroy every Pof- 
 fibility of my Continuance in the Company, or Manage 
 ment. I proceeded, as ufual, in my Capacity of Acting- 
 Manager, and on the I4th of November me was again 
 intemperate and abufive when performing Lady Fan- 
 court, in the Comedy of " Love's Frailties." My Wife 
 alfo now began to feel the Effects of her Pride, and was 
 frequently treated with every Contempt. I clofed that 
 Theatre on the 4th of December, after ten Weeks of 
 woeful managerial Experience. 
 
 I commenced in New-York, December 15th, and 
 on the 2Oth Mrs. Hallam was again in a State which 
 incapacitated her for performing Mifs Wallingham, in. 
 the <c School for Wives," in a fuitable Manner. On 
 the apth me was confiderably worfe in the Character of 
 Marianne, in the " Dramatift/' On the 5th of January,
 
 [ 8 1 
 
 1795' we "performed "Percy," and In the Fight with 
 Douglas, I, by Accident, cut Mr. Hallam^ Hand : Mrs. 
 Hdllam came behind the Scenes in a violent Rage, and 
 on being afked what had difturbed her, replied, " Why! 
 that damn'd Butcher has cut Mr. H<llam !" On the 
 6th of January, I wrote Mr. Haliam the following Letter : 
 
 Sir, 
 
 " ON ib difagreeable a Bufmefs, as it is my Duty to 
 " come to a perfe c~t Explanation with you, I was in hope 
 <c I might gain an Opportunity of perfonal Remon- 
 " flrance : But no you feem to fhun me ! I had 
 " adopted a certainty that after the very unmerited and 
 fc illiberal Language heaped on my by Mrs. Hallam, in 
 " Philadelphia, and her folemn Oath, I never mould 
 te hear a Repetition, it would have ceafed. Why, Sir, am 
 " I fo frequently the Caufe of her prefent Vengeance ? 
 cc And why do you not take Meafures to prevent fuch 
 " Conduct ? Is it becaufe every Moment of my Life is 
 ce dedicated to promoting our mutual Intereft ? Is it be- 
 <c caufe I am incefTantly ftudying to make the Theatre 
 cc refpectable, and increafe your Welfare and Profperity ? 
 " Why, Sir, lad Night, for an Accident of trivial Na- 
 tc ture, had I the very delicate Term of Butcher applied 
 " to me ? And why, a few Evenings back again, that 
 " &f Swindler tm&RaJcal?, Good God, Sir, if either 
 c have a Claim on the other for Gratitude, I think it is 
 t( due from you, and that your Property by this Time, 
 (t had I not ftepped in and prop'd it, would have fallen 
 Ct to the Ground. It becomes no Plea to aflert that 
 " Reafon has no Share in thefe Declarations : They 
 <l are private Sentiments, which Reafon fmoothers, and 
 " that banim'd, the Soul is thrown open undifguifed. 
 ' I feel your Situation, Mr. Hallam : I am cut to the 
 c Heart to fee it, but I cannot, will not, remain indif- 
 c ferent to my own. My Wife, Sir, is not permitted 
 nor does fhc endeavour or wifh to know more of Bu- 
 
 ** finef%
 
 [ 9 1 
 
 cc fmefs than I cafualiy communicate ; and as I cannot 
 <f compliment Mrs. Hallam with a better Plead than my 
 " own, I dont think me can fairly judge my Actions, 
 " and I am certain you ought not to permit her , at any 
 " Rate I will not-, and I think it but honeft to inform 
 <c you, the next Time I hear her make Ufe of my 
 " Name undeiervedly, I will immediately throw up the 
 (f Bufmefs, and call the Public as an Umpire bee ween 
 " us. Let Mrs. Hallam vent illiberal Language on her 
 cf Dependants, if me muftufe it; I am mm: And as to 
 " the Property which me is weak enough to imagine fo 
 " infallible, I would rather give it up than have another 
 " Hour's concern where me is or will be a Meddler. 
 tc Sir, we are a City Talk ; and it would certainly be 
 fc better to endeavour that Mrs. Hallam mould be kept 
 " at Home, than fufFered to expofe us and herfelf, when 
 < f fo unfit to be feen. I know, Sir, I am {peaking in 
 (< plain Terms; I think it my Duty to do fo. Delica- 
 <f cy, when we throw apart ourfelves, we cannot expect 
 f others to preferve for us : ******* * 
 ****#*#**#***#*- 
 
 cc *###**#*##*#### 
 
 " Once more, Sir, be allured, my Friendmip and good 
 " Wifhes are undiminifhed ; fo much fo, that I con-- 
 <c ceive it an indifpenfable Duty to ufe no Referve ; but, 
 <c pointing out the Obftacles that deftroy our Harmony, 
 fc give an Opportunity of removing them, or breaking 
 " the Whole at once. 
 
 " I am, Sir, fcfr. &c. 
 
 " JOHN HODGKINSON." 
 flfato-fork, 
 
 Jan. 6th, 1795. 
 
 fidf" There is an Omiffion in the Letter, where the Stars are. The 
 Part left out, related entirely to his Son; and as he is no Way impli 
 cated in this Controvert}-, it would not be proper to mention k. 
 
