Daily national era., 1854-01-12
THE soULE DUELs.

We have forborne to present to our read
ers any Of the irresponsible statements con-
tanned in the newspapers Of the day, rela-
ting to these duels, and asserted our conviction
that, aside from the right and the wrong Of
dueling itself, the Soules, father and son, would
be found neither rash nor erring in the premi-
ses, as the world goes.
The following account is from responsible,
and, we may add, not partial source and IL
fully sustains our predictions
@M Gsillardet writes to the Courier des
Efats Unis detailed statement Tho history
of the quarrel seems TO have commenced even
before Mr.. Soule reached Madrid From the
time the reception Of Mr.. Soule, as American
Minister, began to be agitated, M. de Turgot,
the French Ambassador, and Madame de Mon
tito, mother of the Duchess of Alba, showed
little friendship for Mr. Soule. Madame de
Montijo is accused of having even intrigued
to induce Queen Isabella TO refuse to receive
him.
"Thus matters stood until the occasion of n
fetc, or grand bali, given by the French Minis
ter, in honor Of the birthday of the Empress.
All the foreign diplomatic corps were invited,
and, as a consequence, Mr. Soule, his son, who
we're present by invitation. Mrs. Soule who
is q handsome woman, was dressed richly, but
tastelully, and Madrid paper states that she
was queen OF tho bali, and her entrance pro-
duced sensation To destroy the favor.
able impression Madame Soule had made,
a spirit Of hostile criticism was manifested by
a coterie led on by M dc Turgot and Madame
de M0ntjo The Duke Of Alba, consenting to
become the echo Of the coterie, remarked az
Mrs. Soule passed by, There goes Mary Of
Of Burgundy y Young Soul6, being close by,
heard the remark, and Immediately resented
the outrage, and applied an epithet Of contempt
to the Duke
"The parties were then separated, but next
morning young Soule sent to the Duke, de-
manding an explanation Of the insult 10 his
mother. The Duke explained and apologized,
and those acting under young Soule declared
themselves satisfied. But the public applauded
the spirit Of 10 jeune Yankee and the Duke
was twitted on his lack of the old pride Of his
family. The quarrel was re.opened, and the
Duke sent q challenge to retrieve his damaged
honor. IL was accepted, aud the prcliminarics
being arranged, a duel with swords was fought
The fight lasted twenty minutes, both parties
showing equal skill and courage. The Sec
onds interiered, declared that the honor OF
neither required further defence, and the prin.
cipals shook hands and parted.
"Mr. Soule, SEN, however, considered il
proper for him to represent TO Nj. de Turgot,
that his wife had been insultcd in his the Am
bassador's, salons, on an occasion upon which
the Duke OF Alba was the most honored guest,
and the person from whom the insult came !;
that the affair had forced the sword into his
sons hand that he had been informed M dc
IN xuaa cE -.
mark and, consequently as M. dc Turgot had
not discharged his duty a. a host, in exonera-
ting himself from any sympathy with the insult,
he was obliged to demand personal satisfac
tion. To Mr.. Soule's communication, M. de
Turgot replied, denying that he instigatcd the
insult but refused to give any satisfaction for
its occurrence MT his fefe. Mr. Soule persisted
in his demand for reparation, when the French
Ambassador said he would make his reply nc
the pistols mouth.
:" meeting was arranged, Lord Howden
and General Collier acting as seconds TO NJ. do
Turgot, and Gen. Valdez ian old Governor of
Cuba) and M. Benito Alejo de Gaminde, ex-
member of the Spanish Cortes, as MIR. Soule's
seconds. II is proper to state that Mr. Soule
signed his letter TO M dc Turgot, Pierre
Soule, Citizen Of The United States and not
with his official rank, thus separating the pri.
vate individual from the public officer. Time
was given to the principals to arrange their az
fairs; but il being hinted that the Spanish
Government intended to interfere to prevent
the duel Lord Howdon waited upon Mr.. Soule,
and urged him TO consent to an earlier meeting.
Mr.. Soule replied that the change Of arrange.
ments was inconyenient, but he did not wish 10
forego the satisfaction which was his right, and
therefore yielded.
The meeting was then fixed for IL M. the