Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-07-29

time and place had named, saying to Mr.. B.
that if l was to be his adviser, he must be
governed BY my counsel, and that would be
responsible for my decision.
Mr.. Burlingame then acquiesced, stating
that if communication was presented to me,
objecting to that time or place, in his absence,
l should change either or both at my discre-
ton.
l deem knowledge of the facts on this
point alike due TO Mr.. Burlingame and myself,
in view of the unexpected publicity which Col.
Brooks has given to the matier through the
press.
From the spirit of Col. Brooks's note, 1 was
induced to hope that no hostile action would
result from the meeting which he invited.
believed that the retired place l had desgnat.
cd, being accessible by one days travel, in
cool, healthful, and magniicently picturesque
region, remote from the excitements of me-
tropolitan life, would be far more appropriate
in the hot season, than any point in the region
of the District of Columbia, but Mr.. Brooks
seems 10 set out with the assumption that his
note was in spirit, if not in form, hostile
message, or in other words, challenge.
What right had l, in this view of the mat
ter, to drive the challenged party outside of
the District? If the answer be to evade the
laws OF the country, then that answer admits
the place to have been well chosen, because
there is no State north or south, i'll which the
laws do not prohibit such hostile meetings un-
der heavy penalties.
After assuming that the note was a chal-
lenge, he says that he could not reach the
Falls of Niagara without running the gaunt.
let of mobs, assassins, prisons and penitentia.
ries, bailitfs ami jconstables.
1t appears by the note of Gen. Lane to him
that he had informed Mr.. Burlingame at the
outset, that he had the right of selecting the
place for the meeting, etc. and yet, after it
was chosen, he objected to it on the ground
that it was too far distant, and would subject
Mr.. Brooks to so many hazards of arrest, and
therefore advised him to take no further notice
of the matter. l will not stigmatize the peo-
pie southwark as mobs, assassins etc., but in
behalf of the people between this point and
Niagara Falls, assert that Col. Brooks would
have been quite as secure north Of Mason and
Dixon's line, as Mr.. Burlingame would have
been south of it. know nothing of the rules
of chivalry, except what nature has taught
me, nor have l studied, nor will ever waste
time in studying the matter of the code duel.
10, but as my action in the premises seems to
be rebuked, l leave the parties to show
the authorizes to justify their propositions /:
First-That the challenging party may in his
time or place Of meeting. Sccond-That in
selecting the place the challenged party is cir
cumscribed geographically, by any precise
latitude or longitude. Third-That when the
place is fixed by the party entitled to the Sc
lection, the challenger may retire from the
field on his objections to distance, if within
one days travel or from fear of "bailiffs ana
constables." Fourth-That under mutual
agreement not to give publicity, one party is
authorized to publish the affair through The
press, without the knowledge or consent of
the other.
My completely in this affair was induced
solely by private friendship, and the hope that
l might be instrumental, in some humble way,
in restoring amicable relations between the
parties. now dismiss the whole matter, so
far rs may be possible, from my mind, forever,
consoled by the reflection that, whatever may
lave been my errors in the premises, no broth
ers blood has been shed, or life sacrificed by
reason of any act of mine.
LEWIS D. CAMPBELL.
Washington, D. c., July 26, Sc.
WASHINGTON, July 26, 1856.
My Dear Sir In view Of the unexpected
publicity which Col, Brooks has given to his
difference with you, in which he has compli-
Gated my name, deem it proper, in closing
my connection with the affair, to place in YOUR
hands the enclosed statement of facts. You
are at liberty to make such use Of 1t as YOU
may deem proper.
am, my dear sir, very truly yours, &c.,
;, LEWIS D. CAMPBELL.