The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1858-04-07
ThE1 1bLADEssBURG DURLLISG GRoFsD.

ground, from which we take the following
account of the Mason and M'Carty duel,
which occurred in 1919:
MASON AND M'cARTY.
One of the most desperate of those mel.
ancholy encounters which have made this
place so memorable was that of the 9th of
February, 1919, between Gen. Armisead T.
Mason, previously Senator in Congress
from Virginia, and Col. John M. M Carly,
a citizen of the same State. The difficulty
between them had existed some time. 1t
originated in that most prolific source of
personal enmity, poitics. The parties were
second cousins but Notwithstanding this,
their quarrel appears to have been prose-
cuted with an animosity as unsparing as
their relationship was intimate. Several
months previous to the final meeting, vi
olent alteration hadtaken place between
them at Leesburg, in consequence of Ma
sons having questioned M'Cany's right to
vote. M'Cary at once challenged Mason,
but in his challenge he prescribed the terms
and conditions of the duel. This dictation
Of terms Mason would not submit TO; and
consequently by the advice of his friends
he declined the challenge. At the same
time, however, he sent word TO M'Carty
that he was ready to accept regular chal-
lenge, in proper form. M'Cary paid no
attention to the message, but forthwith pub.
lished Mason as coward. Mason then
sent challenge TO M'Carty, which M Carly
declined on the ground of cowardice in Ma.
son, as shown by his refusal 10 fight in the
first instance. AT this juncture number of
Mason's friends united in letter, begging
| him TO take no further notice OF M'Carty-
Although Mason was burning under sense
of the wrongs he had received, he yielded
to their entreaties, and the affair was to all
| appearances at an end.
Some months afterward, however, while
riding 10 Richmond in the stage, with
gentleman of high military and political
standing, he was told that he ought to chal.
lenge M'Carty again. This he decided TO
do as soon az he reached Richmond 1t was
in vain that his friends now endeavored 10
dissuade him. He would not listen to their
appeals. In the language of the card SUBJ
sequently published by them, "he had re-
solved on challenging M'Carty, in opposi-
tion 10 all the advice they gave, and all the
efforts they made TO dissuade him." To
free himself from the embarrassments and
restraints imposed by the laws of Virginia
in regard TO .duelling, or influenced, per-
haps, by a determination not to violate her
statues while holding his commission, as
General of Militia, he resigned, made. his
will, and addressed M'Carty an invitation
10 the field. In this note, which, better than
any description por;rays the spirit in which
the controversy was conducted, he says: "I
have resigned my commission for the spe-
cial and sole purpose of fighting you; and
! am now free TO accept or send a chal-
Ienge and to fight duel. The public mind
has become tranquil, aud all suspicion of
the further prosecution Of our quarrel hav.
ing subsided, we can now terminate it with
out being arrested by the civil authority,
and without exciting alarm among our
friends. :. | am extremely anxious to ter
inmate at once and forever this QUARREL
My friends - and - are fully authori-
zed TO act for me in every particular. Upon
receiving from you a pledge 10 fight, they
are authorized and instructed at once to
give the challenge for me, and to make inn
mediately every necessary arrangement for
the duel, on any terms you may prescribe"
This note, which fully betrays Mason's
innexibility of purpose, and which, it is
stated, was never read by M'Carty, was
written before any interview had taken
place between General Mason and his Sec
onds, and was inclosed to them in letter
containing positive instructions for their
government. He writes them: "You will
present the enclosed communication toMr.
John M'Carty, and tell him at once that you
are authorized by me to challenge him, on
the event of his pledging himself TO fight.
If he will give the pledge, then l desire
that you will instantly challenge him in my
name to fight duel with me. :. Agree
TO any terms that he may propose, and TO
any distance-to three feet, his pretended
favorite distance-or TO three inches, should
his impetuous and rash courage prefer
To any species OF re-arms-pistols, mus
kets, or rifes-agree at once"
Acting under these instructions, Mason's
seconds called on M'Carty as the bearers
of his challenge. M'Carty again refused
TO receive any communication from Mason,
for the same reason as before. A violent
personal alteration then took place be-
tween MCarty and one of Mason's seconds,
the latter insisting strongly that the chal-
lenge should be received and accepted, and
the former obstinately declining TO receive
it. The quarrel became so violent that the
parties were near fighting At last, Ma
sons seconds having threatened to post
M'Carty as a coward unless he accepted
the challenge, M'Carty agreed to fight. II
would appear from this, that though Ma.
sons friends in general, and oven one OF his
seconds, strove to preyeut the duel, it was
forced upon M'Carty by the other.
If the spirit which animated Mason in
, this unfortunate controversy was headlone
!. and uncompromising, that which impellet
!. M'Carty was apparently none the less so.-
It is said he would consent TO no meeting