Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1855-08-22
CARD OF w. L. billiard, ESQ.

Editor Of the AsheUite Nesos;:
SIR-I do not propose asking the use of your col
umns for the prosecution OF personal dispute. l
was willing, SO far as was concerned, that the un-
fortunate quarrel which this letter audes, should
cease to agtate the public mind.
A published statement concerning it by M. Hy-
me- in justice to myself to publish this explanation
and as he has appeared himself over his own name,
pursue the same course.
1 shall not remark on the body of Mr. Hymans
statement l Think however, it does not 60 sufti-
GENTLY into details, in portions to place me in
just light before the pubo-especially with refer
ence to the circumstances alluded to in the g memoir
andum delivered the field by my friend to his,
in which minated the reasons why as l thought,
l could not " with HEeRfietg demand another fire:
AS this memorandum Va rot designed full
of all the occurrences to which it REFERRED
and without these occurrences its spirit cannot
!, be properly understood by the public, here set
them forth.
Immediately after the exchange of Shots Mr.. Hy-
mans friends very emphatically, and corrobora-
ted by Mr.. H. himself, in more moderate tones ex-
claimed that " the terms of meeting" previously
agreed on by both parties) "were violated" " that
DR.. billiard had commenced to raise his rifle before
the word fire." l admitted that had slightly raised
the breech of my piece and explained that it was
accidental In answer to the inquiries of my Sec
ond," the "second" of my opponent replied that
they "made no imputation as to intentions, but tie
fact ac0s so, that the terms were violated" This
assertion reiterated in that and subsequent con-
ferences. Mr.. Hymans second saying at various
times that by the terms agreed between the par
ties he would have had right 10 shoot me down,
and made use of the expression in conference with
my second that for " Mr. Hyman to stand to be shot
at again by DR.. billiard, Would be like being fired
by dead man! as by the Terms DIR. Ii.
had no right to be then alive" Being thus met
with this complaint, it will be seen how coudnot,
without a waiver on their part of the breach COM
planned of " with propriety" demand another fire.
AS no such waiver offered | considered and still
consider that could not go further and therefore
directed my friends to give my reasons for my course
as set forth in the memorandum, and say in the lam
guage of that note then g ven and accepted: Z" DIR.
billiard conceives that he (Dr H. cannot, under
the circumstances, with propriety demand another
fire, and therefore, he processes himself satisfied"
will here further remark that it was admitted on
the part of my opponent that only slightly rails
ed my piece" at the time referred to, and by his
friends to my second afterwards, that immediately
after | commenced, and did put it down SO far as L
had time, and by both friends" of my opponent
that they were convinced the action was unlnten-
tional my part.
As to the offer of reconciliation have only to say
that 1t suggested 10y DR.. Hardy, my surgeon, as
being usual such occaSiOnS but without my
knowledge of the fact until il had been made to the
opposite party, and which while respecting the Doc
tors good intentions, much regretted had ever been
made, as did not, or could not, have consented to
any such course One word more as 10 the " cores
pondence which Mr.. Hyman assumes gave the ''of-
fence" to Dr. billiard )" wiz that concerning the
" L." article in the Spectator" Of July 9TH. Mr..
Lyman is mistaken III his idea tnat L made ms the
principal cause of offence to say nothing of prece-
dent assaults IL he will refer to the paper of that
date he will lind that it contains other language
der its editorial head quite sufficient matter Of
offence for all ordinary purposes. I shall not here
dispute with Mr. Lyman to whose the fault
of this rencounter. The public, who have witness
ed the assaults me- and my manner Of reply will,
confidently trust do justice to all parties. have
made this exposition in justice, consider to my
self Having done so, and regrettng the necessity
which has forced me to the course have found my
self impelled to pursue in this affair, take my
leave of the subject, which only the urgency of self
defence has induced me to resume
w. L. billiard.
Asheville July %, 1855.