Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-08-26


Wise replied: Nothing. keep silence; we will
await their action" Col. Taliaferro then with
drew, 10 hold some conversation with MIR. Sed
don.
Col. Davis then addressed Mr.. Wise, no on,
else being within hearing, substantially as fol
lows: Sir, now inform you that il anothei
shot is exchanged, will withdraw from my
position as second, unless am permitted t
take your position by that peg" Mr.. Wise
replied to the following effect ''lf that is YOU
final decision, Sir, | shall be obliged TO dismis:
you at once from your position as second, ant
rely entirely on Col. TaIaferros assistance"
Col. Davis replied that Mr.. Wise had NO
heard him out; he had sgnilied his intention t.
withdraw, .aiexs aiiomtd 10 tdIt his 1'idcs At
tie peg. Mr.. Wise declared that ne had SO un
dcrstood: that Col. Davis was permitting him
self to be carried too far by 4 generous impulse
that such 4 course as Col. Davis suggested, i
permitted, would disgrace him tMr. Wise. -
While Mr.. Wise was able to stand erect, no Sc
cond should take his place on the field Of com
bat. Col. Davis demonstrated to this effect
when took the responsibility Of yielding a.
advantage to your adversary, | then declare
my willingness 10 take your place. The tim,
has arrived when it is proper for me to do so
If my son occupied your position. would per
nit him TO stand there forever to bc shot ct =
You are my friend, and the son of my friend
and have announced beforehand my willing
ness to accept this responsibility
This conversation was interrupted by tho
announcement on the part OF MIR. Odds second
that the challenge was suspended, with tn,
expressed hope, that on conference among tho
friends Of the parties present, some kind o.
satisfactory adjustment might be devised.
The proposed conference was then carried OF
by means Of communications between Mr.
Seldom and Col. Taliafcrro, each communication
being regarded by the recipient as the voluntary
and unofficial suggestion Of the other, and not
intended to represent the declarations Of prin
cipals.
An Explanation on the part Of Mr.. " i>e.
When this conference commenced, at once
determined to advise and direct the action Of
my friends. am aware that in doing so,
may have slept beyond the limits prescribed
bv NV position. In the commencement Of my
with MIR. Old, lad already
gore so far rs TO direct thc tenor Of that cor
in such rianucr ~ 10 necc>Si;atc
the Withdrawal Of what considered virtual
from Mr.. Old in order to permit an
explanation on my. part. which, felt convinced
he must regard is satisfactory. IN the with
drawal of his first letter. such an explanation
was given. 1t was followed 10y a pcrcnptory
challenge. After the first exchange Of fires,
the challenge being suspended had pro
tested against the challenge as rncal!ed for
This protest was answered 10y an immediate
renewal Of the challenge. could not, then.
regard my position strictly considered as per-
m:t,ing ne TO do more than 10 remain silent on
the field. subject TO Mr.. ODDS call for o. ac-
o! satisfaction.
Nevertheless after this conference was pro-
posed ~ the other party, | determined 10 give
NV friends the full assistance of my advice, TO
ail their unofficial efforts 10 indicate to the
friends Of Mr. Old, some marEer in which the
affair could be properly and pcaceably conc'l-
dcd. This did for the following reasons:
1T. Wy friends, Immediately after the propo-
sal for conference, expressed Ia me their I'M
willingness to make TO the friends of Mr.. Old
any suggestion, or TO endorse any suggestion
made hv tie latter, previous 10 oi';aii'ng my
approval Of the same.
"a. Rccprocating entirely their confidence
in my Judgment. with an equal confidence IN
their own, aud grateful for their jealous care for
nv reputation: like them, ! also was unwilling
that any difference Of opinion which might
possibly arise between rs should he brought
to the notice Of the other party.
81. | knew that fatal termination oil the
duel would involve others in consequences
which dreaded much more than the loss oi
life or limb.
4th. considered the challenge y 'lloseihcr
and umcalcd :or.
9Th. believed Mr. Odds physical health to
be SO inlrm as to render i; improper for him
10 remain on the field Of combat.
The Conference.
Mr.. Scdtlon suggested as follows:
MAY not an adjustment he effected on this
basis All controversy a TO the import of spc-
cial phrases and general intent Of Mr.. Wise in
his articles being mutually discarded cannot
Mr.. Wise liSclaim all intent in his articles TO
impugn the veracity and honor Of Mr.. nld, and
thus let the whole matter be ended, and the
parties resume their former relations.
Col. Taiiafcrro reported this to Mr.. Wise
The latter then dictated the following, which
was approved by his friends and conveyed Ia
Mr.. Seldom. rs Col TalalcrroS response:
Col TallaGcgro two days ago was informed
by Mr. Wise that his tNIr. WiSe'S) explanation
already given in writing, was intended for 4
disclaimer tan.alnorrt To that which Mr. seldom
now suggests.
I'm conversation, apart with Ioi. Taliaserro,
Mr.. Seldom cnguircd whether Mr.. Wise could
not now communicate the above as coming di-
rectly from himself, OF. OH being answered tina:
could not hc done could not tol. Tnlialrrro
officially as the friend of Mr. Wise, make :uch
Il communication on the field: 1t was re-
called between Mr.. Seldom aud Col. Taliaicrro
that as vet, formally it was only the response
OF one Of the friends constituting conference
and not specially and officially acting only as
the friend o. one party. Recognising this,
Col. Talialcrro said he could not undertake Of
icially, as the friend Of MIR. Wise, 10 commit
ncatc it. In the same spirit o! confidence, Mr..
Seldom urged on Col Taliaferr"s consideration,
that Mr.. uld being the challenging and aS he
conceived, the a..rcved party, he CHR. 5. }
could not officially, rs one Of Mr. Od> friends,
recommend To him TO take the initiative upon
a mere suggestion made in conference.
Col. Taliaicrro then reported to Mr. Wise the
substance of the foregoing conversation with
Mr.. Seldom. Mr. Wise dictated the following,
which wa, approved by his friends and con
veyed TO Mr. Seldom AZ Col. Talairrro'> s'g-
gcStion:
Col. Talia(yrro suggests that, under the cir
it will be proper Tor Mr.. Old to in
tcrrogate Mr. Wise as to whether his letter of
Thursday was intended as disclaimer OF all
TO express in his editorial articles any
impugnmcnt Of Mr.. ODDS honor and vcracity.
Mr.. Seldom replied To Col. Ta!iaferro BY
again adyerting to the view before urged, that
he could not officially recommend Mr.. Old to
take the initiative; and then, in the conference,
Mr. Seldom suggested:
That the friends Of the parties on the
ground, as the result OF their conferences unite
in recommending to their principals respectively
the acceptance ard execution of the adjust
mcnt, suggested by, Mr.. Seldom, as follows,
viz: all controversy as TO the import Of the
special phrases and general intent OF Mr.. Wise IS
articles being considered asswcpt away through
the exchange Of fires, ard mutually discarded,
Mr.. Wise dsclainls, a.. from the assurance Of
Col Taiascrro, he had heretofore intended 10