Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-04-14
The Correspondence Between niessrs. Cutting and


The following is said 10 be correct abstract of the
correspondence between Messrs Cutting and Brecken
ridge: growing out of their late difficulty:
On Monday, the eth March, after the personal
discussion in the House, Mr.. Cutting addressed a
note to MIR. Breckenridge, in which he demanded of
him withdrawal of the word ''false," or that he
would make such explanations as was due from one
gentleman 10 another, and he referred 10 Mr. Maurice
his friend to act for him. Mr. Breckenridge replied
TO the first part of this note that the word false"
used by him in consequence of a previous ex-
preston made of by Mr. Cutting, and until that
was withdrawn he could not withdraw the word COM
planned of. With reference to the second part the
note. Mr. Breckenridge considered it challenge and
accordingly appointed Col. Hawkins his friend TO ar.
range preliminarles.
On the following morning. Tuesday, Col. Hawkins
met MIR. Maurice, and rendered to him note from
Mr.. Breckenridge, accepting the alternative promo
sition suggested in Mr. Cuttings note This Mr.
Maurice declined, but presented letter from Mr.
Cutting, which Col. Hawkins considered could not be
received on the ground that no additional note could
be accepted until MIR. Breckenrdge's response 10
Mr.. Cuttings challenge had been received by the
latter. Thereupon both gentlemen separated and
Col Hawkins delivered Mr.. Breckenridges note TO
Mr.. Cutting in person Mr. Maurice did not deliver
the no'e he held from Mr. Cutting to Mr.. Brecken-
ridge.
Mr.. Cutting, at this stage of the proceedings sub
stituted Col Monroe for Mr.. Maurice as his friend
who waited upon Col. Hawkins, and demanded the
terms of the meeting.
On Wednesday morning Col. Hawkins met Col
Monroe, and handed him in writing the terms namely
TO meet that afternoon between three and four O'Clock
near Mr.. Blars residence with rifles at sixty PAGES
AT this interview the position of Mr. Breckenridge as
the challenged party not called in question, but
objection was made by Col Monroe to the hour of
meetng the ground that weapons could not be pro-
cured in time. Thereupon Col Hawkins consented
TO postpOnement of the meeting till the following
morning and it was agreed that the friends of the
parties should meet that evening and make final ar
rangementS.
In the evening Col. Monroe presented paper in
writing, ella inning that his principal was the challenged
not the challenging party, and, therefore, had the
choice OF weapons which he named-pistos, at ten
PAGES. Col. Hawkins declined to accede TO this view
the time, place and weapons, the challenged pary
Col Monroe took the ground that neither he nor his
principal considered the first note a challenge but
asked for time TO confer with Mr. Cutting Col Mon
roe the next morning stated that he was authorised
by Mr. Cutting to declare that his first note was not
intended a challenge.
Col. Hawkins then referred them to Mr.. Brecken-
ridges first note of the 9th, in which he declined to
make the retracton of the word false" SO long as
the cause remained in Mr.. Cuttings previous express
sons. To this Mr.. Cutting replied in writing, that
the expressions used were intended criticism on
his arguments, and not rs personal 10 Mr. Brecken-
ridge. Mr. Breckenridge thereupon expressed his
satisfaction at the disavOwa of any personal offence
the part of Mr.. Cutting, and willingly withdrew
the offensive rejonder, remarking that similar dis
avowal on the part of Mr. Cutting at the time would
have prevented all difficulty.
The affair there terminated, to the satisfaction
OF the friends of both parties.