Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-09
From the Tribune, June Z.
The Shakespeare Duel-History Of the Az
fair-Latest Intelligence.

We have received from well.informed source
some further particulars as TO the origin OF the
difficulty ut the Shakespeare Club which led 10 the
departure Of the parties concerned for the purpose
of lighting duel, AZ noticed in the Tribune yes
tsrday. We are assured that the report that Mr.
breckenridge, one Of the principals 1--WE no longer
hesitate TO give the full names, since they have
been published in another journal) was intoxicated
whom lie made the offensive remarks, was alto.
gether incorrect The particulars Of the quarrel
As wc have them from good authority, are as fol.
lows:
one Of tho rules OF the Shakespeare Club allows
members 70 introduce gentlemen from abroad 70
the privileges Of the club the person introduced
receiving card endorsed by some members Of tho
managing committee; but th is not allowed In
the case Of gentlemen belonging TO the city.
Nevertheless, Mr.. Lcavenwoith, as we are told,
was in the habit Of violating this rule, and Of
bringing persons into the club rooms who belong
20 the city, and for whom he never sought TO pro-
curs the card requisite for strangers. This had
often been noticed BY members Of the club, bu,
no action bad been taken until last Friday even.
Ing, when Mr.. Lesven~orth brought with him q
person, who not only belongs in town, but who
was Objectionable to several gentlemen Of the club
Two members Of the Governing Committee &C
cordingly inquired of Mr. Leavenworth whether
the person In question had card authorizing him
answered that he had not. Hereupon they In.
formed him that the person must withdraw, to
which be replied de6sntly that he should not. Az
ter few words, however, they went 10 the person
and requested him 70 leave the house, which he
did, and there the matter ended, FAR AZ the COM
mittee was concerned.
II was taken up, however, by Mr. Breckinridge,
who, by the way, Is from Kentucky, and the son
OF the distinguished member Of the last Congress-
who came fJrward and addressed Mr. l.. In rather
pointed and offensive manner to the effect that be
had not paid his dues and was not member o.
the club.
Hereupon Mr.. Leavenworth first proceeded 70
inquire OF n member Of the committee II such was
tbs case; and receiving from him reply that he
had not examined the books, but that he supposed
him 70 be member he (Lcavcnworth) at once
returned TO Breckinridge, and said "The remark
you Just made concerning me Is false lh--or words
10 that effect. By way Of rejoinder, Breckenridge
took glove from the hand Of Mr.. Middleton, who
was sitting near hi o, and who afterwards became
his second, and struck Leascnworth across the
face. The blow, Of course, was slight one, the
intention being not TO infct injury, but an insult
Some words were now exchanged Of an ante
duelistic nature, ending with ench party naming
his second Mr.. Middleton, on the part Of Mr..
Breckinridge, and Mr.. James NJ Pepdlcton, on the
part OF Mr. Lcayenworth. Between these gentle
men correspondence was duly opened and con.
tinued through Saturday, Sunday, and Monday
morning, when it was finally arranged that the bel.
ligerent party should leave on Monday afternoon
for the field Of honor.
AT 10 O'Clock last evening our reporter had an
Interview with two Of the members OF the Shak-
rpesre Club. He learned from them that the only
intelligence relative TO the duel was statement
made by gentleman not connected with the club
to the eject that the parties bad fought in Canada
and that Mr. Leavenworth bad bcea severely and
Mr. Breckinridge slightly wounded Upon what
authority ne gentleman made tho statement was
not known.
Rumors ss to the result were numerous last eve.
ming. one OF which stated that Leayenworth had
been killed. The statement given above, however
Ia regarded BY the friends OF the parties TO be the
most reliable.