Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-03-14
From the Lynchburg VUginian.
MESSRS. METCALFE & McDUFFlE.

From the Lynchburg Vrginian.
MESSRS. METCALFE * McDUFFIE.
clay on, Mac Duff,
"And best be he who first cries, Hold! Enough"
NetU perSi0n.
A singular fatality seems 10 attend the efforts
of the Hon George McDuffie, 10 acquire fame
by gunpowder His running fights with Mr..
our readers. They were, in every particular,
characterized by such Hudibrastic valor, that
they never can be forgotten, so long as silks s.
salins adorn the shelves and counters Of our
merchants, and cologne water is demanded by
simperiDg Misses; to say nothing Of connoi-
seurs in the noble art Of pulling hair-trigers!
Our readers will find in our columns to-day, a
singular correspondence between the gentle
men whose names stand at the head Of this ar
licle, and their respective seconds. AS we did
not publish the documents which led to the
challenge, ii may be proper to furnish our rea-
ders with succinct statement Of their purport.
Mr.. McDufhe appeared before the committee
appointed to examine into the truth Of the
charge made by Mix against Mr.. Calhoun, as
the friend and counsel Of Mr.. c. In this char
aeter, he addressed letter 10 the chairman Of
the committee, in the course ofwhch he made
illusions TO the conduct ola committee Of Con.
gress, which some years ago, was charged with
the investigation Of the conduct Of this same
Mix, in relation 10 the same circums tance--the
Rip Rap contract. OF both committees, il so
happened that Gen. Metcal(e OF Kentucky, and
Mr.. Campbell Of Ohio, were members; & they,
in a Joint note, corrected several errors Of which
MIR. Med uffie was guilty in his relation Of the
circumstances attendant on the first examna:
ton Of the charges growing out ofthe Mix con-
tract. Mr.. McDnffie took this Interference with
his prerogailye, as advocate of Mr.. Calhoun, to
alter, modify or explain away every circum-
stance which might stand in the way of his
main object, in high dudgeon, and re,orted up
on these gentlemen; (but particularly on Gen.
Metcalie) with great, and, we think, undeserv.
ed severity. To this last communication of
Mr.. McDuffie, Gen. Me,calle replied in a tone
Of keen sarcasm and cool contempt, which
stirred the blood Of the Southern champion, and
the challenge ensued, which has led to the she'd
ding Of ink, instead Of blood, and TO the utter.
ance Of words, "full Of sound and fury, signify
ing nothing" instead Of the louder and more
dangerous tone Of the pistol or the rifle! We
do not, by any means, regret that this contro-
versy, so insignificant in its cause, and the pro-
gress which might SO easily have been arrested
before the summons to the field had been given
mas terminated harmlessIy. we only regret
that such men have not sufficient command o.
YER their tempers, or are so eager to appear val
orous in the eyes of the world, as to inconsid-
erately and unnecessarily thrust themselves in
to situations requiring degree Of frinness
which they do not possess, and which must con-
sequently eventuate in their disgrace, either
by an open "backing out" or by eouivoca.
tons which amount 10 the same thing. We
know neither Gen. Metcalfe, nor Mr.. McDuf6e. |
and are therefore not Influenced by per,
sonal prepossessions or antipathies, when we
say that the latter gentleman has placed him |
self in this predieament. We have understood |
that il is rule among those who are technical |
ly called men Of honor" because they kin an
antagonist with powder and ball, instead Of
bruising him with fist or club, tha, The challen.
ger always deprives himself, by :ba, act, and |