Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-07
Messrs. WickEfe e Jones:

was instructed by Maj. Thomas P. Moore
10 wdit upon Mr.. Samuel Oglsby, with let
ter which Mr. Moore had received by mail from
him, Ca copy of that which is to appear in your
next paper,) and if he did not avow il to be
challenge, to state to you the result of the in
terview for publication.
accordingly saw Mr.. OgiIsby; Showed him
the letter, and told him that was instructed by
Mr. Moore to request him to say, whether MIR.
Moore was TO regard that letter as challenge
to him from Mr.. Ogilsby; if SO, that Mr. Moore
accepted it, and would make the most prompt
arrangement for an interview; that / was in
structed to say that any other answer than d.
rest response, avowing ii challenge, would be
considered as refusal on the part of MIR. Ogils-
by to give his letter that character. Mr.. Ogils-
by stated that he considered Mr.. Moore's pub
LEGATION as challenge TO him, and his own let
ter an acceptance. l then said was instruct.
ted TO say, that Mr.. Moore had sent him no
challenge; that was directed to make state
ment of my interview with him to accompany
communication from Mr.. Moore TO the edit
ors Of the Western Herald, which was to hand
in, IN case the letter was not ayowed to be
challenge, and his own publication was not
withdrawn from the printers. Mr.. Ogilsby
then said if MIR. Moore would make the dis
lance the shortest possible, he would not care
whether the challenge was considered as COM
ing from him or Mr.. Moore; that all he wanted
was to give Mr.. Moore an opportunity to prove
that he was brave man, and that Mr.. Ogilsby
was coward. To this replied, that could
not carry back that answer to Mr.. Moore, hav-
ing been instructed as just before remarked,
10 consider any answer which was not direc,
avowal of his letter being a challenge, as re-
fusal to give it that character; that must con-
slider his answer as coming within that descrip-
ton. He then said he wished me to put my
question in writing, and he would see his
friend, Mr.. Beall, and wished me to receive
his answer through him. l answered that
Mr.. Moore, understanding from his letter thar
he declined any further correspondence, had
not authorised me to put any thing in writing
previous to an answer, but l had no objection
to receive his answer from Mr.. Beall. Mr.
Ogilsby then went for Mr.. Beall; but, as he In
formed me, not finding him, he returned with
Mr.. Conway, in whose presence, in place of
MIR. Beall, the conversation in substance was re-
peated. ! also stated, that if the letter was a
vowed a challenge from Mr.. Ogilsby, was in
structed TO say the distance should be the usual
distance Of ten PAGES, Considering, according
10 my instructions, the answer OF MIR. Ogilsby
as amounting 20 refusal to avow his letter as
acnallenSe, SEND you thls statement, win Mr.
Moore's letter for insertion.
After had drawn up and read the above to
Mr. Ogilsby and Mr.. Conway, upon their re-
turn to me, it was admitted to be substantially
correct; but Mr.. Ogilsby then offered and read
paper which he wished TO be considered his
answer in his own words. Although consider
it to be somewhat variant in expression from
his answer as first given, yet wishing TO give
every indulgence, it can be inserted, as follows,
from his own reading:
"This is the answer to Mr. Moore's question:
consider MIR. Tho. p. Moore's writings in the
Western Herald as challenge TO me, and as
such l accept it; but if Mr.. Moore will fix the
shortest distance possible, so as to give to the
world the best proof his bravery, and of my
cowardice, all etiquette may be waived, and it
may be considered as challenge from me-"
AS this does no, in my estimation change the
character of Mr.. Ogilsbys answer, is not direct
avowal of his letter being challenge, it must
be viewed as refusal to give it that character,
and authorize the publication of Mr.. Moore's
communication. Respectfully yours,
J. HASKIN.
Bardstown, Nov. 2, 1885,
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