Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-03-21
q a man. fslt compe led 70 notice anal 20 hr

a. man, felt compe led to notice. l did 50 by
banding him card with nv name and the
number Of my room upon II, and accompanied
OF course, my deliberate purpose to insult him in
| .em. ana manner which he would be compelled
20 notice, and which expected him TO do by fol
loving me nom the room and letting ne hear
however, saw proper to throw the card in NV face
thus DISTINCTLY Discovering his inter ton I, re.
sPono 20 Il IN the manner usually preferred by gen
him In the face as the only additional act could
then perform, to maintain the attitude h. d as
stunned toward: him, and n felt II to be impos-
sole ior me 70 leave the parlor under such crcum-
| stances, raised my hand instantly I believed
him to be armed as l noticed him move his hand
towards his person, as IL to draw weapon and
striking him with my clenched hand, broua bit
him upon his knees. A contest then ensued in
| which, as soon as he had an opportunity, he fred
pistol at me. The particulars Of this passage
at arms have no fancy for relating and would
prefer that those letters from gentlemen PRESENT.
should do 1t. do know, however, every act that
did transpire, and hope that no gentleman will
venture upon any perv rsion OF them: received
| no injury beyond the conclusion produced by the
explosion OF the pistol with two balls in It, d.
The self-defence Of Mr. M. as vouched r r by
those H7ses~ letters, consisted In defending him
self from an assault which his conduct TO me
had brought upon him.
As to the statement that he had never spoken 10
me, and did not know me, Il is certainly true
Perhaps, IL he had known me a little better he
Wouio not have presumed to treat ne as he did.
into collision with the most stubborn traits OF NV
character, and which hope will ever protect ms
rom being the object Of contempt or insul, from
any dy, at any time or place
submit to the public what INTERPRETATION of
the Innocent conduct Of Mr.. M. can be more con
elusive To an bis being armed with loaded pistol
on the Sabbath In private parlor In the presence
OF ladies', and which he discharged In their pres.
eQc6 with a deadly m nd fpfo
'letters" and that ''letters explain to the Agent
OF the Associated Press any reason for this armed
inno:encef do not require any myself, think
saw enough to understand IL.
NOW, do not wish to annoy the public with
my private qusrrels, nor shall attempt TO Justify
even my own conduct justification is q term
to such violence In the presence Of ladies; nor
can any one man Lay down rules for guiding the
conduct Of another under such circumstances /
much regret that felt compelled to act Is did,
he did not know me should have treated me in
manner to require Il.
have lived long In this hotel; I como here
every winter to attend to the duties Of my piofes
sion and have the honor to represent large inter-
ests for many persons before the public tribunals,
and am perhaps doing my clients Injustice by
being involved In any such disturbance as the one
which Is now referred to.
The proprietors Of the hotel took prompt and
commendable steps TO rebuke such conduct as
was party to, and TO prevent a recurrence Of IT,
was held to sfriHt accountability for nv conduct
They have satisfied themselves as to what was
right In the premises, ard the whole matter would
soon have been lost sight Of, verify believe IL
SONS who have PLAYED an active part in the ma.
Ter from the commencement would only let II
alone
II, however; it is attempted to place me in
false position by ''letters," or any other mans,
shall most likely be found adequate to the emer-
gency: l wish to detract nothing from the posi-
ton OF Mr.. Mahan; so far as | am concerned he
may flourish with all the laurels he has won from
his innocent " self defense or the heroism he
may have achieved in the estimation Of his smia-
BILE friends Of either sex. | do know, though,
that am not to be trod upon to effect that object
Let 1t be undertaken by whomscever it may. I
know what owe to society, and am willing to
acquit myself Of the obligation.
beg pardon for the necessity Of this publica-
toni see nothing in 1t requiring noto:iety, nor
shall dignity il as such. I ask, however, no
exoneration from any just responsibility. II nv
conduct was wrong In the estimation of others,
am willing they should Sc adjudge it have
done what thought was proper and due to N.Y.
self. Respectfully, Jos. b. STEWART
N. b. will be mo thankful il those prints
which published the communication from the
"Agent Of the Associated Press" would be so
good as to notice this. / think IL would be hut
justice TO me. IL