Description:

Dueling
various, ca. 1797 to 1858
Archive (5) of Letters on Dueling in the U.S.
Archive
A small archive of letters and documents relating to dueling in the United States from Norfolk, VA; Chicago, IL and New Orleans, LA dating from 1797 to 1858. The letters contain accounts from a variety of people about local duels and duels that family members were involved in. One letter even outlines the terms of a duel from one of the participant's second. Also included is a Clerk's copy of numerous sworn oaths, including an "Oath to Suppress Duelling" [sic]. Various sizes. All of the letters and document have flattened folds and varying degrees of soiling, toning, and light wear. One of the letters has some paper loss which does not affect any text. Please refer to the photographs for further condition. Overall, very good.

Highlights from the letters:

1. June 29, 1797, Norfolk, R.J. Blackburn, Captain of Artillery & Commandant at Fort Norfolk, to Mr. Goudain: "…I recollect also, that I mention'd Mr. Saunders wou'd meet with two pistols each, tho from the alarm which had been created in his Family it was highly distressing to do so; but the proposition of the Eagle Tavern to which without Reflection he had acceded wou'd not be carried into effect…Mr. Saunders will not fight with one Pistol at thirty paces to advance, but he will fight with Mr. Ferrand on any of the following propositions & on no others; At thirty paces to advance with two pistols each' & at any distance between ten & five paces, with one or two pistols, to fire from their first Ground without advancing…I have now Sir comply'd with my Engagement as Mr. Saunders friend in this Business & suppose it as far as relates to my agency at an end…"

2. April 14, 1846, New Orleans, James Kimball to his brother John: "…Nothing new here at this time, Boats are blown up & duels are fought as usual every now and then. I saw a young man the other day about two hours after he was shot in one of those affairs of honor, all ready to be buried & so ended the matter nobody seemed to care much about the circumstances…"

3. March 7, 1858, Chicago, J.D. Graham to his son: "…I had not heard of the duel you allude to until I rec'd your letter of January 28, nor do I know how it resulted…these occurrences are to be regretted, that is, the causes which lead to them. The within small slip [newspaper clipping] from the Star, & also published in the Washington Union, alluding to this affair, goes on to say other things about the duel fought at Pensacola about the yar 1825, or 26, or somewhere thereabout, between your uncle Wm & Lt. Paige, is quite mistaken in saying your uncle Wm was wounded on the occasion. On the contrary he was not touched but he gave his antagonist a rather severe wound in the breast. They were however immediately afterwards on friendly terms, I believe. It was afterwards, in a duel with Captain Dade, fought in 1827, that your uncle W, was very severely wounded near the hip. That ball I think & two he got in the battle of Withlacoochee went with him to his grave…"

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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