 B THIS
 
 [ 10 ] 
 
 THIS Letter I received no Anfwer to, but was in 
 formed Mr. Hallam feemed much concerned onperufmg 
 -it. On the loth of January, Mrs. Hallam (again in a 
 State of partial Intoxication) performed Lady Eufton, 
 in " I'll teil you What." On the 28th equally fo in the 
 Marchionefs Merida, Child of Nature." On the 
 25th February, I brought forward the Comedy of the 
 " Jew," for the firft Time in this Theatre j and in the 
 elegant chalte Character pf Eliza Ratcliffe, the Audience 
 witnefled an Exhibition too difgufttul to remember, and 
 too disgraceful to the Stage to be dwelt upon. The 
 general Cry feemed to be " She muft infult us no 
 more!" I informed Mr. Hallam of this, in Company 
 
 'i a Gentleman who has been long his Friend, and 
 both our Opinions were, that if Mrs. Hallam rifked ano 
 ther Appearance, the People would mew their Refent- 
 ment. Mr. Hallam determined on withdrawing her, and 
 begged from me the difagreeable Office of communicat 
 ing to her the Refolution. I undertook this, and a 
 Scene fo diftrefiing, fo harrafllng to the Feelings, I 
 icarce ever did witnefs, and hope never may again. She 
 was from before the Public one Month, and the The 
 atre progrefled with every poflible Harmony and Credit. 
 During this Time, a Report was induftrioufly circulated 
 that Laudanum was the Caufe of Mrs. Hallam's frequent 
 Li capability. The Public Voice turned, and there was 
 aWifn to fee her again. Convinced, whatever *&as the 
 Califs, it would be her Study in future to avoid thztparttcu- 
 lv Thing, which brought herWeaknefs before the Public 
 
 e, I took Advantage of this PrepoflefTion, and told 
 Mr. Hallam I was certain, if fhe appeared, me wj&uld 
 be greatly received. I did this becaufe I felt Conviction 
 her late Mortification muft have been a ftrong Monitor, 
 and poffibly a Reformation muft enfue, both in Conduct 
 behind the Scenes and on the Stage. On the 25th of 
 
 .;-ch Hie reaffumed her Profeffion in Lady Teazle. 
 The feconcl Character me reprefented was Cordelia, 
 
 .j-ch joth,. in which fiie was not perfectly herfelf. On 
 
 the
 
 the loth of April me performed Louifa, in the " World 
 in a Village," and feveral People in Difguft left the 
 Theatre. On the i ith of May me performed Mifs Ne 
 ville, in " Know your own Mind," a Comedy got up 
 by me, about a Fortnight before, for Mrs. H&dgkinfoifb 
 Benefit. My Wife dreffed in the fame Room, and a 
 little Time after Mrs. Hallam's Arrival, me commenced 
 her abufe of me, and of the Character me was going to 
 reprefent ; and, looking in my Wife's Face, cried, 
 <f Damn the Play ; damn the Perfon who got it up, and 
 damn the Perfon for whom it was got up." The next 
 Day I requefted Mrs. Hodgkinfon to quit that Room. I 
 then wrote to Mr. Hallam the following Letter : 
 
 " Sir, 
 
 " I have delayed, till Mrs. Hallam's Benefit was pail, 
 " communicating my Determination on our future Con- 
 " nection. After the moft minute Inveftigation on the 
 " Poilibility of Friendfhip or Harmony exifting, I find 
 " none. There are Obftacles infurmoun table. I have 
 " combated them in Hope; I have borne them from 
 tc fin cere Attachment. When I became a Partner in 
 " this Theatre, it was not with the Hope of bettering 
 cc my Situation: It was to make it permanent; it was 
 cf to fupport, as far as I could, you ; becaufe I conceived 
 " you injured and opprefled by your former Connection. 
 " My Opinion now is^ that whatever might have been 
 <c Mr. Henry's other Failings, he faw you ,your own 
 <c Enemy, and was conviuced an unworthy Influence 
 
 made you other People's. I will not dwell on what, 
 " with me, is fix'd as Fate : We muft feparate. I iim 
 <{ anxious to regain that Peace which as a private Indivi- 
 "'dual no Man poffeffed in a higher Degree. I wiih to 
 
 f refign the Management. If. you will not take the 
 tc Property on the Valuation of three unprejudiced Per- 
 " fons, I will certainly advertife my Share to the higheft 
 " Bidder, Mr. G "is in full PolTeruon ofmySenti- 
 
 " ments.
 
 " ments. I would wiih you to advife with him on the 
 " belt and moil peaceable Mode of tranfacting this Bufi- 
 " nefs, and of acquainting our Subfcribers to the new 
 " Theatre. 
 
 " I am, Sir, fcfr. &c. 
 
 " JOHN HODGKINSON." 
 
 ON- Monday, May iSth, the Comedy of "Which 
 is the Man r" was performed ; and the Hair-Dreflet 
 v/ho attended Mrs. Halldm came to my Room to fay 
 that it was impoffible for her to go on the Stage that 
 Night, for fhe was fo fenfelefs me could not fit in her 
 Chair ! It was a Benefit, and therefore the Audience 
 could not well be difmiffed. When the Hour of com 
 mencing arrived, I was requefted, three feveral Times, 
 to delay the Performance, while me had Vinegar and 
 fcrcng Green Tea given, to reftore her as much as pofli- 
 ble. When fhe did come forward, let thofe who wit- 
 nciTed the Spectacle declare the Shame of it. 
 
 I had foon after a Meeting with Mr. Hallam, at the 
 Houfe of one of the more refpectable Characters in this 
 City; and two other Gentlemen, as mutual Friends, 
 attended to give their Advice. I ilated my Grievances 
 plainly before them, and they uniformly agreed it was 
 impoffible for me to remain any longer in the Theatre if 
 Mrs. I la Ham did; and one of them obferved, " Mr. 
 
 c Ke.llam, I have heretofore been anxious to fupprefs 
 c< and do away Mrs. Hallam's Misfortune, as a Calum- 
 " ny ; but, Sir, I was prefent at the Reprefentation of 
 <c Which is the : and when I law her come on the 
 
 f Stage, I immediately left the Houfe ; and had any 
 
 " o ,ugh my Heart, it could 
 
 Cf Lave keener Pang than I felt at that Mo- 
 
 jnt. M Mr. Huiton faid he had no P.eply to make; 
 
 : c cr-u! i not deny any Thing I had averted, and that he 
 
 .ion to be dreadful! I offered him, once 
 
 more.
 
