Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1856-10-07
THF RIC1INIOND ENQUIRER

1
lCATLEl TO ACCOUNT BY THE
son OF JOHN A14BQETS.
The following letter, published m the Rich
moud Whtg By. b b Bolts, IS 'RsidFessed to Mr..
pr5of, one ofthe Editors Of the Richmond En-
o,STcg, who has been writing against the Hon.
probably lead to hostile meeting between
them:
80 Roger 4 Pryor, EEq.
81 am not emulous Of acquiring the reputa-
ton of a duellist, nor the notorietyss of bully
and 4 black guard; and yet I fearl can hardly
bring myselfdown to a level with you, without
being regarded in some. sense as part0Eng OF
some one of yonr prominent qualities. abhor
the practice oF dueling, drstI because twenty
brawling braggarts like yourself are engaged in
them, where one sterling gentleman can be found.
Seconds, because regard it as no test of true
courage, for even YOU posted coward and pol
troou have been engagedsin more than one-but
your conduct to niy father as an.cditor has gone
far beyond all gentlemanly limit and propriety.
''Presuming upon the disparity of your ages
and position with the hope Of retrieving your
character for courage from the degraded position
which you were made to occupy in your con-
trogersy with Caleb Smith, Esq, feeling an alb
solute confidence that you would SANDER and
abuse him with impuuity, as he would not de-
grade himself by descending to your level, you
have dared to apply to him terms and epithets
that no man having the slightest regard fer truth
or honor would have felt himself at liberty TO
insinuate; he has given you no cause for persons
al attacks further than to declare IN public
speech that he paid no attention to '.tfee which
you, properly estimating your own qualities,
and appreciating the ProPensiies OF your own
nature have no doubt appropriated to yourself
but that was only in reply TO repeated and relt-
atcd calunnies, and most atrocious talsehoodS
with which you attempted to libel his good name.
He had offended you by discharging Whist he
conceived to be his duty TO his country, in
public speech which has met with the approval
and endorsement of his entire party, and because
you were too impotent to assail his arguments,
you determined to asSail his person.
'tMy father no doubt recognises his own res
possibility to those whom he could regard as wor
thy of his notice, and would hold them resPon-
sibIe to him for any improperly of language or
conduct; but you do not belong to that class,
and moreover he would have to indulge fifty or
perhaps hundred others who, like yourself,
would feel honorcd by the associations; but he
will see that his reputation don't suffer. Moth
ing but physical incapacity, occasioned by long
continued and frequent attacks of "a rheumatic
character, has prevented me, as his son, from IN
aicting upon you that personal chaStlSement
you have so eninently deserved.
disabled from performing that duty By dis
ease, have no alternative left memo such dir
rarity in age or position existing between us
than that Of proclsiming your whole course to-
wards my father as brutal ruffianly, dishonora-
BILE and cowarlly to the last degree and to afford
you the opportunity you have so long pretended
TO seek of him, by a resort to that mode which
you think gentlemen only adopt. Itshall be
seen whether you are playing the part of an In.
solent and cowardly braggart with your superb
ors, or whether you really desire an opportunity
of yindicating insulted honor. B. i. Boris"