Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1846-03-13
WUR PRESS
DEATH OF MIR. rLEASANTS.

eP"Ae !" our iast mas terminated fatally for one
olhe parties. Mr. Peasants died of his wounds
on Friday morning, The Washington corres-
pondenlo Of the Baltimore Patro, gives the fol.
lowing account Of the combat.
The quarrel had eoin on in their newspapers 10
such an extent that Mr.. Pcas,N,s thought himself
called upon to bring tho matter crisis He there
ore sent request 10 Mr.. Richie, to meet him at a
SPECIFIED place and hour the river rom Rich.
motd, with side arms Mr. Richie sent word tuatn
una. ne could not consent to settle the affair in that
way. Mf peasants then sent him word that the
mater must he settled in that way
hr tnche then prepared him elf with a revolver
OF SIX oares, two dnellne pistols and horscnan's
h sword and repaired 10 the place designated
doubt about thi>--) common pistols and n sword
cane. A friend of Mr.. Peasants approached Mr.
Rltche' aud SAID 10 him that he thought the difficulty
Lnsni De settled It the latter would do one ,hng-ac
kknowieoge that he believed Mr. Peasants to be
ppIaVe man Mr. Richie replied that once he could
nave done this; but now, Mr. Peasants having call
60 MN 'here, he could not ma C such an acknowl-
edgement.
Soon after this Mr. Peasants appeared opprooch
ne 'ir' Etchie, considerably IN advance Of the two
n'enus wno hai accompanied hun TO The spot As he
appt,oached at rapid pace, Mr. Rltchie fired surces
sNtiy ms two dlellng pistols resting each on his
leu arm drswn up in an angc for tina, purpose He
then presented his revolver aud frel either four or
nVe oil us barrels After he had fired frs, upon Mr.
tlt ldlltT ufcW ana trCd thrice without
effect, all the time rushing up to Mr. Richie and when
near enough he struck HIM with his sword cane.
when The ,cnbbari dew Off and Mr.. Richie struck
~ the blade spear with hi, short swur,l-,, dan.
winch he received the point IN tho corner ol his mouth
cutting upward n slight cash
MI Peasants then fell, having received five wounds
one BAL taSrd across the back of ha left hand,
carrying away all the muscles and tend,us LEADING
10 the fngers-anOther passed through the heshv
part OF his left arm, half way NJ from the elbow to
me shoulder; Another entered the left breast, and
ranged round IN er the arm. fourth entered the
left groin and proved mortal. The fifth wound was
IN the night thigh either by ball or thrust from
the short sword.
So h,s ended the earthly career of the gifted. the
'sh-nndcd, the generous whole souled John Hamp.
den Z casants! His loss 10 the community in which
he moved 10 the editorial fraternity of which he
was ever sparkling, brilliant member, and to the
thousands Of his ever delighted and instructed read
err, will be most dsepy felt his sanguinary Iexlt
will be sadly mourned. For many years he has beer
one OF the most vigorous, original and brilliant po-
iitical writers in the country. lie was man of
strong impulses, and, in the excitement of the mo
ment sometimes committed editorial errors, or did
his opponents inju lice But that man lived not who
would more readily or amply atone for ndiscre,ions
or injuries Of this nature.
From the Richmond WING March g.
FUNERAL OF THE LATE JOINS UAMppES PLrAsASrs
Tho solemn ceremony of ccnsignng to the tomb
the mortal remains of this eminent man, took place
on Sunday last. At half past ten o'clock, the body
was removed from hi late resldente, Governor
street, TO the United Presbyterian Church, Of which
the Rev. Mr. Stiles is pastor.
The day was cold, gloomy and inclemen,. and the
whole aspect of nature in consonance with tho sad
feelings inspired bv the melancholy occasion. But
notwhstand ng the forbddng of the weather the
church was crowded by an immense multitude
who Fl lsd to overfown- every accessible place IN
the galleries. as well as the pews and ai>le- of the
lower floor while hundreds were reluctantly forced 10
retire, being unable to obtain admtance. Never
was there in this city, n more marked and decided
manifestation. not of mere sympathy, cccasoned by
hnrr ache nf tl,at
but of deep and intense feeling, swelling IN ever
breast, and gllslening in every eye.
