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Correspondence, between the late Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron, which led to the unfortunate meeting of the twenty-second of March — John Shaqi

Correspondence, between the late Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron, which led to the unfortunate meeting of the twenty-second of MarchDecatur, Stephen

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Correspondence, between the late Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron, which led to the unfortunate meeting of the twenty-second of March

Name: Correspondence, between the late Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron, which led to the unfortunate meeting of the twenty-second of March
Author: Decatur, Stephen

Decatur, Stephen

Barron, James, 1769-1851 -- Correspondence; Decatur, Stephen, 1779-1820 -- Correspondence

You offer as your excuse for permitting four months to intervene between
our June correspondence, (with which, from your letter, you appeared to
be satisfied) and your letter of 23d October, your indisposition. I am
authorized in saying, that, for the greater part of the four months, you
were out attending to your usual avocations.

Your offering your life to me would be quite affecting, and might (as
you evidently intend) excite sympathy, if it were not ridiculous. It
will not be lost sight of, that your jeopardizing your life depends upon
yourself, and not upon me; and is done with a view to fighting your own
character up. I have now to inform you, that I shall pay no further
attention to any communication you may make to me, other than a direct
call to the field.

                    Your obedient servant,
                                                        STEPHEN DECATUR.

To Commodore JAMES BARRON,
    _Hampton, Va._

                   *       *       *       *       *

                                No. 11.

                                          NORFORK, _January 16th, 1820_.

SIR: Your letter of the 29th ult. I have received. In it you say that
you have now to inform me that you shall pay no further attention to any
communication that I may make to you other than a direct call to the
field; in answer to which I have only to reply, that whenever you will
consent to meet me on fair and equal grounds, that is, such as two
honourable men may consider just and proper, you are at liberty to view
this as that call; the whole tenor of your conduct to me justifies this
course of proceeding on my part; as for your charges and remarks, I
regard them not, particularly your sympathy; you know not such a
feeling--I cannot be suspected of making the attempt to excite it.

                    I am, sir, yours, &c.
                                                           JAMES BARRON.

To Commodore STEPHEN DECATUR,
    _Washington_.

                   *       *       *       *       *

                                No. 12.

                                            WASHINGTON, _Jan. 24, 1820_.

SIR: I have received your communication of the 16th, and am at a loss to
know what your intention is. If you intended it as a challenge, I accept
it, and refer you to my friend Com. Bainbridge, who is fully authorized
by me to make any arrangement he pleases, as regards weapons, mode, or
distance.

                    Your obedient servant,
                                                        STEPHEN DECATUR.

Com. JAMES BARRON.

                   *       *       *       *       *

                                No. 14.

                                                 NORFOLK _Feb_. 6, 1820.

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Correspondence, between the late Commodore Stephen Decatur and Commodore James Barron, which led to the unfortunate meeting of the twenty-second of March

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