Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-12-08


A very lamentable circumstance took
place in the vicinity of Bladensburg YES
terday morning. An affair of honor, or a
combat by duel, terminated in dan5erou,
wound received by the honorable ]. 6
Jackson from the second FIRE of Mr. Pear
son. They are both, as you know, members
of Congress and the quarrel is, believe,
of some months, standing, They fired twce
each, and Mr.. Jackson missed his object
both times. The second of Mr.. Pearson
was Mr. Stevenson (of the II. of r. from
Virginia,) and the second Of Mr.. Jackson
was Mr.. Howard. (tlso a member of Con-
gress-from Kentucky.) After the catas-
trophe, the wounded party was conveyed
to the residence of Mrs. Digses, in the neigh
borhool of the scene of action, where NJ reI
ce'ved proper attention, and the necessary
medical advice. Mr.. Jackson was esteem.
ed, and therefore the event is exceedingly
regretted he has many respectable rela.
tiyes and sincere friends, and over these
the incident will cast the gloon of despon
dency. Can nothing be done to extermi.
nate this vestise of barbarisn? VIII our
rulers tameIy look on and suffer our best,
our most beloved citizens to destroy each
other in single combat ? The logic which
supports the propriety of duelling, and yet
admits the killing of one citizen against his
will by another citizen to BE- murder, IS
mere sophistry. What is the object of those
laws which punish the crime of murder
with death? Surely not revenge. The
object is, by furnishing the perpetrator OF
the foul offence to preserve ia future the
lives of men in society by deterring others
from destroying them. It is not to atone for
the death of ore citizen By putting to death
another citizen, but to render the lives OF
ell more secure, and to preserve all for
the benefit of the state for the ssate has
a claim upon the services and the life of
citizen which the citizen cannot by hie
own sole act deprive it OF whist he is g,
member ofths community Of that State
"A man prsneditateliy takes ,e life of an
otner man GgaiHs'his mil, and that is MUIR.
DER. Il man prewed,ta,edly k,ls another.
6oih eonaeHiHg, aud that is considered no
murder. Is this not ridiculous Tie dis
function is 4 quibole. II is worse than q
bubble. Ths consent Of 6oh parties is 4
conspiracy to deprive the state oe :wo nam.
heFS' for the lives OF both are endangered .
andy strictly spsak ng, al seconds to duel
iIsts are a,ders and abettoTs in such con
spracy. leave out OF view entirely the
domestic Affections which these contests,
produce in society---ihey are however.
very deplorable, nd suite. ent, should sup
pose, to make man of sensblity pause for
4 long time before he would assent 10 throw
his life away on tue ebuH.tion OF moment
What signifies the opinion Of the world
Wan that opinion project the orphan, con
sole the widow, or pour balm int the bleed
ing pa'ernaI heart When the head OF -
family is cut off, the children are left with
out natural protector and friend, withou
a guide or counsellor If the victim OF q
duel be poor, will that world to whose OPT
Mon he sacrificed his life, administer Com
fort 20 his fatherless offspring, become the
guardian Of their infancy or the pioneer
Of their future fortunes No, SIR. Tie
opinion of the world is like the frolicsome
spirit Of cockhghter whilst the sport is
going on, it urges it TO bloody catastro-
phe--but when the fight is over, it is care,
less alike Of the bleeding sufferer and of al
that co ncer0s him. Woe be to that indi-
vidual who surrenders his judgment to
the loud opinions Of nuc.uatlng world
lie commits il to a triGer who overrules j