Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1846-04-15
TO the IsUs,Ilc.

To the Public.
In the de ath OF Mir John H. Peasants produced bv
events OF the 25h February have been implicated und
IN such with some make all and
unjust impression IN regard tn the took
iunate occasion. Without stopping enquire whe
considering the unusual and terms winch had
been proposed foo the meeting and the absence Of the
usual preliminary arrangements for meeting. every
thing attributed to might been done by me
without being attended with the condemnation
which has becl brought but claimn. the ght 10
do and all that said done the following state
ment IL submitted ting forth fully and truly nv entir,
action, and as far under observation action
oi friends and Of the parties from the moment
was applied TO by friend of MIR Rtchie evening
ct the 3i'h Feb down my separation from Mr.. r. on
the morning OF the 25h after The The rial OF
all the parties implicated having terminated favoraby 10
hen TINS statement can be made without injury one
and Is hoped will satisfy every fair and lust mind and
the public generally, that great pon has
aud merely (lniniontonSy, doubt) INJURY and inus
| tee have been done
On the evening OF the 9th February last whist was
engaged IN the office OF the James River and Kanawha
Company Just on the borders Of the OF Richmond
was applied {" by Trend OF MIR. Richie, and informed
that Mr. Rtchic early and friend had on that
day received verbal Mr. Peasants that he
(Mr Pleasant would be- the next morning at sunris-
1.-TWO hundred yards above the Cotton Factory the Man
chester side OF James ryor armed side. arms ex.
cudns muskets shot guns and rifles. with friends
similarly armed" was informed by this gentleman that
Mr. kichie wishme 10 attend of his friends the
pccted meeting accompanied the friend Mr. Richie 10
the OF the latter The letter OF protest signed by Mr.
Thomas Ritchic, IT, was then shown me, and which ap
proved This letter has been already laid before the pub
c and seed not be here repubshed. Shortly after this
Mr. Geenhow came 10 the stated that the letter had
been delivered to the friend OF Mr. Peasants who had de.
Sersd his message and whose reply the letter
by Mr.. GTeenhow, was that he had no authority 10 act
farther IN the matter During the night preparations
made iof the expected meeting by getting arms &c. At
| o'clock in ;he morning, hack arrived, when Mr. Rt-
chic, Mr. GTccnhow aud myself got IT, aud proceeded
TO the residence ofthe gentleman had been chosen
the Surgeon. We then proct ed Manchester, and
irving the Cotton Factory, Mr. Crcsnhow and myself
got out OF the carriage leaving Mr. Richie aud the surgeon
IN IT, and walked To the place supposed be Designated
In doing ascertain the place. stepped Oft the
200 yards. After remaining few minutes returned to
the Carriage In short time information given by the
driver, that persons coming the bridge. Mr..
che jumped cute the carriage and proceeded rec
ton of the place designated. followed him Mr..
Greenhow could hand part OF the brought with
us. overlook Mr.. Richie and gave them him. who
placed the four duelng pistols delivered him in his belt
having six barrel revolving pistol IN his pocket, and
an artillery sword BY his side under his coat-these
uied the OF Mr. Richie. Mr.. Peasants shortly al
ter passed and observed here further " Mr.
Greenhow being spprsed OF this remark objected to any
change and or apparently inform the other parties
OF H. saying 10 hr. Rtche that hO there.
then observed MIR. Greenhow in conversation with two
other gent emen who the ground, one Of whom
acting the friend OF Mr.. Peasants aud under
stood at some proposition tor arrangement made
and not ncceeded to- Mr. Plea'ants and all the Others
passed on about hundred yards up the between
the canals leaving Mr. Richie and myself together
and at the point, which since by actual measurement
found to be within few feet of hundred yards from the
factory alone was acting the friend on Mr. Ritche
pGetHHOW having informed that Mr. Pleas had
but friend with him. and that Mr.. Richie should place
himself IN the position, and requested remain
with HIM a. his friend upon asserting TO which lie dsarm
ed himself handing his dueling pistols After remain
ing there short time observed Mr.. Peasants adynn-
cling, aud called Mr. Riches attention to IT, then took nv
place TO oak the Northern bank of the
southern canal slightly IN advance Of the hlv been
before on the eastern eide Of IT, and about Is feet TO the
left Of Mr.. Ritchie. When Mr. Peasants had advanced
10 within about 90 yards OF Mr. Rilchie, | heard two
/ voices calling 10 Mr. Peasants stop. My mpres.
I sion was tins call made by the friend OF Mr.
Pleassnts and also by Mr.. Gresnhow and both seem
Cd TO be chling with great canestness. The call
repeated several times. Mr.. Peasans the call paused
momrnt-iurned his head-shook slightly and continu
cd 10 advance, with determined air. having two pistols
one IN each hand one Of which raised for the pur
pose o firing. When Mr. Pcasants had advanced within
- or 80 yards Of Nj Richie the latter fred apparently
without effect Mr.. Peasants continued advance and
Mr. Richie fired nganMr Peasants returning The fire nj
/ the same moment. Mr.. Pleasanus seemed have been
struck by this second FIRE Of Mr. Richie. Mr. Pleasan-
ul continued however, advance, with the sir
Mi Richie fired twice again him. with fleet could
~" be determined When ncaro Mr.. Richie, Mr.. Pleas.
ants fired second time without effect aud when within
ten fifteen feet from Mr. Richie. took cane from under
his left arm and rushed Mr. Richie who ing hi,
revolving plst, ns hc struck began firing IT, whilst Mr.
Peaslnts was striking HIM the heed with the cans
Some OF the barrels oi MI Riches revolving pistol
sing fire. AMI pecoving from the sheath being broken that
| It was sword cane used by Mr. Plcnsants, who began
thrustng with tho blade Mr.. Richie, wh, mad been
borne back by The violence of the blows Of Mr. Poasnn
aud the revolving pistol Mr Richie longer Of use a.
him. and 1T that time the parties had charged their posi-
ton that Mr.. Richie had s face towards me- aud Mr.
Pcasans his bock-Mr Rit HE bleeding mucn from his
ace-it was At that time, with the parties thus .uated
knowing that Mr.. Richie hurt by the blood on h
face. and Mr. Pleasans acting II unhurt observed
Tom drop your revolver, draw your Sword" which NJ
Ritcro did and with panied Of the thuss made
| by Mr.. Pleasants him but did not perceive any
blow wound inflicted by Mr. Riicnie or Mr. Pleasants
with the sword, nud did say, has been falsely
presented shoot high, shoot low, give any direction
To the of shooting al. Immediately after Mr.
Richie drew hs sword, Mr.. Pcssants' back being still
wards me- he (NT. Peaanis} appeared be wounded aud
staggered back and Discontinued the assault So soon o.
he DID Mr. Richie ceased do any hing dropping tho
point of his sword. Some Of the parties ran up
advanced o. VIZ. Richie, and asked him II he hurt he
replied he did know. advised him leave the ground
torciyng that Mr.. Peasnnts unable &, renew the
combat Mr. Richie did so; and Mr. treeBhos
and myself gathered up the weapons, followed him 10
the hack and returned 10 Richmond. where Nr. Richie
Mr. GttonlDw and myself separated, and returned 10 my
Office. have 10 repeat that the above foil statement
u and remarks INSIDE by mo, aud Il all tho 9th
parties referred a.; aud believe " remark h.
been omit ed, certainly fsmsHbsTsd by me mas
been omitted Mr.. Richie aud myself both positively
certain that the only remark made by during recon
ue that which stated above. an that msde
no other observation. Mr.. Richie that he heard
no other WIN. SCOTT.
! Richmond. April Oh 1916.
!