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Commodore Porters Squadron.
Extract t,f u letter to the Editors of the
Richmond Enquirer , from an officer
in the United State*’ Wavy, dated
Sea Gull, Allenton, Thompson's Island, >
mil May, 1823. S
Sir: On (lie 20th April we joined the bar
ges in Siguapa Hay:—they had given it a (
most thorough examination, and had dwcov- >
ered the remain* of some vessels which had
been burnt bv pirates; one of them, the
Dutch brig which they had taken a few i
weeks before our arrival on the coast. We
in company with the barges immediately
proceeded “to an examination of the coast and
keys high np as the river Palmas, which
being very difficult of access, is generally
used by them, when driven from Siguapa.
Unfortunately they must hate received infor
mation of our movements, as we found on
our arrival there, that their vessels had been
burnt and crew s dispersed. After remain
ing several days in the neighborhood, exam
ing all the keys and coast most minutely, we
returned to Matanzas to take out a convoy
and attend to landing a cargo of coal for this
vessel, and sent the barges down to the
neighborhood of Havana, where we joined
them on the 28th. We remained in Havana
until the evening of the next day, when we
proceeded down ’the coast with the barges
ahead, examining every bay, river, creek,
cove, and key, as far as the river I’uerco-
We detained three boats on suspicion, but
not having sufficient proof to authorize their
being brought here, the Commodore reliev
ed tlrcm. We burnt a stout schooner near
the river I’uerco, and six or seven establish
ments on shore, between that place and the
bay of Honda, which there was every rea
son for believingto be piratical.—Hut no per
sons engaged in this practice were taken.
On the afternoon of Friday the 3d inst. our
coal being nearly expended, the Commodore
concluded to return to Thompson’s Island,
and directed the barges to make the best of
their way across. The wind and current
being unfavorable for us, it was determined
the next morning, to go to Matanzas, get a
fresh supply of coal and water, and take out
the next convoy; the vessels whose duty it
was to do so, having gone into port to refit.
Left Matanzas on Monday morning, and on
the 9th arrived here. Capt. Cassin had been
in more than a week, after a more success
fill cruize than ours: for, beside the Pilot,
he had captured among the shoals of the
Calarado Reef, a very fine felucca, [lulling
16 sweeps; the crew exchanged shots with
our men, and then escaped to the woods.
Ho had with the schooners and bavgiygone
inside of the keys and reefs from Honda to
cape Antonio, examining the coast so close
ly as to proceed only 15 or 20 miles per day.
In this route he destroyed several establish
ments on shore, which were undoubtedly
piratical: hut took no prisoners except the
one in the Pilot. Neither of the expeditions
has been fruitful in captures, but in effect,
sir, as much so, as could be desired. The
coast from the river Palmas to cape Antonio,
has bad such an examination as I will ven
ture to assert, it never had before; for no
spot, that a boat could approach has been
overlooked; —all the vessels and stopping
places of the pirates, have been destroyed,
and I have no hesitation in saying, that there
is not a pirate in that character afloat on the
north side of Cuba. The only vessel they
had, which has not been destroyed, has,
since our arrival on the coast, been disarmed
and returned to her original owner. This
was a large schooner called the Cargona,
mounting three guns, which, with the shot
belonging to them, have been thrown over
board, and will in a short time he'recovered
by us, as we have correct information of the
spot. All the materials for a renewal of the
practice are still at hand, and will doubtless
lie put into operation so soon as our cruiz
ersare withdrawn; but i again repeat, that
nothing is to be feared, as long as the Com
modore pursues the plan he lias adopted.
As soon as we returned, another expedition
of two schooners and two barges were fitted
out: they sailed yesterday morning under
Lieut. Commodore Watson, will commence
an examination of the coast at point Ycacas,
thence to windward, and make a circuit of
the Island. At the same time two other
schooners, which sailed about a week ago,
are making a circuit of it by way of cape An
tonio, ami the south side. The sloop Pea
cock sailed yesterday for the Gulf and coast
of Mexico, to relieve the Miark. Two of
the schooners are off Havana for weekly
convoy; another left this a few hours ago
with the same object off Matanzas; and the
other will depart in a day or two for the
Crooked Island passage, thence round the
south side of Cuba to Campeachy, Honduras
ami New-Orleans.