 more, the Property on the fame Terms that I had pur- 
 chafed it. This he declined, and promifed, before the 
 Gentlemen who had interested themfelves, to withdraw 
 Mrs. Hallam from the Stage totally at the Conclusion of 
 the Seafon; commifTioning me, at the fame Time, to 
 procure an Actrefs in her Place from England. I wrote, 
 by the earlkft VefTel, for Mrs. Jobnfon^ and me arrived 
 here on the firft of October following. The Calamity 
 that afflicted this City in the Autumn of 1795 compelled 
 us to make a Treaty for the Boilon Theatre-, and I was 
 not a little furprifed, while in Hartford, to hear that Mrs. 
 Hallam had returned to the Stage, and was performing 
 at Providence, with Mr. Hallam. Some few Days after 
 our arrival in Bofton, Mr. Hallam waited on me, to fay, 
 that he fhould make his firft EfTay before that Audience 
 in Lord Ogleby, and that Mrs. Hallam mitft perform the 
 Character of Mifs Sterling ! I made no Reply -, I was 
 too much aftonifhed ! I parted with him to reflect on 
 what had pafied. I made Enquiries of the Performers 
 reflecting Mrs. Hallam's Conduct at Providence. They 
 were all agreed it had, if poffible, been worfe than ever. 
 I/elt fhock'd at Mr. Hallam's Duplicity : a manifeft Vio 
 lation of his Word, without even an Attempt at Apolo 
 gy, without any Reafon but " it muft be fo !" Entire 
 Strangers, as we were, a Mifunderftanding, immediately 
 on our Appearance before the Public, would have been 
 Ruin. I fubmitted in Silence. In the mean Time I 
 ftood. highly implicated to Mrs. Jobufcti, who had come 
 three thoufand Miles to fupply a Line of Characters Mr. 
 Hallam^ Infincerity would deprive her of. Mrs. Jabn- 
 /c/7, however, with the greater!: Generofity, in Part re 
 lieved me, by faying that Mrs. Hallam rrlight retain all 
 the Characters me had performed : but that, in the Ar 
 rangement of new Pieces, fne mould exped her Engage 
 ment fulfilled, by being given the elegant Characters in 
 Comedy. This I not only promifed, but ffood pledged 
 to. My Situation as Manager now became more irk- 
 fome than ever. Mr. Hallam quarrelled with m becaufe 
 
 he
 
 [ ii 3 
 
 fce did not perform many of the young, Firft Rate Cha 
 racters, which he faid he had fupplied fince his firft Ar 
 rival in Amerka, and that he had not refigned them, nor 
 ever would. Mrs. Hal/am poured on me every odious 
 Epithet that Intemperance could fuggeft. An Opportu 
 nity offered of releasing myfelf from this Mifery, by an 
 Offer of Connection with the Bofton Theatre ; but, after 
 jfbme Reflection, my Refpect for the Patronage I had 
 experienced from the Citizens of New- York determined 
 me on not accepting it. Mr. Hallam was taken ill, and I 
 felt fome Alarm, that as yet he had never conveyed my 
 Share of the Property to me, though I had frequently fo- 
 licited to have it done, and had paid a Part of the Pur- 
 chafe Money. He recovered, and I again applied. He 
 begged it might be poftponed till our Arrival in New- 
 York. I agreed reluctantly. When we did arrive in 
 New- York, I repeated my Requeft. I was not fuccefs- 
 ful, till, finally, I fent Mr. Hallam Word I would not 
 enter the Theatre till the Deeds were executed. I got 
 legal Pofieffion laft March, 22 Months after the Pur- 
 chafe had been made. I think it but Juftice to declare, 
 that I was informed this Conduct was not Mr. Hallam' s 
 Will, but that Mrs. Hallam could not be prevailed on to 
 fign. I had frequently converged with Mr. Dunlap^ re 
 specting my Situation, and the Torture I laboured un 
 der-, and as I knew him to be attached to the Theatre, 
 rn one of our Converfations, I offered to fell him Half 
 my Share, if he would undertake the Acting Manage 
 ment; 'for that I had more Labour than the Mind or 
 Body could poffibly fuitain. I had applied to Mr. 
 Hc.llam^ to know what he meant to allow me for my ex 
 traordinary Fatigue, and he had peremptorily refufed 
 Compensation-, which I thought hard, becaufe, on 
 tne fii-ft Commencement of Theatrical Bufinefs after 
 our Partnership, ^ e h:ai paid a Gentleman One Hundred 
 Pounds for acting as Treafurer and Book-keeper only ten 
 Weeks, And here I hope it will not be deemed an un- 
 D'gi-'.'filon^ if I mention what my Situation 
 
 exactly
 
 [ '5 I 
 
 exadly was. I had to caft and arrange the Bufinefs of 
 every Play brought forward. I had the various Tem 
 pers, Rivalfhips, and Ambitions of thirty or forty Peo 
 ple to encounter and pleafe. I kept all the Accounts } 
 I made all Difburfements, and was made, in all Money 
 Tranfactions, folely refponfible. My profeffional La 
 bours were extreme, and I never finifhed them for the 
 Evening that I did not attend to take the State of each 
 Night's Receipts. Nay, inftead of enjoying my com 
 fortable Hour of focial Intercourfe with my Family, on 
 my Arrival Home, I had a Check Account to take, and 
 to make the regular Entries in my Books. I wrote and 
 corrected every Play-Bill for the Printer. I planned and 
 copied every Scene-Plot for the Carpenter. I attended 
 every Rehearfal, to give Directions. I went through a 
 varied and extenfive Line of Characters on the Stage. I 
 found principally my own Wardrobe for them , and my 
 Salary, for all this, was twenty Dollars per Week, paid 
 only when we performed ! Mr. Hallam received the fame, 
 and had no Share in the Fatigue. His Anfwer to me, 
 on Application to know what he would allow me, was^ 
 that " he would quit the Theatre the Moment any Man 
 received a Shilling more than him." An idea exceed 
 ingly unjuft; for at the Time of his Purchafe from Jobn 
 Henry, the Shares were, Mr. Henry Four and a Half, 
 Mr. Hallam Three and a Half j and when Mr. Hallam 
 agreed with me, he referved the Difference: for the 
 whole Property being equally divided between us, Mr, 
 Hallam gained a Sixteenth -, as he paid Mr. Henry no 
 more for.. Four and a Half Shares, than I did him 
 (Mr. Hallam) for Four Shares. 
 
