New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-04-14
THE PRYOR AND POTTER QUARREL,
PRYOR DECLINES TO FIGHT--THR AFFAIR TER
MINATED.
Special Dispatch to The N Y. Tribune

WAehhN"lVn, EE1ubyt ApIll JUt lcOU.
Mr. Potter has returned to the House, and was
warmly welcomed. The main facts of the affair
with Mr. Pryor are understood to be as follows:
On Wednesday Mr. Hindman delivered q note,
inviting him out of the District, saying that his
answer would be received BY Mr. Keitt, as he was
going away. Mr.. Potter replied, that as the same
liability attached to him under the Constitution Of
Wisconsin here, as elsewhere, he would receive
any communication here, and referred TO his friend,
Col. Lander.
through Mr. Cbeesmar, on behalf of Mr.. Pryor,
asking whether Mr.. Potter would accept a chal-
lenge here. Mr. Potter replied, that after his
previous note he did not see any necessity for such
inquiry, and that no would answer when message
was received. At s o'clock last night challenge
was sent, and accepted at III O'Clock.
In accepting, Mr.. Potter wrote Mr. Lander
saying he did not any ground for hostile quar-
rel On so trivial cause, and he deprecated duel
ing; but as there was an evident purpose to pursue
him to that extremity be accepted, with the bowie
knife for the weapon Mr. Lander stated this fact
to Messrs. Keitt and Cheesman, when the accept
ance was delivered.
Mr.. Cbeesman objected to arranging meeting
with such weapons without consulting bis principal,
At 81 o'clock this morning he addressed Mr.. Lam
der, stating that be positively declined meeting on
his own responsibility, as the weapon was savage
and barbarous, and he closed the correspondence.
Mr. Lander, without consulting Mr.. Potter, ad-
dressed note TO Mr.. Cbeesman, stating that as
the weapon seemed to be the cause of the difficulty,
he would meet Mr. Pryor with any one he might
choose. This invitation was refused on the ground
that be had no cause of quarrel with Mr.. Lander,
and there the matter terminated.
When Mr.. Potter consented to accept Mr.. Pry-
ors challenge last night he delivered to his friend,
Col Lander, private letter, which, probably, had
been prepared in expectation of such contingency.
It recapitulated somewhat the alleged cause OF
quarrel, and stated that he regarded the cause Of
free speech as imperied in his person, and was de-
termined 10 vindicate, to the last extremity, his
own personal rights as well as those of his cOnstt-
uents. Such is the substance of his note, which
may or msy not be published. He and his friends
regarded this whole difficulty as furnishing evidence
of the settled purpose either to ntmidate him into
submission OF to compel q resort exposing his life
to unequal chances. Hence, while condemuing the
practice of duelng, he felt there was no alternative
but to meet the necessity in the manner proposed.
One extraordinary feature about this affair is
that the usual request for an explanation of the
language excepted TO was not made, thus precludpg
any possibility Of accommodation. All candid men
admit there was no good ground for combat, under
the code, because the case was one which discreet
friends would have required to be adjusted. Mr..
Pryor's only message was direct challenge, which
ought never to have been borne for such an oense,
even with his construction of it.
The refusal to accept Col. Lander's voluntary
cartel occasions much comment He regarded the
rejection Of Mr. POtters terms, and the language
accompanying it, q reflection upon his principal,
and, acting upon the precedent In the Graves and
Cnley case, substituted himself.
| 70 the Associated Press.
WAsHIsoToS, Friday, April 10, 1860.
The following 10 believed TO be correct Statement. Of
the Pryor and Potter affair up to to-day: I'm.
ediately after the occurrence in the House. Mr. Pryor
dispatched, through Mr. Hndman Of Arkavsas, note
to r. Potter, asking him to leave the District to re-
| esive written communication.
Mr. Potter replied that as Mr.. Pryor's note contem-
plated avoiding the anti-dueng penalties in the Dis
trict, and that as his Potters disqualification was
contained in the Constitution of Wisconsin, he could
not leave the District On this, Mr.. Cheemsn, sub
stitute for Mr. Hindman who was obliged to leave for
Arkansas, handed Mr.. Potter peremptory challenge
from Mr. Pryor, dating his note Virginia.
Col Lander, who had been designated by Mr.. Pot
fpro his handed after of twelve hours
note to Mr.. CheeEmsn accepting the challenge and
naming common bowie knives az the weapons, and TO
fight in open air with two friends, each armed with
Colts pistols.
Mr. Cheesman protests against this form OF weapon
as absurd barbarous ard vulgar, and offers to COZ
strue the code in the most liberal way provided other
arms are suggested.
MIR. Potter authorized Mr.. Lander to decline any
other terms, and Mr. Lander offers to substitute himself
for Mr. Potter with other weapons 10 both of which
propositions, without consulting Mr.. Pryor, Mr.. Chees-
man replies that the frst is vulgar and inadmis
sable, and that, while approaching Mr.. Lander's
zeal for his friend they have no cause Of quarrel with
him, and consequently no demand to make on him.
Mr.. Pryor is still in Virginia. and has not We. heard of
the action Of his second in the matter. The latter lie
believed TO have acted after consultation with Messrs
Miles, Keitt, Masen and Hammond.
Mr.. Potter came into the House at 1 o'clock, and
was greeted by number Of his frends with whom he
retired to a cloak-room.
The above is based on information obtained in Dem
ocTatic circles.
TIE following in relation 10 the correspondence
is the version in Republican quarters:
1t lie understood that after SIR Potter replied to Mr..
Pryors first note that he would receive any message
IL, AZ, ad