Having put down all piratical establish
ments on this side of the Maud, you will
perceive by the foregoing statement that we
are extending our operations to ascertain
whether any exist in other quarters. We
have been on the station not quite two
months, and in that time, no act of piracy
has been committed—with a force not more
than equal to that of one of our large frigates,
wc have put it down, and not only given
complete protection to our own commerce,
but to that ol all other nations, who have in
common with our ow n trade, enjoy ed all the
benefits of our convoys.
Perhaps there are very few persons, who
are aware of the extent, aiul importance, of
mr trade to Cuba. 1 think since we have
been here, that our convoy lists, will give
an average of 30 arrivals and departures
weekly, of American vessels for Havana, and
about two thirds of that number for Matan
/hs; and there is scarcely a day without out
seeing three or four pass this place.
Our operations have been much embar
rassed by an order, been given,
to prevent our vessels frOTWntcring the mi
nor ports of Cuba; and although repeated
applications have been made to tire Captain
General for its revocation, is still in force.
When last at Matanzas, much alarm prevail
ed, in consequence of the assemblage of a
‘body of robbers, (18 or 20 in number,) well
mounted and armed, who were committing
depredations to the very entrance of the
town. There is no doubt of their having
iK-en driven by us from similar practices on
the ocean, and not being molested by the
local authorities when there, I presume,
thev must have calculated on the same con
duct if thev commenced land privateering.—
I’hry wiji he deceived, the injury comes
I unite to every member of the community,
and vigorous :: :as.;res had beer, laker, lor
their apprehension.
As the order for our exclusion from the
ports of Cuba, tnay have an important bear
ing on our own trade to that Island, as well
as that of other commercial nations; the
Commodore has permitted me to take co- j
pies of two letters, he has addressed to the
Captain General, on the subject; neither of
which has been answered —you are at liber
ty to vise them, as you may think, most pro
per.
The Decoy is getting ready to go for wa
ter, the Springs on the Island having failed,
or become so bad that the water cannot be
used without great inconvenience. Ihe
Sea Gull (as well as the Decoy) has been
stripped of her crew to man the barges, and
remains here as a guard ship. The Com
modore resides on board of her undor an
awning*—which is the most comfortable ac
commodation his squadron affords him.
-May 16. —On yesterday the Commodore
received from the new Captain General of
Cuba an answer to the two last letters he ad
dressed to his predecessor in office, and of
which I have lately taken notice. Ihe reply
of General Vivcs is so highly satisfactory,
that it is due to him, that a copy of it, and
also one of the circular orders, spoken of, j
should accompany the papers 1 had prepar- |
ed for you, before his letter came to hand,
1 also add the Commodore’s answer to it.
COURKSrOMIKXI'K, &C.
Havana, April 28(5, 1823.
To His Excellency the Captain General of
Cuba.
Yocr ExcEM.F.Ncr: Having been informed
that an order has been issued by your excel
lency to the military commanders of dis
tricts in this Island, forbidding the entrance
of the Squadron under my command into
the harbors thereof, I leave therefore to re
peat to your excellency, that. 1 came by the
orders of the government of the United
States, in aid of the local authorities for the
suppression of piracy, and for no other ob- j
jert as 1 have already assured your excellen- I
cy; and I have to beg of you, that to pre- j
vent any unpleasant consequences from the
existence of an order so hostile to the inter
ests of Cuba, and so opposed to the friendly
and benevolent intentions of my government,
that your excellency will be pleased to cause
it to be revoked as early as practicable, y and
that you will furnish me with a paper bear
ing your excellency’s signature, whereby
the friendly character of the forces under
my command may he made understood by
the aforesaid military commanders, as well
as by all others in authority with whom I may
come in contact; and your excellency will
pardon me for urging with great earnestness
this request, as the knowledge of this order
has been the source of great uneasiness to
[me, particularly since an admission on the
; part of your excellency confirms its exist
; ence.
I have the honor to be your excellency’s
obedient humble servant,
(Signed) D. PORTER,
Commanding the U. S. Naval forces in
the West-Indies &. Gulf of Mexico.
U. S. Galliot Sea Gull, Matanzas, 2
May 4th, 1823. S
To Hit Excellency the Captain Genend of
Cuba.
Yocn Excellxnct On an expedition from
which I have just returned, in pursuit of pi
; rales to the west ot Havana, 1 have most se
riously felt the inconvenience and danger
I arising from the existence of the order from
your excellency to the military commanders
of districts adverted to in a former commu
nication.
