The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-07-18
WoacEsrER.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 1s, 1927.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 1s, 1922.
BLACKSTONE CANAL. In consequence of re-
ports which have been circulated, we have
been led to make particular inquiries in refer
ence to the progress of this important work,
and are happy to learn, that nothing has hap
pened materially to retard it, or to induce a be-
lief that it will not be completed at as early a
day as has ever been contemplated during this
SEASON. The walls of one of the locks have
been considerably injured by the water break
ing IN back of them before the embankments
were completed. Great trouble has been ex-
perienced, and considerable expense incurred,
IN keeping the lock pit, near the Friends meet
ing-house in Northbridge, clear of water. The
difficulty, however, has been overcome, and
the lock is noarly quitv Completed In 9TH
,er respects the work has advanced as well as
could be expected. The most unremitting at
tention is paid to the business by the acting
Commissioners and Eng .neers and the con-
tractors, generally, are prosecuting their work
with the zeal and spirit which confidence of
profitable employment inspires. The contracts
4OA AOOho IL is DeliGFBu, Will DC
completed this fall the lock gates will be
ready in the course of the winter, so that little
will remain to be done in the spring, except
hanging the gates.
On the favorable prospect Of an early ter
animation of this work, we would congratulate
that portion of the community whose trade
win come within the scope of its influence,
believing that the advantages to be derived
from it never have been, and never will be,
properly appreciated, until actual demonstra-
ton Of il is afforded.
ESCAPE FROM PRIsoE John Briggs and
John w. Field, two convicts in the House of
Correction in this town, escaped therefrom on
the night of the 18th inst Field surrendered
himself to person about three miles from
town, on the morning of the 18th, and is in his
old quarters again. Briggs has not been heard
from. He is an old and notorious offender, a
native of East Greenwich in Rhode Island,
and has ear marks on both ears, which he car
rics as an evidence of the justice of his native
State. He is "a years of age, has dark blue
eyes, black hair, and dark complexion. A re-
ward Of forty dollars, and all reasonable chars-
cs, is offered for his apprehension
Gen. JAcKsoN's Duel. In the Spy Of the
eth ult. we published notice of Gen. jack
sons duel with Charles Dickinson, in which
the latter was mJrdered. Some of the Gen
erals friends, at the south, have published
statements to palliatc his conduct on that oc-
cason. They say that " Dickinson, being a
capital shot, and very quick, got the first fire,
and woaAded Gen. Jackson but, as the Gen
eral did not fall, he exclaimed 9 Is it possible
I have not killed him" Gen. Jackson then
fred, and shot his adversary through the body"
1t is added, that Gen. Jackson would have
thrown away his fire, but for the above exclam-
alton, which satisfied him that Dickinson was
determined not 10 loa~-o tho fcid I'LL one Tie
ether was killed.
This account of the affair, which only rests
on anonymous authority, is entirely contradict
ed by the National Journal, which publishes an
account of the whole transaction, on the au-
thority of gentleman of high and unblemish
ed reputation. This account, which follows,
was written just after the duel took place
Gen. Jackson and Mr.. Dickinson made
race and run the four mile heats for $4,000;
the heats were broken, and each heat
tightly contested; Mr.. Dickinson's rider
said he lost the race by foul play, and that
Gen. Jackson's rider had iostled him near
the close of the last round; Gen. jackson,
on hearing this charge, said he would hold
any man personally responsible who dared
to accuse his rider of foul play; Dickinson
answered, 81 believe my boys statement
TO be correct, for never knew him to de-
viate from truth" This was followed by
dispute, which ended in Jackson's sending
Dickinson q challenge, wlich was accept
ted. The terms agreed on were-that the
parties .shonld fight at ten PAGES, that snap
was not to be considered as q fire, &c.
Mr. Overton, Gen. Jackson's second, and
DR.. Catlet, Dickinsons second, threw up for
the word Overton won it. 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 !; Jackson's
pistol went to half cock. He nodded to
the seconds, recocked his pistol, took de-
hberate aim, and killed Dickinson. Mr..
D. after firing, stood firmly and silently,
and received General Jackson's fire. The
public excitement thence arising against
Gen. Jackson was so great, that Mr.. Over
ton was induced to offer certificate for
DIR. Catlett's signature, prepared with a
view to allay it, which certificate DR., c.
refused to sign.
JACKSON AND CLAY. The Wheeling Ga
zctte has an article which says that Henry
Clay, who was in that place, on being shown
General Jackson's letter to Beverly, distinctly
declared, that, so far as he was concerned it
was entirely destitute of truth, and he believed
it was equally untrue in relation to his friends
The last Lexington Reporter says, that his re-
ply to the letter will appear in the next paper
We suspect it will turn out to be another Kre-
5000 IT .s.a-..1Ai-:- I;aa.anoa that this irna