The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-04-29
THE RECENT DUEL.
A STATEMENT BY ME-. OTIS,


In the affair of no nor which took place at Bla-
densburg between james Schott, Jr., and Pierce
Butler on Monday, the 10Th Inst, the second,
friend and surgeono of the former gentleman assum-
ed the responsibility of Withdrawing him from the
contest, after the second fire, account of ply
steal disability, which rendered the terms insisted
upon by the opposite party, in the judgment OF the
friends of Mr.. Schott, unequal. i therefore deem
il due TO my principal and myself, TO state that
this course was pursued contrary TO his express
wishes, and to give an authentic account Of the
occurrences on the HELD.
And first it is deemed proper to premise that the
meeting was deferred by the challenged party, for
eight days, after the message passed, and that
I'll Saturday evening, 18th inst, none of the pre-
limInarles were made known, except the weapon
used.
And the terms proposed were unusual our
principal lebored under the disadvantage Of being
kept Z the dark as to the mode of fight, while the
other paIty not only had the superiority OF being
acquainted with those terms, but could employ the
interim for preparation and practice.
The prellmnaries were these:-
/. The principals are TO stand back to back at
the distance el ten PAGES from one another.
q J he pistols to be loaded with powder and
ball, by the seconds, In presence OF the friends
of their principals
g. Wien the principals have taken their respec-
tive positions, the seconds shall then hand their
pistols them, and shall forthwith proceedt TO take
their places.
T. The second giving the word shall then ask the
principals, "Gentlemen, are you ready!'' The prin-
cpals shall then hold their pistols muzzles down,
and when ready, each shall answer 'ready." Then,
and not till then, shall the second who gives the
word, say "fre-one, two, three7,stop.'"
s The parties are not TO wheel until the word
6. Either principal firing before the word sire"
or after the word "stop," shall instantly be shot
down by the second OF his adversary.
T. After both parties have answered ready"
there shall be considerable pause before the word
fir. is given, to prevent the parties hiring before the
8. The second giving the word SHALL before the
parties take their respective places, fully explain
The manner and time in which he intends to give
the words.
Signed. JOSEPH ALsroN
HARRIsoN GRAY OrIs, Jr.
Struck with surprise at the uncommon mode Of
warfare proposed in Art LIST, the abstract question
with regard to the propriety OF heelinY in duellng
without reference to case or parties was submitted
presen Mt in Washington, whose opinion would be
decisive in any court Of honour. Unanimously,
and without hesitation, they pronounced Il UNI
usual and that any second would be Jusllflahie In
Withdrawing, at once, his principal, If such an
arrangement were persisted ill., But our objections
were more strenuous in the case in point, because.
this method was rendered more unjusllfiable and
unequal, by unfortunate physical disability In
our principal The following letter upon the sub
ject was addressed the l4th instant, by DIR.
Mcclellan to Mr. Otis -:
NY Dear Sr:-The swelling and Inflammation
in Mr.. Schou's right foot, are decidedly worse this
and central portion Of the sole OF that foot, which
is so tender and painful, that it will incommode
him even in a standing position, and prove quite
Yours. very truly,
Browns Hotel, April II. 1874
Harrison Gray Otis, Jr., Esq.
Mr. OTIS at once enclosed the above in the fol-
loving to Mr.. Aston, considering that mere
statement Of the facts would be sufficient to procure
an arrangement that would place the parties upon
equality.
JOSEPH ASTON, ESQ.
My Dear Sir-l send you the enclosed certificate
from DR.. Mcclellan, and submit il to your consi-
deration You will readily perceive that it refers
to Article ls, and that from the statement in his
letter, il will be impossible for Mr. Schott to wheel
Signed HARRISON GRAY Orls. Jr.
Browns Hotel, Washington. April l4h.
But the chivalry and generosity Of feeling SO
much relied ,npon' proved to have aye. been entirely
srstntous. Even when ne MI Mr.. Gus proposed a
nd proposition made, at Mr. SchOtts request.
place the parties face to face at from one to six
PAGES, was Immediately declined. The following
Dear Sir-In reply your note Of this afternoon.
| have only to say, that regret that Mr. Schott
declines complying with one OF the terms Cart lst)
whic~ as the friend of the challenged party, have
a right tS claim. They neither unusual nor
unjust, nor do feel mysel authorized in consent
ing TO any change. ! shall, therefore, have my
friend on the ground at five o'clock Tomorrow
morning. and at that hour shall await you and
your principal to the place have chosen. II this
arrangement be not accepted on the part OF Mr..
Schot have only to say that this letter, so Tar as
I am concerned, closes our correspondence on this
SUBJECT 'e Your ,u'p ga. ser't.
Signed JosKrM ALsroN.
Finding, notwithstanding the remembrance Of
his friends, that Mr. Schott, regardless of any inc
quality, persisted in meeting Mr.. Butler, even on
IN torn
with the annexed letter:
JOSEPH ArsToN, ESQ.
Dear Sir:-In reply to your note handed to me
few moments since, will observe that no object
ton was taken to any of the terms proposed upon
which Mr.. Scott and Mr.. Butler were to meet, ex-
cept that one, which required the parties to stand
back to back, and wheel and hre, and the objection
was made, because Mr. Schous foot IS IN such
condition as to render it mpractlcable for him to
fight in that mode, without great disadvantage, and
giving his adversary unusual and uneqntl ad-
vantage over him. Notwithstanding II is believed
that according TO the etiquette and rules governing
affairs OF honor, Mr.. Schott would be justified in
declining to meet Mr. Butler under his present ply
steal in6rmity; and that consider 1t dlsadyanta-
geous to insist upon such quail terms; Mr. Schott
will meet Mr. Butler at the time and place and up
on the terms presented
Signed HARRISON GRAY OTrs, Jr.
An unusual delay, which ,oc had no part in
causing, occurred upon the ground, and after the
parties were finally placed, Mr. Otis read the fol-
owing protest:
PROTEST.
Ifeel obliged, gentlemen, though have consent
ed, in the name OF my prncipa that tins renc"nire
shall take place, to state that consider his lame
ness Ms disabling him from wheeling, and rendering
it unequal ! refer to the medical attendants pre-
sent, if it is net in point / owe this state
ment in Justice to DR.. Mcclellan and myself.
Signed HARRISON GRAY OTIs, Jr.
This, however passed UNDECIDED, and the word Of
command fell to Mr. Otis. A shot exchange
without effect After another delay, preparations
were completed for a second exchange MIR Schotr,
on account of his utter disability to wheel, or even
to support himself upon his right foot, lost his fire,
and received with front presented, the full and de-
contest, under circumstances, which, in our view.
were so unfair, and unequal, should no longer
,inue, his second friend and surgeon, insisted, not
w,ihstandlng MI. SchOtLs circumstances on with