No—a more9 noble & much more commendable principle actuates, the human breast, self reputation the fountain of every generous & patriotic action. But grant that any person, so vile & base as to be guilty of such conduct, who would be so regardless of his own reputation as to enter the lists with a seducer, a ravisher or a murderer? I can confidentially answer in the negative.

For the better investigation of this subject, permit me, my audience to call your attention a few moments to the rise of duelling I must confess the origin of single combats is some what obscure; but it is evident from the historic page, they did not become common in resentment of private or personal injuries until the sixteenth century. Francis the first & Charles the fifth10 set the example—like an electric spark flased across the Eastern hemissphere & involved all Europe in private quarrels & single combats. Hence every person thought himself intitled to call upon his adviersary to make reperation for an affront11 or injury that seemed to touch his honour. It is easy to conjecture what would be the effects of the introduction of such an opinion among men of ferocious & barbarous manners, feirce courage & lofty sentiments. A contemptuous look, a disrespectfull word, nay even a haughty12 stride was sufficient, was sufficient to occasion a Challenge

Nevertheless the practice of duelling, has been considered to be attended with some beneficial consequences.13 But what these are, the promoters of duelling leave us to find out—As for myself I have been so unfortunate as not to discover any of those excellencies, & am a declared and an inveterate enemy to the practice. But these advantages are, the promoters of duelling Their boasted advantages are, as I have had occasion already to observe, to restrain men from transgressing the rights of one another, & to prevent any indency to the female sex. These arguments are too futile to be confuted, they only deserve to be mentioned that they may be dispised. The violations of the laws of the land, public justice sufficiently punishes the aggressors14 —And as for the violations of the rules of decorum & breaking the bounds of modesty & dencency as it respects15 the female sex, the contempt & abhorrence in which he is held by by every good man is sufficient chastisement for his insolence. It is probable it might have such a tendency when the minds of men are overwhelmed with superstition ignorance & bigottry & de debased & poluted with superstition & bigottry—But when a pure & undefiled religion is rightly16 appreciated & understood, the rights of man unfolded to our view with philosphical enquiry & research, no such practice is necessary to restrain our actions or meliorate our manners.

I should be truly afflicted, to think that the people of the United States have degenerated17 so much as to require the18 fear of a challenge to urge us to a niceity of conduct towards our fellow[men]—And that ambition & a love of liberty which impelled to the late glorious contest have deserted the American breast. But for the consolation of every true lover of his country, we have no reason to entertain such a suspecion.

Duelling has already become odious & despicable in the eyes of every great and good man,19 but they are forced by the shackles of custom to participate in this inhuman & unchristian practice or forfeit their fortitude & bravery. How miserably interpreted by the promoters of duelling!—Does not experience convince us it by no means tries the courage of a man, for the most cowardly person may be induced to fight a duel. A person of great erudition says, he is a man of the greatest resolution & fortitude who declines the combat, for he has not only to defend his character from the reproach of cowardice but also to overcome the prejudicial sentiments of the times