Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1874-04-24
LETTER FROM WASHINGTON.
Correspondence Of the Times.

WASHINGTON D. c., April %, 1874.
The killing of Mr. Bienvieu, at New Orleans,
by Mr.. Phillips, in a duel-strange thing in
these dayS-reminds one of the proximity OF
this place to Bladensburg, where was the
famous resort of the high bloods for this favor
lite pastime during the period of courtly man
ners and delicate sense of honor which it is
supposed has forever passed away. The Code
was the higher law of the old cavalier set who
ruled in Washington half century ago, and
while it was no disgrace to violate the law of
the land the man who was not ready to sub
NIT to the written demands of the code was
hooted from society and drummed from the
ranks of respectable people, sure as fate. 1t is
only ffty-fve years ago that Colonel McCarty,
an army officer, had quarrel with a member of
Congress, Mr.. Mason, of Virginia, and as this
constituted a case of chivalry of the very first
class, it was of great Importance that the duel
should be as circumstances would permit. To
accomplish this, three propositions were enter
tanned and discussed: One that the two scionS
of American ariStocracy should calm their ex-
cited feelings and soothe their wounded sensi-
bilities by sitting together on a barrel of gun
powder while some one applied lighted torch
to a fuse connecting with the powder. Anoth-
er proposition was to mount the dome OF the
capitol, clasp hands in a loving grip, and jump
to the earth together and the third was to use
muskets at ten PAGES. The first two were some
how found to be barbarouS. and therefore mad
Missile, but the last, putting death off to ten
PAGES, was decided to be not unciviiZed and Sut-
fciently sensational so they went out, and be-
fore their return there was i vacancy from the
Loudon district of Virginia, and the wounded
honor Of Representative Mason was satisfied by
the sacrifice of his life. The men were cousins.
The Cilley and Graves duel was another where
guns were used by members of Congress, with
q fatal result. Cilley was wonderful shot
tho 40 nd said no wa
selected by him to improve his chances, but
good as he was, he failed to hit the mark, and
his antagonist luck was better than skill, for
Cilley was brought back from the rencOntre
dead.
The removal of the Marquis de Noailles from
Washington has been quite a loss to tashlona-
BILE society, for the Marchioness was lively
lady, and in the diplomatic circle kept things
moving as French women do. Just titty-ive
years ago now, shortly after the Mason duel,
Monsieur and Madame Neuvile were having
their farewell parties and fetes, to the great re-
greet of the fashionables here. But Madame Neu-
vile, while here, slept in an artc, and it was
never counted against her by any body, as in
deed how could it be? No one could say it
was not in keeping with the most elevated pre-
tensions of high life whether at that day or
this. The Marquis de Noailles and his lady
lived in great STYLE and had two houses corner
X and Tenth streets, adjoining, which they
made into one by cutting the partitions, and
which were furnished in luxurious manner
with furniture from Paris. They left early in
the season, and the houses are still unoccupied.
The grandfather of NoailIes was the French
Minister to the United States in Washington 5
administration, and both he and his grandson
were highly popular and respected. They
knew how to spend money, and genuine liber-
atty goes az far in Washington as any other
place. fact which is understood by Boss
Shepherd and Henry d. Cooke, and it doesn't
matter whose money it is, their own or their
Uncle's.
The Committee on Civil Service have present.
ed bill to reorganize the Treasury Depart
ment, which proposes to retire about one-fourth
of the force. 1t causes a sensation which is
general, because no one knows whore the light
ming will strike. The older clerks who haye
served their day, whose hands tremble, whose
eyesight fails, who are verging on the borders
of dotage, ana who have become untitled for
other business, have a gloomy prospect ahead
for with the reduced force, the strong, active
and healthy will have to be retained in order
to keep up the business; but there are not
enough of these to supply the demands of the
guillotne should the bill pass, and so all hands
are looking for their props. Some old prop
shakers shake now without any props.