Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1856-10-15
~ my frienG, Mr.. Banks.
RIcnxosp. October 18th. Is,

RICHMOND, October l2th, 1885,
SIR: Your communication Of yesterday handed
me last night, by your friend Mr. Banks of Petersburg
in which you may psremptory demand for satisfaction
tor what you alege to have been wrong" and insult
Inflicted upon you without stating in what that wrong
insult consisted. Such demaud under the crcuuistar-
would have occasoned infinite surprise, except that
had heard from various sources that both in Washing
ton and here you aud friends had freely and without
announced s1ch a determination your part
might with great propriety have returned your not,
unanswered the ground that it contained ausion
marked with such garng ndelcacy ito use no
stronger term, under the circumstances that existed be-
tween YOU deprive you all claim OF courtesy at
INV hands; but, A. i wish now to put end all COM
municston between for the future, proceed To an
=
Aud first Lest my silence might be construed into &C
suescence, emphatcaly denounce uuonnded any au-
n0rity upon which you have relied for the assertion
that had put him forward TO resent insults offered to
81 far from IL med the responsibility of with
drawing aud suppressng the publication OF his card
which accidentally to my knowledge after he had
1t tn the press; and demonstrated with him against
his Interference and from the beginning have deeply re-
GREETED that he should have felt himself constrained d,
the highest of obligation and duty himself as well
to 10 adopt the pursued. And this being
disposed OF
In the second place: discsim any and all right on
your part make demand Tor satisfaction from me- for
any thing | have said DONE which YOU NAV have
chosen apply TO YOURSELF from first last have
acted only the defensive avoiding all personalities
cept where they had been first offered That you have
given ample cause if had desired the opportunity
TO demand satisfaction OF you rs undeniible; but
ground upon which you demand il Of me-
la the third place: your life could be the value OF
PIN point TO me, and am | should derive no
comfort from making your wife widow your children
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., have desire take il; whilst
life is not only ofvaue to me, but Indispensable
to the support and happiness Of my family, and hope
to make il useful TO my country-therefOre, not ds-
posed to place it at your disposal.
In the fourth place: il afford you the oppor
uuitv seek the demands upon would be without
end as could not consistently decline to indulge
and all Of the editorial corps whose vitated might
lead them TO allow their political animOsties degcne.
into personal squabbes and abuse aud there are
this moment dozen already occupying that
position this State nothing Of those
In the fifth place: The disparity ages aud posi-.
tons ia domestic life would relieve Of any obligation
TO meet YOU, unless was sensible Of having done Won
such wrong could be otherwise Atoned tor and Ia
such case. believe me- would permit ia.e pride t.
overcome nv sense Of proprety aud the obligations Of
true courage, prevent my making acknowledgment
but, repeat that in this the wrong was commenc
and has been carried chiefly If not entirely on your
side.
IN the sixth place Nv position has been already "a
ken before the public, which have been known to
you az stated whom held myself responsible ami
TO whom did not And certa nly did not include the
press. have seen no reason to change that position
now that that responsibility has been already acknowledge
ed in instance within the last week
Ia the seventh place am free say the case must
be strong one, aud OF unqncsiionsbe claim that would
induce me to subject my family o. the they have
endured for the last ten years under apprehension
Of what va then Transporting. may have the right a.
rae With INV own life aud happiness but the right 10
sport with sacrifice the happiness and health Of whole
family, who have other to look up for their
fort or support and that for light aud frivolous cause
rather more questionable. This may be what IL called
bnving public opinion, but they sentiments have
long ained and therefore have always been careful
~ avoid giving the first offence and have borne with much
that under other circumstance, should Alta more
youthful period Of life, might have been actuated by
less cultivated feeling.
IN the eighth place You have neither said written
published thought anything Of me that gives me one
moments disturbance (whatever cause may have to con-
plain) oi the truth H. has been carried far 10 lose
i's sting and therefore, leave you indulge your taste
To your hearts content
fmaly For these reasons, and without the least hest
tation distinctly aud unequyOcaly decline your invita-
ton TO the 6ed aud thereby facilitate the accomplishment
oi an object apparently desired by manyO having u IN
their power ~ say that they have ne a challenge
which refused to accept. And, ~ have frequently
been Informed that thereis concerted movement among
some ~ your political friends 20 involve 10 persona
annoyances would be glad II the gentlemen would con.
slider their challenges MI delivered ADD declined the
same gfound and Tor the herein assigned
which hope will prove satisfactory TO AL.
JOHN NJ Bolts
The shove from Mr.. Bolts was handed me on Monday
the lSin At the American Hotel, by Mr. O. II. Lewis.
A H. r.