Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-21
NATIONAL HOTEL, March 10, 1885

MY ATTENTION HAS BEEN
~ called by several friends to publica-
lions which have appeared simultaneously in sew
eral newspapers In different localities, evidently
circulation, relating to the recent ARRAY between
Mr. Mahan ana myself at this hotel The tenor
Of those articles is to excuse Mr. Madam and at
tach blame to me, and they are couched in about
the same language. / will here quote one of
them, as published in the New York Herald Of
the 18th:
1--WE take plea ure in removing any iniurious
" impression which may have arisen against
Charles Mahan Of this city, in conse Quence q
the ARRAY at the National Hotel on Sunday last,
by stating that we have seen letters from every
gentleman present ct the enc unter, and from
'Others acquaibted with the circumstances,
" which completely eIonerate Mr.. Mahan from
" blame We have also seen a very omplimen
"tary letter from the Lady boarders Of the hotel,
"inViting him to tinue his visits MT Ma
han has no acquaintance with Mr. Stewart.
and has even yet to speak the first word to
4" him"
Now II this species of newspaper squibbing
which Mr. Mahan's conduct may have received
at the hands Of Others, either lady boardeIsn or
gentlemen present % shou' d make no response
to ii, as have no disposition to alter the ia ties,
luded to; and do not envy Mr.. Mahan any con
ISOLATION either he or his friends can derive from
all such episolary re-investiture OF character tha
be may now possess, or he FeafteI may obtain.
ments were got up, and know that they were the
product Of a weeks effort, and Were lodged with
the agent OF the Associated Press on SUNDAY
night last FOR the circulation they have since had
/ knoW, too, that the public care nothing about
such personal difficulties, and feel that they must
consider 1t bore to have such matters thrust upon
their notice. Cor my own part, have not felt any
necessity for doing such thing, but have been
content to let those whose duty It was to inquire
into my conduct pass upon II, and was willing
to abide the verdict Of those who know ne ana
have knowa me for years Such persons have
acted in the premises know what their opinions
are, and am satisfied. / shall, therefore, infict
upon the public ear no detailed account Of the
breaches Of the peace by myself or othe where
some OF those letters from lady boarders'' and
gentlemen present at the encounter shall be
made public, SO that / can see their contents II
may be that those statements would strictly accord
Of conclusion to be drawn might be the result Of
TASTE habit, appreciation, or partality; and upon
the latter point should certainly not he any more
forge,fal OF myself than MI. 'Mshan and his
friends seem to have been Of him. Certain 1t Is
must have the whole record before can plead
to its contents, and the public must zee the specific
proof before they can determine the issue. The
asserted contents OF letters are not admissible for
any purpose.
AS 70 that Hletter'' written to Mr. Mahan by
q the lady boarders - shall not say one word
any more than to aver, that whatever they did say
was strictly true, provided such letter was actu-
ladies present, and but one who saw the com
mencement Of the difficulty, nevertheless know
that ladies can learn these things with q eat
curacy, especially If narrated by heart broken
youth. or his sympathising friends, who shou d
describe attentions bestowed upon him, not eX-
actiy In the manner Of presenting rosebuds What
I" the lady boarders'' say, then Is true and will
swear to II IL they cannot procure the testimony
Of Mr.. Mahan or some Of bis amiable friends
But those letters from "thesgentlemen present
at the encounter" There were but four /" gen.
tlemen present at the encounter" and some Of
them know to be the personal friends Of Mr.
Mahan, and who were not disconnected In spirit,
nor altogether In department, with the conduct or
Mr. M which led to the difficulty. One gentle
| man was present whom recognise as &c. tie
man, and who will state no untruth, nor do l be-
lieve that he will pervert any act Of mine TO graft
| fy Mr.. M or his friends. The other gentlemen a.
Iuded to, am satisfied would do anything In their
power to cast blame upon me. They labored
| hard to do so immediately after the occurrence,
| as Is well known to those who are residents OF
| this hotel; but not knowing precisely what they
| may have said, can make no specific response
If, however, they shallbe pleased to commit their
representstio In writing, may feel II proper "a
notice the same In the manner and spirit they de.
serve; ask nothing at their hands, and am quite
| adequate to protect myself
In asserting my own position In this matter
l shall only say, that Mr.. Mahan by offensive
looks ard scowls, unprovoked by me, perpe
trated upon me that species Of insult, which