 To return to my Narratfre : Mr. Dunlap feemed in 
 clined to treat with me, and finally was introduced, as 
 Acting Manager, into the Theatre, with the Concur 
 rence of Mr. Hallam, and to receive my Affiftance. I 
 flattered myfelf I was now fome little Diftance removed 
 from my Difquiets-, but I was difappointed. Mr. Dunlap* 
 
 Inexperience
 
 [ 16 J 
 
 Inexperience compell'd me ftill to be the Director in the 
 Stage Department, according to Agreement, and I never 
 gave an Order in Mrs. Hallani's hearing that me did not 
 pointedly ridicule and infult me. My Wife never pafs'd 
 her, that me was not treated with every Mark of Con 
 tempt; and thofe who may lack Information on this 
 Part, or labor under a different Impreftion, I here inform, 
 that {he never made one Word of Reply. I now ac 
 quainted Mr. Duniap, it was impofiible for me to ftay 
 and perform my Agreements with him; and a very, 
 very irkfome and difagreeable Correfpondence took 
 Place, between us in Confequence: I offer'd to fell him 
 the remaining Share I held, or to put it into his Hands 
 as a Truft and Security, that he mould not be a Lofer 
 by my Abfence: He accepted the latter, and I wrote to 
 the Philadelphia Managers my Refolution, and of my 
 Wifli to gain a Situation in their Theatre. They, I 
 prefume, thought my Services of fome Value for both 
 arriv'd Poft here, and convers'd perfonally with me on 
 the Bufinefs. I afked my Terms, and to their Honor let 
 me thus publicly declare, I never did experience in any 
 Negociation more Candor and Liberality , and had I left 
 New- York, their Acquiefcence in my Demands muft 
 have prov'd to me and my Family infinitely more valua 
 ble than any Thing I ever did, or probably may hereafter 
 attain. About this Time Mr. Dunlap waited on me, to 
 fay, that if I could not remain, in the Company, and per 
 form my firft Contracts with him, he muft relinquifh his 
 Purchafe, tho' fubjected to very great Lofs and Incon 
 venience thereby : He alfo informed me, he had written 
 Mr. Hallam, that Mrs. Hallam'j Continuance in the 
 Ihcatre was an infupcrable Objection to his making any 
 Arrangement with him. I replied, I eould not I would 
 not ftay, and that I preferr'd retiring peaceably, to 
 waging open Controverfy with Mr. Hallam ; who, in my 
 Opinion, from his long Services, had an unquestionable 
 prior Right to his Situation:, that I felt the Injuries of 
 Mr. Ha&im and his Family forcibly; but that I was 
 
 better
 
 [ 17 ] 
 
 better able to provide for, and bear the Evils of Separa 
 tion, than he was, and I would not retaliate. I relin- 
 quiAYd the Sale I had made to Mr. Diinlap^ and he quitted 
 the Bufmefs. On the iyth of June laft, I wrote Mr. 
 llallam the 'folio wing Letter : 
 
 <c Sir, 
 
 " THE Seafon approaching to a Conclufion, it is 
 <c neceflary that the State in which our Property will be 
 c< involv'd by a Separation, fhould be accurately deter- 
 <f min'd and finally put to Agreement. Our Continu- 
 f ance of Partnerfhip is impoffible and therefore it 
 <c behoves both of us to promptly act as mutual Juflice 
 " may demand : Repeated Inlult and Injury have 
 <f fteel'd me againft further Connection ; and I have 
 " only left to make fuch Arrangements as v/ill fecure to 
 f me a Prevention of total Lofs, in what I have taken ib 
 " much Pains to uphold and increafe. You are not 
 " ignorant that the Theatres, belonging to us, cannot be 
 " juftly employed by either without the Confent of his 
 " equal. It is not my Wiih that the Property mould 
 " go to ruin : I Wifli it to be profperous : I have brought 
 cf it to that Permanency and Refpectability that.Mifcon- 
 " duel alone can make it otherwife. Your Reiburces, 
 " by the Return of Capt. Adatnfcn, will be encreafed : 
 fc [here follow'd the Names of fome Performers ex- 
 " peeled over] Thefe, with what you will have left, 
 " and in your Power to retain, will form a good Com- 
 " pany ; and the following are Terms on which I will 
 <{ leave you in peaceable PorTefilon of the Whole, or on 
 " which I will take the Management myfelf ; each per- 
 " c mitting the other to make ufe of his Talents in any 
 4t future Way or Situation he may chufe. I will give 
 " you Two Thoufand Five Hundred Dollars, fo^ the? 
 u Ule of your Share and Property, till the Firit of next 
 " May-j I taking all Profits that may accrue up to rMt 
 <c Tirr>e, &c. This Agreement relervable only ai ^T- 
 lc Option of the Parties. 
 
 C
 
 t >s ] 
 
 I will take Two Thoufand Five Hundred Dollars, 
 " for the Ufe of my Share and Property, up to the Day 
 " of the Date above-mentioned j leaving you to take all 
 " Profits, &c. as before ftated. 
 
 " You have now your Choice, to adopt or reject ; orie 
 (C of which I expect will be determin'd on immediately. 
 
 " I am, Sir, sff. 
 
