Samuel Crawford was the editor of the va times and William Ramsay was the printer of that Richmond newspaper until publication was suspended and the partnership dissolved in August 1823 (Lester J. Cappon, Virginia Newspapers, 1821–1935 [1936], 190; Baltimore American & Commercial Daily Advertiser, 21 Aug. 1823). In his statement “To the Public,” Crawford announced that Ramsay had on 24 July falsely altered the heading of the Virginia Times to read “Edited by S. Crawford, and printed and published by the Proprietor,” which Crawford argued made the “Editor and Proprietor, contrary to the fact, different persons.” Crawford informed subscribers that he was himself the rightful editor and proprietor and that Ramsay “in his contract” was to “conduct the typographical department in the capacity of a Foreman only” (Richmond Commercial Compiler, 26 July 1823).

In a similar letter of this date to James Madison, Yancey commented that “A burst of Indignation against Ramsay seems to prevail here” (Madison, Papers, Retirement Ser. description begins William T. Hutchinson, Robert A. Rutland, John C. A. Stagg, and others, eds., The Papers of James Madison, 1962– : Congress. Ser., Pres. Ser., Retirement Ser., Sec. of State Ser. description ends , 3:103).