matter, correspondence and controversy, into consideration; and it there be, in the opinion of the court, any manner in which the affair ought to be settled without a resort to the expected meeting, that they suggest it to the friends of the respective parties, and I recommend the course which, in their opinion, should be pursued by each; which, if satisfactory to the friends of both, shall be adopted by, and binding on Col. Wilson and Gen. Chambers, without either of them having a voice in the matter. The undersigned would further observe, that they contemplate the -court's taking into consideration the controversy as it stands al present, believing that if other facts be enquired into by the respective parties, it would lead lo further personal aggravation, and to a protracted if not endless and hopeless investigation; and as Gen. Chambers' public duties and private interests urge him hence, it is indispensable that the affair be settled in the course of a very few days. "With very great respect for the motives and feelings of the gentlemen who have made the proposition, the undersigned have the honor to be their most obedient servants. Geo. C. Childress, A. S. Thruston. "P. S. It is moreover expressly stipulated by the undersigned on behalf of Gen. Chambers, that the affair be finally settled by the court of honor or otherwise, before Monday night next, as Gen. Chambers intends to leave Louisville on Tuesday morning. G. C. C. A. S. T."
And Messrs. Bullitt and Russell replied to the proposition in
the following terms:
"In returning to Mr. Buck the paper placed in our hands by him, we beg leave to assure him, that an amicable arrangement of the controversy in question would, so far from meeting opposition from us, accord with our sincerest wishes; but in submitting the cases of Col. Wilson and Capt. Postlethwaite (for we hold them identical) to the arbitration of honorable men, it would be with a distinct reservation on the part of those gentlemen, of the right to introduce before the court of honor, the proofs upon which the assertions in their publication rest, and the right to make a subsequent publication, which rights can by no means be waived. We would further suggest, that the more appropriate (and indeed the only one likely to be successful) method of interference, would be for a board to be formed of gentlemen of high standing and
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