Wilmington journal., 1874-02-06

J
likely to be duel between Ex-Presi
dent DAVIS and Ex-Governor HENR,
s. FooTE, was based upon the follow
ing correspondence, purporting to be
copies of letters from those gentlemen
MEMPHIS, Tenn, Nov. 25, 1873.
Ny Dear Sir: Yours of the Goth in
! slant has been this day received.
have not seen any of the articles which
you inform me 81. s. Foote has writer
In abuse OF me, nor have had any de-
sire to read whatever he might write
In the year 1851 published him as
constitutionally liar, aud his subse.
quent career only served to confirm me
in that Judgment. Since that date,
therefore, [ have taken no heed of the
utterances of said Foote. His fattery
when he was seeking political prefer.
ment in the Confederacy and his abuse
when, faithless to his trust, a Repre-
sentative in the Congress of the Con-
federate States, he was preparing for
his subsequent desertion to their .n-
emy, were alike disregarded by me-
You are at liberty to use this as you
think proper. I remain,
Respectfully and truly yours,
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
LETTER FROM MR.. FOOTE.
AS portion of the community may
possibly expect from me some notice
OF the insulting and grossly aspcrsive
letter over the signature of Jefferson
Davis, which yesterday morning made
its appearance in the columns of the
Capital, though the glaring aneaducity
of all the allegations of fact contained
therein might we'll justify me in treat
ing the letter itself and its Infamous
author with cool and passionless con-
tempt, yet, for certain reasons, not
difficult, I imagine, to be OWNED,
have thought proper to take q some
what different course.
[ shall not now 20 into q detail of
past occurrences with view of nv
own vindication. It is not possible for
the ruined and disgraced champion of
dlsunion to say aught of me, or of my
public career, which could in the least
degree disturb my equanimity. He
has cherished an undying hatred for
me ever since his own presumptuous
arrogance, on a very noted occasion,
compelled Inc to slap his jaws, in this
city, in the winter of 1S47-4S. The hos
tillty thus engendered was afterwards
much heightened by my defeat of his
reasonable aspirations to the office of
Governor of Mississippi, as secession
candidate, in 1851. My constant and
unyielding opposition to him and his
nefarious schemes in Richmond, during
the war of the rebellion, for three
years, was not at all calculated to
assuage his enmity. My free, but un-
answer ed, and, I venture to say, IN
ansacera6ie expositions last summer, of
his indecent and seditious attempts to
keep alive in the bosoms of his coun-
trymen feelings Of irritation and alien
alton, which ought never to have been
brought into existence, have doubtless
much lnfiamed the malignity which was
slumberlng in the recesses of heart
capable of all mischief I rejoice to
know that the blighting curse of Mr..
Davis commendation it never can now
be my ill-fOrtune to incur. But 1 bid
this mighty man of Gath, who writes
SO blustrously for publication in the
newspapers, that I do not live in alb
solute concealment: my whereabouts
may be easily found by him or his lido
liZing confederates. He knows, as
thousands Of others know, that for full
twenty years 1 have stood ready to ac-
cord to him such satisfaction as he
might deem necessary to his deeply
wounded honor; and that, whatever
general views l may entertain touch
ing the propriety Of settling such is
sues rs have arisen between him and
myself in the mode referred to, yet
that, from special Difference to him, l
shall be altogether induced to make
his an exceptional case. The habitudi
cdiunniator OF honest and patriotic
men has no right to skulk behind
the h!yl1ocritica! 7oretences Of e.rtre,ne
piety. II. 5. FOOTE.
All new Governm ents in Spain find
smo 9TH sailing at first. The Serrano
Ministry for any rumor that reaches
us now might be considered upon
bed of roses. All it has to do is to or
der, and the thing is done. The seeth
ing turmoil of Spanish intrigues has
taken a rest. It is. nevertheless, we