October 1852

Mr, S. S. Prentiss, of New Orleans, first established a new doctrine in Western courts, this, namely, that the party attacked, in a per- sonal conflict, only knows how formidable the assault is, and what extreme means he is justi- fied in using. Also (if I rightly understood Mr. Williams, of St. Louis), even before any blow has been struck, and whilst the assaulting party is only uttering injurious words.