American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-04-24
VOL. XIV.

The Roman Emperor Manuel, in the
twelfth century, was a noted duelist
and his combats were numerous.
In 1475 Ferdinand, King of Spain
challenged Alfonso of Portugal Ills
proposition was to enter the held WIFI
their entire armies or to engage each othel
in mortal combat. The King of Portugal
accepted upon certain conditions' pu'
the parties did not meet.
In 1495 Macmillan of Germany fought
with French Knight. This act put
in peril the existence of the roya
house.
Charles n, King of France, while
known as Count d'Artois, was challenged
by the Duke of Bourbon. The Duke
for offering to fight, was banished to
Chantilly.
In connection with review of these
historical deeds of mistaken valor 1t is
interesting to refer to the poetry OF
Shakespeare The king of poets would
seem to have fathomed the thought OF
Caesar when challenged by Marc Antony
Caesar, at the time, was IN the midst OF
mighty and ambitious projects Shake
speare makes him reply:
Let the old ruffian know
/ have many other ways to die; meantime
Laugh at his challenge.
He represents Richard III. in his for
lorn hope as saying:
Slave, have Sc. my life upon a cast,
And will stand the hazard of the die;
think there he six Richmonds in the field;
Five have l slain to-day instead OF him.
They are words that lend eyes to ouI
imagination.
The affair between Bolingbroke and
the Duke of Norfolk is treated at length
by Shakespeare in Richard H.
In addition, Shakespeare gives examples
of the sword practice of the duelist in
the PLAYS of" Hamlet, Romeo and Ju-
liet, "I'welfth Night" and Loves La
boris Lost"
/ am not aware that any person, while
holding the office of President of the
United States, has engaged in duel, or
offered er accepted challenge. In
a dueling imbrogliO through Lafayette.
The Marquis had challenged the Earl of
Carlisle. The Earl during the Revolu-
toni was a Commissioner of England to
the United States. His mission, in con-
nection with others, was to effect a rec
onciliation between the two countries.
The Commissioners (having failed in
their efforts) gave expression to certain
remarks that were considered by French
officers serving Congress as derogatory to
France, and Lafayette, in behalf of
",
lenge. In doing SO he opposed the ad
vice of Washington, who, in answer to
a note from the Marquis, without d.
rectly condemning the practice of duel
ing, presented various considerations
against a challenge in that particular
ease" The Earl declined to fight. In
the same year Washington's name fig
ured in connection with the Conway
Cadwalader duel. These men were dis
tinguished officers in the army of the
Revolution. 1t is said that Conway's
support to an intrigue to displace the
Chief gave rise to this
duel. Conway, receiving wound
which he believed to be mortal, ad-
dressed the following letter to Washing
ton:
PHILADELPHIA. Feb. %, 1878.
SIR find myself just able to hold my
pen during a few minutes, and take this OPP
portunity of expressing my sincere grief for
having done, written or said anything disa-
greeably to your Excellency. My career will
soon be over; therefore justice and truth
prompt me to declare my last sentiment
You are, in my eyes, the great and good
man. May you long enjoy the love, esteem
and veneration of those States whose liberties
you have asserted by your virtues. am, etc.
THOMAS CONWAY
Tue affair between Andrew Stevenson,
Minister of the United States to En-
gland, and Daniel O'Connell, the "1rish
Liberator," in 1888, received the condem
nation of John Quincy Adams through a
series of resolutions which he submitted
to Congress. They were laid on the ia
BILE by 149 yeas to 81 nays. The duel
sought for by Stevenson he charac
terized as an attempt "to murder the
said Daniel O'Connell."
Andrew Jackson fought several duels
Referring to them, Thomas H. Benton
says: "He has often been seen zeal
ously pressing the advancement of those
against whom he had but lately been ar
rayed in deadly hostility"
A petition was at one time presented
to President Taylor praying him for res
toration to the service of two officers
who had lost their positions in the navy
for having engaged in dueling. He re-
piled: II have served in the army forty
years without fighting in duels. They
are unnecessary. l shall discountenance
them on every occasion, and will have nc
dueling men about me if l can help it.
-Tos1nL WOfsno "a, NJ Y Erpn1nu Dosf