Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-07-13
Etala The National Journal.

action. TO be continued
From the National Journal
GEN. JACKSON'S DUEL WITH Mn. DiCkiNSoe'
Public attention has been recently called, IN
the New York papers, 10 duel which was
fought some years ago between ien. Jackson
and MIR. Dickinson. Perceiving that the au-
thori,y of DR.. Hanson Cat!ett, VINO acted as
Mr.. ID IS second on the occasion, was cited Id a
letter To the Times, which we publish this
morning, and having good reason Tor DelieVihs
that DIR. Catlett had made very different repre-
seuta,ion OF the matter, we endeavored 10 as
certain the truth from an authentic source
We have succeeded, and on the authority oil d
gentlemen of high and unblemished respecia'
bili,y, who received from DR.. Catle't an ac'
count, written by himself, of the due, just after
il took place, & who subsequently had frequent
oral communications with him on the same SUD-
iec,. we publish the following statement, VIE:
Gen. Jackson and MIR. Dickinson made a
race and run the four mile heats Tor $4,000; Inc
heats were broken, and each heat tightly con-
tested; Mr.. Dickinson's rider said he lost the
race BY foul play, and that Gen Jackson's RI
der had iostIed him near the close oil the last
round; Gen. Jackson, on hearing this charge,
said he would hold any man personally rcsPon'
Dickinson answered, ~ believe my boys state
ment to be correct, for never knew him TO de
yiate from truth" This was followed by
dispute, which ended in Jackson's sending
Dickinson challenge, which was accepted.
The terms agreed on wcrc-that the parties
should fight at ten PAGES, that snap was not to
be considered as a fire. SC. MIR. Overton, Gen.
Jackson's second, and DR.. Ca!lett, Dickinson's
second, threw up for The word; Overton won 1t.
When he gave the word " fire" both Jackson
and Dickinson drew their triggers at the same
instant. Dickinson's ball grazed Jackson's
breast, slightly touching the skin; Jaekson's
pistol went 10 half cock. He nodded 10 the Sc
conds, recocked his pistol, took deliberate aim,
and kiilet. Dickinson MIR. ID. after firing stood
firmly and silently, and received Gen. Jackson's
FIRE. The public excitement thence arising 4.
eainst Gen. Jackson was so great, thai Mr.
Oyerlon was induced to offer certificate for
Dr.. Ca,letts's signature, prepared with view
10 aIlay it, which certificate Dir. {. refused 10
sign.
The Mr.. Over,on here referred to, is the Judge
Oyerton Of the Nashville Committee, and must
our informant adds, confirm the preceding
statement.
1t thus appears, that instead of MIR. Dickin-
sons firing first, as alleged by the New York
letter writer, both parties fired together; that
the wound received by General Jackson was
extremely slight, instead of being Severe
that the "gross outrage" committed by Mr..
,aiskiasaa. -far.- which General Jackson took
t. tell an Rntruth and that, instead az n,,---:
the exclamation, -'fsit pv'oi"'~
him." which is alleged to have been one OF Gen.
Jaekson's provocations to kill Mr.. D., the lat
ter was "sient"
We had long ago heard all account Of this
duel which is Confirmed by the statement now
given, but took no steps 10 verify it, as we were
not disposed 10 introduce any personalities
hich could be avoided. into the political ques-
ton now before the people. To such forbear-
ance, our adversaries could indeed lay claim
on the score Of their own example; for never
was the liberty Of the press SO abused, or the
dignity Of Legislative halls SO prosiituted, as in
the war Of defamation which has been wased
against the characters Of Mr.. Adams and MIR.
Clay. The suspicion that General Jackson
himself countcnanced this unworthy species Of
hostility, was TOO in jurious 10 his reputation 10
be entertained without reluctance. And tho
his letter to Mr. Swartwont, his answer to the
Speaker Of the Senate Of Tennessee, his Hermit
tage letter, sc. sc. gave to it but too much
plausiblity, plank still remained for skept.
CT SIN 10 stand OH, until the General himself re,
moved it by recent act of necessity, which
the People will soon sec was an act 100 of
desperation. Even now, we should say nothing
of the Dickinson case, if the friends Of Gen
Jackson had not evnced their determination
to impose on the community representation
oi it which we have unquestionable authority
for believing to be unfounded. On this sub.
ject we add that the gentleman from whom our
information is derived, states, on the authority
of Dr.. Catlett, that some time afor the duel,
Gen. Jackson assigned to the latter as a mo.
tive for killing Dickinson that the bets on the
same race had led to several quarres and
challenges, which would be prosecuted to ia
tai termination, unless either he or Dickinson
were killed, but that by killing Dickinson he
might prevent five or six other men from being
killed. On the strength of this remark, the
New York letter writer makes Gen. Jackson
say, that he knew Dickinson chad entered into
combination with five other men TO take his
life" The observation whiel, Dr. Catlett real
ly did ascrbe to Gen. Jackson, is one that his
friends ought to cherish; for it indicates soil
citpde for the preservation Of human life which