The daily national Whig. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1847-1849, 1847-10-21

omen, and proof that should not want more 10
go through with the trial that awaited me. II was
now five o'clock and we went to the house Of my
friend, where found barouche at the door and 4
gentleman standing in the porch to whom was in.
troduced as the surgeon who was to attend me on
the ground. We went into the house where an OK.
ceient breakfast was already prepared and felt eve
~ disposition 10 do II justice but the surgeon would
permit me TO take nothing but coffee and two small
crackers, as he said that gun shot wound was much
more likely TO prove fatal when received Just after
hearty meal than at any other time We entered the
oarouche and took our departure at just o'clock,
ana arrived on the ground at IL past seven. My
antagonist, his surgeon and second were already
there together with between thirty and forty citizens
VINO had assembled as spectators of the fight for il
seemed the affair Ind some how or other got wind.
lew minutes after arriving on the ground, the Sc
conds threw up piece of money for the choice of
positions and again. decide which should give the
word; my second won both, when, as we were about
TO take positions two elderly gentlemen stepped up
and expressed hope that the affair might be settled
without boodshed, when my antagonist roughly told
them that when their interference was wanted IL
would be asked for and that TO the present affair
one or the other OF us must remain on the ground
corpse. Agreed, said l. and you shall be the one for
intend to place my ball exactly in the centre Of your
forehead. He turned upon me a look Of the most
concentrated hatred, which returned with a smile
OF cold dlsdain. The seconds now proceeded to step
of the ground thirty PAGES being as have said the
distance agreed on. They had no sooner done so
than we were called up TO tnke our positions. We
were then pnced with our left sides to each other
when, before handing us the guns, my second I'D
vanced and repeated to us the terms of combat
which were, that on receiving the weapons they
were to he held horizontally across the body when
the question would be asked "Gentlemen are you
ready r. When, If both answered In the affirmative
the word would be given-fre: one, two, three.
stop. That we must fire between the word fire and
the word stops and that either firing out of time
would be shot BY the opposite second. The rifles
We're then handed to us, and the question asked
Gentlemen are you ready? Both answered in the
afiirmative-when the word was given, and both
fired as nearly possible at the word one ESCAPED
whilst my ball, as had intended enter
ed the forehead Of my adversary in direct line with
his nose, and about an inch above the space between
the eyes, il passed directly through the head carry
ing with II small portion of brain. On receiving
the ball he fell heavily forward on his face without
other motion than slight convulsive shuddering
On seeing my antagonist fall, my second slapped his
hand upon his thigh in extacy, whilst smile of tri-
umph played upon his countenance: half-suppress-
ed shout Of exultation at the time arose from
the spectators, whilst an old and two young gentle
men sprang forward and throwing their arms about
me- embraced me with the most afiectionate delight
was at loss to understand this; when they in
formed me that they the father and two BROTH
ers of young man whom the individual who now
lay corpse before them had wantony forced into
duel and slain, about two years before on the very
spot where he had himself just met a well-merited
death.
After the duel, expressed wish to remain on the
spot until of the 10 o'clock boats from W. should
pass when would hail her, and take passage for
Cincinnati, and have my baggage sent after ME,
was afraid to return to W. for fear Of prosecution
but was told by my second, as well as the other
citizens present, that need be under no apprehen-
sons on that account and that so far from meeting
with prosecution, would be treated with add-
tional politeness and respect-not only because it
was known that the duel had been forced upon me,
but also because the individual with whom had
fought had made himself universally deested by his
imperious and insolent conduct. l accordingly re-
turned to W., where found a large crowd assem-
bed at the hotel to hear the particulars of the duel
and when appeared, each one seemed anxious to
be the first to Congratulate me.
left w. the next day. and after a delightful pas
sage of three days reached Cincinnati; for my con-
science did not them and has not since, reproached
me for having rid the world of wretch, whose sole
delight seemed TO consist in human butchery.
1.-THE conscience Of this duellist was not properly
educated Where the thunders of the law against
murder, when his conscience was being trained /?
"Thou shalt not kill" Did his parents-did his
teachers keep that command hid from him2 While
the above sketch is ruthfully drawn, its moral must
be condemned. The duellist who kills, is murder
ernothing less; and he incurs the penalty of VIC
lated law, unless he repents. I-Ep.
o IA