The Massachusetts Spy

Cumming and M'Duffie, once more.

We are informed by a gentleman from Washington, that the curtain had just fallen upon the Third Act of the celebrated Modern Farce of THE DUELLISTS. The information comes direct from a gentleman in Augusta, in a letter to a gentleman at Washington, which our informant perused. The following is the substance of the facts communicated to us:—The moment Mr. M'Duffie saw the last and most abusive and insulting pamphlet, published by Col. Cumming, he repaired to Augusta, and demanded "a meeting" forthwith. Col. Cumming contrived to delay the matter for four or five days, and in the mean time much difficulty was experienced in settling and arranging the rules by which they were to fight. M'Duffie insisted that they should stand at a short distance, wheel, and stand square, face to face, and that neither should change their position.

This rule was ultimately agreed upon. After the parties had taken their positions, and the second, who gave the signal, was repeating One, Two, &c. Cumming altered his attitude from the erect to a cock-like thrusting position. As "attitude is every thing," he was reprehended by Mr. M'Duffie, for violating the rules. The latter stept from the line of fire, and the second cried "Stop!"—But Cumming nevertheless fired at M'Duffie, and missed him. The second of the latter became so incensed at the conduct of Cumming, that he stepped up to blow his brains out, as he had a right to do, by the laws of honour, for the shameful violation of the regulations of the course. M'Duffie, however, threw away his own pistol, and arrested the arm of his second; thus magnanimously saving the life of his persecutor and unrelenting foe. Cumming, it is added, subsequently insisted that he had a right to change his position, and that the firing was purely "a mechanical impulse." M'Duffie then agreed to submit the matter to referees, and if they say Cumming behaved fairly and honourably, he will be ready instantly to fight him again; if not, Cumming will stand disgraced. So there is even yet a chance that the Farce, which has made so much sport, will turn out to be "a most bloodie Tragedie."

[N. Y. Com. Adv.