The Arkansas advocate., 1830-08-11

i wlillan instance ofsingle combat, which took place there, whose severity has scarcely parallel in history. inc let tercomes, as it appears, from a friend ot one ot the parties, Dr. D. H. Jeilries, with whom We had brief acquaintance while he resided at Cotfeeville; and the account is requested to De publisheds for the information of the friends of that gentleman in this state. The parties were resident at or near Iberyille, Lou isianas
 A challenge passed from a Dr. Smith to Dr. Jeflries, on the first instant, which was accepted; the interview was ap- pointed for Thursday, tine l7th, and the distance fixed at eightpaees. When the time arrived the parties met, took their stations and exchanged shots, without injury to either. After this shot, it seems inferable from the re- marks of the writer, that some efforts were made by their friends to bring about an accommodation, but anagail- ing, as Dr. Jefries declared that he would not leave the ground, tiii ne had lost his own, or had taken the life of his antagonist. Their pistols were handed to them a second time, and at this fire the right-arm of Dr. Smith was broken, which arrested the fight for a few mo- ments, till he recovered from the eexhaus- ton, when he declared as he was wounded, he was ready to die, and de- nanded the seconds to proceed. The pistols were then put into their hands for a third time, Dr. Smith using his left At this fire Dr. Jetfries was wounded in the thigh, and his loss of blood, occasioned an exhaustion that again delayed the conflict for 9 few moments. He recovered, and both then desired to shorten the distance and continue the fight. They now stood up for the fourth time, covered with blood, and at distance of six feet. They were to fire between the words one and five, and the shot proved fatal to both parties; they fell on the earth. Dr. Smith was dead when he dropped, the ball having penetrated his heart, and Dr Jef1ries was shot through the breast, a wound he survived but four hours. They fought with perfect cool ness, and thus fell, adds our correspond ent, two good aad brave men.
 When Dr. Jetfries saw that his an- tagonist had fallen. he asked if he was dead, and being assured so, he deelar- ed his own willingness to dies Be- fore he expired he said that he had been a school mate with Dr. Smith, had been acquainted with him for fifteen years, that they had been on terms of great intimacy and friendship, and he bore also, honorable testimony to his character as a man of science and a gentleman. ftis not stated distinctly in the letter, what originated the cruel hostility which IS exhibited in this mel ancholly affair, but it appears to have been deeply wounded feelings on the part Of Dr. Jeffries. Our correspond ent states that he had made several personal friends in the section of coun- try where he had fixed his residence. and was universally respected and be- loved. He was engaged at the time of the affair, to be married to a highly intelligent and amiable young lady of Mississippi, which circumstance, ap- pears to have had a connexion with the duel; the lady reached the ground only in time to take her last earthly fare well, of the object of her affection. Her frantic cries, mingled with the grief of the friends, the letter paints as a scene of the most heart rending description. Tie Td1es Reducea.- When Gen. Jack son was elected President of the U. States, it will be recollected, he earn estly recommended to Congress, the prepriety of reducing the duty or tax on Cofee, Solt, yN0tasses, Caoeolote, and Iea; several of them he particularly named. Congress accordingly took up the subject, and have passed Jaw pro- viding for the reduction of those taxes. The tax on coffee, 1t is known, is fve cents c pound, put on and paid at the Custom House, .is soon as 1t arrives in the country. It will hereafter only be t1Uo cents a pound, and in the course oi yeaT, wifi be reduced to one cent. Now, every family that has been using