At Mariel I was not permitted to enter the
harbor, and my small vessels were threaten
ed to be fired into if they attempted to pro
ceed; they consequently were compelled to
anchor for the night, in an exposed situation.
At Porto Cavanas, 1 found the most hostile
disposition manifested by the commander of ‘
the fort, and notwithstanding every means 1
had been taken by me to satisfy him of our
friendly character, after passing the fort with
his vessel, my barges were stopped by him,
and not permitted to proceed, until I was
reluctantly compelled to resort to threats to
compel him to an acquiescence; am) even
after the letter of your excellency to me of
the 29th of March was shewn to him, he
continued to increase his force at the tort,
by the assemblage ofpeople from the neigh
borhood.
At Uahia Ilonde, I also found them in hos
tile array, with the guns of the fortress
pointed into my vessels; but whether from
less hostile feelings on the part of the com
mandant, or from not being in so good a
state of preparation, or from some other
cause, 1 did not find it so difficult to satisfy
him of our character.
It affords me pleasure to say, that on the
information received from this officer, 1 was
enabled to destroy several piratical estab
lishments in that neighborhood, the exist
ence of which, he was compelled to allow
for the want of means to suppress.
In the neighborhood of Cavo Blanco, my
boats were fired on from the breastwork on
shore, thrown up by license from the com
mandant of Bahia Hondo, but of this fact we
could not be informed until we had taken
possession of the work, fortunately, howev
er, without injury to any one.
These facts it is sincerely hoped, will in
duce your excellency to lose no time in
countermanding the order complained of,
for if any further inconvenience should be
experienced from it, 1 shall not feel myself
justifiable in exposing the valuable lives of
the officers and men, under my command to
the fire of those whom we have every desire
to meet as friends, and whom it is made our
duty to protect. I shall be compelled con
sequently, to turn my attention wholly to
the protection of the persons and property
of citizens of the U. States, and leave to Cu
ba all the inconvenience of piracy and the
odium inseparable from it.
1 have the honor to be your Excellency’s
verv obedient humble servant,
* (Signed) D. PORTER,
Commanding the U. S. naval forces in
the West Indies & Gulf of Mexico.
(tii anslatiow.)
In the last conference which you had with
his excellency my predecessor, you no doubt
became satisfied with the friendly demonstra
tions and sincere oilers of this government
to the U. States, unequivocally expressed by
that chieftain, with explanations of the sub
jects of y our doubts relative to. his official
letter of ’he 29th of March in Ins last para.
graph, in answer to one fiLm you dated the
26th of the same month.
Having gained an understanding of this
case I have now the satisfaction of declaring
toyou that this government has not issued any
order for prohibiting the entrance of the ves
sels in the squadron under your command
into the ports of this Island, but on the con
trary your squadron will meet with every
aid and co-operation on the part of the local
authorities in the pursuit of pirates who may
shelter themselves in the uninhabited coasts
compatible with the territorial privilege
conformable to the laws of nations.
And 1 can do .no less than assure you that
the Spanish government, alway s a faithful ob
server, of the rights pertaining to each na
tion, as w ell as jealous of their own, never
could take measures of this kind to which
you allude, without proclaiming their inten
tion with that frankness and clearness which
are its strong characterestics; and in the pre
sent case it has had no motive for acting con
trary to the sentiments which it has hereto
fore expressed to you. And that you may
remain satisfied and convinced, 1 enclose to
you circulars for the different commandants
of the military stations, on this Island, in or
der that they may afford you all the assis
tance necessary tor the attainment of your
important commission: with this I consider
your official letter of the 28th ult. as answer
ed.
This opportunity allow sme the pleasure
of offering my services to you with the high
est consideration. God preserve you many
years. Havana, 10th May, 1823.
(Signed) “ j
FRANCISCO DIONISIO VIVES.
Com. David Porter, commander of the U,
States squadron.
Translated copo of a circular letter from the
captain general of Cuba, to the commandants
of the several militia y stations m that Island.
