Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1858-07-15

0TWe were surprised and pained to see
the article 10 which the subjoined has refer
ence in last weeks WoDdsfield Spirit, sur
prised that Mr.. WILLIAMS whom we Judge to
be high-toned gentleman, should publish
su ch an article and pained that such injustice
should be done to the gallant Massachusetts
Senator, whose courage has never been be-
fore called in question. We find the article,
with the following predatory remarks, il
Mondays Wheeling InteHigsncsr:
The Gwin and Wilson Challenge
Letter from Senator Wiaon-The
Law Of Honor and the Law of
Self Defence.
We published the other day, an extract
from the Washington correspondence of the
St. Louis Republicans, purporting TO give an
authoritative account of the adjustment of
the difficulty between Senators 6win, of
California, and Wilson, of Massachusetts
The account was such an one as to put
Senator Wilson in any thing out an enviabe
condition. Senator Wilson evidently felt
it to be such. and me therefore, replies to its
allegations as follows:
The difficulty between Mr. Gwin and my
self occurred about ten O'Clock Thursday
evening. June 10Th. His challenge vas re-
ceived by me a few moments past ten clock
Friday morning. At one o'clock sent him
answer. declining TO accede to his request
At three O'Clock Mr.. Seward came to nv
seat and said that he had. on his own re-
sponsibility, consulted Mr. Gwin with a
view to mutual explanations of the difficult
ties between US; that he should not te i me
what Mr.. Gwin had said, nor should he re-
peat my words to him; but he could assure
me that Mr.. Gwin desired the amicable ad-
justmeut of the affair, and he wished to
know if | would permit him to consult with
that gentIemsn, With view TO mutual ex-
plantations. | told Mr.. Seward, in reply to
his suggestions, that | had no il!-wilI to-
wards Mr. Gwin, although he had offered
ME an unprovoked insult, which had se-
PEELED in a manner to put the grievance up
on him; that he had his remedy, although
had refused TO accept his challenge; but Il
was willing to adjust the affair, if it could
be honorably brought about; but would
not consent to be placed in false position,
to help Mr Gwin out of the position had
placed him in.
Mr. Seward saw Mr.. Gwin, and then
brought me letter he had drafted, opening
eorrespondencewith thut gentleman with
view to an adjustment | al once declined
to sign it, or any other paper which should
make concessions in advance. Mr.. Seward
then saw Mr.. Gwin and brought me paper
of mutual explanations which dec ciined to
assent to. Several papers were then drawn
up by Mr. Seward and by other Senators,
who were anxious to have the matter settled
bu; would not assent 20 any OF them
When the Senate adjourned late that even
ing nothing had been accomplished
On Saturday morning, when the Senate
met, the subject was again taken up, and
several papers were drawn. up, but would |
not consent to sign any paper which made
any preliminary concessions, or explanations
or apologies. Several Senators, Mr.. Gwin's
and my friends, pressed upon me the settle
ment of the difficulty They deemed the
stfsir an unfortunate one. They said that
Mr.. Gwin telt himself sggrieved, that he
had sought mode of settlement which !
had declined. and that he would make 10
proposition, but that could do so. Mr..
Toombs, Mr.. Wade, Gen. Houston and Mr..
Benjamin, whom consulted, each and all
told me could make to MIR, Gwin The
simple proposition to refer the subject to a
conference committee. These gentlemen
assured me that | could make this PROPOSE
ton to him with the greatest propriety. |
avow ed my readiness during the whole day
to send to him that proposiiicn. but would
not make any explanations in advance, and
in this was sustained by my friends.
Late in the day Dir. Seward sent for me
to mecs him aud Mr.. Divis in tho Secrctary'g