Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Letter to Editor
October 3, 1807
Alexandria Daily Advertiser
Alexandria, Virginia
What is this article about?
A.J. M'Connico, friend of Dr. Stark, writes to the Norfolk Herald defending Stark in his duel with Capt. Gordon on September 28, 1807, claiming Stark did not fire before the word and accusing Gordon's second of unjustly shooting him.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
From The Norfolk Herald.
Mr. O'Connor,
Sir,
As the friend of Doctor Stark in his affair with capt. Gordon, I conceive it my duty to remove any unfavorable impression that the statement of lieut. Crane may have made on the public.
We agree as to the stipulation, "that if either of the principals fired before the word was given, the friend of the gentleman fired on, had the privilege of shooting him." But I am confident that Dr. Stark did not fire until the word was given; it was a second or two before capt. Gordon discharged his pistol, and immediately called out "you have fired before the word." Lieut. Crane then levelled his pistol and shot my friend, at the same time speaking in the most insulting manner. Can any man suppose for a moment that a man who had stood six fires before, would attempt to take such an advantage at the seventh? No sir it cannot be credited. Besides capt. Gordon might have retained his fire so as to take better aim---
I shall now leave the public to judge between the parties. premising, that when Dr. Stark recovers from his wound, a full and candid statement of facts shall be laid before them.
I am sir,
Your obedient servant,
A.J. M'CONNICO.
September 28, 1807.
Mr. O'Connor,
Sir,
As the friend of Doctor Stark in his affair with capt. Gordon, I conceive it my duty to remove any unfavorable impression that the statement of lieut. Crane may have made on the public.
We agree as to the stipulation, "that if either of the principals fired before the word was given, the friend of the gentleman fired on, had the privilege of shooting him." But I am confident that Dr. Stark did not fire until the word was given; it was a second or two before capt. Gordon discharged his pistol, and immediately called out "you have fired before the word." Lieut. Crane then levelled his pistol and shot my friend, at the same time speaking in the most insulting manner. Can any man suppose for a moment that a man who had stood six fires before, would attempt to take such an advantage at the seventh? No sir it cannot be credited. Besides capt. Gordon might have retained his fire so as to take better aim---
I shall now leave the public to judge between the parties. premising, that when Dr. Stark recovers from his wound, a full and candid statement of facts shall be laid before them.
I am sir,
Your obedient servant,
A.J. M'CONNICO.
September 28, 1807.
What sub-type of article is it?
Persuasive
Informative
What themes does it cover?
Morality
Social Issues
What keywords are associated?
Duel
Dr. Stark
Capt. Gordon
Lieut. Crane
Pistol Fire
Honor
Unfair Advantage
What entities or persons were involved?
A.J. M'connico
Mr. O'connor
Letter to Editor Details
Author
A.J. M'connico
Recipient
Mr. O'connor
Main Argument
defends dr. stark against accusations of firing prematurely in a duel with capt. gordon, asserting that stark waited for the word and that gordon's second, lieut. crane, shot stark insultingly after gordon claimed otherwise.
Notable Details
Stipulation Allowing Friend To Shoot If Principal Fires Early
Dr. Stark Had Stood Six Prior Fires
Promise Of Full Statement Upon Recovery