The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-19
The Fracas Between Forrest and Wills
Cnrda aud Gaunfernansa.

Cards and Counterpanes.
The most of our contemporaries have given
a brief account of the scene which took place
at Washington square, on Monday evening, be-
tween Mr.. Edwin Forrest and Mr.. N. p. Willis.
II has been called by some a new phase Of the
CHICHESTER knockings," transferred from Bar
NUNS Hotel to upper-ten-dom. Be that as it may,
we wish to act fairly towards all parties; and, &C
cordngly, here are the statements of the two
parties, in their own words T.
A CARD FROM N. p. WILLIS.
SIR-As statement will doubtless appear OF an
outrage which took place this evening, and, as 1t may
not be correct one allow me to state it, simply ss 1t
While walking in Washington square with no
Knocked down and, while upon the ground, severely
beaten The FIRST thing could observe was, that two
men, a Mr. Stevens and another were struggling to
my feet, I, for the first time saw Mr. Edwin Forrest
He was in the hands Of police officers. and his two
the eSueer Of Mr. WIFE This prepared false
hood and SANDER OF that lady they continued to de-
clare at the Police Office where were taken. When
i informed the Judge that had no complaint to
make, or other reckoning with Mr. Forrest 1t that
place the usual bail required and left the Office
been endeavor to vndicate the honor Of the lady
and OF course equally to chow that her husband had
not, through her, came TO dishonor). public opinion
far that reparation can CO. will readily see the
outrage in its true light
Yours, respectfully. N p WILLIS
Monday Evening June IT,
A CARD FROM ANDREW STEVENS.
To THE EDIToR OF THE HERALp:-
SR:-In the Tribune Of this morning, Mr.. N. p.
Willis has made perverted statement OF the affair
of Monday evening" the 18th instant which resulted
in the severe castigstion inflicted upon him by Mr.
Forrest. In this statement 1 am referred to In
manner which requires a public correction After
and another friend. As Is our common practice we
srolled into the Washington Parade Ground public
fuu ft.vuw hnn taen
minutes or more, Mr.. Willis observed coming up
the walk frem the southwest corner of the square.
word and from the gravel walk upon the raised
part above and allowed Willis to approach when he
lForrest stepped quickly In front mot behind, as
falsely stated by Mr. Willis Of him from four to six
feet, and stopped looking him steadily in the eye;
and shaking his fist In Willis face. made use OF
some expression which could not hear, from the
distance where stood. willis made a movement
with his tand towards bis breast, Ms TO draw
weapon, when Forrest promptly Knocked him down
with his fist, took away his cane, placed his loot
upon his neck and laid upon his with whip or
at least twenty blows his back shoulders and
legs applied with rapdity and vigor Many attempted
to inteTfere but MrForrest proclaimed in loud tone
of voice. Gentlemen this is the seducer OF my wife do
not Interfere and Immediately all interference was
withdrawn, until the arrival of the police officers
Willis in the meanwhile. screaming and excla'ming
help, help"" save me- me- police police take
him ofn Forrest finally removed by the officers
and walked to the police office. lie there stated as
well to the magistrate to Willis did this act;
told you, Sir, Ito Willis the last time we met that
II you attempted again to interfere with my do
nestle affairs would hold you personally RESPONSE
BILE, and have done 90" Then. turning to the ma
gistrate he said This il the seducer Of wife, and
fer that reason have chastised him" which Willis did
not deny. They we're then both bound over to keep
the peace Mr. Forrest being greeted with cheers after
leaving the once, by the assembled crowd This Is
plain statement Of the ease actually occurred
The reporter Of the Tribune we'll as Mr. Willis most
unfairly attempts to create the impression that was
close Willis when Forrest attacked him, and that
beside Mr. \. struck him. That IL unqualih-
edly false not within hundred and fifty feet
nff he mar ffAQ han he Hrau nm me-
utter word, or do any act, but look on until the
parties both in the police Office and then only to
not open his mouth, or put pen to paper, without
total disregard to truth
Yours very respectfully,
ANDREW STEVENS.
Nrw Yonx, June 18th, 1850.
Contemporaneously with these curious historical
incidents, graphically treated in these two cards,
we also received the following billet through the
post office; but whether it actually came from
Mr.. Willis, or not (it may be a deception), we will
not swear
N. r. WILLIS TO J. @. BENNETT.
notice in this days Herald q scurrilous attack on
me- and now give you fair notice that IL you
again alluds to me- fave in such manner a. may be
unobcctionable, will cudsel you within an inch Of
your life. have too long submitted to this unpro-
voked insolence, and have determined to put an end
to II. Yours &c.
To J. q. BENNETT MP. WILLIS.
We have lived too long in the world. and en-
countered too many heroes Of all kinds, to be
much afraid Of anything in the shape Of man, wo-
man, or devil. Besides, we should suppose that
N. p. Willis has had cudgellng" enough for the
present, in a legitimate and substantial form and
accordingly, we set down all this exhibition Of
feeling TO the influence of the Rochester knock
ings," under their new and improved phase, which
ought to be taken up again by the Rev. Mr.. Girls
void and his twelve apostles, for philosophical
analysis. In no particular, whatever, shall we
do injustice either to Mr.. Forrest OF to Mr. Willis;
and as to fear or intimidation by threats, from any
quarter, we never knew it, and pass il by as the
idle wind. II is much graver matter than Ro.
chester kncckings," or personal assaults that has
been forced upon the public attention. Let us re-
turn 10 that.
In whatever view we look at the matter, there
are points which present the same aspect on every
side. II is perfectly well known that Mr.. Forrest
lived in harmony and affection with his beautiful
and accomplished wife, for many years His own
nature appears to have been for very long PERIOD
free from any ungenerous suspicion; and blessed
beyond the ordinary lot of professional men, he
was about to retire from the world to enjoy those
simple habits of life which in consonance with
his taste and education. He, no doubt, believed
that in the retirement Of the couatry, many more
years of connubial affection would contribute to
the happiness of himse and wife. AT the very pc
riod however, OF anticipatons gratifying to his
affection and ambition, the presence Of spoilers
souIed the whole cup Of the future. During his alb
sence his professional tours to various parts Of
the county, his house seems to have become the
caravsnsary OF number of individuals, who, TO say
the least, fee to make il such on these occa
sions, though they would not have dared to do so
when the master of the household was at home
They ate his bread-drank his wine-lounged on
his sofas-reposed on his pillows, and took ques-
tionabe liberties with the wife Of his bosom. This
treatment did not, and could not, square with any
plain republicans ideas Of proprety, or Of gentle
manly behavior. II was the result Of gross levty
of manner, foreign to any gentleman's mind not
corrupted by the socalistic foles and freedoms
which mark the conduct Of certain families in
Europe, and Of which Lady Blessing ton and Count
D'Orsay were once the centre. TWAS conduct that
even the most con6ding and unsuspcious man Of
o oil l..f nd hos