 JOHN HODGKINSON." 
 New-Tcrk, 1 
 June 17, 1796. j 
 
 Mr. Pbilip Ten Eyck, was kind enough to bear this Let 
 ter :andfome Time after I met him in Broadway, when I 
 was in Company with an Agent, who had arriv'd from 
 PhikdelpMa to complete my Engagements for that City : 
 I enquir'd Mr. Hallam^ Determination, and was told he 
 wifned fome Days for Confideration. I inform 'd Mr. 
 Ten Eyck, that my peculiar Situation requir'd an Anfwer 
 en the following Morning j and that I could not wait 
 longer than that Period. I urg'd Mr. Ten Eyck to return 
 to Mr. Hallam, and he did fo : Mr. Hallam then pro- 
 mifed a definitive Anfwer by Mr. Ten Eyck the next Day. 
 At the appointed Hour, Mr. Ten Eyck waited on me, and 
 found at my Houfe Mr. Dunlc.p, and the Agent from 
 Philadelphia. Mr. Ten Eyck obferved, that Mr. Hallam 
 h.u! cornmiiTionedhim to fay, that c< he knew the Caufe 
 <( of our Differences, but they mould ceafe ; for he 
 <c woiik] withdraw Mrs. Hallam from the Stage, which 
 tc he prcfumed would reconcile the Whole." I an- 
 fv:ercd Mr. Ten Eyck, that it would not ; that Mrs. Hal- 
 's being v.irhdrav.'n was no Stipulation of mine ; for 
 as IS ' ;/v, had once before openly broke his Word 
 
 with me on that Score, I had thought it needle fs to men 
 tion as a Difficulty, what if promis'd to be remov'd, 
 
 , .1 not be long maintained : That Mr. Dunlai), I 
 bu.cvcd, had quitted the Theatre, upon finding it im- 
 
 ppffiblc
 
 [ 19 1 
 
 poffible to conduct it with Propriety, if Mrs. Hallam 
 continued, and had written Mr. Hallam a Letter to that 
 Effecl: That Mr. Hallam' s laft Difficulty with me was, 
 his having laid Claim to many of the moft principal and 
 youthful Characters in the Drama, which I thought he 
 had refigned long ago, fuch as Hamlet, Ranger, 
 Zanga, Oreftes, Benedick, Don John, <oV. &V. and 
 his informing Mr. Dunlap that I had injured him, by 
 not giving him out for them; but that now he expected 
 them to be brought forward ; and that all that I wanted 
 from Mr. Hallam now, was an Anfwer refpecting my 
 Propofal of our Property. Mr. Ten Eyck obferved, he 
 was no Way privileged to fpeak on that, as he had fup- 
 pofed Mrs. Hallam the great Objection. I replied, me 
 was fo; but remarked again, I had conceived no Uic 
 in mentioning an Impoffibility. Mr. Ten Eyck requeued 
 Mr. Dunlap to accompany him to Mr. Hallam : They 
 went together, and, fome Time after, Mr. Dt'.nlap re 
 turned, with Information, that Mr. Hallam was not only 
 willing to take Mrs. Hallam from the Stage, but to leave 
 the calling of all Pieces to his (Dufdap's} Judgment; 
 and that he was willing to enter into Contrails, wi:h any 
 Penalty, for the Performance of what mould be agreed 
 on, as the belt Mode to fecure bur future Peace. I ob 
 ferved, that, wearied by my repeated Difcippointments, I 
 vvifhed no further Connection with Mr. Hallam ; and that 
 J conceived I had proceeded too far in my Philadelphia 
 Engagement to honourably recede. Mr. Dunlap dif 
 fered with me in this, and remarked, that he had quit 
 ted a Bufinefs, in Part, to purchafe my Property ; and 
 that he mufl inevitably experience great Lofs by my De 
 parture : That while he faw no Profpect of my Griev 
 ances being redreiied, he was content to fubin.it; but, 
 now that there was a Certainty of their being remedied, 
 he mud in Duty call on me to fulfil my Engagements 
 Refthirn, or that he mould be compelled to leek for 
 my itution in fome other Way. Finally, I broke off 
 the Philadelphia Negociation, and concluded to remain 
 
 once
 
 [ so ] 
 
 once more. Contrails were ordered to be drawn up ; 
 and I inquired of Mr. Dunlap, if Mrs. Hallam's Name 
 V.MS to be infcrted ? He replied, it would be more deli 
 cate to omit her Name, as they could be made equally 
 forcible, without mentioning her. I applauded the Idea. 
 The following are the Articles, which Mr. Haliam had 
 three Days in his Polieffion, previous to figning; and 
 they were made to extend to Two Tears, at bis cwn 
 Requeft. 
 
 ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT 
 "Between LEWIS HALLAM, JOHN HODGK.INSON, and 
 
 DUNLAP. 
 
 "^ \7E, the SUBSCRIBERS, do hereby Covenant and 
 Agree, to exert ourfelves in the fevcral "\Yays 
 hereafter mentioned, for the mutual Benefit and Profit of 
 each other, and of that Property known under the De 
 nomination of Property cf the Old American Company ; 
 of which the One Half belongs to Lewis Hettam, One 
 Fourth to John Hodgkirifcn y and One Fourth to 
 
 THAT Wiliizm Dxilcp mail, as Acting Manager of 
 
 the Company, determine, weekly, the Bufincis of the 
 
 coming Week; that i, what Plays fhall be performed ; 
 
 ( cr to no other Ccntroul than the joint Difapproba- 
 
 r^f the other Proprietors. That he (hallgf' up what 
 
 new Pieces he mall think beft, and in the Manner he mall 
 
 deem proper, fubject only to the fame Controul; and 
 
 .hem in Conformity to his Judgment, and the Ar 
 
 ticles of the ieveral Performers. 
 
 THAT Lewis Haliam mail exert himfclf as a Performer 
 in all thofe Characters which he has performed, on Stock 
 
 its, fmce the Commencement of the Finn of He.. 
 and Hcd&kitfin, if called upon fo to do by the Acling 
 Manager, either by Notification that the Plays contain 
 ing fuch Characters will be performed, or otherv.ife : 
 
 That
 
 That thefe Characters are confidered as his Property ; 
 but he mall not refign any one or more of them, with 
 out the Concurrence of the Acting Manager ; and then 
 only into his Hands, to be at his fole Difpofal. 
 
