Jenks' Portland Gazette

BY THE MAILS.

New-York, September 7.

At a meeting of the standing Committee of the Society of Cincinnati of the state of New York, on Wednesday the 5th September, 1804.

The president presented a letter received by him from Major General Charles Cotesworth Pinckney, vice president general of the society of Cincinnati, which was read and attentively considered.—Whereupon, resolved unanimously, that this committee highly approved the sentiments expressed in the said letter, and that the secretary forthwith cause the same to be published.

WILLIAM POPHAM. Sec'y.

SIR,

Charleston, S. C. Aug. 18.

With deep affliction, I receive the account of our irreparable loss by the death of our late president general. This deplorable event has been sensibly felt and lamented in this part of the Union even by those who were not personally acquainted with him, and who did not coincide with him in politics. By me, who have witnessed his calm intrepidity and heroic valor, on trying occasions, and was acquainted with his transcendent abilities and admirable qualities and honoured with his particular friendship, his loss is most poignantly felt, and his memory will be ever most affectionately revered.

Is there no way of abolishing throughout the nation, this absurd and barbarous custom, to the observance of which he fell a victim? Dueling is no criterion of bravery, for I have seen cowards fight duels, and I am convinced real courage may often be better shewn in the refusal than in the acceptance of a challenge. If The Society of Cincinnati, were to declare this abhorrence of this practice, and the determination of all their members to discourage it as far as they had influence, and on no account either to send or accept a challenge, it might tend to annul this odious custom, and would be a tribute of respect to the sentiments and memory of our late illustrious Chief. If the State society of New-York should coincide with me in opinion, I should be glad to have their sentiments how best to carry it into execution; whether by submitting it to a meeting of the General Society at New York, Philadelphia or Baltimore, or by referring the matter at once to the different state societies for their consideration.

I have this day received your favour of the 5th of July, and am much obliged to the state society and yourself for it.

With sentiments of great respect, I have the honour to be your most obedient servant,

CHARLES COTESWORTH PINCKNEY.

V.P.G.S.C.

Col. W. S. Smith President of the New York State Society of Cincinnati.