Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-04-18
The Reliable Particulars of the Potter
Pryor Duelless Duel. "a.


Pryor Dueiless Duel. ..
/ A special Washington dispatch to the New
York Times gives what its correspondent de-
clares may be relied on as the entirely cor
rect details:
Mr.. Pryors first note was handed TO Mr.
Potter by M. Hipdman, In the presence of
Mf. Case, on Indiana. Mr.. Potter folded the
note, and after the vote on the question pend
ing, left the hall. Meeting his wife, he re-
quested her to return home, as he would dine
out She remarked that sheunderstood him,
and entering her carriage drove off. He
took another, and proceeded to the room of
the Hon. Mr.. Washburn. This was about
four o'clock on Wednesday aftefnodn. He
did not see his wife again Until this afternoon,
put did not leave the District. Mr.. Hndman
having to leave for Arkansas on account of
sickness in his family, Messrs. Keitt and
Miles were called in as Mr.. Pryor's advisers
Messrs, Grow, Q, O. Washburn, Israel Wash
burn, and Hickman, and Senators Chandler
and Wade, were Mr.. Potter's advisers. COL
+: w. Lander was agreed on as Mr., Potter's
friend; Mr.. Chisman as Mr.. Pryors.
Potter reduced his advisers to Senator
Wade and Hon. @. @. Washburn and then
referred Mr.. Chisman to Colonel Lander.
The latter informed Mr.. Chsman that he had
verbal instructions to say in reply to Mr.
Pryor's note that Mr.. Potter declined leaving
the District, as the Constitution of Wiscon-
sin visited him with the penalties of the anti
duelling law wherever he might go, and il
was but fair Mr.. Pryor should encounter the
same, according to the law of this District
Mr. Chisman inquired if Mr.. Potter would
accept challenge in the District which was
promptly answered in the affirmative, and
the challenge as promptly delivered demand
ing the satisfaction usual among gentlemen.
Mr.. b. F. Beale being chosen by Mr. Lander
as his associate in the matter, visited Mr.
Potter to learn his wishes and receive in
structions. Mr.. Potter replied in writing to
Col. Lander, through Mr.. Beale, that he did
not acknowledge the code, and consid-
cred it barbarous and inhuman, but mas
much, as his life was sought and as the liberty
OF speech was involved, he was willing to
risk his person in order to prevent bloody
attray upon the floor of the House, which
otherwise seemed inevitable. His choice of
weapons would be Bowie-knives, leaving
other matters to his friends. Mr.. Chisman
returning for reply to Mr.. Pryor's note,
received a note from Col Lander, stating that
they would meet them with Bowie-knives of
equal size and weight and length of blade,
either in room or in the open air, all par
ties to be excluded except two seconds on
each side; the seconds to be armed each with
one navy revolver the distance between
principals four feet and the word to be given
by the second winning it on top of piece of
money, and the fight to take place at some
time within twelve hours. The challenge
was received at three O clock yesterday after
noon, and the reply was delivered to Chsman
at eight o'clock last night. tr .--7,--,r
After advising with Senator Hunter and
other friends Of Mr.. Pryor, the latter having
in the meantime taken post in Alexandra,
replied that the terms proposed were mad
mlggQbIa ha nEnn 1aIe IeraI
no such mode of settling difficulties between
gentlemen, as they were vulgar, barbarous
and inhuman, and suggested that Mr.. Lam
der's principal should offer other terms. Mr..
Lander rejoined that the instructions from
Mr. Potter had been followed, but that Mr..
Chisman's letter conveyed reflections upon
his principal, who had distinctly announced
that he did not recognize the code, but who
had not placed himself behind the last resort
of the non-duelist, viz: A simple defense if
attacked on the streets, and reiterated the
terms of the meeting. -s n j -H
Mr.. Chisman again replied, that inasmuch
as he had acknowledged that Mr.. Potter
would not defend himself upon the street,
and their terms were such as could not be
accepted, they thanked him and Mr.. Beale
for their courtesy in the affair, and dropped
the correspondence. Mr.. Lander, however,
answered that his statement had been mis-
himself everywhere; and further, that mas
much as the terms proposed had been stigma
tized as barbarous, vulgar and inhuman,
thereby rejecting upon himself and his prin-
cipal, without consulting and without the
knowledge of Mr.. Potter, he placed himself
in Mr.. Potter's position and having no scru-
Piles in regard to the code, would meet them
on their own terms. This was about three
o'clock this morning. r slL. HlLu uFt.
Atseyen, a reply was sent to Col. Lander that
Mr.. Pryor had no quarrel with him, and that
they intended no reflection by the terms of
their note, and therefore declined the offer of
Col. Lander. 1t must be borne in mind that
this correspondence was carried on without
any direct knowledge on the part of the prin-
cipals. Copies of the letters have since been
placed in their hands, and some apprehensiohs
are still felt as to the course they may pursue.
The whole affair has thus far been conducted
with the greatest prudence and secrecy, and
the above is as reliable as any information
can be outside of Il publication of the corre-
spondence itself. -.E ..a
Mr.. Potter is warmly congratulated by his
friends, while Mr.. Pryor, who has Just re-
turned to the city, is still in consultation with
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