Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1858-07-12

from senator WttS0R-1Hs AutO " 4AOHOi
and the LasO IF SELF Detcnce.-We published
the other day, an extract from the Washington
correspondence of the ST. Louis Republican,
purporting to give anauthoritative account ofthe
adjustment of the difficulty between Senators
Gwin, Of Cal, and Wilson, of Mass. The ac-
count was such an one as to put Senator Wilson
in any thing but an enviable condition. Sena-
tor Wilson evidently felt it to>be such, and he
therefore, replies to its allegations as follows:
The difficulty between Mr. Gwin and myself
occurred about ten o'clock Thursday evening,
june 10TH His challenge was received by me
few moments past ten o'clock Friday morning.
AT one o'clock sent him my answer, declining
to accede to his request At three O'Clock Ar
Seward came to my seat and said that ne mad,
on his own responsibility, consulted Mr. Gwln
with view to mutual explanations of the diff
culties between us; that he should not tell ME
what Mr.. Gwin had said, nor should he repeat
my words to him; but he could assure me that
Mr. Gwin desired the amicable adjustment OF
the affair, and he wished to know If would
permit him to consult with that gentleman,
with view to mutual explanations. told
MIR. Seward, in reply TO his suggestions, that
had no ill-will towards Mr.. Gwin, although he
had offered me unproyoked insult, which
had repealed in manner to put the grievance
upon him; that he had his remedy, although
had refused to accept his challenge; but was
willing to adjust the affair, if it could be hon
orably brought about; but | would not consent
to be placed in false position, to help Mr.. Gwin
out of the position had placed him ill.,
Mr.. Seward saw Mr.. Gwin, and then brought
me letter he had drafted, opening a cores
pondence with that gentleman with view 10 an
adjustment at once declined to sign IT. or
any other paper which should make concessions
in advance. Mr.. Seward then saw MIR. Gwln
and brought me paper of mutual explanations
which declined to assent to- Several papers
were then drawn up by Mr.. Seward and by
other Senators, who were anxious to have the
matter settled, but would not assent to any OF
them. When the Senate adjourned late that
evening nothing had been accomplished.
On Saturday morning, when the Senate met,
the subject was again taken up, and several pa
pers were drawn up, but would not consent to
sign any paper which made any preliminary
concessions, or explanations, or apologies. Sew
eral senators, Mr.. OWNS and my friends press
ed upon me the settlement of the difficulty.
They deemed the affair an unfortunate one.
They said that Mr.. Gwin felt himself aggrieyed,
that he had sought mode of settlement which
had declined, and that he would make no
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 Mr.. Gwin the simple proposition to re-
fer the subject to conference committee
These gentlemen assured me that could make
this proposition to him with the greatest pro-
priety. l avOWed my readiness during the
whole day TO send to him that proposition, but
would not make any explanations in advance,
and in this was sustained by my friends.
Late in the day Mr.. Seward sent for me to
meet him and Mr.. Davis in the Secretary's 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 man to insult me; that while
would repe any assault as promptly as |
would if accepted the code of the duelist,
would not shield myself from the full response
bilities of my words and acts by rejecting the
code.
expressed my willingness to refer the whole
matter between Mr.. Gwin and myself to refer
cnce cornmittee-to Mr.. Davis, Mr.. Seward, MIR.
Wade, or Mr.. Crittenden, or Mr.. TOOmbs, and
to abide their decision. AS Mr.. Gwin could
make no proposition, expressed my willingness
to send proposition to him to the effect that
as he had sent challenge to me for words spo-
ken in debate; that had declined to accede to
that means for the settlement of personal diff
culties, although held to the doctrine of self
defence; that was responsible for my words,
and would refer the matter to n conference
committee. Mr.. CrittenGen was summoned in,
and related my proposition, and retired. In
few moments Mr. Seward brought me paper,
prepared by MesSrs. Davis, Seward and Critten-
den, proposing to Mr.. Gwin to refer the whole
matter to them. signed this paper making
this proposition, and in doing so l had the en-
tire approval of the senators who were consult
ed. It was simple proposition to refer our
difficulty to committee of reference, and to
abide the result. MIR. Crittenden, MIR. Seward,
and Mr.. Davis agreed upon plan of adjustment,
and this document was signed by Mr.. Gwin and
myself between and 10 o'clock Saturday even
ing, after a negotiation of thirty hours, which
began before 3 o'clnck on Friday afternoon.
It will he seen by thisstateinent, which every
one who knew ausht of the matter knows to be
true, that if Mr. Gwin consented to give" as
the writer states, ''ten hours to receive an apol
ogy, )" he very graciousy consented to extend the
time from three o'clock on Friday afternoon to
nine o'clock on Saturday afternoon thirty
hours-and to refer the matter without any
APOLOGY" at all. No time was fixed upon; no
word or message of any kind was received by
me from Mr.. Gwin during the negotiation run
ming through these thirty hours. No PROPOSE
ton was made to me by Mr.. Davis, 'to 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.
| If Mr.. OWNS intentions were known to any
one, they were never communicated to me-
This writer's statements are sheer, naked false
hoods