Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-03-05
HORRIBLE AFFAIR.

HORRIBLE AFFAIR.
| We are panied to hear that hostile meeting
took place on Wednesday morning last, on the
South side Of James River, opposite Richmond,
between JOHN II. PEASANTS, esq, late editor of
the Wing, and THOMAS RlrcHIe, jr. esq, one Of
the editors of the Enquirer, which resulted ia
tally to Mr.. Peasants, he having died of the
wounds received on Friday morning. The diff
Guilty arose from charge or nsinuation in the En-
quirer, contained in letter from Washington
correspondent, that Mr.. p. was about to estab-
lish an Abolition paper in Richmond, and some
personal reflections which grew on, Of it between
the parties. 1t seems that no formal challenge
passed. Mr.. p. sent word to Mr.. r. that he
would attack him at sight; to which Mr.. II. re-
piled that he might be found next morning at
SUNRISE at the spot where they afterwards met.
Each had several friends on the ground, and the
parties, it is said, were armed with duelling ps-
tolls, revolvers, bow;e-knives, and sword canes
They commenced firing at fifteen paces-sPleas-
ants advancing (af,er firing once) steadily and
| coolly under constant discharge from Ritchie's
revolver, until within three feet OF r. when he
again fired, but missed, the ball grazing RS
head. Richie then drew his bowie-knife, but
Peasants was discovered to be falling, and the
friends interfered.
[Another report is that Mr.. p. had but two pis-
tolls and advanced without firing till he fell.
It's further said (on what seems to be good
authority,) that Peasants stated on his DEATH
bed that he had drawD the balls from both his
pistols before going on the ground, and tina, he
had no intention of hurting Ri,chie1
MIR. PleaSaniS WAS conveved In b;e
in carriage, and Richie took the cars for Wash
lngton, where he was seen at the capitol on
Thursday, apparently unhurt.
The Compiler says that Mr.. Peasants receiv-
ed five wounds, namely, in his arm, shoulder,
upper part of the left breast, left hand and upper
and inner part of the thigh.
The following just and affecting tribute TO the
memory of Mr.. Peasants is given in the Rich
mond Wing, which comes to us shrouded in
mourning:
DEATH OF JOHN II. PLEASATS ESQ.
we announce this morning, with a sorrow
which we have scarcely words to express, with
an anguish in which this whole community, and
the people OF this entire Commonwe alth will
share, the death, the untimely death. of Holm
HAMPDEN PLEASANTS, Esq, late Senior
Editor OF this paper. About two O'clock on yes
terday morning, In perfect calmness and resigna-
ton, he yielded up his spirit TO his God.
Upon the melancholy circumstances which
have led to this hea,t-rendering result, we need
not say word. They are familiar to every mind
they require no comment. So sudden, SO appa-
ling has been the stroke, that we can even now
scarcely realize the dreadful truth. We are in
measure Supplied; we know not how to believe il
possible. Yet, alas. it is too true! The hand
winch has SO often rested upon the table where
we SIT, and welded a mighty power over the pub
IN xyh Ich int rh,e, a. 4
| "words that burned" has unclaimed thousands OF
adiniring hearts, is now cold and motionless -
gifted son of genius has been stricken down in
the mid heaven of his career. John Hampden
Fleasants is no more!
MIR. Peasants was the eldest son of the late
James Peasants, former Governor Of Virginia,
and U. S. Senator from this State. In the sprine
of 1924, he established the Richmond Wing, and
devoted TO 1t ten years Of the most unwearied la
Dor before it yielded him even living compen-
salon. Since that period, the paper became the
organ OF the Wing party, and made its way to
popular favor and reasonable patronage. more
powerful and brilliant pen than that of MIR. p,
has never been enlisted in the editorial ranks of
this country. more sincere advocate of the
great cause TO which his efforts were devoted,
never breathed the breath of life A more true,
gallant and generous spirit never dwelt in a bu.
man breast. Honest, straight. forward full of inn.
pulse, he looked at the right, and never counted
consequences; he trampled under foot with noble
scorn all sordid considerations of self, and made
the press which he conducted bright and perfect
mirror of his manly heart.
MIR. Peasants would have been 40 years of age,
some time in March. He has left an aged moth.
er, two children, several sisters two brothers, and
a large circle of devoted relatives and friends to
lament his loss. Our deepest sympathjes are
with his bereaved household with the helpless
orphans, so early cast, without protector, upon
a bleak and cherries world with the grey-haired
mother, from whose trembling hands has been
torn the staff, with which she sustained her foot
steps down the vale of years, and from whose lips
the agoniziug cry is forced "My son i! nv son
would to God that had died for thee !'-with
all whose hearts are bleeding under this dire ca
amity, we most sincerely mourn. But it is idle
10 whisper now word of coincidence to The be-
reaved. No human lips can alleviate their un-
speakable sorrow. The balm for grief like theirs
can be administered alone by Divine Physician,
and TO Him, in humble reverence and adornr
faith, we know they will look for light in their
darkness, and hope in their despair.
We are gratifed to learn from the Wing that
some of the friends of Mr.. Peasants in Rich
mond. have opened subscription for the relief
OF his family who left very destitute, and
that it has already been extensively filed
The funeral of Mr.. Peasants took place from
Mr.. Stiles Church on Sunday at I O'Clock
His remains were inferred in the CITY Burial
ground.
THE DEAF TAUGHT TO speak,
Some OF the German teachers, it appears from
letter Of DR.. Bartlett, written from Vienna, and
published in the Lowell Courier, have been very
successful in teaching their deaf mute pupils to
speak. We see it stated also, that the pupils Of