Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1853-08-13


practice of duelling seems to be reviving amongst
us, notwithstanding the pains and penalties with
which those who indulge in it are visited by the
law. Hotheaded fools all around from Santa Cruz
to Boston, have been threatening 10 cut ore anotI-
ers throats, according 10 The ''code of honor"
until we almost come to think that human, as
well as canine ours, get rabid during the dog
days.
In 1851, Col. Graham and DR.. Webb, of the
Mexican Boundary Commission, had dispute in
relation TO some part of their duties Col. Graz
ham took offence at some expression made by DIR.
Webb, and invited him to come out TO some con-
venlent place, and let him shoot at hm-that is,
he challenged HIM fight duel. DR.. Webb,
like sensible man, made the following reply to
the ridiculous missive Of his military foeman
In QUARTERs AT SANTA CRUZ, Sept. 26,
1S5l,-Sir Your note of Yesterday was duly
handed to ME by your Secretary, Mr. Lawson /
deferred replying TO it immediately, that might
not again be charged with acting under the nflu.
ence of passion Having now enjoyed night of
calm repose, by which | feel greatly refreshed,
and for which | am thankful to my Creator,
SEM you the following answer:
If, in my ignorance of military matters, with
which you have frequently taken occasion to
charge me, and to which have always pleaded
guilty, do not err in constituting what YOU mean
by the expression s'to settle the matter according
to the rules of honor you propose an appeal TO
what is generally known the duests' code;
the ultima ratio Of which is to take the field and
endeavof to blow one another's brains out or
cripple one another for life. i'll am correct in
my construction, the course which may now or
hereafter adopt in relation to this matter. will be
regulated by what l may deem my duty 10 my
God, my family, myself, and at this time, the
Boundary Commission. At present it is sufficient
for me to refer to the last. Were | only amena-
bic 10 the laws and regulations established for the
government of the army, Knight perhaps, on such
an occasion as this, place them at open defiance,
with the example now set me by veteran in the
service. Or were here simply under "instruc.
tions from the President of the United States - or
the Department of the Interior, might possibly,
for selfish ends, fling them TO the wind or trample
them under foot, considering the course proposed
by one who processes sacred regard for instruc-
tons, and rigid and implicit obedience of Them
But am here in accordance with obligations
some time since entered into, to discharge certain
duties in this commission. The principles oftrue
honor-that honor which every moral religious
and sensible man, in every station of life acknow-
lodges the equity and correctness of-ihose pru-
ciples tell me that until have discharged the du-
ties incumbent on me by my obligations, or am
relieved from them, my time is not my own to
tribe with, or 10 use IN any manner which nav
Interfere with those duties Therefore until such
period, above alluded to, ] cannot any further en-
terrain the proposition sent me.
beg leave, however to say that shall always
be ready to receive any apology which you may
be disposed to make, for the false accusation re.
peatedly uttered against me in my tent, at the in.
tervew to which you refer
am, sir, with all due respect, yours, &C.
THOMAS Fl. WEBB
Brevet Lieut. Col. ]. ID. GRAHAM, &C., sc.
~ Y. Times
This is the way that Richard Golden treated
the aristocra,ic fool who challenged him in 1850,
TO fight duel He refused to come down TO the
level of brigand, treated his challenger with re-.
sPeclful pity, and caused the great majority Of his
countrymen to laugh at the absurd practice of du-
cling. We think that DR. Webb's sensible letter
will produce similar moral effect in our country.
His strong common sense and correct principles
are more effective than Col. Graham's revolver.
His letter to Graham was presented to Congress,
amongst other papers from the Mexican Boundary
Commission, and we hope that some Of the FIRE.
eaters at Washington will be instructed by it,
Duelling is now emphatically confined to bullies
and blackguards