 THAT Jchn Hodgkinfon iliall exert himfelf as a Per 
 former in all thofe Characters which he has performed, 
 on Stock Nights, fince the Commencement of the Firm 
 of H 'all 'am and Hodgkinfon, if called upon fo to do by the 
 Acting Manager ; either by Notification that the Plays 
 containing fuch Characters will be performed, or other- 
 wife : That thefe Characters are confidered as 'his Pro 
 perty j but he fhail not refign any one or more of them, 
 without the Concurrence of the Acting Manager; and 
 
 CI5 i_J 
 
 then only into his Hands, to be at his fole Difpofal. 
 
 THAT, in all Engagements made with any Perform 
 ers, the Acting Manager, and one of the other Proprie 
 tors, mail have Power to bind the three; and no Con 
 tract or Engagement mall be made with any Perfon 
 whatever, without fuch Concurrence of the Acting Ma 
 nager, and one of the other Proprietors. 
 
 THAT no other Divifion of the Profits of the Co- 
 partnerfhip mail take Place, under any Appellai on 
 whatever, than fuch Divifion, or in fuch Proportion as 
 now exifts; and no Alteration whatever mall take Place, 
 without the Concurrence of all the Proprietors. 
 
 THAT, to prevent Diforder and Confuiion behind the 
 Scenes, no Perfon mall be admitted, except the Per 
 formers, under any Pretence whatever, without a writ 
 ten PermilTion from the Acting Manager; Servants, &c. 
 having Tickets for the Seafon. 
 
 THAT, in all Regulations for the Welfare of the The 
 atre, made by the Acting Manager, with the Concur 
 rence of the other Proprietors, or fuch one of them as 
 fhall be prefent, they mail confider themfelves on an 
 Equality with the other Performers, except as more 
 bound to a fcrupulous Obfervance of them by the ftiperior 
 influence of their Example, 
 
 THAT
 
 THAT the following Plays/ The Revenge, Di/lrefr'd 
 Mother, Sufpicious Hujband, Hamlet, Much Ado About 
 Nothing, and fuch other of the old Drama as have not 
 been performed during the Firm of Hallam and Hodgkin- 
 Jon, fhall be liable to the Caft of the Afting Manager; 
 Mr. Hallam or Mr. Hodgkinfon having no odier Controul 
 over fuch Caft than the Refufal to play in the Piece, if 
 the Character allotted to either of them is fuch as he mall 
 object to. 
 
 THAT, in Addition to the Bufmefs of Acting Mana 
 ger, William Dunlap mail act as Treafurer and Book 
 keeper to the Company. 
 
 THAT John Hodgkinfon fliall afiift the Acting Mana 
 ger by his Advice and perfonal Aid; and, in Cafe of 
 William Dun lap's Sicknefs, or Able nee from other un 
 avoidable Caufes, or for Purpofes agreed upon among 
 the Proprietors, or a Majority of them, John Hodgkinfon 
 fhail be confidered as Acting Manager, and execute the 
 Duties of the Office in the Place of William Dunlap ; 
 receiving from faid Dunlap (in Cafe fuch Abfence fliall 
 be for one or more Weeks) that Salary which he receives 
 as Acting Manager. 
 
 T, in Cafe of any Default on the Part of either or 
 any of the Subfcribers. within the Term of two Ye'ars, 
 from the fir ft Day of Miy, 1796, they dofeverally bind 
 thtmfelves in the Penalty of Four Thoufand Pounds, 
 lawful Money of the State of New- York, to be forfeited 
 Ly fuch Breach of this Agreement. 
 
 THAT, in Cafe any of the Subfcribers fhould deter 
 mine on felling the Whole, or any Part, of their Divi- 
 fion of die above-mentioned Property, within the above- 
 named Time, the Party fo vifhing to fell, fhali give the 
 Offer, or Refufal, to the other Party or Parties, at a 
 Price to lv r.; ; t ecl on by them, cr to be determined by 
 three indifferent Ptrfons, clioftn by the respective 
 Pan: 
 
 I /.vis HALLAM. (L.S.) 
 JOHN HGDGKINSCN. (L.S.) 
 
 Yv 1 L L 1 A > ! D U N L A P . (L.S.)
 
 C '3 1 
 
 IN the Courfe of the prefent Winter, Mr. Hallum has 
 appeared much diflatisfied. It was many Times ru 
 moured that he intended to force his Wife on the Stage: 
 But about the 9th or loth of February, Mr. Dunlap in 
 formed me, that Mr. Hallam had called on him, to let 
 him know that Mrs. Hallam ought to be engaged : And 
 on Mr. Dunlap's replying, that he thought " that Mat 
 ter had been iettled in June laft," had only anfwered by 
 charging me with fending him in an Account of Money 
 due to me j and by afferting the Injuries done to his 
 Wife; concluding with faying, that he had prevented 
 Difturbanccs in the Theatre ; but he would do Jo no longer. 
 
 ABOUT the i4th of February, Mr. Dunlap informed 
 me that he had waited on Mr. Hal/am, having requefted 
 a Gentleman to witnefs the Converfation; when Mr. 
 Hallam confirmed the above Determination; and, on 
 being reminded of his Engagements, faid, <( I did tell 
 Mr. Ten Eyck that I would withdraw Mrs. Hallam, but 
 I did not fay for how long:" That he told Mr. Hallam 
 that he mould confider his Attempt to force Mrs. Hallant 
 on the Stage as a Violation of the Articles; and was an 
 fwered, he might THINK as he p leafed : That he told Mr. 
 Hallam j that if there was any Difturbance in the The 
 atre, on Account of Mrs. Hallam 3 after the Avowal that 
 (he had waited upon a Number of Ladies, who had 
 cfpouled her Quarrel, he mould confider him (Hallam) 
 as the Caufe ; and was anfwered, he might THINK, as he 
 pleafed: That on faying he (Dunlap) muft take Mea- 
 fures for the Security of his Property, he was anfwered, 
 he might DO as he pleafed. 
 