An American squadron under the com
mand of com. David Porter, being destined
to cruize about the coasts of the Islands in
aid of our forces, who arc engaged in the
same enterprize, namely, the purpose of ex
terminating the pirates, who infes, our seas,
and cause so much injury to commerce in
[general, without respecting any flag what
ever. and it being an obligation of every ci
vilized nation to annihilate such banditti,
who heedless of ilior duties in society em
ploy themselves in such execrable practices;
1 have thought it proper to give orders that
whenever this squadron may arrive and pre
sent ;i self to the constituted authorities, they
I must afford it every aid, which may be com
patible with the territorial privileges and
lespect. God preserve you many years.
Havana, 10th May, 1823.
(Signed)
FRANCISCO DIONISIO VIVES.
To his excellency Don Francisco Dionisio
f ives, captain general of the Island of Cu
ba, and detiedKe tides,
Yoi-u Excmlkxci—l have lie honor to
acknowledge the receipt of your communi-
I cation of the liitli, with the circulars accom
i panying it, ami beg leave to return my sin-
I cere thanks for your prompt and satisfactory
[reply to my application of the 4th inst. as
well as assurances of the high sense I enter
tain of the favorable disposition of the higher
authorities of Cuba, toward the squadron un
der my command, Which has been manifes
ted by various acts that have greatly facilita
ted the execution of the duties entrusted to
me; and it is the c#use of great regret that I
should have been under any erroneous im
pression with regard to orders of any kind is
sued by your predecessor in office, in any way
concerning ihe operations of my forces, and
beg leave to offer as my apology the assur
ances of those who had stated to me that they
Had seen the orders; the admission of the
captain general as understood by the officer
whom l sent to him on this subject that or
ders of a restrictive nature had been issued,
the conduct of the commandants of Muriel
1 and Porto Cabanas, and information received
’ from the commandant of Babin Honda, that
some orders with regard to the forces under
my command had been received by him.—
The assurranccs of your excellency have put
the subject forever at rest, and your circu
lars have relieved my mind from the serious
apprehension under which it laboured.
Permit me to embrace this opportunity to
felicitate your excellency on your arrival, to
assure you that nothing but a severe indis
position has prevented my paying my res
pects in person, and to offer you my best
wishes for your health and happiness.
1 have the honor to be, with the highest j
respect, your excellency’s very obedient!
humble servant,
(Signed) D. PORTER,
Comd’ing U. S. naval forces in the [
West Indies and gulf of Mexico, j
U. S. Steam Vessel Sea Gull, Allenton, 1
Thompson’s Island, May 16, 1823.
Norfolk, June 3.
By the sclir. Princess Anne, capt. Banks, \
arrived here this mormeg, in 9 days from
Havana, a file of Havana papers from sth to
24tli May inclusive, has been received at the
Beacon Office News Room. \Ye have also
been favored with several letters from offi
cers of coin. Porter’s squadron, and from
our regular and attentive correspondent at
Havana, from which we subjoin some in
teresting extracts.
Capt. Banks understood that the officers
and crews of the squadron were in good
health.
The U. S. sc-hrs. W ild Gat, Skinner, and
Beagle, Newton, sailed for Key West to refit,
the day previous to'the departure of the
Princess Anne. The U. S. sclir. Pilot, lieut.
com’dt. Stiibbling, sailed for Vera Cruz 4 or
5 days before the Princess Anne came out.
Havara, May 24.
“The Spanish packet brig Encantador, ar
rived here to-day from Corunna, via Porto
Rico, and brings accounts (which I believe
may lie relied on) that the Patriot sloop of
war Bolivar, com. Daniels, and the Maria
Francisco, were captured a short time since
by the Spanish frigate Constitution, and the
sloop of war Ceres, w hich were cruizing to
gether. If this news should prove to be true
it will be a serious blow to the Patriot cause
on the Main.
By the British ship Romulous, which has
just arrived here from La Vera Cruz, we
learn that the emperor lturbide, with his
family, was just aboutembsrking for Leghorn
in the English ship Rawlins, to sail in compa
ny with the English frigate Tamar, and that
the Republic of Mexico had agreed to allow
him 525,009 per annum, during life Who
is to succeed him in the government, or tvhat
the new arrangements are, 1 have not been
able to ascertain.”
