Alexandria Gazette Office,
Saturday; Feb. 6 —1 P. M.
MELANCHOLY EVENT.
It has become our painful duty to
announce that Gen. A. T. Mason, of Virginia, is no more. He this morning fell
in a duel with J. M. McCarty, Esq. the parties
met at Bladensburg, Maryland, at 10 A. M. with Marine muskets, and fought at
the distance of 10 paces. General Mason received Mr. McCartney's fire in the
heart, and instantly expired. The latter was wounded in the arm, but not severely.
Mr. McCarty, accompanied by his friend, arrived in town at 12 o'clock. The
sensation produced among our citizens, at this truly heart–rending intelligence,
has never been equaled; and among the variety of rumors it is impossible to
obtain all the circumstances correctly.
The quarrel originated at the last
election for Congress in Loudon County, Virginia, when gen. Mason was the democratic
candidate. A long controversy ensued in the public prints, and it was believed
that the interference of friends had amicably adjusted the difference. But the
event has proved otherwise;— the arbitrary rules of honor have demanded that blood should be shed, and the life of
general Mason has been the sacrifice. Both the parties were of high standing.
The deceased was the late senator in congress from Virginia, and the survivor
elected last spring a member of the house of delegates.[1]
[1] Alexandria
Gazette & Daily Advertiser; Date: 02-08-1819; Volume: XIX; Issue: 5456;
Page: [2]; Location: Alexandria, Virginia.
Transcribed by John Peter Thompson. March 3rd,
2014.
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