The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1835-07-15

proved the most sanguinary, and the momentous in
their general results.
When the suspicious close of this memorable
struggle had arrived, he retired from military life
with brilliant reputation, and carried from il, to
the studies of his early youth, which he returned
his characteristic ardor and perseverance and it
was in this latter pursuit that he destined be
still more conspicuous, and we may add, still more
serviceable to his country.
But, excellent as was his reputation both as pat
riot and Judge, his private character in all its fea-
lures was not less vvidly beautiful. As husband a
parent, and citizen, he was irreproachablc. As
there was no official station which he did not fill
with dignity, so there was no private relation in
which he did not demean himself with recttude.
Gentle, temperate, and unostenatious his habits
were marked with republican simplicity and happily
happily became the chief judicial fnnctionary of a
republican nation. During his long career, which
extended far beyond the ordinary term ofhuman life
the most fastidious could not detect single stain,
or the most unscruplOus nsinuae the slightest sus-
picion of his purity, Such man would have
been blessed, even if fortune were unkind but with
few exceptions, we believe, he was not visited with
severe affections and surely he might be esteemed
thrice happy who, full of honors and respect, pre-
served only his fame, but his intellectual facul-
ties, unmpaired to the latest hour.
The Fatal Affair at Chuckdtuck-A correspon.
dent writes us as follows, under date of July lst-
(" An affray took place yesterday afternoon, at
Chuckatuck, in Nansemon county, between two
highly respectable young gentlemen, Mr.. Samuel
Whitfield Jr and Mr.. William II. A. u. Cooper,
both of Isle of Wight county which resulted in the
death OF 6o'h am not informed of all the particu-
lars of this tragedy, but learn that the parties have
been III hostile relation towards each other for some
months, and within that time challenges had passed
between them, but personal meeting could be eff
fected. Yesterday Afternoon they met casually at
Chuckatuck when they drew their pistols and fired.
C0Dper was shot through the body and died imme-
diately. AT this stage of the affair, Mr. Josiah c.
Parker, the brother of Cowper, fred his pistol at
Whitfield, the ball of which passed through the
body of w. and killed free negro who hap
penep to be standing near him. Parker soon after
fled, and came on board the Kentucky in the James
River this day, and passed on in the steam boat to
Baltimore"
We have since hear other details of this lamenta-
BILE occurrence, which confirm the above statement,
and are more circumstantia but one well
be passive spectator such an occasion, they
must be received with many grains of allowance.
1t is said that Cooper saw Whitfield in the act of
assisting lady to enter her carriage, and immeda-
tely after shot at him, the bali grazing his arm.
Whitfield then drew pistol and was in the act of
firing at Cowper, when the latter declaring himself
unarmed the former waited until he had reloaded
his pistol, and then fired and shot him through the
body. When Cowpcr fell, Josiah G. Parker step
ped forward to Whitfield and shot him through the
abdomen, and, as was before said, the ball entered
the body of free negro man who was killed in
simultaneously. The scene of action is represented
as most horrible-presenting the view of three men,
who were, five minutes before, in the prime of life
and strength, laying at few PAGES from each other,
weltcring in their gore. Whitfield and Cowpar,
who i'll, and Parker, the survivor were near neigh
| tors.