Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1860-04-16
NEWS!!
BY THE MAILS
PRYOR & POTTER DIFFICULTY.
Pryor Shows the White Feather.

sent him in the DISTRICT Mr.. Pryor asked
him if he would accept a challenge, to
which Mr.. Potter replied that he would in
form him whenever challenge reached
him. Mr.. Pryor then sent him q challenge
to which Mr.. Potter replied, referring him
to Colonel Lander to make the necessary
arrangements. These terms as proposed
by Colonel Lander to Mr.. 7. P. Chisman,
were, that Mr.. Potter, though disclaiming
allegiance to the code, would fight Mr..
Pryor in any place, in doors or out, in the
| District, with bowie knives. This was de-
clined on the ground that the weapons
were barbarous and inhuman, and not usu-
al among gentlemen. To this Colonel
Lander replied, that Mr.. Potter detested
the whole system of duelling as bnrbarous
and inhuman, but being called to account
for the exercise of free speech on the floor
of the House he consented, not being ac-
customcd to the usual weapons of the du-
eliSt, to meet him III Il way that would
! place them on equal terms, and to name
| the time, place and weapons. But as the
weapons named by Mr.. Potter were OBJ
jected to, Colonel Lander, without Mr.. Pot
| tcr'S knowledge, rendered himself to Mr..
Pryor without restrictions, which was also
declined on the ground that he had no
quarrel with Colonel Lander.
The correspondence between the friends
of Mr.. Potter and Mr., Pryor did not close
till this morning. 1t cannot be published
until Mr. Chisman, who was Mr.. Pryor's
principal friend, can be seen and his con-
| sent obtained.
The police of both parties in the Potter
and Pryor affair seems to be to keep
the correspondence back and not rush to
print. There is also some talk on the part
| OF Pryor, of reporting the correspondence,
either for the purpose of obtaining fight
with Potter or Lander, or some kind of
| settlement which will be alike honorable
to both parties.
Mr.. Potter although representing Wis
consin, is II native of Maine, and Mr. Lam
der is y native of Massachusetts. The
| correspondence has closed and Mr.. Potter
took his seat in the House to-day. amid
the general greeting of gentlemen North
and South. The universal opinion here is
that Mr. Potter bears off the palm and the
Virginia Hotspur has been driven to the
wall Lander'S conduct is highly applau-
| ded.
1t was anticipated until late in the even
! ing that the spondencc, which is some
what elaborate and spicy, would he fur
nshcd for publication. The main points
in it are us follows
First-Seyeral notes passed to determine
whether the challenge should he given and
accepted in the District, Mr.Potter ignoring
the Southern code by refusing to leave the
District and establishing one Ofhis own by
not leaving it.
Second-The challenging party went to
| Virginia, from which they dated their notes
and gave their challenge, which was re-
ceived and accepted by the challenged par
ty in the District.
Third-Pottcr's ultimatum was sent to
Pryor last night, about eight o'clock, an
nouncing that he would fight with Bowie
knives, in a room, CT in the open air, with
in twelve hours. That the principals
should take their positions within four
feet of each other; that the battle should
commence at a given word, which should
each second should stand in the rear of
his principal, armed with q Colt, navy pis-
toll, to see fair play.
| Fourth-At about eleven o'clock Pryor's
second, Mr.. Chisman, whose adviser was
understood to be Senator Hunter, returned
an answer, declining the terms, and de
nouncing them as barbarOus.
Fifth-Mr Lander, the second of Mr..
Potter, Immediately replied that if the
Bowie knife was bnrbarouS, he believed
the whole code of honor was no less so,
and in order to accommodate the gentle
man he would waive the barbarity, and
| OIcr nlmSelI as SUBSTITUTE IOI us pIIHNl-
pal, which act was not known to MIR. Pot
ter. Mr. Lander, it is understood, offered
to fight in such n way rs would be salts
factory to the opposite party.
In this tilt Col. Bcal, of Pennsylvania,
II United States Engineer, acted as the
friend of Col. Lander. Mr. Chisman, the
friend of Mr.. Pryor, replied to this act OF
courtesy on the part of Lander, that nei-
Their he nor Mr.. Pryor had any quarrel
with him, and they must decline meeting
him.
And here ends the correspondence. This
last note of Mr.. Chisman was received by
Colonel Lander at seven o'clock this morn
ing. Should Mr. Pryor attempt to reopen
the subject, it is said that Mr.. Potter will
not permit it, rs Mr.. Chisman, acting for
Pryor, announced that it must close in his
note declining to accept the proposal of
Col. Lander 1t is said that the only way
Pryor can obtain satisfaction now is by a
street attack, which Potter will not shrink
from.
WASHINGTON, April l3.-Notwithstand-
ing the constant vigilance of the Washing
ton police, assisted by the U. S Marshal,
none of the movements of the friends OF
Messrs. Potter and Pryor were discovered
Mr.. Potter appeared in the House about
noon to-day, looking cool and collected
He was warmly welcomed by Northern and
Southern gentlemen, and resolution
which he offered, authorizing the Com
mittee on Revolutionary Claims to employ
a clerk-an unusual thing-was passed by
a large majority, whilst a similar resolu-
ton, offered by Mr.. Carter, chairman of the
! Committee on the District of Columbia,
was defeated by an equally decided vote.
This occurrence showed the feeling of the
House.
THEODORE PARKER writes from Rome
that during the four months that he has
| l,no,, IN thnt city he has not seen drunken