Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-01-18
Ths Absurdity Of Duelling.

We have met with no article recently
which so completely shows the utter ab-
surdity OF duellng as the following. Who
cannot but admire the conduct of De Witt
Clinton, while they condemn the bulldog
pertinacity Of Dir. Swartwout:-
In Mr. Sabine's notes on duelling, we
find the following description of the duel
between De Witt Clinton and John Swart-
Wout, which took place near New York,
IN 1892 Richard Riker was the coBd
OF Mr. Clinton, and w $. Smith the second
Of Mr.. Swartwout. The parties exchanged
ave shots. Mr. Smiths statement is as fol-
lows:
The ground being correctly measured,
and intermediate questions adjusted, the
gentlemen took their stations-vere each
presented with a pistol. and, by order, faced
10 the right. and fred neiFectually. Al the
request OF Mr. Riker, asked Dir. Swart
won't, Are YOU satisfied, Sr!' He answer
I'd, Il am not The pistols then being sx-
changed, and their position. resumed, by or
der, the gentlemen faced to the right, and
fred a second shot, without effect. At the
request OF 81. Riker, again addressed Mr..
| Swartwoui, Are you satisfied, Sirr He
answered, Il ain not-neither shall be. I'M
til that apology is made which | have de-
manded. Until then, we must proceed |
then presented paper to Mr.. Riker, CON
tanning the apology demanded, Tor Mr.
| Clnton's signature, observing that we could
not spend our time in conversations; that ih .
paper must b. signed or proceed. Mr.. Gin
ton declared he would no, 81 IN any paper on
| the subject; that he had no luminosity against
Mr. Swartwout--would willingly shake
hands and agree 10 meet on the score of
former friendship.
Mr. Swartwo out insisted Oh his signature
to the apology, and Mr. Clinton declining,
they stood at their posts and fired . fourth
shot. Mr.. Clnton's ball struck Mr.. Swart-
| wout's left leg. about five inches below the
knee, he stood ready and collected Attbe
request of DIR. Riker, again addressed Mr..
SwartWout, are you satisfied, SrH He an
syered, that 1t was useless to repeat the
question,--my determination is iixed,--and
beg we NAY proceed Mr. Clinton re-
peated that he had no aamosity against Mr..
Swartwout--was sorry Tor what had passed
proposed to advance, shake hands, and
bury the circumstance in oblivion. During
t'ite IpIfrisdtiob, boS az Nv pht sur
geon, kneeIing by his side, extracted the
ball from the opposite side Of his leg. Mr..
Swartwout standing erect on his post, and
positively declining anything short of an
amp e apology, they fred the filth shot, and
Mr. Swartwout received the ball in the eft
leg, about five inches above the ANGLE; still,
however, standing steadily Oh his post, per-
fectly composed. At the request Of Mr..
Riker, again addressed Nj. Ssartsout.
Are you satisfied Sirr He foroiby am
severed, Il am not Sir, proceed Mr. Cln-
ton then quit his station, declined the com
bat, and declared he would fire no more
Dir. Swartwout expressed hmselfsurprised
that Mr.. Clinton wosld neither apologize
nor give him the satisfaction requred and
addressing me, said, What shall do my
friend" answered, Mr.. Clinton declines
making the apology required.--refuses Ia
king his position, and positively declares
he will fight no more; and his second a?-
pearin. to acquiesce in the disposition Of
his principal, there is nothing further left
for you now, but to have your wounds
dressed The surgeons attended, dressed
Dir. Swartwout's wounds, and the gentle
men, in their respective barges, returned to
to the city,