The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-10-13

execraton and denuncstion by that very society which
compelled the meeting But sought not his life
the custom to which yielding, in obedience
to the requirements Of that very people in whose
arraigned And when the affair had terminated,
proclaimed my sstisfacton with the resu-sppesled
my friends bear witness that had not sought his life
ayowed that bore him no naliceand when applied to.
offered most cheerfuly to take him by the hand and let
the past be buried in Oblivion.
These the Of the cassthis the chsracter-ths
the extent Of my offence against the law And II in these
facts discover for than in the
hundreds OF which grand juries have heretofore
countenanced by suffering them to pass unnotc edthen
let punishment he commensurate with the full extent
oil my offending But IT, the contrary. there IL in this
saS , h ,es man the usual offence sesn tn: spirit
out from all others and threatened with elon's dooma
feel that may safely leave others the explains
oil this unusual proceeding, and content self with
marking, that were under sentences and doomed
to expiste my offence by long Protrsctd
our State prison. would not--so help Heaven-I
would not change places with the grovelling beings be
they who they may, through whose fundamentally
have been brought to the bar of this court.
nave but little more to say have spoken ofmy in
slider that occupying the distinguished and responsible
position which you do your duty to look closely at
punishmsnt which in your discretion, You NAV link
your duty to innct With that view beg leave read
to you the following AFFIDAVIT and letter which was only
intended for the public in the event OF falling; and
would further add in relation to its contents that my
adversary had not publicly aycwed fixed determination
certainly have fred my pistol in the air Asst was,
imagined that my only safety in taking his life by
slightly wounding him. endeavor to derange his fire.
adopted the latter course and have Tejoced that
in this attempt thwarted by circumstances lit
tie honorable TO those who created them, and quite
oessary TO mention here.
City aud County Of Neio York, IS,
Edward w. HoskiA, Of the city Of New York, being
duly deposeth and says that orgnel letter Of
which the following is copy, was received by him from
j. Watson Webb, then in Philadelphia, by the hands of
W. E. Thompson on the evening OF the 25d Of last.
who informed this deponent that ii handed to him by
said Webb on the evening previous mn ,v ,,osvrs
Sworn to before me- this 9th day OF October, Issl.
THOMAS sNOwDEN,
Commissioner Of Deeds.
UNIrEp STATES HOTEL,
PHILADELPHIA, June AID, 1870
DIAN HoskIN :-As the result of the approaching
meeting with Mr.. Marshall cannot be fore,een desire to
leave ON record deliberate and unalerable determine
ton not to take his life.
From the moment that he compelled me in selfdeience
te become the asalsn felt that pref
y fairly balanced and you will perceive BY the enclosed
ing his rude assault upon me in the Court Of Oyer and
Terminer distinctly stated that 81 bear him i'll
Their than the nature Of the assault required and although
may not as society is constituted refuse to give him the
meeting he demands my feelings and regard for the
feelings of one who is dearer than all others prompts
to determine net to take his life and to do nothing but
what !: necessary in elfdefence, although am wen
that such decision sary places my life
in greater danger-knawing as do, that he ORR Mar
shs has publicly proclaimed his dissemination to have
"Whacver may be my fate therefore let il not be said
that fell when in the act Of seeking the life of my anita
gonist.
81 will not attempt any defence cf the practice Of duel
ling. Perhaps cannot be defended but having admit
ted its necessity and been compelled to when
an officer OF the Army have never felt authorised to
screen myself from its consequences when conducting
public press in age when the press claims speak Of
and measures its conductors Just ana pro-
per. But whatever may be the evils Of duelling all must
admit the justice of the observation made by Of the
most eminent British writers of the day that 1.-THE laws
and customs Of the world, exactly like the military
code, which strictly orbds to fight duel and dis
graces him il he refuses"
Truly, yours,
J. WATSON WEBB.
To Z. w. HosKIN Esq.
have thus briefly placed before your honors, plain
unvarnished history of my offence and my position.
know that having pleaded glty to the Indictment you
have alternative but 10 pronounce upon such sent
ence deem just and proper under all the circun-
stances Of the but make appeal your
come not before you asking desiring you extend to
me any favor cemency which is not my right do,
however claim to receive at your hands ric and
tal justice-such justice you would be bound to
tend to the humblest Of my fellow citizens similarly stu
ated and which, whilet shall satisfy the law will the
time pointedly rebuke those, who protesting
raty which they do not practice have unscrupulousy
induced the Grand Inquest Of the County to revive il
provisions against me- while they have tamey wnked
it, being dead letter in regard to all previous offenders
| J. WATSON WEBB.