Edward Smith Hall vehemently denies the inference of the Sydney Gazette that he is the person who has sought, through underhand means, to uncover the identity of 'Humanitas'. Smith charges the 'joint editors' of the Gazette to 'produce your proofs; which, if you cannot do, then publish a confession of either your folly or your malice, as your consciences respectively may suggest.'
Hall goes on to lay his own charges against the editors of the Gazette. He challenges them to deny that they did not obtain pamphlets published by Hall and subsequently use, or cause to be used, said pamphlets in the writings of 'Humanitas'. Hall claims his work was 'surreptitiously obtained' from his bookbinder.