Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-01-08
Yhe sIay-Bennett Affair.

Notwithstanding the many statements and
prognostca.ioos OF the New York papers in re-
gard to hostile meeting between James Cor.
don Beoue,t and Frederick May, it seems that
up to last dyec: advices no challenge had been
sent By Mr.. Bennett. DR.. Frederick May, Of
this city, who had gone TO New York with the
view Of being GO hand to advise with and assist
his cousin 10 any contingency that might arise,
had returned to this city Saturday, and it is
understood that when he left New York moth
ing at all had been heard from Bennett in the
premises. The immediate cause of Mr.. May
Indignation aud resentment was improper coo.
duct and language OF Mr.. Bennett to Mrs May,
mother of the assailant, as we'll a. Of Miss May.
Their father Dr. May, had previously by let
ter withdrawn his assent to the proposed mat.
rlmonlal union on account, as is alleged. OF the
| course OF Mr.. Bennett and there may have
been other circumstances aud improprletlcs
afterwards which served to determine the chas.
| tisemcnt By the son. 1t is known that the
father has been quite solicitous from the first
| that his sons should not be involved IN any
difficulty about the matter. On the hypothesis
| that Mr.. BenDctt has committed such oiiaps@s
as are ascrlbel TO him. it would seem to BE-
more 10 accordance with the fitness Of things
that he should make such PREPARATION as il pos
sib'e by due apology, while, under all the cir
cumstance: the family having gotten rid OF
Mr.. Bennett, 1t would appear to have been
more fitting that he should have been allowed
10 90 unmo!ested as long as he gave no further
trouble. As it is there was breach Of the
law and al useless scandal and notoriety.
! The New York papers continue to publish
!
connected with the affair. taking the view that
hostllities are 90 foot, though there has been
nothing so far to confrm such 4 view. The
World CT yesterday, As teegraphed, says
"Nr. Frclerct; May, accompanied b. bis
night. They purchased tickets for Montreal.
but it is probable that some point this side of
that city, but on the other side Of tie border,
had been already selected, and that Mr.. Ben.
nett was already n waiting there, having taken
4 traio by the Northern railroad from Boston.
This point, in all probability, is lu the neigh
borhood Ct Staostead, and Just over the Yer
mont State line. Dispatches from Montreal
make i certain that the parties did not 60
there. The report that Mr.. Bennett had Sc
cured the services OF Geo. Richard Taylor as
secoGd pro7cs to have been uofounded. Gen.
Taylor is c5ntocd to his room 10 Washington
by severe iadsposliou. Ii is impossible that
Mr.. j John llccksher will act 10 that capacity,
as he coull not be found 10 the city last night.
Both Bennett and May have certainly lett
the city, said az ultimate friend Of the gen.
lemen lust Eight, and there is little or no
d0ub; that they will fight. Nobody knows i'll
what direction they have goDc but it is more
than probable that they will 80 or have gone
to Canada They are neither Of them men
who will shrek the ISSUE OF duel, Tor both
are bravc-Beunctt will behave SIS we'll as any
man ever did. There is DO white feather 10
his cap, and he is tirstrate shot. Mr.. May
il also au expert with the pistol, and that will
undoubtedly De the weapon chosen. 1t is
said thu. this latter point was agreed upon b..
fore Mr. May lett the city.
The New York Sun says that if the parties
fight it will not take place in this country; that
it will be in Europe, most likely luxembourg
\ dispatch received last night from Ne"
| York gave rumor that duel had been fought,
but it could not be confirmed. -Bah. Sn.
The Washington Capital says: "As for the
attack, all we can say is that, considering it was
made il behalf Of the young mans sister, it
were better had it been left undooc After re-
! ceyng s;x;y.tbousand dollars in diamonds,
! trousseau OF twenly-six thousand and the young
| man himself as worthy member OF the tam
| lily, an attempt to degrade him with coWhide
indicates something more than mere failure to
keep his promise oil marriage.