Part of my interest in this subject was sparked, of course, by “Affairs of Honor” by Joanne Freeman, but it’s been something that was on my mind even before that because of some nascent thoughts/scribblings related to a fiction project.

My favorite part of Freeman’s book is her reproduction of the 1792 “Plan for the Improvement of the Art of Paper War” by Francis Hopkinson.

It culminates with a calling someone a coward in five line pica. And then since that is as far as the art of printing can take things so the next step is an actual duel.

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No kidding, Justin. I was able to make some of it out, but not much. But thanks for the source. I’ll have to see if I can glean some more details from it later — it’s about time to go out with my wife for Indian food.

The only possible answer? “Our seconds are negotiating that now.”

I don’t believe that shotguns are traditional dueling weapons.

The description of the Mealey case uses language that hints at a more traditional approach — even though it ended with an ambush. Although since it was 10 years later, perhaps the description was made to appear more in line with dueling code than it actually was.

It’s interesting that seconds are mentioned in neither article.

Blancett accused Henry Parrish of robbery and shooting a man.

And clearly the spirit of dueling had very much been lost if they were ambushed. Any word on what caused the duels and what dueling protocols were being used?

Ray, it reminds me of one my dad used to tell about a conversation between two farmers: “Heered you buried your wife.” “Had to. Dead, you know.”