The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-05-20
The Philadelphia Duel Again.

A newspaper containing Mr.. OTIS statement of
the Circumstances connected with the recent duel
between Pierce Butler, 50, and James Schot, Jr.
Esq, has Just been placed IN my hands. In justice
to my principal and TO myself, feel called upon 10
make such comments on his narrative az shall have
Inc eject OF removing erroneous Impressions That
may have been occasloned by IT.
MT. Otls appears to consider II singular that the
meeting was deferred by the challenged party for
eight days after the message passed. The cha-
lenge was handed 10 me on Monday, the 9Th
April on Tuesday morning, Mr. Butler and N.Y.
self left Philadelphia, and reached Washington at
III O'Clock on Wednesday The intervening four
days were not more than sufficient TO allow my
friend TO make the requisite arrangement of his af-
fairs before engaging In a serious contest, and to
enable me TO obtain the attendance Of a surgeon,
as well as to procure the services OF another friend
ms had been agreed upon, as witness Of the duel
certainly was not aware that any great haste was
either expected or required my part as the other
party had exhibited 10 extraordinary Impotence
IN demanding satisfaction, but had permitted a
whole month 10 pass, alter rece'vlngthe alleged
injury, before even sending the challenge. MIR.
Gus considers the opportunity offered TOR pre-
paraton and practice, during the short period after
our arrival in Washington which interviewed before
the duel, as likely TO have given Mr.. Butler greatly
the advantage but while he reproaches with
an advantage in the delay OF four days, he totally
iorgets the tour weeks of preparation which Mr..
Schou INDUCED himself in before sending the hos
tile message and Mr.. Otis expresses great surprise
at my proposition to place the parties back TO back
which would require them 10 wheel and fire he
pronounces II I" a very uncommon mode of war
fare" and 10 strengthen his impression, he cites
the opinion OF four unnamed gentlemen, which, he
Is satisfied, would be regarded as decisive in any
court OF honor. With all due Difference 10 such
high authority, thirk differently; and my own
conviction on the subject confirmed by the
plies of all the friends of whom made the inunry
and | submit the question without hesitation,
To the decision OF that portion OF the community,
which processes 10 have any acquaintance with the
etiquette and customs which regulate due Is ,whelher
upon the pleas of its being unusual for the second
OF the challenged party TO require the combaants
to wheel and fire, the second OF the challenger
would be considered justliiable in Withdrawing him
from the contest.
Mr.. Otis further observes that his objections on
this point were more strenuous "because If an un-
fortunate physical disability in his principal" Now
let il be remembered that on the Saturday evening
when the terms of meeting were submitted TO him
he exhibited surprise, and as think dissatisfaction,
with he first article but nothing was then said OF
any physical disability on Mr. Schots part.
attributed his reluctance TO accede to IT, to feel
Ing OF disappointment on finding that The parties
would be required to fight in manner ule
varied from that in. which his friend had pro-
practice. On Sunday, about TIVE I've o'clock,
doctors note, relating "to the anterior and cen
trail portion Of the sole Of the right foot" laid
before this must confess, did not produce the
cpaed effect in inducing to consent to the proposed
change in the position Of the parties To wheel and hrs
is simple and easy movement that any who
stand up may perform it without the least difficulty it
requires only that the right foot should be moved lightly
wheel and performed by any one with the greatest
cy. in less than five minutes practice those who doubt
have but to make the experiment and they Will soon be
his arrival the ground, Mr. Schou continued 10 stand
for some minutes, and thought without any sppar-
enience TO himself although Of cerrsge
cushions twice offered to him sent, but declined
Mr.. Otis proceeds to complain of want of chivalry
IN such manner u.s. in his opinion Mr.. Schots conve-
niencs requ ed Now according to deas on the sub
ed by my friend when he insisted my accepting in his
behalf challenge from mar whom he had never in any
had certain rights sanctioned by custom OF which was
determined he should not be deprived and his second
had assumed duties IRON the faithful performance OF
which was resolved nothing should make me swervc.
1t seems also matter OF ASTONISHING mt to MI. Otis, that
do really think it would have been extreme folly
and weakness on my part to have consented TO sub init as
as a right already settled in my favor.
He next advers TO what he calls proposition Of
r scho TO place the parties lace to lace at the distance
took notice Of IL. as did not think required
Ply upon its being again mentioned remarked to him
that his objections to my terms mast be first admitted be-
fore should hold myself at Liberty TO think Of any change
and would then be my right TO make propositions
again, he aniinsdverts, with what object cannot per
ceive, what he considers unusuel delay on the
ground My reply il, that from the moment OF our srr
val there. both actively engaged in making tho
ecessary preparations namely in selecting two aqusl
and suitable positions the parties in measuring the dis
nce loading the pistols reading the articles Of h Gambia
word would be given After the first FIRE. commenc ed re-
loading, Mr. Otis spprsed me that his friend
wished to Mr. Otis next remarks that Mr. schott
lost his second fire by his utter disability to wheel this
may be his opinions IL is certainly not mine II bis PTS
ol of before he intended il should II was his own
fault MIR scbott then received" Mr.. Otis informs
as with full front presented the ere Of his edvesary
have done 40.
consider the protest read the ground by Mr. OTIS
er the principals had taker their places and the mo-
the word about to be given ns both illtimed
and uncalled for and certainly II was no, entitled To tho
least from M me Mar
trieny he had in his power to control, ana 10 ener