The Southern journal., 1846-03-21
The Richmond luel.


holden on the body Of John H. Pleas.
ants by the Coroner. The examina-
ton before the jury occupied nearly
the whole day. The verdict was
"That Thomas Richie, jr., was guilty
Of the murder of Pleasants ia mutu-
al combat had between them on the
25th February. and that Peter Jeffer.
son Archer. Washington Greenhow
and William Scott were present, aid
ing aud abetting in said combat and
murder. The Coroner has issued his
warrant to arrest said parties found
guilty by the inquisiton."
The Wing states that Mr.. Pleas
ants has left an aged mother, two
children, several sisters and two bro
thers. His family, which we're en-.
tirely dependent on his exertions for
support, are left in utter destitution
by his untimely death. This is so it,
orally true, that subscription lists are
now circulating 10 Richmond for their
relief.
Mr.. Pleasants was the eldest son Of
the late James Peasants, former
Governor ofVlrginia, and U. S. Sena-
tor from that State. In the spring of
1924. he established the Richmond
Wing.
We see that the press generally
condemns this affair. In strict NOR
aI:ty the press is of course right, and
it shows a very commendable zeal in
expressing its adherence after the
evil is done. Butts there not con.
siderable degree of hypocrisy in this
sudden outbreak of virtue. What a
gent has done more to foster the spirit
of duelling than the party press ofths
country. Who have been those to
excite hatred in the hearts of their
fellow citizens? Have not the editors
of political newspapers been particu-
larly prominent in this amiabfe occu-
patton? Is it new thing to hear
political opponent denounced as "pu-
sillanimous poltroon' because he has
had the r,oral tirmness TO resist the
temptation to become gladiator?
And even IL the present instance, il
either Of the parties had declined the
combat, would he hot have been sub.
jected 10 a hundred sneers and sar.
casms, and often, perhaps, to the di.
rect imputation Of cowardice2 1t
would be we'll enough for those who
habitually IaboE to develope the pas
sions which lead to the field Of death
to be somewhat lenient towards the
pupils who have been foolish enough
TO listen to their instructions, and not
10 pnrsusue with fire and sword, weak
and foolish men who are more anfortu-
nate than criminal-who should ra.
ther be piiied than sacrificed. Let
them follow the advice of our Saviour
--''and let him that in this is without
sin throw the first stone."-Deh1.
We copy the following paragraph
from the New York Journal of
Commerce.:
FoREIcN RELATIoNs.-It has been
understood for some time, as we stated
several days ago, that the Oregon
difficulty had been virtually. though
informally, settled; and that the form.
alities only waited for new instruc-
tlons TO the British plenipotentiary.
The rumors from Washington indi.
cate that Mr.. Pakenham has received
new instructions by the last steamer.
and has submitted a new proposition;
and that previously to submitting his
proposal in writing, he had talk
with Mr.. Buchanan. This supposed
proposal of Mr.. is dignifed with
the awful name of "ultimatum."
But there will be no ullimatum about
the matter until il is something to be
accepted. We may safely say, in
looking al the present state of the
case, that peace is ''inevitable;" and
that treaty of limits is inevitable.