Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1860-04-20
The Pryor and Potter Diff
Guilty.

CultS.
The Washington correspondent of the y
Y. Times, writing on Friday, gives the FOL
lowing details OF the hostile correspondent,
between Messrs. Pryor and Potter
Mr.. Pryors first note was handed t.
Mr.. Potter by Mr. Hindman, in the pres
encc Of Mr.. Case Of Indiana Mr.. Potter
folded the note, and alter the vote on the
question pending. left the hall. Meeting
his wife, he requested her to return home,
as he would dine out. She remarked that
she understood mm, and entering her car
raiSe, drove of lie took another, and pro-
cee4ed to the room Of the Hon. Mr.. Wash
burn. ] his was about 4 . clock on Nednes-
day afternoon. tie did not see his wife again
until this Afternoon, but did not leave the
distrit, Mr.. lllndnan having to leave for
Arkansas on occJunt u sickness IN his tam
ilv, Messrs. keiit anu Miles were called IN as
MIR. Prvor's advisers Messrs Grow, {. {.
Washburn, Israel Washburn, and Hickman,
and Senators Chandler and Wade were Mr..
Potters advisers Col. F. ". Lander was
agreed on as Mr. Potters friend Mr.. CHS
man az Mr.. prvors.
Potter reduced his advisers to Senator
Wale and Hon c. C. Washburn, and then
referred Mr.. Chisman u Col. Lander. The
49,"
verbal instructions to say in reply to Mr..
Pryor's note that Mr. Potter declined leav
inL the District as the Constitution OF W is
consin visited him with the penalties OF the
nnti-duelling law wherever he might 60, and
it was but fair Mr. Pryor should encounter
the same according to the law OF this Dis
trict Mr.. ChisNan inquired if Mr.. Potter
woul1 accept challenge in the District,
whci was promptly answered in the affirm
alive. and the challenge as promptly deliver
ed, demanding the satisfaction usual among
gentlemen
Mr. B. F. Beale being chosen by Mr.. Ian
der as lis associate in the matter, visited Mr..
Potter to learn his wishes, and receive IN
structions. Mr.. Potter replied IN writing t"
Col. Lander, through Mr., Beale, that he did
not acknowledge the code, and considered 1t
bar Iari1us and intuman, but inasmueh, as
his lite was sought, and as the liberty OF
speech was involved, he was wiling TO risk
his pers n, in order to prevent u bloody al
fray upon the floor of the flousc, which h
erwise seemed inevitable. His choice of wcap-
ons woulG be the Bowie knife, leaving other
matters to his friends.
Mr.. Chisman returning for a reply to Mr.
Pryor's note, received 4 note from Col. Lam
der, stating that they ould meet them with
bowe knives of equal size and weight and
length of blade. either in u room or in the
open AR, all parties to be excluded except
two seconds on each side the seconds to be
armed each with one navy revolver the
distance between principles four feet, ard
the word to be given by the second winning
it on the top Of piece Of money, and the
fight to take place at some time within
twelve hours. The challenge was received
at O'Clock yesterday afternoon, and the re-
ply was delivered to Chisman at o clock
last night After advising with Senator
Hunter and other friends OF Mr. Pryor, the
latter having in the meantime taken post in
Alexandria, replied that the term proposed
were inadmissable and unusual, and he ac-
knowledged no such mode Of settling Difficult
tics between gentlemen, as they were va gar,
barbarous and inhuman, and suggested that
Mr.. Lander's principal should offer other
terms Mr.. Lander rel ined that the in
structions from Mr. Potter had been followed,
but that Mr.. Chisman's letter conveyed re-
Elections upon his principal, who had dis
tinctly announced that he did not rccngnz,
the code, bat who had not placed hims;lt
behind the last resort Of the non-duelilst, viz
4 simple defense if attacked on the streets,
and reiterated the terms OF the meeting.
T.
as he had Acknowledged that Mr., PJtteI
would not defend himself upon the street,
and their were suchns could not bcaeeepttd.
they thanked him and Mr. Beale for their
courtesy IN the affair, and dropped the cor
respondence. Mr.. Lander, however, answered
that his statement had been miscons;ructed
and that Mr. Potter wouii defend himself
everywhere and further. that inasmuch as
the terms proposed had been stign Itized as
barbarous, vuiger and inhuman, Thereby re-
fcctinc upon himself and his principal,
without consulting and without the knpwl-
edge of Mr.. Potter, he placed himself IN MIR,
Potter's position, and having no scruplcs in
regard to the code. would meet them on their
own terms This was about O'Clock this
morning At reply was sent 10 I'll.
Lander that Mr. Pryor had no quarrel with
him, and they intended no reflection by the
terms of their note, and therefore declined
the offer Of Col Lander. 1t must be borne
in mird that this correspondence was carried
on wituhot any direct knowledge on the
part of the PRINCIPALS. Copies Of the letters
have since been placed in their hands. and
some apprehensions are still tclt as TO the
course they may pursue. The whole affair
has thus far been conducted with the great
est prudence and secrecy. and the above Is
as reliable as any information can be outsd'
of n publication OF the correspondence Itself.
Mr. Potter is warmly congratulated by his
friends, while MIR. Pryor who has just re-
turned to the city, is still in consultation
with his
On Saturday Mr.. Potter was arrested and
bound over in 5000 to keep the peace, and
especially not to fight duel. Mr. Pryor
Will be put under similar bonds.
Col Lander the second Of Mr.. Potter, is Il
native of Massachusetts, and is distinguished
for his courage. his great physical strength,
and his chlyallic bearing. lie IL well
known to the public as the head OF one otthe
overland expeditions. lie IS Democrat in
politics.
The second of Mr. Pryor, Mr.. Chisman 0.
yirgnia, is sid to be gentleman OF high
standing and character. He is in tae en-
ploy of the Government as one Of the gcner-
al mail agents.