The Port Gibson reveille. (Port Gibson, Miss.) 185?-1857, 1854-02-08
The Soule Dueis.


Mr. Gaillardet writes the Courier des Etats
URis a detailed statement Of the unfortunate
quarrel which Mr. Soule, our Ambassador to
Madrid, aud his son, having bad with the
French Minister at the same court, and the
Duke Of Alba, a near relative to the French
Empress. Mr. Gaillardet's feelings are not
on the side Of Mr.. Soule, but his account suffi-
ciently establishes the fact that the provocaton
came from the o,her side The history Of the
quarrel seems to have commenced even before
Mr.. Soule reached Madrid. From the time
Of the reception Of Mr.. Soule, as American
Minister. began to be agitated, II de Turgot
the French Ambassador, aud Madame dc Mon.
tito, mother Of the duchess Of Alba, showed
little friendship for Mr. Soule. Madame de
NIontijo IS accused Of having even intrigued
to induce Queen Isabella TO refuse to receive
him.
Thus matters stood until the occasion Of
iete, or grand ball. given by the French Min
lister in honor Of the birthday Of the Empress.
All the foreign diplomatic corps we're invited,
and, as a consequence, N. Soule, his son. who
is also Secretary Of Legation, aud Mrs. Soule,
were present hy invitation. Mrs Soule, who
is a handsome woman. was dressed richly, not
tastefally and Madrid paper states tnat she
was queen Of the ball, and her entrance pro.
duccd a sensation. 10 destroy the favor
able impression Mad Soule has made a spirit
Of hostile criticism was manifested BY coterie
led on by VI. dc Turgot and Mad. dc Montijo.
The Duke Of Alba consenting to become the
echo Of the coterie, remarked as Mrs. SOule
passed by. There goes Mary of Burgundy
Young Soulc being close bv, heard the remark.
and Immediately resented the odious outrage
upon his mother, aud applied an epithes Of
contempt to the Duke
The parties were then separated. but next
morning young Soule sent to the Duke de-
mandng au explanation Of the insult to his
mother. The Duke explained and apologiscd,
and those acting under young Soule declared
themselves satisfied. But the public applaud.
ed the spirit Of i" Ia JENNIE Yankee" and the
Duke was twitted on his lack Of the old pride
Of his family. The quarrel was re-opened
and tie Duke sent a challenge to retrieve his
damaged honor Il was accepted, aud the
prelminaries being arranged a duel with
swords was fought. The fight lasted twenty
minutes, both parties showing equal skill and
courage. The seconds intertered, declared
that the honor Of neither required further de-
fence, and the principals shook hands and
parted
Mr.. Soule, Sr., however, considered il pro-
per .or him to represent to VI. de Turgot, that
Ills wife had been insulted in his, the Ambas-
sador's sal0nS, on an occasion upon which the
Duke Of Alba was the most honored guest,
and the person the insult came from--that the
affair had forced the sword into his sons hand
that he had been informed VI. de Turgot
was an instigator Of the insulting remark, and
consequently, as NJ dc Turgot had not dis
charged his duty as a host in generating
himself from any sympathy with the insult,
he was obliged to demand personal satistac-
ton. 70 Mr. Soule's communication II.
de Turgot replied. denying that be insiigated
the insult, aud refused to give any satisfaction
for its occurrences at his tcte Mr.. Soule per-
sisted in his demand for reparation. when the
French Ambassador said he would make his
reply AZ the pistols mouth.
4 meeting was arranged, Lord Howdcn and
General Collier acting as seconds to VI. de
Turro.-and General Valdez IAN old Cover
nor Of Ca5al and NJ Benito Alejo de Gaminde
lex.member Of the Spanish Cortes) as Dir.
Soule's seconds IL is proper to state that
Nlr. Soule signed his letter to NJ dc Turgot-
Pierre Soule, citiscn of The United States,
and not with his official rank thus separating
the private individual from the public officer.
Time was given to the principals to arrange
their Affairs, but it being limited that the
Spanish Government intended to Interfere to
prevent the duel Lord Howden waited upon
Mr. Soule, and urged him to consent to an
earlier meeting. Mr.. Soule replied that The
change Of arrangements was inconycnlent. but
he did not wish to forego the satisfaction
which was his rgta, and therefore yielded.
The meeting was then fixed for Il NJ. the
next day. but, on reaching the ground, new
difficulties arose Mr.. Soales seconds de- |
manded. ia his name, that the combat be with |
pistols, at ten PAGES The Marquis de Tur-
got demurred, and proposed a distance OF
forty paces is that, Monsieur le Mar
auis." said Mr.. Soule, "what you call reply /
ing to me al the pistols mouth = But the
Marquis persisted in his desire to bring down
bis antagonist at long shot" The first fire |
was Intellectual. At the second, Mr.. Soule's
bullet hit the Marquis in the thigh. " am
struck" he said. aud fell into the arms Of one /
Of Mr. Soues seconds. The wound Is said |
70 be serious A reconciliation had not been
effected at last advices Much sympathy had
been manifested for Madame Soule throughout
the unfortunate affair. aud in European circles,
IN which due ling is not considered crime
o,;n;on srstains the conduct Of Mr.. Soule and /
his sou.
~ II there is anything, says cotempo-
rary that an American likes better than poll
ties, il IS moving lie is the most restless
person in the world, and is never so happy !
Is when he IS going somewhere else. =
This uneasy disposition runs through all the
various grades Of society. and " sticks out
as protninentiy in the millionaire a. in tire |