The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-26

feelings which thai situation was likely to excite
Al the time have indicated Col Pleasanlon cali
ed al my Office rose from my seat and amer "a
changing with him the usual cnuriesies Of The day,
handed him a chair lie sal down and resumed
my seat He then said he had another note Tor me.
asked him who il was from. lie replied Mr. Ia.
gersJli, and said he desired 10 me alone told
hn that was ready To receive any communication
from hm, and that would see him here. CA friend
oil nine, Mr. Brock, was Accidentally presently he
said he thought II due 10 courtesy, TO give him Pr
vd'e interview II he requested H. replied, seer
talniy, sir then rose from my seat and said II will
WIN pleasure zee you alone, IL you wish II, and
conducted hin INTO an adjoining room.
AS soon as We entered this room he handed me
the note last mentioned from Mr.. Ingerso and
asked me what answer had 10 it, | told him (be-
fore opening ~ that would read the note and would
give Il written answer IL il required answer;
that would give no verbal reply TO a written com,
municaton from Mr.. lngersoll He then requested
me 10 read II IN his presence. | read il and said
would give a wrilen as soon could
The friends whom bad already consulted. He then
desired me 10 state definitely what reply he should
make 10 Mr.. Ingersoll. told him he could say 10
him that he had put into hands his note, and that
should be attended to- He then said iii usual
on such occasions 10 say what the character Of the
answer would be, or something 10 that effect re-
Piled that he had requested private interview with
me and had given one that was parry and he
was witness; that did not intend 10 have any ex-
preston o. tortured into meaning TO suit the
purposes OF other people, and as the communication
was 10 writing, my reply should be in writing and
that was all The answer had 10 give him.
He then changed his tone ittle and said he was
very sorry that there was any difference between
Mr.. Ingersoll and myself that my positive peremp-
tory course seemed 10 close the door against an
amcable adjustment OF ii; that referred him 10 no
friend, and gave him no clue by which he could, as
he had hoped, heal differences replied "there is
no difference between Mr.. Ingersoli and myself
know OF none-ii he pleases 10 make one, the conse-
quences must be upon his own head. have nothing
~. tht
subject. You have brought hostile message 10
writing-t shall be answered in wriing--I will say
nothing more"
He then asked me how soon would answer it. ] re-
Piled as could my friends He asked me
when would them told him instantly, If could
find them, but certainly in the Of the evening
He stood While without saying any thing lfor he had
continued standing with his hat oD during the whole
interview Al last he said that he did not feel satisfied
that he surprised at my course. had left no
mode OF settling IT, then grew warm, and SAID. 'Sr,
you not undertake dictate TO Your conduct
ia doing so is ndellcate You present me hostile
message in writing, and with the message IN my hand
you to expect that should point out the means of
avoiding fight. have gwen you my answer on this
subject Mr. IngersolI shall receive written one from
me, have nothing more 10 say on this subject, aud
here the interview end !"
He again, and very peremptorlly said that ne was
not satisfied; told him he nsolent, aud must leave
the house-he said he would not go ! opened the door
leading to my office, where Mr. Brock and said to
Col Pleasanton pointing the door, for he the
back end Of the back room "Slr, now request you 10
leave my house, He again replied that had not given
him a satisfactory answer. then said that he had all
the that he should verbally; that he had
brought hostile message IN writing and that was
determined that | would not give any answer but a
written one Nov, SIR SAID ]; you will please
leave my house" To this he replied tina, tie would not
leave my, or any gentlemans house until he was rea
dy. Ipaused moment, scarcely able to control my
self recollectng that he stranger in my own house.
coming in the character of gentleman said 10 Mr.
Brock, " will you be kind enough to call in police
officer to carry this fellow off y Sir, said he in
loud voice, ~ will not leave this house until am
ready. for yon, all the officers IN the land" As soon
as ne uttered these words, seized him by the collar
and dragged him wards the door he had unbrel
IN his hand and lifted it strike caught his UNI
bre1a and wres,ed it from HIS hand, threw It on the
floor and broke loose from his grasp--for whilst was
taking his umbrella from him, he had seized me by the
throat. The moment was loose, struck him aud he
fell upon chair. | then caught him by the collar,
dragged him from the back Of my house to the
front door and thrust him into the street-and that is
the last have seen OF Col Pleasanion.
As 10 the assertions OF a combined assault on Col.
Peasanlon by Mr.. Brock and myself and the inter-
position of females ! can only say that MI. Brooks
interference, partial as il was wholly unexpect-
ed and uncalled for by me- Mr.. Brock was, as every
peaceful witness 10 such is apt TO be- anxious
To separate us; and can easily unde rStand how Col
FleaSdnlOn IN lDe excitement OF the TnOUleut may
have mistaken friendly, Tor hostile reference,
especially under circumstances that prevented its
being made in the most gentle manner. Mr.. Brock
informs me that he did strike Col. Peasanton once,
and but once and then only when he saw my antago-
mist, as he believed, drawing a concealed weapon
from his person. His anxiety throughout was TO
prevent a scene of violence, and ultimately, as he
believed, of blood>hed Beyond this, his interior
ence did not go, and he assures me- that all his ell
forts, made TO save Col. PleaSan,on from in
jury, at my hands. So far IRON my invoking his
my request to him, that he should 60 for
an officer which Col. Pleasanion must recollect,
shows had no appreheosions OF being alone with
The later or no distrust of my unassisled ability TO
protect myself, and vindicate the sanctity Of my
house.
As TO the nterposition OF females pronounce it,
ute untrue, and can only say that the only indivi-
duals in the house besides ourselves we're child
and two invalid women, who, if alarmed at all, had
reason to be SO, by the loud tones in which Col Plea
sanon provoked the original disturbance.
Thus terminated a scene, the responsibility Of
which, in no degree, rests on me- In no way lami
liar, with The technical rules which regulate such
hostile negotiations, but guided by common sense,
and the impulses which ought always 10 regulate
conduct, | conceived, and sill conceive, that the
bearer OF Mr.. lngersos challenge had no right TO
expect or 10 extor from me an immediate and verbal
answer to written communication, and that il such
q demand were persisted In in an offensive manner,
had perfect right TO relieve myself from the in
rusion, IN any way that circumstances might render
necessary. ] am only sorry that Col. Piea>ahtonS
DC meanor obliged me TO resort 10 extreme measures
with him.
| Immediately returned Mr. Ingersos challenge
with the following note
Friday afternoon, March both, 1910.
SiR: return your note Of this ailernoon, when
ever you find person to carry your notes who knows
how 10 behave like gentleman in my house they
shall receive an answer.
have the honor TO be,
Your servant,
CHARLES NAYLOR.
C. 1ngersol, ESQ., 1876 Walnut street.
On Saturday morning, at twenty five minutes past
10 u'clock-a few moments before the hour fixed for