Virginia Argus

We think it our duty to give the public correct information upon the subject of the disagreeable reports concerning the Hon. John Rutledge, of South Carolina, and Dr. Horace Senter, of this town, which have been circulated here for some days past; and with this view only, we publish the following extract of a letter, written by a Gentleman in South Carolina, who is very much respected there, and well known and highly esteemed here.

N. port Mercury.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman in Charleston, (S. C.) to his friend in Newport, dated January 14, 1804.

"Shortly after Dr. Senter sailed for Europe, Mr. Rutledge became acquainted with his having injured Mrs. R. and some days ago Dr. S. arrived here. Mr. R. was in town without knowing it, and did not know of it till he learned it from me in the street. He instantly sent him a challenge; and learned from the bearer of it, that the Doctor had that morning gone into the country, to visit Mrs. R.—He pursued him; and seeing him in his hall, as he entered it, discharged at him a gun he travelled with, which only wounded him slightly in his hand, when he made his escape through a back door. It being a dark night, he got off. Mr. R. came to the city the next day, found and challenged him. He accepted the challenge, pledging his honor he would not leave the state till he had given him the desired satisfaction. That night he went in a pilot boat to Savannah, whither Mr. R. followed. They met last Thursday in the neighborhood of Savannah. The Doctor fired first, and Mr. R. immediately after, his (Mr. R's.) ball passed through the bone of his antagonist's right leg, just below the knee, and lodged in his left leg. The duel was a perfectly fair one and stopped here, as the surgeons and seconds agreed the Doctor could neither sit nor stand: the wound is a dangerous one, and it is believed he must lose his right leg. This cruel business has been the means of destroying Mr. R's. peace of mind and ruining his wife's character forever."

Letters received in town, from Savannah of a date subsequent to that of the one above referred to, mention that Dr. S. after he was challenged by Mr. R. not having any particular friend in Charleston, went to Savannah for the purpose of advising with his friend there, and of procuring a second; that it was agreed between him and Mr. R. they should fire at each other so long as they both could stand or sit; and that Dr. S's. ball passed thro' Mr. R's. coat, waistcoat and shirt, and grazed his skin, within a finger's breadth of his spine.