Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-10-03
WASHINGTON NEWS AND GOSSIP.

The Late Duel In eouth Cerouns -1ho
recent duel has occssioned much comment IN
the public press throughout the country ana
hence every thing connected with the tragedy
is of general interest. The duel, which re-
suited in the death of Mr.. Taber, took place,
& i, stated, in consequence Of peremptory
challenge to that gentleman for alleged often
siye matter published in the Charleston Mer.
curry, the name of the author Of which was
not demanded.
1t now appears that on the 9Th of Septem.
Der, Edmund Rhett, jr., addressed to the Hon
A. G. Magrath the following note
"SIR: 1t has just come to my knowledge,
that your brother, E. Magrath, ESQ. has sent
account Of tho publication in tn at paper Of the
articles signed A NulliHer.' With view Of
preventing a collision between our mutual
friends, hereby avow myself the author Of
those articles. I trust, sir, that you will see
the propriety of relieving others from the
probable and painful consequences Of vindi'
eating your honor, by vindicating it yourself
cessary arrangements"
To this Mr. Magrath, under date of the 3Oth
ultimo, replied as follows:
"Sir Your note of the 9th inst was
handed to me, on Sunday, in Aiken, by DIR.
Furman, to whom stated, would return an
answer in Charleston
timation that any difficulty had grown out Of
the publication Of certain articles of which
you have avowed yourself the author.
81 took the most effectual means, circum-
stanced as 1 was, to put a stop to the proceed
ings of which you notified me.
"I had hoped that these means would have
proved successful that they were not, was
city the day after the receipt of your note in
Aiken: then for the first time learned that
definite arrangements had been made for
. duel between Mr.. Taber and my brother,
the time for their meeting having been fixed
at an hour prior to the arrival of the cars.
"Your declaration of being the author of
the articles which have appeared in the Mer-
curry, addressed to myself, Is of no interest or
consequence to me. Should deem it requi-
site TO take any step for meeting the unpro-
voked charges and aspersiOns, shall follow
the dictates of my own sense Of duty and pro-
priety, aided tn srein by the counsel Of friends,
and not regarding the suggestions of my as.
sailant. To the public as we'll as myself it
is due that this correspondence should be
KNOWN
Mr.. Magrath has row formally Withdrawn
as a candidate in the pending election for
member of Congress from the Charleston dis.
trict.
Dodging A custom prevails of "taking
the vote" on board of steamboats,, railroad
cars, etc, confined principally to the Fillmore
and Fremont supporters, who thus manage to
mako it appear tbs t, on an average, Buchanan
is considerably in the minority. To let them
tell the story, he can scarcely, anywhere, mus
ter a corpsraps guard.
Recently in " accordance with this prevail
ing mania o! tho times" a vote was proposed
to be taken on the train in which Presi-
dent Pierce YVES passenger, between
New York AMI Sta Imford, when, according to
the Eventng 1OOst, the President refused TO
vote whereupon, that paper remarks:
This dodge of the President will hard
ly satisfy the pu bile, for the locality had
nothing to do Wit his simple expression of
opinion, and We IN ay naturally conclude tn at
Mr.. Pierce, thou gh a tried mensecr Of the
Buchsnfer party, cannot swallow either its
platform or sandi date-in other words, even
Franklin Pierce ID unwilling to vote for James
Buchanan. 1t is for the friends of the latter
gentleman to date: mine whether this should
be matter Of reJOic ing or of SORROW"
We merely alL de to the remarks Of the
Post to show the contemplate shifts to which
it and kindred journals are now reduced, to
strike blow at President who seorns such
petty coHtrivaD ces as voting in the cars, to
bolster up the ca use of Fremont The dodge
as it Is called, Of the distinguished gentlema an
was right and proper, as be was unwilling to
make himself - party to this /" mania of the
times" The people will settle the question
at the ballot-b OK.
Pension Of,ice.-In the Pension Bureau for
the month OF September, under the act of Sd
March, 1855, the following business was trans
acted:
Applications rec eiyed. 1880
ex smined, or re-eXamined. Is, 483
all owed ................. g. 236
Warrants or &C rtifcates issued. ........ $685.
The number Of acres required to satisfy