The Portsmouth inquirer. [volume] (Portsmouth, O. [Ohio]) 1849-1855, 1851-06-02


Concerts are included in one "lump."
You have already, perhaps in your paper
made some mention of the newspaper-war
between Gen. James Watson Webb, and N,
p. Willis, the author of some popular sa-
cred poetry. know the parties only by
sight and reputation, but both, | thought,
were too respectable for either to be guilty of
the very serious charges which they have
made against each other. The history of
their savage conflict is as follows: After
the appointment Of Gen. Webb, in l949, as
American Charge to the Court of Austria
then engaged in suppressing and Furnishing
in the most outrageous manner the Hungari-
an patriots) Mr.. Willis published in his own
paper, the Home Journal, and over his own
initials, an article reprehending in the seve-
rest terms, not only the palpable improperly
of this republics seeking any representation
at that scene of tyranny, but casting intense
opprobrium upon the personal unfitness Of
Gen. Webb, who had then departed upon
his mission.
Some months ago, Gen. w. returned from
Vienna, and resumed his duties as the editor
of the large and valuable Commercial Jour-
nal, the Courier and Enquirer, Of which lie
has for SO many years been the proprietor. In
the meantime his Intellectual and literary
efforts have been merely limited q am sorry
to say) 10 an elaborate defence of the course
of the Austrian Government, and even OF
the Butcher Haynau, himself; and to do this
the more effectually, he has accused Kossuth
of the greatest crimes recognized by the stat
ute book. But it appears, that he was nei-
ther ignorant nor oblivious of Mr.. Willis's
assault upon him in his absence, and last
week turned his cannon upon the editor of
the Home Journal. After some generalisms
calculated to throw contempt upon Mr.. Will
lis, for alleged betrayal of friendly confiden-
ces of the English society, to which he had
entrance while abroad, and fol Jeremy Did
dlerism and licentiousnes both abroad and at
home, his accuser specifically charged him
with seducing the daughter Of one of his
(Gen. WIS., friends, and subsequently being
compelled to return his victims letters TO
him in behalf of the father, who not long af-
forwards died Of broken heart.
These accusations, especially the latter, !
must confess, astonished me. 1t seemed i'm
possible that man of Gen. Webb's stand
ing should have either the heart or the moral
courage, to make so open and explicit charge
without foundation it, Two things shook
my confidence in it. One was, that had a
better opinion of Willis; the other that had
very poor opinion of Webb's candor in
defending the treacherous and sanguinary
course of Austria towards the Hungaridns
Nor was | solitary in my astonishment.-
Hundreds entertained the same feeling
"Have you Gen. Webb's attack upon N. p
Nillis?" was common inquiry at the tea
tables that evening. Then again, there were
hundreds who expressed no surprise at all,
but at once commenced specializing as to the
identity of the anonymous "victim." Many
belle and many merried lady of crank"
among the "Upper ten thousands" was men
toned in most ungraceful connection with
the Courier's story.
On the following day Mr.. Willis appeared
in the Herald, with an unqualified denial Of
Gen. Webbs aspersions, and explained the
most serious one, by saying that young Ia
Idly Of poetical mind had written him some
letters which he had retained as evidence Of
early genius, but which he promptly restored,
through Col. Webb, when desired to do so.
This lady he said was now married woman
and the mother Of a family, and living in q
neighboring State, free from any reproach ex-
cept that which his accuser had so gratuitous-
ly cast upon her.
This explanation appeared plausible, and
Sunday papers came down hot and heavy
upon the editor Of the Courier and Enqui-
rer
Yesterday, Gen. Webb published in his
paper Willis retort, and added a reioinder
in which he intimates that amid the numer-
GUS ldiSons of the editor Of the Home Jour
nal, the public have selected more than one
as being the case in question, but they have
in no case surmised rightly, nor is it in their
power to do so, inasmuch as no one but
himself and Willis and bis victim are know
ling it.
The defence of N. p. Willis Gen. Webb
lstigmatizes as entirely q fabrication, and reit-
crates his previous charge. Moreover, he
loifers Gen. Geo. p. Morris, (the partner oi
nlrl Villis,) the privilege Of seeing 'the let
tiers (without disclosing the writer) provi-
lded Gen. Morris will report the result Of his
examination for publication. Thus itstands
lat present. ~