Spirit of the times. [volume] (Ironton, Ohio) 1853-1858, 1855-04-03
DE WITT CLINTON'S DUEL.

| IN Nlr' oaoIan s on duelllng, we find
the following description of tho duel be
tween De Wit Clinton and Swartwout.
which took place near New York in
1902. Richard Rikcr was the second of
Mr.. Swartwou,. Tho parties exchanged
five shots. Mr.. Smiths statement is
as follows -
Tho ground being correctly measured,
and intermediate questions adjusted, The
gentleman took their stalions--wcre
each presented with pistol, and by
order, faced to the right and fired, inef
leclually. At the request of Mr.. Rk e.
cb | asked Mr.. Swaitwout--"Arey you
satisfied, sir 7" he answcfcd-"I am not. +"
The pistols then being exchanged, and
their posi,i ons resumed, by order, the
gentlemen faced TO the right, and fred
second shot, withou, effect. At the re.
quest Of Mr.. Rikcr, again addressed
Mr.. Swarlwout-"Are you satisfied, sir?"
he answorcd---u am no;-neither shall
| be until that apology is made VIII ch /
have demanded. Until then, we must
proceed" ! then presented paper to
Mr.. Rikcr, containing the apology dc.
manded, for Mr.. Clnton's signature,
observing that we could not spend our
time in conversation that this paper
must be signed or proceed. Mr.. Gin.
ION declared he would not sign any pa.
per on the subject-,hat he had no ami.
mostly against Mr.. Swartwout, would
willingly shake hands and agree 10 meet
on the score of former friendship. MIR.
Swartwout insistel on his signature to
the apology, and Mr.. Clinton declining,
they stood at their post and fired a
fourth shot. Mr.. CIinton's ball stuck
Mr.. Swar,wou,'s left leg about five inch.
es below the knee he stood really and
collected. At the request Ct Mr.. Rik.
cr, again addressed Mr.. Swartwou,-
"Are you satisfied, sir :" He answered
that; "lt was useless TO repeat the ques.
ton my determination is fixed and
| beg we may proceed" Mr.. Clinton
repeated he had no animosi,y against
Mr.. Swartwout; was sorry for what
had passed. proposed to advance shake
hands and bury the circumstance in oh.
livlon. During this conversation, Mr.
Swarlwout's surgeon, kneeling by his
side, extracted the ball from the oppo.
site side Of the leg. Mr.. Swartwout
standing clcc: on his post and positively
declining any thing shor, Of ample
apology, they fired tie fifth shot, and Mr..
Swaftwont received the ball in his left
leg about five inches above the ankle t;
still, however, standing steadily on his
post, perfectly composed.
AT the request Of Mr.. Rikcr. | again
addressed Mr.. Swartwout care you
satisfied, sir ?" He forcibly answered /;
81 am not, sir, proceed" Mr.. Clinton
then quit his station and declined the
combat, and declared he would fire no
more. Mr.. Swartwout expressed him.
self surprised that Mr.. Clinton would
neither apologize nor give him the sat.
is(action required; and addressing me,
said-"What shall do, my friend ?"
| answered-"Mr. Clinton declines ma
king an apology required, refuses taking
his position, and positively declares he
will fight no more and his second ac.
pearing to acqiescc in the disposition of
his prcinpal, ,heIe is nothing further
left for you now, but to have your
wounds dressed" The surgeon attcn.
ded, dressed Mr.. Swartwonl' wounds,
and the gentlemen, in their respective
barges, returned to the city.