 FINDING that the DiiTatisfactions of Mr. Hallam con 
 tinued ; hearing that he intended to introduce his Wife 
 on the Stage, during the Benefits; and convinced that 
 the Diffoludon of the Company muft be the Confe- 
 quence, to the great Injury of the Performers, as well 
 as of the Proprietors; I determined, with the Qoncur- 
 rence of Mr. Dunlap, and the Advice of Gentlemen 
 whom I fuppofed Mr. Ha/lam's Friends, to make him 
 
 Propofals
 
 t H J 
 
 Fropofals that might prevent Violence, and terminate 
 all Differences to his Satisfaction. Many Modes were 
 premifed by thefe Friends, and they can vouch I did 
 not, I would not iiften to any, that had not for its End 
 the future Comfort and Independence of Mr. liallam. 
 With this View the following Letter was fent to him : 
 
 cc March ijfb, 1797. 
 
 MR. L. HAL LAM, 
 " Sir, 
 
 " YOU having declared to me your Readinefs to fell 
 C your Theatrical Property, at the fame Time that you 
 ec exprefled your great Diffatisfaction of the Arrange- 
 te ment made laft June, by which I became connected 
 < in Bufinefs with you, I am induced to make, with the 
 " Advice and Approbation of Mr. Hodgkinjbn, the follow- 
 " ing Propofals: 
 
 " THAT Lewis Hallam mail fell his Theatrical Pro- 
 " perry, known by the Name of " Property of the Old 
 < AmericarL Company," at fuch Price, and on fuch 
 " Terms, as may be hereafter determined; quitting, by 
 " fuch Sale, all Claim or Title whatfoever on faid Com- 
 " pany or Property, to William Dunlap and John Hodg- 
 < kinfon-y they giving fatisfactory Security for the Ful- 
 <c filment of the Terms of Sale ; and, moreover, agree- 
 < ing to pay to Lewis Hallam One Fourth of tbePrcfits arif- 
 " ing from the Exhibitions of faid Company y in any Part 
 " of the United States of America, or any Denomination 
 * f wbatfoever, during the P cried of the natural Life of 
 " Lewis Hal/am, to be 'paid yearly ', en the firft Day cf 
 " May: And this in Confideration of the Good-Will of 
 <c the faid Lewis Hallam toward laid Property or Eufi- 
 < nefs, according to the Ufage of Men retiring and 
 * giving up any fixed Bufinefs to other Men." 
 
 " IF ^thefe Propofals appear to you fo far reafonable 
 cc as to ferve for the Ground- Work of Arrangements, 
 " more fatisfadory to all the Parties concerned, it will 
 < give great Satisfaction to 
 
 W. DUNLAP."
 
 To this Letter Mr. Dunlap received no Anfwer, ex 
 cept, that, in a Converfation which took Place between 
 Mr. Hal/am and me, on (I think) the 2Oth of March, 
 he laid, he did not know that he mouldy*?// bis Property 
 at all; and, if he accepted a Sinecure, it muft not only 
 be a certain^ but a large one ! On being afked how he 
 could expect a large Certainty ? he replied, the United 
 States were peculiarly fituated : A war might take 
 Place, and the Theatres be either fhut up, or, from 
 Diftrefs, deferted. 
 
 ON Saturday, March the 25th, the following Rules 
 were put up in the Green Room, at the Theatre : 
 
 REGULATIONS for the OLD AMERICAN COMPANY 
 at the ENSUING BENEFITS. 
 
 HPHE Nights on which BenefitPlays will be performed, 
 to be thrown for in two Clafies as on the laftSealbn. 
 
 ANY Performer giving Notice after this Date, to the 
 Acting-Manager for the Time being, of his or her Wifli 
 to get up any new Piece, on his or her Night, will obtain, 
 by fuch Notice, a prior Right to fuch new Piece. 
 
 No Piece Ihall be performed in any Manner, other 
 than as caft by the Acting-Manager for the Time being; 
 that Caft to be obtained previous to advertiiing the Piece. 
 
 No Bill to be publimed until fubmitted to the Cor 
 rection of the Acting- Meager for the Time being, and 
 his Confent obtained. 
 
 No Perforj, not under Engagements as a Performer in 
 the Company, mall be permitted to play on any Benefit- 
 Night without the Confent of the Acting-Manager for 
 the Time being, and one of the other Proprietors. 
 
 No Performer can be required to ftudy more than four 
 Lengths, from Play-Night to Play-Night, and in the 
 fame Proportion for a longer Time. 
 
 JOHN HODGKINSON. 
 WILLIAM DUNLAP. 
 D
 
 E 6; 3 
 
 ON the Monday Evening following, Mr. Hallam came 
 into my Drcflfmg-Room, and told me he did not chufe 
 to comply with thofe Rules. I told, him I was lorry to 
 hear it, and that I fuppofed he could not violate them, 
 without violating alfo the Contracts that exifted between 
 us ! He replied, he chofe to violate them, and that he 
 had torn them down, and let us at Defiance. 
 
 THE Wednefday following, the Tranfaction teok 
 Place which I have briefly ftated as the Motive for this 
 Narrative, in which I truft it will appear, ift, That, 
 by Articles entered into voluntarily by Mr. Hallam, the 
 Purport of which was known to him, and to which he 
 was explicitly advifed by his Friends, Mrs. Haltam had no 
 Right to come on the Stage, or Mr. Hallam to demand it : 
 id. That Mrs. Hallam had not been withdrawn by any 
 Stipulation of mine, at the Time of the prefent Agree 
 ment : but by Mr. Hallam 's own free Offer and apparent 
 Conviction, that her Conduct had made it improper for 
 her to remain ' before the Public, and Impoflible for a 
 reipectable Stage to be where fhe was a Performer: 
 jd, That Mr. Hallam, in favouring the Attempt to re 
 produce Mrs. Hallam on the Stage, and in attempting 
 himfelf to introduce her ; as well as by tearing down the 
 Regulations of the Acting-Manager ; has not only vio 
 lated his Contracts, but treated the Public with Difre- 
 fpect, and the other Proprietors with Injuftice. 
 