U. S. schr. tVild Cat, Havana, May 23.
Nothing new lias transpired; all remains as
when 1 wrote you last, with the exception of
having been relieved by tlie Greyhound,
lieut. comd’t. Kearney. This vessel and the
Beagle w ill sail this afternoon for Thomp
son’s Island, where we shall undergo repairs,
preparatory to another cruize. No change
of importance or measure of consequence,
has been adopted here by the new governor;
the people are in anxious expectation of
something decisive; assassinations arc fre
quent, and increase daily. Ihe governor has
visited the prisons of the city, and from
the marching of prisoners, it is presumable
he has made some changes, meliorating their
condition. The city is considered remarka
bly healthy—few deaths occur from fever.—
The Greyhound sa Is on Sunday with convoy;
the Jackall leaves this place for Matanzas,
whence she will sail on Sunday next with
convoy. Piracy is considered as suppressed
for the present —the trade is attended uiih
too much risk. Neither the llof net nor Shark
has vet arrived.
The information touching the health of
the city, the governor’s movements, &c. is
obtained from the best authority. 1 made it
my business to ascertain facts particularly.”
From the Richmond Enquirer, June 3.
AN INVITATION TO DRINK POISON.
We publish the following statement
fcy particular request. It is anew and
curious case under the Virginia act of
Jan. 26, 181 0, “to suftfr'ess Duelling.”
By that act, whoever gives or receives
a challenge to fight a duel which may
result in death, is declared incapable
of holding any post of profit, trust or
emolument under this Commonwealth
—whoever is appointed to any office is
bound to take an oath that he has not
violated this law, and will not violate it
during his continuance in office-—this
law is tc be given in charge to grand
juries. It contains other provisions
which it is unnecessary to specify.
The first notice which we have had
of Mr. Graves’ case, was from a re
monstrance, presented from Mr. Lacy
to the House of Delegates, on the 14th
of last December, objecting to the seat
of Mr. G. a Delegate returned from
the county of New Kent, upon the
ground that he was disqualified in con
sequence of having violated the duel
ling act. The case was referred to a
select committee—and on the 24th of
Dec. the committee, reported, that
“they are satisfied, from the circum
stances of the case, that the said Graves
did conscientiously believe at the time
of taking said oath (as Delegate,) that
‘he had not incurred the penalties of the
statute.” The committee also express
it as their opinion, as a criminal prose
cution against the said Graves, “for the
violation of law complained of, has been
instituted in the superior court of law,
foi New Kent county, and is now de
pending therein;” and as “the decision
of the House,” See. might possibly in
fluence the decision of that judicial tri
bunal, that propriety and good policy
require them to forbear entering” into
any further “investigation.” They
therefore requested to be discharged
from the further consideration of the
memorial. This resolution was adopt
ed; and the question dropped.
The following is a statement of the
trial, as it is reported to have taken
place before the court (Judge Semple
presiding.)
Interesting Law Case.
On Friday last, the 23d inst. being
the 2d day of the spring term of the
superior court of law for New Kent
j county, was tried and determined by a
i jury of twelve intelligent men, six seve
j rul presentments, found by the grand
I jury in said court, against col. Richard
, Glaves. In each of those indictments
; the defendant was charged wiih a vio
lation of the act to suppress duelling.-
! The attorney for the commonwealth
drew up six counts, and charged the
I jury, that if the evidence was sufficient
J to establish either, they were bound to
I find the defendant guilty. For the
purpose of giving the public correct
information on the subject, the counts
as laid in the indictments are inserted:
VIRGINIA:
First Judicial Circuit,New Kent Coun
ty—to wit:
\st Count. —The Jurors for the
Commonwealth of Virginia, duly sum
moned to attend the superior court of
law, directed to be holden for the said
county of New Kent, being one of the
counties composing the first judicial
circuit aforesaid, upon their oath pre
sent Richard Graves for sendinga chal
lenge to Archibald Lacy, to fight him
the said Graves a duel with weapons,
but what kind of weapons is to the ju
rors jpnknewn.
2d Count. —And the jurors aforesaid,
do further present Richard Graves, for
sending a challenge to Archibald La
cy, to fight a duel, with poison; there
by substituting the cups of poison and
water for weapous, whereby the said
due! might then and there be fought
and ended.
3 d Count. —And the jurors aforesaid,
do further present Richard Graves, for
sending a challenge to Archibald La
cy, to fight him the said Graves a duel,
in the following manner: that two cups
! should be filled, the one with pure wa
ter and the other with deadly poison, 1
and that two tickets should be rolled
up and put in a bat; and they the said
Richard Graves and Archibald Lacv
should draw lots tvho should drink the
cup of poison, kc. kc.
