Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1804-10-20
From lie Charleston cfty Gazette.
TCIRCULAR.1
CbnrIeaton. rs q 81

CCIRCULAR.1
Cba,Ie1ton, IS c) Ssp,. u. 1904.
SrR,--Haying been appointed by the S Carci-
IA State Socieiy ct Cincinnati, and 5he American
Revolution Society, u ioint com 1;ttee tordraught-
ing and circulating memoria % the Legislature,
praying for legislative interference restrain the
prattice of Due.ling, we nave agreed the en-
closed memorial. and transmit il 20 you. with our
earnest request, that you would use YOUR most VII
gorous exertions to have it generally signed 1t
is unnecessary to dilate on the miscellaneous con-
sequences of Dueling, to induce your endesvors
to check practice SO dishonotabe TO tiiis state in
which it is our boast to be governed by laws and
not by men. The.necessi,y of applying to the lc-
gslature, on the subject, is obvious for it is we'll
known, that the existing laws have never brought
any duellist to serious Inconvenience and there
is well founded reason for believing that they ne
YER can, in consequence ct the weight of precc-
dents the contrary. Our only alternative, there
fore, is acques:e III the practice OF Duelliig. or
restrain it by new law. The diff culties of
framing any law, jha- may afor; al adequate re-
medy 10 theevil. arc great, burnot insurmoun,abe.
1t is no, to be supposed thar our legislature is
less wise than that of several OF sister states,
whose laws have been operative, shat, in seve-
raj of them dues are absolutely unknown Ii a
respectable number of the friends OF good govesn-
ment, morality and religion, sign the memorial VIC
turc, attentive the wishes of their consti-
tusnts. will enrer seriously on the business, and
we doubt not ofheir abili y, to Fame such regula-
lions, as will certainly abolish the evil.
independent of any law which may be passed,
the sentiments of the most respectable part Of the
community, in opposition 10 Daeiiing, declared
and avowed by signing the memorial, will have
a very beneficial eieSt. Ii will tend TO correct
public opinion, and 10 restrain all who wish Tor
of
in practice, which the virtue and good senseof he
community have so pointedly denounced. These,
and many other arguments, which mus; occur on
reflection, will he sufficient TO convince you that in
procuring signers 70 the memorial, you will do
service acceptable 10 God. am beneficial 10 man
We have further 10 request you, to forward the
memorial TO Columbia. by the fourth Monday in
November next, THAI they may all be presented to-
gether he legislature on the first day OF their
meeting when we hope for the sublime pleasure
ct seeing an adherence of Dueng pSinte3v ex-
pressedby many thousands CT our most deserving
citizens. We are, with great respect, your mosr
obedient servants,
Charles c. Pirekney, .1ames Kennedy. William
Read, Committee Of the Cincinnati
David Ramsay, Hsny ". DesmssuTe. WIZ
ain A!len HeGSi Tdmes LoJon6eS, Richard
Fwmar, Committee Of the American Re-
volution Sociery.
s. Impressed with firm belief, that many
advantages would result from illuminating the
public mind on the inconsistelcy of the spirit and
principles ofthe practice, Against which The me-
moral Is leye!led, with The spiil aud principles OF
our holy religion, We earnestly request, rs par
ticuiar favor, that you would n some coHyenIsnt
early day, preach 4 sermon on the sin and folly Of
Duelirg When thc PnbIic sentiments corrs6t-
ly made M on this subject. the advocates foS Du-
cling will he struck with their inconsistency. IN
claiming for themselves the high and honorable
appeiiaion Of Christians. IN pur opinion, public
previous NOTICE of The day, on which the propo-
sed sermon will be preached, would, in general,
be both proper and useful but, on ,hs subjea,
you VIII Judge FOR yourself
N. 2. The ABOVE Postscript is omitted in all
letters, which are not addressed to Ciergymen.l