The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1870-12-13
Don Piaft Challenged to Fight .
DueI.

~
! Duei.
! On Thursday last a challenge Was
sent be Clinton Rice, counsellor OF the
Haytien Legation, to Don Piatt, the
correspondent ofa western paper. The
cause of Rice's displeasure, was the
publication of letter by Piatt, in re.
gard TO the McGarraghsn elaine, in
which Vera City was involved. Rice
concluded the only way to decided
the issue; was to challenge the
offending party. The time set for the az
fair of honor was Saturday morning
at six o'clock, and the place in the
neighborhood of Bladensburg. But
Piatt could not be induced to risk his
life or reputation by accepting the chal-
lenge, and so the duel could not take
place. The matter was kept secret on
the part of Piatt.. Rice disclosing his
intentions and. putting the police on
their guard, plan was laid for the
arrest of the first of the parties had
they attempted to fight The District
Superintendent police, yesterday morn
ing sent for Rice and informed him that
he must consider himself under arrest on
a charge of having sent a challenge.
Finally he was released upon his parole
not to leave the District to participate
in hostile meeting;
More Light.
The resolution Of inquiry introduced
by Mr.. Sumner on Friday calls for a
good many items of information, all OF
which are understood to be accessible,
and since the President has recon-
mended the annexation scheme anew,
it is presumed he will not withhold the
information asked for by the resolu-
ton, if it should be adopted. 1t will
come up to-day, and may lead to a
spicy debate. 1t is quite certain that
if objection is made to its passage,
Sumner will advocate it strenuously.
There is protocol in existence which
has not been made public. The relations
of San Domingo with Hayti, and the
obligations of the former country to
IIayti and to France are matters OF i'm
portant interest in the consideration Of
the annexation question. 1t is under
stood that France has claim oftwenty
million francs, more or less, dating
back good many years, but still held
to be good, which we should be obliged
to satisfy. The publication of the
mass Of information called for will
throw a flood of light on the negotia.
tons for the annexation and the real
condition of the coveted people and
country.
Movement 10 Prevent POrter's Con.
firmatiOn.
There is an intention on the part Of
several in the House to attempt to pass
bill abolishing the grade Of admiral
under suspension Of the rules to day.
At the same time powerful influences
are at work upon Senators 70 prevent
confirmation. A number of Faraguts
friends are PROMINENT in opposition.
They assert that Porter, while in the
Navy Department, was constantly an
noying Farragut in various petty ways,
such as making him Post Admiral at
New York, presentinga uniform which
was distasteful to him, and changing
the Admiral's flag without consulting
him. The latter touched Farragut
deeply, since the style presented was al
most an exact copy OF the flag of a
small European State, and regarded as
one of the most insignificant ofall naval
flags. The first time Farragut knew Of
the change it was raised as he was going
on board national vessel. He asked
what it was, and upon being that
it was the new regulation, the Admiral
ordered it to be run down, saying it was
not intended to honor him, and before
hi. death he directed that it should not
be carried at his funeral Many facts
Of this sort are coming to light, and are
being used with very considerable effect
against Porter.
The President not In Favor OF Gem
eraI Amnesty
1t having been quietly reported that
President Grant would send to Con-
gress after the holidays special mes
sage recommending the passage Of a
bill granting universal amnesty to all
who took part in the rebellion, a
prominent New England Senator
called upon him to ascertain if
the matter was correctly repre-
sented, and was informed that it
was not only untrue, but entirely at va
rance with his views on this subject.
The President said it would be a great
mistake to grant universal amnesty to
the rebel leaders at the present time,
and open the doors to their holding
some OF the most important Offices un-
der the government
1t can be said positively, therefore,
that the restoration Of the old leaders
to their former political rights will not
-, nrao founraI hu prpsl-