At eleven O'Clock, the solemn services were COM
menccd with an introductory prayer, and the reading
OF chapter from the book of Job by the Rev. Mr.
Stiles This was succeeded by hymn, and most
feeling and ierveni al ess TO tho Throne Of Grace by
Rev. j. b. JetcZcr.
The Rev. Mr.. Stiles then proceeded TO preach the
Funeral sermon, announcing MS his text portion
OF the 18th verse OF the 2! chapter Of ST Matthew
Thou shalt love thy neghbnr myself" The Rev.
gentleman depicted in striking colors the odous
character and miserable results of self love its har.
denng influence upon the human heart its active
agency in producing strife and bloc shed among
dlvdnas and among nations, and in eradcatng
from the bosom that charity which I" hope,h all
things and endureth all things" The prolific source
OF all these evils the preacher declared would be
moved by obedience to the d ny enioned in the
and 10 the previous injunction the first and great
commandment Thou shalt love the lord thy God
with all thy heart, and with all thy SOUL and with all
thy strength"
Inc speaker next commented upon the Anti. Chris
tan spirit in which political discussions are general.
ly conducted, well by the press al by public speak
ers from the rostrum, and in the halls of legislation
He deprecated IN strong terms the evil consequences
OF that want OF torbearance and charity which allows
no merit in a political opponent
Upon the code Of honor, SO called the Rev. gentle
man commented with much severity. The mclan-
choy scene before him, enforced his censure. He de-
clarsd the community IN which we live, pdTticcps
erimiEis IN the late tragcal occurrence. He remark
ed that IL was not his duty TO allude to the particulars
OF that monrnfn' transaction but there were mgat-
ing circumstances for the parties concerned Of which
he might make mention. They were born and rear
ed, he SAID, in community which tolerated, il it did
not encourage resort 10 arms, and all the members
OF that community were consequently, more or less
to blame.
When the speaker CAME TO the special application of
his remarks, the fountains OF all hearts seemed open
ed he observed that il not his business to des-
cant upon the personal qualities and character Of the
dec ased These were known at home, and through
out Vlrgnn and the nation. But had been the speak
ers privilege TO be with him in his last moments, and
he was able 10 say that he died in full belief of the
Christian Religion. At this period OF the discourse
the speaker depicted. in the mos, touching terms the
final interview letween the venerable mother and the
dying son. AS she approached his bedside, his head
being turned til 9th or way she asked if he knew herr
FIXING his eyes upon Ser leaning with affection he
exclaimed, with 3 rear emotion, Oh yes! the dear
mother niom Ihdre -irly9 respected and i0red" The
speaker advercd 10 III. rrlir afforded by his derlara
ton, which The other receives ms precious legacy
OF hn affection and dcvotetne lie next spoke OF
the direction gwen by the d'ccisc8 To ms SISTER, 10
take a testament from his irHnf anf place 1t under
his head in his coffin. He described his aircllpnnie
farewell 10 lis mauiy it son, wGo had been watch
ing by his side, ann whom he enllpcd WITH ms dying
breath, 10 be throughout life, yirtu:u' honest and
true"
Never have witnessed n mote general outbreak
Of deep feeling aud never was there n subject lc'ief
suited 10 awaken the keenes sensSlries of the heart,
ami iroIe the most serious an sanitary red
OF the mind
The sermon being concluded. nm app roprlatc pray
er was olered np by Rev. Mr. H1qoon and the ben.
sdlcton pronounced b. Rev Mr. Stiles
The corpse was then conveyed tn lis last testing
place, attended by immense conc,urse of cjrizen,
VINO ressrded not the Inccmen'v of the weather. IN
her desire 90 pour out their sympithies at the tomb
Notwithstanding The spen Id abilities 0i the deceas,
his prominent position, his extensive we may almost
say, national fame no one could have predicted how
deep a hold he had upon the affections of the people
how largely he shared the Respect the admrslion The
love of the community, in which his brilliant course
had been run, and his mortal career was closed
CONSULTING A DocToR ny TELrGRAPH--We