Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1805-08-24
TO THE PUBLIC.

IyleSs OF the Ed nlimo Dat fSsPect W
my own character and due regard TO the
feelings Of my friends render 1t an indis-
pensible duty.
Il was my inteution Immediately on see.
ing that paper, to lay before the spubllc
full and complete refntation OF the seserai
charges & insinuations contained IN It, and
an exposure Of the sophisticl colorlng
there given, as we'll to the origin as to the
progress of the dispute: but HE following
causes prevented my being prepared July
on the subject, till the very day previous
to the one fixed on for our meetng;--lt
was not until the 18th July that had an.
opportunity of seeing Mr.. Lyles's publlca-
ton, and on the 2Sth received his ctal.
lenge. Various arrangements then became
necessary, which occupied much OF my
time and left me very few days to apply
for the certificates necessary to the refuta-
ton of the Misrepresentation attempted
to be imposed on the world, to my INJURY,
by Mr.. Lyles. They were however pro-
cured in time, and statement prepared,
containing such comments on Mr.. Lvies's
conduct and publication as would, at that
period, have been fully justified in giving
TO the world. Twas however advised nor
20 send it to the press, but to leave It IN
the hands of my friend, ia be BY him PAD
hshed should it be my lot not to survive
the meeting which was to take place the
next day. The fatal catastrophe OF the
morning of the TIN is known to the world,
and is by me most sincerely lamented. A
delicate respect for the feelings of his sor-
rowing relatives forbid my norv publishing
that paper, or doing any thing that can
possibly add 10 the load of their grief, far
Their than proper respect to my own cha
racter imperiously demands OF me. |
shall therefore con6ne myself in the fol-
lowing statement to a plain detail OF the
circumstances which produced the dispute,
and of those with which it was attended IN
Its progress. This, with the sublolned
certificates, attesting the correctness OF my
narrative, will, trust, place my conduct
in a fair point of view, in the eyes OF the
world, and leave me fully justified in every
step have taken in this very unfortunate
business, the fatal issue of which shall
ever regret, as the greatest misfortune OF
my life
On the morning of the loth-of June last
was 10 company with Mr. Lyles, Mr.. T
Wise, and some others, in Mr.. Bowling's
tavern in Piscataway; in the course of
conversation Mr.. Lyles spoke of some la
dies Of nay acquaintance In terms which |
considered highly improper, and immed-
asely expressed my disaPprobation with
some warmth; on which Mr.. Lyles made
an explanation apoIogisrng for the language
he had used. accepted the explanation
and was fully satisfied.
On The 4,hof July Twas at an entertain.
ment held in honor of the day al Piscsts-
way, where Mr.. les also was. We had
spent the day together, without my disco.
vering any change of conduct on The part
Of Mr.. Lyles, or any circumstance which
could induce suspicion in my mind that
there was enmity broodlng towards me.
In the eveaing the company lief, fhe groud
where the entertainment was held, and
with many Others went to Mr.. Howlicg's
tavern, where there was to be dancing
party. I had been there only very short
time before Mir. Lyles invited doctor Hill
and myself UP stairs to a private room.
Believing the invitation to be of friendly
nature and that his obIec. was TO par axe
of social glass of wine, cbeeriaiy ac-
cepted it, aud went up stairs. Inayery
few moments after | entered the room, Mar.
Lyles accosted me and demanded to Know
if had asserted ,ha, he Mr.. L ylrs) had
spoke disrespectfully of the ladies' Ola Ger
tain neighburhood. Isoid him that had
said so. that he had certainly spoke in tina.
style, but / demanded his author. Mr..
Lylcs refused to give me the name Of his
informant, and satd that my assertion was
falte. / felt considerable resentment at
being so treated, and particularly that MIR.
yles should m NV {ace I1nv ~ hat OF