Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1827-11-03
PROVIDENCE, SATURDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER g. 1927.

| patched him; Mr. W. Wells, who had been
! attending on Gen. Cuney after he had fallen
| observing Ro"ie's situation, ran to his relief,
| fired at Blanchard, but fortunately only wound
ed Blanchard ia the arm. The combat here
! ended Crane had three pistols, Major Wright
! and the two Blanchsrds two each. The gen
! tlemcn from Na,chez. and its vicinity, who
had accompanied them, and were on the
ground in the afiray, were armed'-some with
two pistols. There was also brought to the
field a double barrelled gun, and other arms
were near at hand. In all, they numbered
fifteen or twenty pistols and one shot gun tho
other party had live pistols"
Although it is devoutly hoped, that The Of
Tenders will not escape tho punishment they
merit. it is not unlikely they will eludc the pur-
suits Of justice and vcngednce. In the section
Of country, where this dark deed was perpc-
tratsd, duellng 10 winksd at, if indeed ii be not
encouraged by the examples and prais,s ol
those. " bo entertain false, and dsgrao eful no.
iions of honor. As long as this exists, blood
will be split, and the lives Of society will be
sported with, by those, who consider life the
property Of man. and sub jeci to his disposal.
The whole Of this affair, probably tad its
origin in dissipation, and the midnight rcyels
and orgies Of band Of gamesiers and baccha-
mails, who. regardless of the laws of decency
and honor, mingle but to sport with the ord-
nances of Heaven, and the bounties bestowed
by the Almighty, upon his unworthy creatures.
Mr.. Sam. l.. Wells, the individual who at
taches his name to The first part Of the state
ment, is native of Rapide; small Spanish
settlement, on the Red River; and whilst yet
a minor, through the inciiiciency ofthe laws,
obtained possession Of large fortune, inherit
cd fiom worthy and entcrpris:ng sire. Thus
| possessed Of fortune. he commenced his ca
reer in 4 series of dissipation, and in few
years became bankrupt; when. as is too Of.
ten the case. finding himself thrown upon the
world without money, he resor,ed to tho dos-
perate method of living BY his Wits, and ,sseur:-
ed a profession. which is held in lneri,ed odum
| by the united universe: And it is said, that the
duel in which ho became enga ged, had its ori-
gin at the gaming-table-an and led TO the fright.
ful affray. which we have already recorded
In the year 1918, Mr.. Wells, visited the up
per country, and for some months resided in
| Lexington Kentucky, where he entered, no;
only into series Of dissipation, but some wild
and extravsgant speculations, which lald the
foundation of his subsequent ruin; and he wa
also concerned in contemplated duel, be
tween two clerks in d mercantile house, bcscc
on the most frivolous and insignificant crcum
stances. His career, has thus far been wilt
and extravagant one, and by his course Of con
duct, he promises to blight forever, that fail
fame, which he might have enjoyed, and lie
attainment of which. in his youthful days, his
talents, and his then unsullied virtues promised
him. Although we fear, that the assassns,
concerned in this most diabolcal and bloody
aflray, will escape the punishment due to their
crimes, it is to be hopod, that, for the honor OF
tho country, and the character of the age,
they will be dragged from their lurking pla-
ces, that the nsulted dignity Of the laws ard
Of the nation, may be appeased 1; becomes
the good people Of Louisiana and Mississippi.
to make an effort to detect them, that they
! may be punished, and thus set an example,
| which will teach others, that such rcpulsve
| crimes shall not escape unnotced, and unpun-
ihed.