 IN Regard to the Proceedings of the spth and 31 ft of 
 March, I can only obferve, the Prejudice and Mifrepre- 
 icntation that unhappily prevailed, have compelled me to 
 the moft painful and irk/bme Mode of juflifying myfe If 
 that of expofmg m fitiy T ran factions^ to public View, 
 which none but the Parties concerned ever ought to have 
 been made acquainted with, or interefted in ; and I truft 
 my prior Determinations of quitting my Situation, rather 
 than make this Expofure, will convince every Reader, 
 the Differences ftated would never have been known 
 thro' me, had not every Means been tried to render my 
 Conduct completely odious to the Parties, who came 
 
 forward
 
 
 forward on this Occafion, that Calumny could fugg- 
 I have been made accountable for an Action I was not 
 concerned in, or in my Power folely to remedy ! as a 
 fecond Perufal of our Contracts will convince. It has been 
 alfo afiferted, that Mr. Hallam only applied to have Mrs. 
 Ha/lam perform at his Benefit : This is not a Fact. 
 Mr. HALLAM has never made any Application, but that 
 to Mr. Dunlatj in which he dated Mrs. HALLAM ought 
 to be engaged in the Company ! His Son applied on his 
 own Account, but M.r.Hallam, fen. was never mentioned. 
 
 I beg Leave alib further to remark, that the Situation 
 I was placed in was fo peculiarly trying, none but an 
 Actor, or a Perfon who has made himfelf refponfible for 
 a 'well regulated Entertainment, can poflibly feel or judge. 
 
 I was received for the firft Time in my Life, with 
 pointed difapprobation, before I could even fpeak. A 
 Perfon who had no Connection with the Stage, whofc 
 own Faults had defervedly banimed her from it was 
 called for was fecreted ready to burtl forward was 
 protected fupported by her own Hufband, in direct 
 Violation of his moil folemn Contracts was allowed to 
 add re is the Audience and I not fuffered to explain or to 
 defend myfelf, when I was the Party, and the only Party 
 injured ! If, at fuch a Crifis, I betrayed any improper 
 Marks of Impatience, I truft they were fuch as few 
 Men could refrain from, under fuch diftreffing Cir- 
 cumftances. 
 
 THE Situation of a Theatrical Performer feems here 
 to be peculiarly unfortunate : Strong Prejudices are en 
 tertained againil the Profeflion, and againfl the Drama 
 itfelf, by many. There are alfo thofe who confide r 
 Actors as Public Slaves, who are to have no Will of their 
 own, but are bound to be the obedient and fubmiflive 
 Victims of their Caprice ; and fo wide is the Prepoifcilion 
 againft the Calling, that many look upon an Actor as 
 Something different from his fellow Men. 
 
 IN Confequence of thefc Prejudices, that is deemed 
 Injolencs in an Actor, which would fcarcely be called 
 
 Spirit
 
 [ "-8 ] 
 
 Spirit in anotherMan ; and thus a Profeflion, which, to 
 excel in, requires the Union of many Taleats and Ac- 
 compliihments, and in particular Feeling., the ProfefTor, 
 on fome Occafions, is not allowed to feel at all. But this 
 is certainly unjuft: Refentment ihould always be mea- 
 i 11 red by the Nature of the Injury, not the Profi'jfion, of 
 the Individual. I felt myfelf aggrieved : I was not al 
 lowed to defend myfelf: Few Men are fo much Mafters 
 of their Temper, as to conduct with perfect Propriety in 
 fuch Circumftances ! I might fail in this ; if I did, it mutt 
 be alcribed to the peculiar Irritation of the Moment ; for 
 I hope I icarce need add, I could never entertain an Idea, 
 of treating with indecorum, that Public, from whom I 
 have receiv'd the moil conitant and flattering Marks of 
 Approbation to whole Juftice I now make my laft Ap 
 peal : Whole Candor will, I am convinced, acquit me 
 after this hearing, and whole 
 
 Grateful and ever obedient Servant 
 I am, 
 
 JOHN HODGKINSON. 
 
 Neiv-York, "| 
 1797. / 
 
 ERRATA. 
 
 Page 5 end cf Line nth, for " offered" read /;./ 
 Pa^je.17 ^ Line but one, for " relervable" read
 
 UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 
 
 f \^ -v i tr this public Inftrument, be it known t 
 
 of New-York,/. J} all whom the fame doth ormay concern , 
 
 That I, Charles Bridgen, a Public Notary, in and for the State of New- 
 York, by Letters Patent under the Great Seal of the faid State, duly 
 commiflioned and fworn ; and in and by the faid Letters Patent invefted 
 " With full Power and Authority to atteft Deeds, Wills, Teftaments, 
 Codicils, Agreements, and other Inftruments in writing, and to admi- 
 nifterany Oath or Oaths, to any Perfon or Perfons, do hereby certify, 
 That on the Day of the Date of thefe Prefents, before me perfonally 
 came and appeared, Mr. JOHN HODGKINSON, who being by me duly 
 fworn, did depofe and fay, That all and every of the Fafts ftated by 
 him in his Narration of his Connexion with the Old American Company 
 are juft and true, according to the beft of his Knowledge and Belief. 
 
 Whereof an Atteftation being required, I have granted this under 
 my Notarial Firm and Seal ; and the faid John Hodgkitifon hereunto 
 fubfcribed his Name. 
 
 Done at the City of New-York, in the faid State of ' New-York, the 
 fifteenth Day of April, in the Year One Thoufand Seven Hundred 
 and Ninety -fe-ven. 
 
 Quod Atteftor. 
 
 CHARLES BRIDGEN, 
 JOHN HODGKINSON. (Notary Public. 
 
 N^O<>O>O<>O<> < >O < O<OOO<O^
 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY 
 
 Los Angeles 
 This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. 
 
 
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 $ 
 
 lorjm 
 
 PAMPHLET BINDER 
 
 Syracuse, N Y. 
 Stockton, Calif. 
 
 L 006 615 355 2 
 
 UC SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 
 
 AA 000031 098 7