Democratic standard. [volume] (Georgetown, Brown County, Ohio) 1837-1850, 1843-06-20
FTom the PorlIaBd American .

Auluh VIC CuuuOk 10 bckNbI tuuu " kNo
bird's.eys view Of one Of the Oddesl men
Of the age. We refer to the somewhat
celebrated General Duff Green, with
whom we had the pleasure Of forming q
very agreeable acquaintance. Duff filed
in former years, quite large space in
the public attention. In the earlier part
OfGen. Jackson's administration, his pa
per, the Telegraph, was the Official or
gan.
Gen. Duf's personal appearance is by
no means striking. He 10 ia Il and spare
dresses carlessly, and looks as though
he employed tailor who needed new
cutter. But he has q genuine southern
eye-restless, fTery and flashing when he
is reused.
At one Of our interviews with him we
asked if the "mabogany stock" story was
true. He replied that Bennett, Of the N
York Herald, invented that portion Of it.
He then gave US the following history ol
bis famous quarrel with Col. Webb, whi:h
we give almost word for word in his own
language, and which we have no doubt is
the true one.
"Forsome article which | wrote about
the fellow" said the General, 81 was no.
tilted BY friend that he was coming 10
Washington to hOTsewhip me, Having
no ambition to undergo the infiction,
armed myself with pair Of pistols, load
ed to the muszle.In few days Imet him
alone on the grounds in front Of the Cap
toll He stepped Up to me with q threat.
ening aspect, and drew cowhide. i'm
mediately presented pistol at his face
whereupon he took to bis heels, and
went up the steps int0 the capitol as no
man ever travelled them before or since.
| followed him at my leisure, and found
that he had bsen fool enough 10 tell the
whole story, including his very sudden
elopement. The affair, of course, got
wind. He left Washington suddenly,
amid general laughter and jeerings.- =
When he arrived in New York, he found
that the knowledge Of bis Cowardiee had
travelled with him, paTi pGssW. Not a.
bls to endure the taunts and insults that
were poured upon his head, he made a
rapid push for Saratoga. But there. too,
IL was known.
Finding that he must do something 10
redeem his reputation, he returned 10
Washington, and sent challenge. Hav'
ing been previously Informed of his in
tsntiOn. prepared myself accordingly
his friend, Mr.. H., one day entred my
Office with The challenge. As he had al
ready shown himself a poltroOn, die
not feel bound to accep; it. ihsreup
on asked his second, if"Col. Webb wal
his friend"
"Certbinly he is, sir" he replied.
"Do you, then, as his friend and sec
ond, consider yourself his represents
tive?"
Ido."
"To act for him the same as though
he were himslof PRESENT."
"MOst, chrtainly in every respect"
"In every respect, did you sayF"
"Yes, sir, in every, respect"
"Well, Mr.. H., for you personally
have the bigest esteem, But, as the rep
resentativs Of Col. Webb in every re.
spect.' | am bound to troa you precisely
as | wonld him, If he stood where you
nov do"
81 then,' said the General, '.rose,
locked The door, put the key in my pocket,
drew from my table drawer q cowhide,
and lashed him till he cried enough. AZ.
ter this ceremony, showed him the
door, giving him parting impulse. But
before we separated, said to him, sMr.
H., | beg you will not consider that have
chasIised you. Irepeut that towards you
personally, | feel only the highest es.
TEEN. You will therefore please to re>
gard this exclusively as the coWhidine OF
Col. Webb through you, his representa-.
tive in every ''respect!"
This was the Generals version Of an
affair which, at the time, was a matter Of
notOriety, and to which, even now frO.
quent illusions are made. With this cow
hiding the controversy endedby the Coils
backing out.