The Evansville journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1834-184?, 1846-03-12
Correspondence of The Baltimore Patriot.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 81. 1916.

JOHN HAMPDEN PLEAsANTs is dead He
died this morning at 2 o'clock, OF the wounds
inflicted upon his personby THOMAS RITCHIE,
Jr. IN their recentrecontre.
learn the facts TO be substantially as fol-
lows: The quarrel had gone on in their
newspapers TO such an extent that Mr. Pleas
ants thought himself called upon TO bring
the matter to crisis. He therefore sent
request to Mr.. Richie TO meet him al spec
flied place and hour across the river IRON
Richmond with sidearms. Mr.. Richie sent
word back that he could not consent to set
tie the affair in that way. Mr.. Peasants then
sent him word that the matter must be set
tied, and in that way.
Mr.. Richie then prepared himself with
revolver of six barrels, Two duelling pistols,
and horseman's short sword, and repaired
to the place designated, at the time nam
ed.
Mr.. Peasants, who had not arrived, with
two Tor four-ihere is doubt about this) corE-
mon pistols and sword cane.
A friend of MIR. Peasants approach
ed MIR. Richie, and said to him, that
he thought the difficulty might be settled il
the latter would do one thing, and that was,
to acknowledge that he believed Mr.. Pleas
ants to be brave man. MIR. Richie replied
that once he could have done this; but now,
MIR. Peasants having called him there, and
not appearing hi mself, he could not make
such an knowIedgement.-Mr. Pleasants'
friend then infoIm med him that he presumed
he would have TO fight. MIR. Richie replied
very well, he had come there to meet Mr..
Pleasants The friend of the latter left the
spot and went 10 his principal, who was moi
far off Soon alter this, Mr.. peasants APP
preaching Mr.. Richie, considerably in adj
vance of the two friends who mad acconpa-
MED him TO the spot. AS hesapproached
at arapid pace, Mr.. Richie fired successfully
his two duelling pistols, resting each on his
left arm, drawn up in an angie for tn at pur-
pose. lie then presented his revolver and
fired either four of five of lis barrels. Afler
he had fred first upon Mr.. Pleasants, the
latter drew and fred thrice without effect,
all the time rushing up to MIR. Richie, and
when near enough he struck him with his
sword cane, when the scabbaTd flew off, and
Mr.. Richie struck up the blade or spear with
his short sword in doing which he rec eived
the point of Mr. Pleasants' spear in the cor
ner of his mouth, cutting edwards slight
cash.
Mr.. peasants then fell, having received
five wounds from the pistol shots Of his an
tagonist, if not one from his short sword. One
ball raked across the back of his left hand
carrying away all the muscles and tendons
leading to the fngers-another passed
through The feshy part of his left arm, half
way up from the elbow TO The shouIder-an-
flo- ~ lofi hroa md Il
under the arms fourth entered the left
groin and proved mortal. The fifth wound
was in the right thigh, either by ball or
thrust from the short sword, above alluded.
Ii is thought TO have been from the latter.
So has ended the earthly career of the
gifted, Ike high minded, the generous, whole.
suled JoHN HAMPDEN PLEAsANTs! His loss
to the community in which he moved, 10 the
editorial fraternity of which he was ever a
sparkling, brilliant member, and TO the thou
sands OF his ever delighted and instructed
readers, will be most deeply felt, as bis san
culinary exit will be sadly mourned! For
many years he has been one of The most Wig.
orous, original and brilliant political writers
in the country. He was man of strong
impulses, and in the excitement of the mo
ment sometimes committed editorial errors
or did his opponents injustice. But thatmat
lived not who would more readily or amply
alone for indiscrelfons or injuries of this ma
ture! He was the soul of honorl [ car
scarcely make myself believe that he is deat
that | shall no more have the pleasure anG
enjoyment of perusing the bright scintllat
ions OF his genius sparkling through the edi
torial columns OF Richmond paper!
rooaad;nr- oc,bo uOuSo IF
sentaiives were dull to-day-very dull.
learn that the Tariff question is 10 be put oil
until action shall have been first had on tn
other great measures. Mr. PAKENHAM had a
interview, on Wednesday, with Mr.. BUcHAN
AN at the Stale Department, as learn Tha
nighta special Cabinet meeting was Gale
al the White House. L make no deduction
at this time. POTOMAC.