Semi-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1853-18??, 1858-08-14

it would be. And that gentleman dictated the
note,-I wrote it and he bore it. After ne nao
done SO he expressed to me much surprise at !ne
turn given it by Brooks. Whatever nght'ng
men may think of that note, written as II was WINE
challenge was pending, do not regret that wrote
it, for if err at ALL, had rather 1t would oe on
the side of peace do not desire the reputation OF
being brave and upon reflection thougnt that as
Brooks was a young man, and must tee! etnoarrass-
ed at resting under blow which he did not return,
Il was becoming in me to do every thing | could to
relieve hm-not that he did not deserve all he got,
but because it was wrong in me to give it to him
8ut STILL if Mr.. Brooks supposcs that think so little
of myself as not to defend myself when assaled, it
may be might be so impruGent again as to disap-
point him; and if he would have the world believe
it, he himself will be living, walking, strutt'ng;
witness to the contrary long as he carries head
on his shoulders. Mr.. B. says that my "pretence"
that he was offensive to me when l struck him =" is
false" The foregoing certificate of Messrs. Munday
and others will show whether it was mere pretence'
on nv part, or whether he has published deber-
ate falsehood.
As to his charge that was under no other excite
ment than that Of an assassin" it is strange that
he should have regarded me as his equdl and chal-
lenged me as q gentleman. AS to his charge that
put off the meeting in order that we might be ar.
rested he knows there was no danger of an arrest
much as he desired it. There crowd and sew
eral magistrates present all the evening; his door
it was publicly known even by magistrates and off,
GERS that he had challenged me- and yet it was SO
well understood to be all oind that i. laughed
of, and no notice taken of it.
Why did put it off four days. one of which was
Sunday? might answer that if he were severe
ly assaulted he says, it was kind and humane in
me to allow him time to recruit. But that was not
my reason; knew Just we'll as he knew when
he challenged me- that it never was to come off He
knew could not and would not 1f0ht him, and
believed he would not fight me-and I was really
anxious to allow time for an honorable settlement
As to his determination to have nothing more to
do with me- don't know that he need be afraid
think would govern myself better another time.
I advise him, however, to form the same determine
ton in regard to all others for if he should make
mistake and really get hold of duelist, he would
be either killed scared to death! He had better
rest upon his reputation, that he took his dueling
code out into the country, and with it tried to
trighten plain farmer, with family, and member
of the church! He can talk largely over that. if
he will keep his hat on while he is young, and
a acig when he is old. Having stated, frankly what
part bore. with my reasons for it and. confessing
much had no sufficient excuse for. might stop;
but Mr. Brooks has put this matter in the papers.
evidently for notoriety abroad, it may be just that
more of the truth should 60 with it. Let me call
attention to the part he has acted; take no excep
ton to the declaration in his publication. that he
believes his client innocent. But, then, where was
the necessity for him to say So unless to have it
supposed that ! was vicious man, and prosecuting
an innocent man? The magistrates, however. diff.
fered with Mr. Brooks. for they bound Walker over.
Mr.. Brooks claimed the right to appear before the
magistrates the Legitimate business of his profess
sion" He ought to know better than I; vet have
taken the pains to inquire, and learn that lawyer
has no right to appear before magistrate His IL
is for the courts and whenever he appears be.
fore magistrate it is by courtesy and then seldom,
TO- sc IL
traes IN this refused to extend this courtesy to
Mr.. Brooks. Of course I do not know their motive,
but they were all men Of much experience and in
telligence; one of them had represented the county
several years in the legislature. NJ. B. was young
man, and have no doubt would have greatly pro-
tracted the and beds;des, near relative Of
the DEFENDANT More might be said Just here but
forbear He spoke of the magistrates afterwards
with disrespect; especially of their ignorance
Would it not be well for him to learn his own
rights and duties before he undertakes to censure
officers for any supposed ignorance Of theirs? And
would it not be we'll for him to learn the courteScs
of the honorable profession to which he belongs be-
fore he consgns me over to damnation. for want Of
the courtesies of good breeding?'' But If this
testy gentleman had really rather fight than eat.
why did he not challenge Mr.. Woods! Now, if Mr..
Woods had intended any offence as have no idea
he did. any more than did, here was a remark that
might he noticed, for if Mr.. Reade was too much of
gentleman to try case with such advantage. it
might imply it would be ungentlemanLy in Mr..
Brooks. Mr.. Woods is not an old man. ard he is
not member Of the church. I do not hesitate to
admit. as Mr. Brooks says, that my second note was
forced from me But not in the sense in which he
says it. 1t is my deliberate opinion that Brooks de-
ceitfuly induced the gentleman at whose instance
wrote the note to believe that such note would be
satisfactory, and his purpose was to get such note
under challenge, in order that under his dueling
code he might make flourish of it, Deceitfulness
is well known trait in his character. No wonder
that he touched by the word "underhanded' y
He has smarted under it before
There ia scarcely paper in the State whose editor
he right not have scared to death long ago. for pub
fishing him as having done deceitful and under.
handed turn at the legislature before the last and
for which the last legislature of his party turn.
ed him out Of Office. Upon reflection I see the i'm
property of my using the term underhanded" in
his presence it was the same calling him by his
name! He may well charge me with being "a
stranger to the courtesies of good breeding" IF
be supposed that have gone beyond my defence
and assailed the other side, it may be that have
| he hac published my correspondence only, awkward
as it may be, would not have said word in reply
that would have spoken for itself; but he went be
yond that and published card full of falsehood
| which did me injustice And I submit it to a JUS
Is presumptuous and unprnciped is to be permitted
to thrust himself where he has no right-abuse off
GERS of the law-assail parties-threaten and dar,
gentlemen.-introduce among plain country peopl,
the detestable code of dueling and murder-boas
that he has forced explanations published men i,
the papers as cowards-and himself as exceedngl,
brare-pcking men he knows are bound up-ant
publishing Infamous falsehoods-ought such ma,
to be allowed to impose upon the public? fear hav
trespassed upon your space. But am done will
my distinguished friend. He has cheated the legis
ature. bullied the church, denounced the judiciary
and lied handsomely. He may come to somethin,
high yet.
Respectfully.
j. H. CLAY
Woodsdale, July 23d, 1858.
FATAL AccIDENr.-A gentleman at Bangle Col
Mine, near Concord, sends the particulars of