The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1804-08-11
MARRfED-On Tuefday evening laf, DIR.
I,A!zEWELt, of Williamsburg, to the accom-
pllihed Mifs MARY P. tanner.
FOR TIE ENQUIRER.

have been led to expect, from an intimation
Ill one OF the lait numbers of the ENQUIRER, that
the melancholy event which recently occurred
IN New York, would attract fome portion of the
Editors attention. 1t is indeed an event pree-
nant with affecting and important reReetions.S
1t Will neceiiary prefent various affects, and be
viewed IN different lights by different minds.
The original caufes of the rivalry and r,,ntnre
oetwixt Gen. Hamilton and the Vice-Pre(ident,
ana the degree of blame which properly attaches
10 each IN the progrefs Of their tragical contro.
very, aitho' no doubt very ntereting to the
friends and partizans ofthe parties, are circum.
ltances but little calculated to excite the cprio-
my OF the people of Virginia. The attention of
intelligent and patriotic Editors will probably
DC directed to iubject which, when we conf
der Its modern origin, its exteniive prevalence.
ana IT'S ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, has been ftrangely
neglected by moral enquirerS--tbe te1aeucr Of
D~eHing. INDUCING hope that the Editor IF
the Enquirer propotes to offer fone obferyati-
ons on Duelling, | take this opportunity to flb-
NIT to his impartial confederation the following
condenied ttatement Of the principal, if not the
only tPeclous arguments which can be urged in
Vindlcation OF this inhuman practice +
1T is numerically admitted that human life is
more embttered by infults, than by INJURIES
that word, look, tone, a gefure, circum.
itances wholly evanefcent and indefnable. are
capable OF lnfIicting pain, more exquiiite than
RACKS, or whips, or chains: 1t is alto univer.
tally admitted, that this fource of focal dfcord
ana hilery, lies beyond the reach of any .praGti-
cable lcheme OF regulation or police. I" can.
not Tue tor an aifault and battery on fine f.nfh;
hties fmy heart" or obtain damages for an in
jury which, although it has neither mntiIated
my body, invaded my property, or ftained INV
reputation, may have racked every FEELING of nv
ioui with lnfupportable agony. The practice
Oh ouelling, although not perhaps the beft expe-
dent tor this purpofe, which more iynnroved
nate OF ioclety may introduce, certainly has a
tendency to correct and counteraet this fnnda-
mental evil. Every individual is compelled nv
aregard to felf-prefervation to cultivate and
practIie habits of benignity, urbanity and for
oearance, In his intercourse with others, to alb
itain from every action or expreiIion calculated
10 wound the feelings of thofe with whom he
ahoclates, to refrain and fupprefs the fuggefti-
ons OF pride, arrogance and fpleen, to model bis
BEHAVIOUR and conversation, according TO thc
principles OF beneyolence and iuhice viewed
IN this light, the practice of dueling probably
deierves to be regarded as one of the mott efcc-
tual safeguards and ian6tiOns of the tranou;It,
harmony and decorum of civilized fociety. TO
ITS influence probably, ought to be af,ribed the
hyperion proPrety, delicacy and refinement ne
modern manners. In judging ofthe exped,ercv
OF any public inititution, law or cuftom, we mum
not confine our attention to the evils it may pro-
duce IN particular inltances, but extend ORR
view to ITS general tendency and effects. Let
the practice of dueliDg be tried by this criteri.
on. Let the advocate for it's immediate abol;-
ton reject that it is one of the great penal ,e-
ltrants upon the felflh and unfoca propecG.
ties which mankind are 60 prone TO indtl~e. Let
him recolleGt, wbit he is depicting with qlo,y.
ing ienb6ihty the trsgicaI conCeqtiences which
1t occaiionally produces, how many animoGties
q'larrelS and contentious it tends to prevent. bv
reltrainlng and extiDguifhing the paiiona from
winch they tpring. Let him rccoliect that thc
immediate abolition Of this pratice, without 2
corresponding Improvement Of the underaagd-
ings, and melioratioa of the TEMPER cf irdivi,Iu-
avs, would awaken and unchain ;hof. pafions.
Lssily'iet HIM recolletl that pure and u1Gjilli-
ed fame Is the palladium Of female hanpine{e p
virtue, and that the reputation ofthe f.ref snd
mott amiable part ofthe creation, might be blaf
Ell With impunity, were the brother, the lover.