New-York daily tribune., 1856-07-22
FROM WASHING TON.
RORDER RUFFIANISM IN WASHINGTON.
of The N. Y. Tribune.

BORDER RUFFIANISM In WASHINiION'
Cors.rondsnes of The N. Y Tnsars.
WASHINGTON, Thursday, July II, 1856.
A cowardly attack was yesterday made upon
Mr.. s. P. BanscOm of Massachusetts,, at his lodg'
nos on the Avenue, by person who has recently
been figuring about Washington with crowd OF
other Rufians from the Border Of Missouri, by the
pane Of Il. Clay Pate.
Mr.. Hsnscom is one of the Washington corre-
spondents of THE n. Y. TRIBUNE. In letter
signed "H.," under date Of July 5, published IN
THE TRIBUNE on July 8, in speaking OF the arrival
at the Capital Of detachment of Border Ruf
fans" he used the following language:
Capt. Pate, who distinguished himself on the
morning Of the I'd day of June last, when ne heard
that Capt. Brown, at the head OF force OF Free
State men equal to his own, was upon him, by
first retreatng to a ravine and displaying wnile
feather, then white flag and finally surrenderlns
his men, is still here"
On Saturday last. the 18th inst, Col. Zadok
Jackson of Georgia called upon Mr.. Hanscom, as
the friend of Capt Pate, to cay that the last named
gentleman understood him 10 be the IL. Washing.
fon Corr,spopdent of THE n. Y. TRIBUNE, and
that such in his letter under date OF July5 he had
uttered language offensive 10 Capt Pate, by as
serting that he (Pate) at the Battle OF BLACK
Jack in Kansas ON the morning OF the "a OF June,
lat6 showed the white feather" and he Jack
SONY had come on behalf of bis friend (Pate) to
reouest Mr.. Hanscom to withdraw said language.
Mr.. HspscOm said he had based his statementin
part upon the report of two Of Capt. Pates COM
psny. who returned to WestpOrt, Mo-, the evening
of the day the surrender was made, prefeming, as
they stated to trust to the speed OF their animals
tba to risk themselves with the damned Aboli.
tiOnists." one of whom was Coleman, the alleged
murderer of Dow, and the other man named
Horato Owens, and both Of whom denounced the
surrender of Pate in the strongest terms as most
cowardly act. Col. Jackson acknowledged this to
be GOOD testimony. On Monday, Col. jackson had
another interview With Mr.. HanscOm. and said to
lin that Capt Pate was very anxious to have the
matter settled, and wanted to know if he Hans
CONF could Mt DO something about 1t that would be
satisfactory to Capt. Pate. Mr.. HanscOm re-
peattd the substance of what he had said at the
first interview. and added that he even had better
authority than Coleman and Owens to support the
statement he had published, and unless Capt. Pate
could prore to him that he had done him injustice,
he could not retract any thing be had said
On Tuesday, the 18th, Col. Jackson called again
upon Mr. Hanscom at his desk in the House of Kep-
resentatives and handed him note from Capt.
Pate, requesting him to "correct the language
alluded to. Mr.. HanscOm summarily declined
doing so for reasons already giyeu. Col Jackson
friendly interview with Capt. Pate, to which Mr..
HaDscom said he was Indifferent but should not
object. if it was the wish Of Capt. Pate. Col.
jackson requested Mr.. HanscOm to let him take the
note back without written reply, until ne could
arrange the proposed interview Mr.. HanscOm at
first objected but upon second solicitation Of the
Colonel, Mr.. ii. yielded. twas taken to Pate in
the Iotunda, who insisted upon having written
reply. Col. Jackson so communicated on the same
4 Ixb tp,$ 20 NJ ha
spOndence is as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 70, 1856.
srs: lsrstand that you the author Of ser pub
ished In The EEwYoRk TRIBUNE of the sh inst, dated
ills aid that on certain bstte Black jack
A ss .ss oss a 70
ments to retreaips aid sufenderng neithsr Of which
Of justice determine whether you will them will
pot ask it TIE object Of this letter IS to know 4 you are
viii 60 justice, which is all ask. BY wihdrs~ias the
charge in as public manner IS that IN which Il was made
BY whiting to that effect namely that you withdraw
iour,, &c, H.CLAY PATE
WASHINGTON, J uly IS, 1856.
CApr H. c. PATE Sir: Yours of the l?sh inst Is re-
eeyed end hasten to reply that cannot 'eoIrset the
'''''' 'D - " "s.P. HANsCoM" .
Wien Mr.. Hanscom handed Col. Jackson hi,
reply, the Colonel said to Mr. Hanscom, "Will
you fgbt9" Mr.. II. answered, "ies if am at
tackled"
JACKSON: do you fight duels'"
HANsCoM: "No. recognize no code that
would require me to violate the law. Of my State
aId country"
JACKSON: THAT is right" .I
Several times after Mr.. HanscOm's lOte was
forwarded he was cautioned to be 90 his guard
against sudden attack and by overpowering mum.
bers. He Needed the advice. On Wednesday
forenoon, between and 10 O'Clock, Mr. Hanscom
WAS at tie Post. Office alone, al d there met Capt
Pate, who possed him. They saw each other.
HsDscOm remained in the Office and completed his
business, during which Mr.. Pate disappeared. At
the Capitol that day, during the session of the
House, Pate and several Of his compai ions were
talking over the subject Of the affair between
HsEscom and Pate, aud how the former should be
attacked. Mr.. HanscOm was again cautioned to
be on the lockout for Pate's party. When the
House adjourned, Mr. II. walked down from the
Capitol TO bis lodgings with Siessrs BurIpgsme
aid Buffnton Of Massachusetts, Tappan and
ragin of New Hampshire, and Kelsey of New
York. These gentlemen with the exception
OF one) parted with him at his residence on Penn.
s!lyania avenue. During the route Capt Pate's
party were not visible. Shortly after Mr. Hans
com arrived at his lodgings he was informed that
Captain Pate With gang of men" was at the
door, and wanted to see him. Nr. III. requested
the messenger to ask Messrs. BuffintCn and Wood
ruff TO step to the door TO witness what might
transpire They did 90, and Mr. Hanscom then
vent to the door, where he met Mr.. Pate and
crowd Of stne dozen men and boys altogether.
Pate and his ffit Ids (four others certan) immedi
ate'y luddled around Mr.. Hanscom, and com.
neLced clustering style OF conversation. Mr..
Hsnscom invited Pate TO walk in. He declined
doing so. Mr. II Informed him that he should de.
cline o street ring to settle any matter in and In
formed Capt. Pate that be would meet him alone
at any time and place and settle the affair with him
IN his own NAV Pate declined. ha nra,arrad th.t