Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-04-17
PRYOR AND POTTER.


is published by the friends of Mr.. Pryor in
some of the New York papers. The substance
of it has been given very exactly in the des
patches we have already published. But, two
communications from Mr.. Pryor, which his
seconds saw fit to Withhold from Mr.. Pot
ter, are appended to the correspondence.
In the first Mr.. Pryor accepts, with explana-
tons and interlocutons, the proposition to
fight with bowie knives, and, in the other, he
invites Mr.. Potter to meet him somewhere for
public as a card from Mr.. Chisman, in the fol,
lowing form
I'm further explanation of Mr.. Pryor's posi-
| ton III the controversy with MIR. Potter, !
deem it proper to make public the following
notes, which, though never delivered, have an
| essential bearing on the transaction. The first
note was handed to me by Mr.. Pryor. in
Alexandria, and, at his urgent entreaty, l
agreed, against my own Judgment, TO deliver
! it to Mr.. Potter; but OIL reaching Washington,
| in Difference to the earnest and unanimous re-
monstrance of Hon. MeSsrs. Lamar, Keitt,
and Miles, determined to take the RESPONSE
bility OF Withholding it. 1t reads as follows
VIRGINIA, II O'Clock, April II, 1860.
Sir: l avail myself Of the earliest moment
after report from my friend, Mr.. Chisman,
to send you this note. In consequence of the
impOssibility of communicating with me, my
friend has been compelled to proceed without
conference III the several stages of the contro-
versy. He has acted in my behalf from the
highest impulses OF honor, and in obedience to
the rules which govern the conduct OF gentle
men III the settlement OF personal difficulties
Nevertheless, cannot abide his decision. Be-
fore formally accepting your terms of combat
must repel the intimation conveyed in the
note Of your friend, Mr.. Lander, to the effect
that am seeking in some way to restrict your
liberty of speech as n representative. | do
not question your privileges in that regard. |
only intend to vindicate my own character
against an aspersion which you interpoated
without warrant in the official report OF the
debates i'll the house of representatives, and
for which you refused any apology. Pro
testing against the terms of combat you Of
ter-irst, because they do not afford me the
satisfaction usual among gentlemen" which
you engaged to accord me by your acceptance
OF my challenge; secondly, because they are
inhuman, atrocious, and repugnant to all
the sentiments of a civilized community;
thirdly, because by reason of your greatly SUI
perior size and strength they deny me every
condition of equal encounter-nevertheess, |
do accept your terms and will fight you as you
proposed. My friend, Mr. Chisman, is au.
thorized to arrange the details of time and
place.
Before concluding, must assure you that in
the use of every weapon save one, the pistol,
you have at least as much expertness and eX
perience as myself. To this note l require
reply Ill your own name,
| have the honor to be, very respectfully,
ROGER a. Pryor.
Hon. JOHN T. POTTER.
Mr.. Pryor being unable to find friend Sho
would carry the above note, handed me the
following which | agreed to deliver to Mr..
Potter:
APRIL IA, 1860.
SIR i seize the earliest opportunity after
my return to the city, and an examination of
the correspondence between Mr.. Lander and
Mr.. Chisman in reference to the difficulty be-
tween us, to respond to the intimation contain
ed in your seconds last note Although your
proposed terms of combat were rejected by
my friend without conference with me, yet | |
have no alternative now left but to submit to
his decision. l find, however, i'll your rather
insignificant and emphatic proclamation Of
purpose to defend yourself against attack,
some faint possibility OF a st ttlement of
the controversy between us. Acting on
that suggestion, l beg to inform you that
if you will, within the next three hours,
name particular time and designate some
place out OF the thoroughtares and more fire.
quented portions of the city, with view to
escape interruption and to avoid injury to 9th.
er persons, will afford you an opportunity to
redeem the vaunt with which you parade your
resources OF selfdefence.
Your obedient servant
ROGER A. Pryor
My friend Mr. CHIsMAN will deliver this
note.
Hon. j. Z. POTTER. r. A. p
When on my way to deliver the above
note to Mr.. Potter, to my surprise | was au-
thoritatively informed that he had been arrest
ed and put under bonds TO keep the peace AT.
ter this could, of course, present no such COM
munication to him. Il. p. CnIsMAN."