Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1835-03-19

C"rcsfss<r.es Of 2e Es- Tsk cs,sssr aad
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C'rcsp'"<r~os Of &e .Ns- rak Cs,s.<r aad
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WASHINGTON, ID. c. MARCH 6.
There have been SO many rumors
within the last ten days on the subject
OF a meeting that il was said would
take place between the Hon. VIM.
Cost johnson and Lieut.. Barry. Of the
United States Army. that I have taken
some pains TO inquire into the facts
| always refer 10 these subjects with
regret, but believing. as do. that mis-
representations have, in this case, been
put in circulation, will detail the
circumstances. as have reason To sup
pose, correctly. | know the public
curiosity on such occasions. and per-
haps the sooner it is gratifed the bet
ter.
| IL will be recollected, that about ten
days ago, Mr.. johnson. an debating .he
Post Once question. spoke IN strong
terms OF reprobation Of the manner in
which that department had been con-
Quoted. Among other remarks, he
said they are corrupt from tie head Ia
tAs neeI :" or words 10 that effect.
The next day he received n letter
from Major Barry. the Post Master
General, inquiring whether, in his re-
marks, he intended To impcach his in
tegrity or his honor, a. a private gen.
tlcman. Mr.. Johnson replied thai he
did not admit the right Of public Off
Ger 10 demand OF him an explanation
OF words used IN debate. in reference Ia
that Office. That with his (Mr. Barry's)
private character. he had nothing TO do;
but that he had said. in speaking Of the
Post Office department, that {" they
were corrupt from the head TO the
heel" that he should stand by IL, and
that he would take nothing back. To
this he received no answer.
On the Bird Of March, he received,
by the hands Of Mr.. Peyton Of Tenncs-
see, a challange, dated the 9th Feb
ruary, from Lieut.. Barry, of the Army.
The reason assigned was the language
used IN reference TO his father, for
which he demanded satisfaction. and
that his friend, Mr.. Peyton, would make
the necessary arrangements with MIR.
Johnson's friend for the meeting.
Mr.. Johnson replied that he did no,
admit the night to make the demand,
&c. &C., but especially when exercised
by third person. He would, howev-
er, waive every objection OF the kind,
and give Lieut.. Barry the satisfaction
he demanded. He then informed Mr..
Peyton that he insisted on the meeting
that day, by three o'clock in the after
noon.
Shortly after Mr.. Peyton requested
longer time. During the interview, he
asked Mr.. Johnson whether he would
not disavow having made any refiec-
tons on the private character Of Mr..
Barryf He replied that he would dis
avow nothing; that the meeting must
take place that day, or the challenge be
withdrawn. Mr.. Peyton suggested re-
ferring the matter to honorable men.
MIR. johnson said that satisfaction had
been demanded from him that he had
waived his official privileges for the
purpose Of yielding that satisfaction
and that while the challenge was not
withdrawn, he should do nothing 10
change the responsibility.
MIR. Peyton having consulted Col.
Richard VI. Johnson. and Mr.. Wise, OF
Virginia, these gentleman drew up Q
brief statement. concluding with dis
avowal that he Cost Johnson) had in
tended TO impeach the private honor Of
the Post Master General, which Mr..
Peyton brought to Cost johnson and re
quested him to sign. He replied, that
he would sign nothing. That there
were three points he would not con-
cede.
He would not go behind his letter 10
the Post Master General.
lie would retract nothing said in de-
bate.
The challenge must be withdrawn,
or the meeting take place that day.
Colonel X. nj. johnson and Mr..
Wise then drew up and signed state
ment, that they had heard the remarks
Of the Hon. VIM. Cost johnson, in
debate. and that they did not think any
thing fell from him impeaching the
private character of the Post Master
General. This was satisfactory 20 Ii.
Barry, and the matter was thus fortu-
nately terminated.
THE spy IN WASHINGTON.
KANAWHA VALLEY.
This HIGHLY Dicfuresoue and ;ntercss