Rensselaer Republican, Volume 19, Number 6, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 October 1886 — AN OLD-TIME DUEL. [ARTICLE]

AN OLD-TIME DUEL.

The Meeting Between James Watson Webb and T. F. Marshall. [Philadelphia Times.) “Political differences are settled easier nowadays than they were a half century ago,” said an old, gray-haired statesman. “1 remember distinctly,” he "continued, “when James Watson Webb, oijie of the, great editors of the olden time, lay wounded at the United States Hotel, on Chestnut street. He was shot in a duel within twenty-five miles; of the city by a Kentucky statesman, Col. Thomas F. Marshall, sdn of Chief Justice Marshall. That was forty-four years ago this summer. The duel took place early in the morning in a lonely field skirting the Delaware State line, below Marcus Hook. Josiah Randall, ex-Speaker Randall’s father, was one of the participants. An ill feeling had arisen from a congressional debate on the repeal of the Bankruptcy bill of 1841. About the same time Monroe Edwards was convicted in New York of forging drafts to the tune of $60,000 on bankers and others in that metropolis. Among those who defended Edwards in court was Col. Tom Marshall. An editorial paragraph from the pen of Col. Webb, published in the New York Courier and Enquirer read as follows: ‘We learn that the Hon. T. F. Marshall, after wandering about the country some thirty days, lecturing on temperance and giving his experience as a devotee of the bottle, has returned to defend the notorious Monroe Edwards. For his forty days’ absence he will draw from the Treasury $320 for making a mountebank of himself and devoting his time in advocating the claims of a notorious scoundrel.’ In addressing the jury, Marshall adverted to this attack, and spoke in a meaning way of charges made against him and fellow-members in receiving, by way of bridery, British coin to the music of SIOO,OOO apiece. The defeat of his client and other grievances were too much for Southern blood, and the satisfaction then usually exacted among gentlemen was demanded.” “After some skirmishing a meeting was held in Wilmington and preliminaries settled. The arrival of the parties becoming noised abroad, by a clear recourse to stratagem they out-man-euvered legal vigilance. Dr. Carr and Dr. Gibson, son of Prof. Gibson, of this city, waited on the six-foot-two Kentuckian, while Major Morell, proprietor of the Courier, and Dr. Tucker, a Virginian, then residing here, did the honors for Col. Webb. Josiah Randall was present as a friend of the editor. He was then, like Col. Webb, a staunch Whig. By daybreak ten paces were measured off and a stone placed at the extremities of the line. Major Morell tossed a coin for choice of. position. The silver falling in the grass caused some controversy, but Marshall settled it by impatiently calling out to his second: “Give it to them, Doctor. I came here to have a shot at him, and I do not mean to be baffled by trifles. ” “We ask you to give nothing,” proudly answered the Major. “We ask but what is our right. ” Again the coin spun upwards and fortune was again with the New Yorker. The duelists and tlieir friends were searched, acto stipulation. “Gentlemen are you ready?” sang out the Major, as the sun was struggling into light. “I am,” said the Colonel. “I am not,” put in Marshall, now the object of general observation. With a searching, earnest look at Col. Webb lie flung off his coat and slowly lifted his liat and tossed it aside. “Now, sir, I am ready.” The Major distinctly commanded: “Fire—one, two, three.” The simultaneous report made some believe at first that only one had fired. Both were wide of the mark. “Another shot,” shouted Marshall," raising his pistol. Again came the signal, and Col. Webb was observed slightly staggering. Ho was prevented from falling by one of the seconds. Upon the surgeon reporting to Marshall that Colonel Webb was wounded below the knee, lie thundered out:’ “Hit in the knee! It is the lowest act of my life; -We must exchange another shot; that man has injured me more than any being on earth. If he can stand I expect and demand that we shall exchange fire again.” The bystanders interposing, the matter was left to the surgeon’s decision, who made it understood that it was impossible, owing to-the-Colonel’s- condition, to continue the matter at present. The irate Southerner thereupon shrugged" his shoulders and observed: “We have no further business here and may as well return to the hotel.” The wounded Colonel was laid up some time in the United States Hotel. He took it good-naturedly, and upon one occasion lie facetiously remarked: “I am confined to, bed under Marshall law.” Under the statutes of the State of New York he was tried and convicted,, but evecutive clemency being evoked, interposed in his behalf. Col. Webb was appointed Minister to Brazil by President Lincoln, and while Ja that position he was credited with obtaining a settlement of the claims of the United States against that country, and of being instrumental, through his intimacy with Napoleon 111., of having the French troops withdrawn from Mexico.