Weekly Trinity journal., 1857-03-07
A Manly Newfoundland.

The fact has already been published that
Alexander H. Stephens, NJ. c. from Geor-
gia, recently challenged to mortal combat
Hon. r. II. Hill, of the same State. The
difficulty grew out of political speech made
by Mr.. Hill, in which he reflected rather
severely on Mr. Stephens and his colleague,
Mr. Toombs The merits of the matter in
controversy are quite immaterial to our pur-
pose Mr.. Hill declined to fight with Mr..
Stephens, and from his letter of declinatlon
we make the following extracts;
1t might be some satisfaction for you to
shoot at me, though should entertain no
great fear of being hit but candor requires
me to say, with my present feelings, could
not deliberately shoot at you, and for many
reasons-a few only Of which | will now
give.
lst might possibly kill you, and though
you may not consider your life valuable,
yet to take it would be a great annoyance
to me ever afterwards The ceaseless accu-
satons of my conscience that was a mur
derer would be the bane Of all my future
happiness.
I'd. | am not conscious of having given
you any just ground of oifensc. In my let
ter of the oath, / authorize you to construe
my remarks by the meaning of your own
charge, to which the remarks were intended
as a reply. If the reply, then, was of'ens-
i've, it only proves that you so intended
your charge, and in that view you are en-
titled to no satisfaction, and | am satisfied
with the reply. Further than this dis
tinctly dsclaimed any personal aluson or
unkindness, and Notwithstanding your bel
ligerent message, feel none now
3D.. If the invitation to mortal combat is
intended as mere formal occasion to ex-
change few formal shots and then have an
adjustment, / can only say | never engage
in farces, nor make fegned issues. If
could be made conscious that | had done
you injustice, should deem it a duty to
repair it, and should not wait first to be
shot at. If you did me injustice, / met the
occasion with the remedy, and it does seem,
made a shot which produced a wider if not
deeper sore, than any within the power of
powder and ball to produce.
Now sir Gas | always speak plainly |
will only add that | know nothing which
has occurred between you and me which
could authorize or justify duel ; and while
have never at any time had an insult
offered me, nor aggression attempted |
shall yet know how to meet and rcpe any
that may be offered by any gentleman who
may presume upon this refusal or otherwise.
On receipt of this answer, Mr.. Stephens
posted Mr.. Hill as coward Mr.. Hill
has just published the correspondence, ac-
companied by letter in reply to the post
ing card From it we make few extracts.
After reviewing the whole matter, Mr.. II.
says
My private character is n jewel I prize
above all others. | was born, raised and
educated in Georgia, and if the man, woman,
or child could be found whom / have ever
wilfully deceived, in private or public life
in politics, law or social intCrcoursc-I here
by unscal his lips and authorize him to
speak. 1t is real consolation to know,
that on this subject, at least, | can defy the
Slanderer mock the traduccr and despise
even the venom Of Alexander H. Stephens
4 i i x 4;
! regard duellng as no evidence of cour
nge-nO vndicatiOn of truth and no test
of the character Of the true gentleman. |
shall be braggart liar and poItroon' enough,
nov and forever to declare that what the
laws Of God and my native state unite in
denouncing as murder, could DO me no sat
islaction to do, attempt or to desire. This
determination is but strengthened when the
contrary course involve the violation of my
conscience and the hazard of my family, as
against man who has neither conscience
nor family. But l have had, and shall CON
tinue to have, courage enough to do my
duty firmly and truthfully and to defend
myself anywhere and everywhere, even in
the Sth District and if any gentleman
doubts it, there is short and easy way of
testing it.