Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-02-24
From tie National MfeRigsneer.
COMMUNICATED.

publication in the National intelligence
Of the 10Th inst over the signature OIL TEoRGE
MoDuFFfE, has attracted my notice; and shall
receive an answer, which would have beer more
promptly furnished, but that was then assocI-
ated in the affair with another gentleman and
friend. whom considered il my duty TO con.
suit, before I proceeded to act snsly, and oa
nv own responsibility. Having been Justly re.
cardful If that duty, ] now proceed to state,
thai il is not my intention, upon this, or any O
Their occasion, to engage In newspaper conlro-
versv; but merely 10 make remark or two, in
relation TO the course which MIR McD"tfe has
thought nj 10 pursue, ana winch he seems to
believe, was necessary 10 the protection Of his
character.
The mis-sta,ement of facts which he made is
acknowledged by him Denial would have ad.
ded nothing to his Justification.
He regrets exceedingly that Mr.. Campbell
and myself, in correcting his erroneous state
men, Of the facts, should have thought IL nrces-
sary to make the ausion we did TO the Vice
President. And why SO? Because, he says
the Vice President chad no agency IN the pro-
ducton of the letter which had proved so OGsf
sire, further than to suggest the ernsare of one
or two sentences, and the mitigation OF the 'a'.
guage Of perhaps as many more" lcertain!y
have no disposition 10 rob Nh. McDufte oil lhs
credit Of being The author Of that letter. whilst at
the same time conceive that IL was made out
with the knowledge and appreciation, and un4cr
The direct sanction, Of the Vice President. l.
therefore felt myself allied 10 netiee it, with
full authority to name that gentleman. What
part he may have taken in drafting and prepar-
ing it, and how far the rashness OF the avowed
author may have been bri2led by his sugges.
tons, are matters about which feel the most
entire Indifference, nor are they at all material
TO my purpose.
But Mr.. McDuffie adds, 81 should have been
more than willing n'yself TO avoid any contro-
versy; and there is certainly nothing in the sub
stance Of the communication OF Gen. Metcafe
and Mr.. Campbell, that should have deemed
it necessary 10 notice in this public manner,
but fer the terms in which they have character.
lied the error which committed " And again
-"that he will not assume the responsibility OF
interpreting our language, for fear he should
do injustice" SC
What, under such circumstances, should have
been Mr.. McDufie's course, as a gentleman!
|. was the terms in which his error was charac-
terized to which he objects. II those terms
were offensive to him, his remedy, as man Of
honor and bravery, was obvious. II the Ian
guage was so "equivocal" ihatshe could not
assume the responsibility" Of Interpretation,
II was rot less plain. Its Interpretation, or any
honorable satisfaction, il called for, would have
been promptly furnished. He seems TO have
forgotten, that. while he thinks he has laid
aside his own judgment in the construction Of
the language used, and has acted on his fears
of what might be the construction Of others,
he must niece ssarly be considered as viewing
that language as offensive.
-QDDrqbious rDittets arenni The wpanons
WITH which men OF honor should settle their
controversies. IwiIl not descend TO them. II
is Sufficient for my purpose that Mr.. McDuffs
considered himself as nsuIted Otherwise, his
replication was uncalIed for; and that, withou,
demanding an explanation he has, by his publ.
cation, attempted TO redeem himself from the
influence Of that suppressed insult,
TIOS METCALFE.