Mh Count. —And tfic jpirors afore
said, do further present Rich’d. Graves,
for sending a challenge to Aicl.ibald
Lacy to fight a duel with knives, kc.
sth Count. —And the jurors afore
said, do further present Rich’d. Graves,
foi sending a challenge to Archibald
Lucy, to fight him the said Graves, a
duel, by drawing a lot for a cup of poi
son. which cup was to be diank by the
person to whom the same fell by the
said allotment.
6th Count. — And the jutors afore
said, do further present Rich’d Graves,
for sending a challenge to Archibald
Lacy, to fight him the said Graves, i\
duel, with poison and l.nivcs, kc.
Extracts—Teste,
B. OANDRIDGE, c. c.
Few cases ever decided in the com
monweallU of Virginia, have excited
more interest or more feeling than this.
On the first day, when the trial was
expected to take place, the court was
thronged with an unusual number ot
spectators. On the second day, the
number, though smaller, was far be
yond what had ever been seen on any
former occasion. The commonwealth
was ably represented by her attorney,
Mr. McCandish, whose ability and zeal
were applauded by all who heard him.
John Tyler and James Semple, jun.
esqrs. were employed by the defend
ant, and Andrew Stevenson, esq. with
a philanthrophy honorable to his char
acter, volunteered in the defence. The
indisposition of Mr. Semple caused him
to leave the argument of the cause to
Messrs. Tyler and Stevenson. The
evidence went to shew that Graves re
ceived a challenge from Archibald
Lacy to fight a fist fight, two or three
days before the meeting of the legisla
ture in 1821; Graves refused to accom
modate him at that time, on account of
his public duties; but pledged himself
to give him (Lacy) an opportunity of
obtaining honorable satisfaction imme
diately afier the rising of the legisla
ture. That Graves wrote a note to
Lacy on the 17th of Match, to meet
him at a certain place, to settle the dif
ference. They met. That Graves
was disabled by an accident in one of
bis legs and ancles Lacy whose bodi
ly weight was upwards of 200 lbs.
Graves less than 130 lbs. urged a fist
fight; when Graves proposed they
should put an end to the difference by
allotment, : n the following way: that
two cups should be filled, the one with
pure water, the other with deadly poi
son, and set on a table covered with a
cloth; that two tickets should be rolled
up and put into a hat, the one blank,
the other marked with the letter P;
that he who drew the blank should take
his choice of the two cups and swallow
its contents, and he who drew the let
ter P, should be hound at the peril of
his life and honor to swallow the con
tents of the other cup. Lacy’s answer
to this proposition was, “I will not
drink poisen to accommodate yen, nor
will I hazard my life with you in any
manner whatever.” Graves’ second
proposition was, “If Captain Lacy in
sists on a decision by bodily exertion,
he shall be accommodated, under a
pledge of honor that he will afterwards
meet Col. Graves on equal ground, and
lodge no information, nor take advan
tage of such honorable proposition as
he may make.” To this proposition,
Lacy answered in the negative, saying
again, he would hazard his life in no
other way than fist fignt. Here Graves,
under the influence of passion, said,
“I am not, nor will not be afraid of you;
and to prove it, I am willing to go
with you into the woods alone, and [as
stated by Lacy and his two friends,j
(Graves’ friends being both indicted
with him, were excluded by the court
from giving testimony,) put a final end
to the contest with knives.” Here
there was a clashing of evidence, for it
appeared that one of Lacy’s friends
had acknowledged out of court that
Graves’words were “I am willing to
go into the woods w ith you alone, and
have no weapon but a knife,” which
Lacy also refused. Those propositions
formed the basis of the six counts laid
in the indictment, to which the defend
ant pleaded not guilty.
The author of this publication, who
attended throughout the trial, and took
particular notes of the evidence, deems
it just to state, what was admitted by
every one present, that there never was
, a greater display of acute and correct
reasoning and feeling eloquence, than
| was heard from both Mr. Tyler and
Mr. Stevenson, the latter of whom
i closed the argument on the part of the
defendant. The case was certainly one
lof deep interest, and opened a wide
j field for the display of genius and elo
quence. Subsquent to the transaction,-
Graves had, in qualifying to a commis
sioned lieutenant colonel,taken the oath
prescribed by the anti-duelling law,
which he had also done by qualifying! as