The Nevada Democrat., 1858-09-29
The Real Cause OF Quarrel between Fergu-
son and Johnston.

The Real Cause OF Quarrel between Fergu-
son and Johnston.
Since the death of Ferguson facts have come
to light showing that the real cause Of the duel
between him and Johnston was not given to
the public at the time. The immediate cause
Of the challenge, so far as published, was in re-
lston to the nominations Of Congressman.
Some words had occurred between the parties
in regard TO mentioning the name Of Mrs.
Gwin. but that matter was settled and John
ston invited Ferguson and the others to take
diink with him and let it drop. Before drink
ing. however, Johnston accused Ferguson of
having acted in bad faith in regard to nomina-
tiOns for Congressman by the anti-Lecompton
Convention. Ferguson denied the charge, and
gave O somewhat different version of the con-
versation; Johnston told him he lied. and Fer
Tuson struck him. They were then separated; ;
Johnston sent challenge which was accepted,
! and the result is known.
Tn -sply to some charges made by the Bulls-
tin. Gen. Esiee!.i; Ferguson's second, made
statement of facts IN regard to the matter, in
which we find the following:
On the morning of the 20th Of August, was
informed that the Hon. George Pen JoEas'on
had challenged the Hon. VIM. /. Ferguson. who
was then looking for me to act as his friend
On meeting him, refused to act, and gave my
reasons in full. was sent for afterwards and
told that no suitable party could be procured,
which finally induced me to consent, but not
until full powers were given Inc to adjust the
difficulty without a hostile meeting, if it could
be done honorably.
| proceeded at once to find the friend Of Mr..
Johnston, who went with me to his principal.
Having been Informed by Mr.. Ferguson of
the circumstances which had transpired at the
interview at the Bank Exchange, l naturally
concluded it to be the matter of difference, and
gave the statement which was of such q char
acter, that, in my opinion, it left the means of
adjustment.
When was through awaited the answer.
Mr.. Johnston, in reply, spoke of the other mat
ters foreign to the canse of quarrel, as / had
understood it; when his friend said the apparent
misunderstanding is not the only cause OF com
plant, but we see proper to make our demand
on it.
had no course left but to take my leave and
advise Mr. Ferguson to prepare for the meet
ing. Anxious as / was to adjust the difficulty,
we found it impossible to explain that which
we did not understand, or apologize for an Of
fence Of which we were not accused.
From the above it is evident that the real
cause of the duel between Ferguson and Johns
ton was not at the time, and has not since been,
made public. A few words spoken, or even
blow given, in drunken brawl, would seem
wholly inadequate to produce such mortal ha-
tired towards each other as was exhibited by the
principals while upon the fatal field, particu-
arly as they had previously been on ostensibly
friendly terms The real cause of the quarrel
must be known to Estel and others, and may
yet be brought to light by the investigations of
the Grand Jury of San Francisco. The Sacra-
mento Bee gives the following as the real cause
Of the quarrel, which it believes to be in the
main correct:
At the Senatorial election in 1857, when both
Broderick and Gwin were chosen by the Legis-
lature to the United States Senate, the latter
gave certain letter, which was published at
the time, to the formers friends, containing
certain pledges that have never been fulfilled
Gwin, also, as we learn, gave another and a
somewhat similar, though much stronger letter,
to W. /. Ferguson, who then represented this
county in the State Senate. Ferguson was in
the habit, sometimes, when in his cups, of
threatening, in presence Of the friends of our
senior Senator, to make that interesting docu-
HVuN PuoiVi AAV uuV lSdsVu W VellcVe tuAG
efforts were being made to get 1t out Of his
possession, for the purpose Of having it destroy
ed, and several months since took care to have
q correct copy of it made and properly certi-
fed. In fact. it is said that he appealed to,
to give it up. but he absolutely refused. The
original is probably gone; at any rate, it has
not thus far turned up among his papers, and
the question is, "What has become of 2" This
letter, then, to which SO much Importance has
been attached, and which Ferguson would not
part with, notwithstanding all the efforts to
force II out of his hands, may be, and probably
Is. that other cause of quarrel, "for which no
apology could be received" and concerning
which neither the challenger in this duel, nor
bis second, would make any explanation, or
render the least satisfaction, II the friends of
Ferguson can lay hands upon that letter, they
ought to give 1t to the public; aud If the origin
al has been taken from him, or mSlaid in any
manner, let the certified copy be made known
SO that the pnble may know, beyond all doubt,
what the real cause of quarrel was.