Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-06
RIoHMOMD, OCT. 6.
To the editors of the Enquirer

ter the usual prelude OF thunder and lightning, to
have vanished in tempest of wit; the Northern
" Kelpies" are said TO do in mist.-l am not dis
posed TO hunt him farther. He voluntarily sought
this controversy, and it is surely his right, when
he thinks proper to withdraw. 1t was not my pur-
pose to bring this subject to any trial, other than
that OF calm investigation, and candid argument;
aad least OF all, to that of wt-crackng and re-
paree. In this profess TO have sort of talent
and it l could iatter myself that had should
very much doubt the prudence of calling it into
requsition, seeing that the labour and the time it
costs some men, but poorly compensated by
the victory it confers Much less was il my object
10 introduce, or encourage, those So offensive per-
sonS!ities, so degrading to the dsputant." 1t
seems, however, be the opinion of my adversary.
that these controversies usually terminate in this
wsy,-and truly for once he has not left his opin-
ions to the doubtful luli6.ment of prophecy. THIS
assertion, at least, stands supported by fact. AS
10 the 80 something BiOre," which your Cores
pondent hints at, | can only say in the language of
TrI>ram's good mother 10 her husband, :" II is as
you please, Capt. Shandy.''
must, however, beg pardon of Tie chivalry OF
the age for having very unintentionAily viola ed
the g rules which courtesy has heretofore pre-
scribed to the tournament The warmth of our
own feelings, tho they frequently misead are not
so often the cause oil offence, the evil nh ence
OF the example before Us. This request, however
cannot extend 10 your Correspondent, seeing that
lac himself has complied strictly with all hen
prerequisites. Ii was believe The custom in
ktormer times, for the Knight who first ed the
lists TO sound flourish Fl ON a 6rG=en trumpet
Has he done this? Peihp> SOL am willing that
the spirit oil The rule should prevail. 1t is
one, and prevailed perhaps early King David's
time, for First Chronicles Il hope you viii no, call
this :" school-soy pedantry'') believe it is thus
written (perbaps l am entirely correct in my
quotstion:) $50 Heman, Asaph, and Hodijah
icere appointed, and their Office to sound
cYlabdis of brass, and TO make noise herewith
at the bidding of the High Priest" Be 1t So
your Correspondent hath identified me and the Gen~
tleman whose rhetorical display at ottoway re-
suited so nauspiciously 10 his friend.'' l do not
mean 10 defend that Gent. but it somewhat
strange, that that Z" display SO inauspiciouS to
Mr. Giles, and OF course, suspicious 10 MIR.
Archer, should have furnished the LAT er with the
strong pre,exts" for calling out the former, and
fitting at him through the District, with so much
zeal, and mprudence. 1t is thus g A Freeholder''
aud his friend play at coss-purposes and is thus
that the former in his strong exertions to be sar-
castle puts his wit and judgment to play at logger
heads.
Blu; as l must take my leave Of your Cerrespon-
dent it shall be in all charity Of spirit entertain
no feelings of personal resentment towards him
nor should have noticed his &c address, but for
the very singular manner, in which lie conveyed is
recosn0lsonce to his " valuable acquaintances''
and " personal friends" He entered the lists I'M
called for, and finding himself in the situation of
one who suddenly recoilecs himself In company
where he is viewed intruder, rose, bow d ana
retired. AS he was unbidden, feel disposition
TO call him back will part friends. II ne will
calmly reflect upon what has passed between US, the
lesson will not be altogether uninsnuctve. 1t will
teach him, that although excessive devotion to
friendship, be the most sinless and pardonable of
human lraities, yet its ardour, when uncubeI by
temperance and reflection, may, and often does,
transport us TO expressions unbecoming ourselves,
and injurious TO the interests of those whom we
would serve: That under he influence of Its tx
excitement parliaIi,ies and prejudices often gain
possession of tie citadel, and reye in the palace
when truth and justice, the senlinels of The heart,
at its portals lie sleeping" Neither am without my
reward On the of " decorum' feel my
obligations, and acknowledge my gratitude, The
lesson he has given shall not be lost upon me and
henccforth his precspt shall be to me guide
to direct, and his example a beacon 10 yarn
in oil future controversies.
II Citizen Of .Nott6toay.
Sept. Goth 1926.
III Errni,anIu the former Commute a,ion for secud
ed, the bead Of the second column read oseiuded
To the Editors Of the National Iatelligencer
GENTLEMEN: Our controversy with you is
not of own seeking. But, are little in
cned to shun it, as to seek it. With ouF 90 pri-
yate and personal dispositions" towards you, we
repeat il was painful TO US to throw any asperity
into our 4" editorial writings" But it was scarcely
possible for us to avoid the alternative. The in
uendoes you threw out against the public writer
were calculated to " touch US nearly" They
strongly reflected upon the disnierestedness OF the
course we had pursued They charged Us withIe-
sisting The appropriation of money to roads and
canals, so long the other states were concerned;
but that the moment the money TO be dsbursed
on the roil Of Virginia, and brought it IS ere to
our own doors, our ductile principles could be
dTugged TO sleep, that could then readily ac-
quiesce in the encroachments on the constitution
OF our country-o or in other words, that we were
men of principle in proportion to our interest"
We were not pleased with this insinuation; yet we
calmly replied, and stated a series of facts, which
ought to have satisfied your own mind, that your
remarks had been substantially founded on mistake
Why did you not acknowledge this misapprehen-
sion, IN a good-humored way! or why did you
repeat your assertions accompanied by sarcastic
sneers and palpdbe bsre presentation? We confess
that It required more amicabe temper than
we possess, TO answer your new article without
some little asperiiy;" and how far our manner
was indicative Of "wincing," we nigh, leave it to
your own feelings to determine.
You insist upon it, that it was " very far from
(your) intention to cast any reflection on that dis
tinguished state, (VTginia.) When (you) spoke Of
the chastity Of her orb, (you) referred, in sober
earnestness, TO the political purity OF the Ancient
Dominion. II this be considered by the Editors Of
The Enquirer, as a " JEST or " sneer,' it is an
aspersion of their own, and not Of (yours) on The
iair fame Of that distinguished Commonwealth
For that State (you) entertain flial respect
which (you) have never missed proper oppor-
unity Of manifesting." We will not dispute your
sincerity. Bot it is rather singular way of mani
testing your filial respect" Give US leave in $50
ner earnesinese >, advisn the nnvf Tina un,