Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1860-04-15

! WASHINGTON, April Notwithstanding the va
rlous rumors to the contrary concerning the Potter
and Pryor difficulty, to this time but one note has
| passed and Mr.. Potter has not determined on his
course. He viii not recede from his position as
sumed yesterday in the House, nor compromise him
self by apologize declarations having neither given
nor intended affronts justfying the peremptory de-
mand. 1t is said Col. Lander IS acting for him. but
others advice mas been taken, whose names are
Withheld to prevent inference or arrest Mr.. Pot
ter Is within convenient reach, though without ac
cess to any persons but those Immediately concern
ed. His family ignorant Of his whereabouts
No further action Of any kind viii be taken until
tomorrow, and all statements to the contrary are
mere speculatiOns
WASHINGTON, april l3.-The following is believed
to be correct statement Of the Potter and ProyOr
difficulty up to noon today
Immediately after the occurrence in the House,
Mr.. Pryor despatched, through Mr. Hindman, of
Arkansas note to Mr.. Potter, asking him TO leave
the District Of Columbia to receive written com
munleahOn, and was replied to that as Mr. Pryors
note contemplated avoiding the anti-duelling penal
ties IN the District and that his (POtters) dis
qualifications was contained in the Constitution Of
Wisconsin, he could not leave the District On this
Mr.. Chrisman, substitute Of Mr.. Hindman, who was
Obliged to leave for Arkansas, handed Mr.. Potter a
peremptory challenge. dating his note Virginia.
Col Lander, who had been designated by Mr..
Potter as his friend, handed after lapse Of twelve
nouns, note to Mr. Clrisman, accepting the chal-
lenge and naming common bowie knives as the
weapons, and to fight in the open air, with two
friends, each armed with Colts pistols.
Mr.. Chrlsman protested against this form Of wea-
pom as absurd, barbarOus, and vulgar and offers to
construe the code in the most liberal way provided
other weapons are suggested.
Mr. Potter authorized Mr.. Lander to decline any 1
other terms and Mr.. Lander offers to substitute /
himself for Mr.. Potter with other weapons to both
OF which propositions, without consulting Mr.. Pry
or, Mr.. Chrisman replied: That the first is vulgar i
and inadmissabe, and while approaching Mr.. IAN
ders zeal for his friend they have Of quar-
rel with him, and consequently no demand TO make I
81 HIM.
Mr.. Pryor is still in Virginia, and has not vet
heard Of the action Of his second in the matter. The
latter is believed to have acted after consultation
with Messrs Miles, Keitt Mason and Hammond.
The version in Republican quarters to the Pot
ter and Pryor affair is that Mr. Potter replied to Mr.
Pryors first note, that he would receive any mes
sage that might be sent HIM in the District. Mr. Pry
)r asked him if he would accept a challenge, to
which Mr.. Potter replied he would inform him when
ever challenge reached him. Mr.. Pryor then sent
him challenge, to which Mr.. Potter replied, refer
ing him to Col Lander, to make the necessary ar
angements.
The terms as proposed by Col. Lander to ]. E.
Jhrisman, were that Mr.. Potter, though disdaininE
allegiance to the code. would fight Mr.. Pryor in any
,ace IN doors out in the District with the bowie
,nite. This was declined, on the ground that the
Weapons were baFbarOus and inhuman, and not
lsual among gentlemen. To this Col. Lander replied
hat Mr.. Potter detested the whole system of duel
ing as barbarOus ard inhuman but being called to
ccount for the exercise Of free speech the floor
fthe House, he consented-nOt being accustomed TO
he usual weapons of the duellist to meet him in
way that would place them on equel terms, and to
anne the time, place and weapons; but the
Weapons named BY Mr.. Potter were objected to. Col
.ander without Mr. POtter's knowledge, rendered
imself to Mr.. Pryor without restrictions, which
vas also declined on the ground that he had no
uarrel with the latter. The correspondence be-
Teen the friends of Potter and Pryor did not close
il this morning. 1t cannot be published until Mr..
who was Mr. Pryor's PRINCIPAL friend,
an be seen, and his consent obtained.
Mr.. Pryor came into the House at half past one
clock this afternoon, and was greeted by num-
er Of his friends, with whom ne retired to a cloak
bonn