The Van Buren press., 1860-04-27
From Washington.
The Prior s. Potter Difficulty.
WASaIxcrox A rril / 3

0AshiS0ToS, hpiii TO-
The following is believed to be a correct
statement of tho Potter and Pryor affair,
up to noon to-day. immediately after the
occurrence in the House, Mr.. Pryor dis
patched, through Mr.. Hindman, of Arkan-
sas, a note to Mr.. Potter, asking HIM to
leave the District of Columbia to receive
written communication, who replied that
as Mr.. Prycr's note contemplated avoiding
the anti-luelling penalties in the District,
and that as his (Potter's) disqualification
was contained in the Constitution Of Wis
consin, he could not leave the District.
On this Mr.. Chisam, a substitute of Mr..
Hindman. who was Obliged to leave for
Ark, handed Mr.. Potter peremptory chal-
lenge from Mr.. Pryor, dating his note Nir
gina.
Col Lander who had been designated by
Mr.. Potter as his friend, handed, after a
lapse of twelve hours, note to Mr.. CHS
lam, accepting the challenge and naming
common Bowie knives as the weapons, and
to fight in the open air, with two friends
each, armed with Colts pistols
Mr.. Chislam protests against this form
of weapon, as absurd, barbarous and vul-
gar, aud offers to construe. the code in the
most liberal way provided other arms are
suggested.
MIR. Potter authorized Mr. Landcrs to de-
cline any other terms, and Mr.. Landers Of
fers to substitute himself for Potter with
other weapons to both of which PROPOSE
tions, without consulting Mr.. Pryor ne re-
plies that the first is vulgar and inadmissi-
bic, and while apprecclating Mr.. Landers'
zeal for his fri@r..d they have no cause of
qoarrei TN, and consequently no demand
70 lake of him.
MIR. Pryor is still in Virginia, and has
not yet heard of the action of his second
in the matter. Tho latter is believed to
have acted after consultation with Miles,
keitt, Mason and Hammond.
The correspondence between the friends
of Potter and Pryor did not close until this
morning, and it cannot be published until
Mr.. Chisman, who was Mr.. Pryor's princi-
pal friend, can be seen, and his consent OBJ
tanned.
WASHINGTON, April 16.
There are some singular facts connected
! with tho arrest of Mr. Potter. The officer
called at the Avenue House and sent up the
name of Mr.. Keits or Keiss. Mr.. Potter
sent word for him to come up. He was
ushered in and informed Mr.. Potter he had
come ON unpleasant business. Mr.. Potter
supposed the correspondence was to be re-
opened, and that Hon. l.. NJ Kett, of s.
, c., was below. The officer then informed
, him that he had warrant for the arrest Of
| Mr.. Pryor and himself The officer said
he had been to Alexandria, but found the
Mayor and all Mr.. Pryor's friends opposed
to an arrest, and that he was obliged to let
him so. Mr.. Potter then went to the mag
istrates Office and gave bonds.
About this time Mr.. Chisman arrived in
Washington with Mr. Pryors last note to
Mr. Potter. Mr.. Chisman was subsequent
y arrested and brought to this city, but
was allowed to go without bonds.
. Mr.. Allen, the officer who arrested Pot.
ter, was shown al the correspondence at
AioSandria, ant not the note from Mr.. Pry-
t or, accepting the terms Of MIR. Potter. MIR.
) Potter Mr.. Pryor is arrested, and is to
appear to morrow and give bail.
y street fight was feared. and both par
} ties were closely watched by their friends to
day.
WAsHIsGroS, April Is.
The Herald's Washington correspond
ence, says the Butterficld Overland Mail
Co., is now under the control of Wells,
Fargo & Co., of New York Mr. Butter
field has been dcposed from the Presidency
,. and replaced by WIN. b. Dinsmore, of the
Adams Express Co. Mr.. Gardner has al
SO resigned the Superntendency of the
route, and Cal. Alvord, of Indiana has
been appointed to fill the vacancy
Delegates to the Charleston convention
are arriving daily from the distant, and
Especially the Western States, and many
gentlemen Of political distinction among
them, on their way thither.
Mr.. Pryor was arrested to-day, and will
tomorrow give security to keep the peace
All the Democrats. with the exception of
about II, present in the House to-day, to-
gether with 81 of the Opposition, favored
MIR. Bonham's proposition to adjourn over
during the meeting of the Charleston Con-
vention. This will be definitely voted on
tomorrow, should it pass the Senate