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

! room. ] did SO, and | stated to them that,
while did not acknowledge the code of the
duelist and would not resort to the code of
the bully, would permit no man to insult
me; that, while would repel any assault
as promptly as would if | accepted the
code of the dueist, would not shield my
self from the full responsibilities of my
words and acts by rejecting the code.
i expressed my willingness to refer the
whole matter between Dir. Gwin and my
self TO reference committee-to Mr..
Davis. Mr.. Seward, Mr.. Wade, or Mr.. Crit
tenden, or Mr.. Toombs, and 70 abide their
decision. AS MIR. Gwin could make no pro-
position, expressed my willingness to send
a proposition to him to the effect that as he
had cent a challenge to me for words spoken
in debate; that ! had declined to accede to
that means for the settlement of personal
difficulties, although he'd to the doctrine
OF self-defence; that Twas responsible for
my words, and / would refer the matter to a
conference committee. Mr.. Crittenden was
summoned in, and related my proposition,
and retired. In few moments Mr.. Seward
brought me pape prepared by Messrs. Davis
Seward& Crittenden, proposing to Mr. Gwin
10 refer the Whole matter to them signed
this paper making this proposition, aud ir
doing SO had the entire approval of the
Senators who were consulted. 1t was a
simple proposition to refer our difficulty to a
committee of reference, and to abide the
result. Mr.. Crit.enden, Mr.. Seward, and
Mr.. Davis agreed upon a.plan of adjust
ment, and this document was signed by Mr.
,Gwin and myself between and 10 ocloc k
Satptday evening, after a negoiia,ion of
thirty hours, which began before 5 O'Clock
on Friday afternoon. s.rs-..sa SIS Is
1t will be seen by this statement, which
every one who knew aught OF the matter
knows to be true, that if Mr.. Gwin "cvn-
sented tc give" as the writer states, aten
hours TO receive an apology" he very
graciously consented to extend the time
from three O'clock ON Friday afternoon to
nine o'clock on Sa turday afternoon--thirty
hours-and 10 refer the matter without any
apology" a. all. No time was fixed upon :;
no word or message of any kind was reesiv-
ed by me from Mr. Twin during the nego-
tiaiion running through these thirty hours
Nc, proposition was made to me by Mr..
Davis, "iu fix some hour to meet Mr.. Gwin
on the banks of the Canal" nor did any
such conversation as this article describes
take place between Mr.. Davis and myself
No word, no hint Of that kind was made by
Mr.. Davis, or by any one, to me. II Mr.
Gwin's intentions were known to any one,
they were never communicated to me. This
writer's statements are sheer, naked false
hoods. tt.- --1 .... .- .-#.
When | declined Mr.. Gwin's challenge,
did suppose he would assault me at sight,
and | was rot unprepared to meet it. / did
not deem physical courage So rare a thing
or SO exalted quality as to lead me To i'm
pute any wait of it to him, but did not
suppose he was foolhurdy enough to attempt
upon me what this letter writer designates
"another Gaming affair" Since helped 10
wash the blood from the head of my col
league in May, 1856, have had an idea
that it would not be quite safe for any one
TO try upon me, ga canning affair" shall
continue, think, to indulge that idea some
time longer. Yours, truly ..I
HENRY VIII SON.