The native American., 1838-02-24
From he Richmond IPhig.
A TALE OF w @ E.

Tuesday evening, 3Oth January, from the effects
OF pistol shot wound. inflicted by Dr. Isaac
Pleasants Vaughan. He survived the shot forty
|or iorty-five minutes, which entered the abdomen
near the navel, penetrating from the direction Of
the ball the intestines seated Immediately above.
lie exhibited much forttude, and died with tran
quillity, having first given to the surgeon sue
cinct narrative of the circumstances which pre-
ceded the catastrophe. Both gentlemen were ma
tives and residents of the county of Goochland,
and as their names import, relatives the father OF
the deceased and the grandmother of the survivor
being brother and sister, both of whom live to
encounter in their old age, this witlering storm
in their peace of mind. Mr.. Pleasants was aged
% years and 20 days. OF the origin of the con-
troversy or its merits, it is not my purpose to
speak; on the contrary, shall studiously refrain
from saying word calculated to add another
pang to bosoms already SO much panied, or to bias
any mind from its rectitude of judgment; for if
my deepest regrets are with the dead, my feryent
compassion is with the living. Suffice it then,
to say that the parties having, from being friends,
become estranged by long train of crcumstan-
ces, too delicate for more than alluson without
this estrangement having been previously mani
tested by word or deed, at public and convivial
meeting at Goochland Court House, marked in
suit was fixed upon Mr.. Peasants by DR.. Waugh
an. This was resented at the moments but the
Immediate consequences averted by the interfer-
ence and intercession of mutual friends. This
insult Mr.. p. determined, after mature reflection,
not to notice farther, being induced to embrace
moderate counsels, as well from the circumstan-
ces of delicacy, before adyerted to, and the dis
pute occurring at the private table of gentleman,
as from the dictates Of mind remarkably placid
and unimpassioned at all times. 1t was now
l,r,T H., Al u IL HAl.-
ties, that period was put to their controversy.
The expectation proved delusive. After the
lapse Of several weeks, Mr.. p. received letter
from DR.. Vaughan, which taunting him with his
passiveness under the previous indignity, he was
compelled to construe as Highly offensive. Per-
ceiving the purpose Of DR.. Vaughan to fix a
quarrel upon him, and his own inability to avert
it by moderation, he determined at once to invite
and meet the issue of decision by arms; and
with this view replied to the letter he had received
In strain calculated to throw the responsibility
OF challenging upon his opponent; or, in other
words, to put it in his power, if such was his
wish, to appeal at once to the duel. This was
accordingly followed by challenge from DR.. ";
and the parties, attended by their friends repaired
to Richmond about the first of January, prepara-
tory to leaving the State. Here, at the instance
OF DR.. VS. friends, he consented and proposed TO
refer the difference to the award Of two gentle
men Of high and distinguished reputation, DR..
Branch t. Archer, of Texas, and the Hon. Wm
5. Archer Their decision required of DR.. v. a
withdrawal of his offensive letter, and, collateral
ly, withdrawal of the aggressive language at
Goochland Court House; and Of Mr.. p. with
drawal of his letter in replication to that Of DR..
", which had extorted the challenge from the
latter. In this award the parties acquiesced tacit-
ly, and think formally, by their proper sigma
lures. The numerous mutual friends and rea-
tons of the parties now rejoiced at the amicable
conclusion of matter SO disturbing to the har-
mony of the neighborhood, and the affections Of
large circle united by the ties Of consanguinity.
Mr.. Peasants returned to the country, and in a
few weeks went again to Richmond to make ar
rangements Tor his marriage. On Tuesday, the
3Oth, ne was waited upon by friend Of DR.. VS.,
ana required to receive communication, which
ne declined, on the ground that the controversy
had been settled, and declined any and every
communication whatever. On Tuesday evening.
when sitting alone in his room at the Columbian,
reading, it was entered by DR.. Vaughan, and his
friend, Mr.. Walker. DIR. V. repeated verbally,
his demands for concessions or for the acceptance
OF challenge. Mr. P. again declined. DR.. v.
pronounced him scoundrel. Mr.. p. struck him,
perhaps with the poker A scuffle ensued and
~. '. uIeW pSlOl from his breecheS pocket,
and shot him. The unfortunate YOUTH stagger-
ing about the room from mortal wound-his
clothes on fire from the close contact of the pistol
was left IN this condition to shift for himself
and to obtain such aid as his screams might at
tract to the spot! Fortunately, it was speedy,
and all was done that skill and humanity could
effect.
AS if no circumstance might be wanting to
complete the woful character of this catastrophe,
Mr.. Pleasants was in few days to have been
united to young lady of his native county! II
have not the heart, nor am adequate to paint her
anguish, nor that Of his father and family; but
above all, for there is less in their case to mitigate
the force Of the blow, that of the excellent mother
and family of the survivor It is hard to con-
ceive that fate could have inflicted blow de-
structive of the happiness of greater number, or
more calculated to embitter the future lives of the
sufferers. In God alone can they hope for that
support which it so far surpasses the power of
man to give. Violent and ungoverned passions
have produced the resut--death to noble youth
in the spring time of life-undyng rcmorse to
its destroyer-un unqualified misery, which hardly
time can mitigate, to the authors ofhis being and
to wide circle of relations. | trust that even
this calamity, so apparently without alienation,
will not be unproductive of some good to coun-