You have heard of my duel with Shields, and I have now to inform you that the duelling business still rages in this city–2 Day-before-yesterday Shields challenged Butler, who accepted and proposed figh[t]ing next morning at sun-rising in Bob. Allen’s meadow, one hundred yards distance with rifles– To this, Whitesides, Shields’ second, said “No” because of the law–3 Thus ended, duel N^o 2– Yesterday, Whitesides chose to consider himself insulted by D^r Merryman, and so, sent him a kind of quasi challenge inviting him to meet him at the planter’s House in S^t Louis on the next friday to settle their difficulty–4 Merryman made me his friend, and sent W– a note enquiring to know if he meant his note as a challenge, and if so, that he would, according to the law in such case made and provided, pre[s]cribe the terms of the meeting– W. Returned for answer, that if M– would meet him at the Planter's House as desired, he would challenge him– M. replied in a note, that he denied W's right to dictate time and place; but that he, M' would would waive the question of time, and meet him at Louisiana Missouri– Upon my presenting this note to W. and stating, verbally, it’s contentents, he declined receiving it, saying he had business at S^t Louis, and it was as near as Louisiana– Merryman then directed me to notify Whitesides, that he should publish the correspondence between them with such comments as he thought fit– This I did–5 Thus it stood

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at bed time last night– This morning Whitesides, by his friend Shields, is praying for a new-trial on the ground that he was mistaken in Merrymans proposition to meet him at Louisiana Missouri thinking it was the State of Louisiana– This Merryman hoots at, and is preparing his publication–6 while the town is in a ferment and a street fight somewhat anticipated–

But I began this letter not for what I have been writing; but to say something on that subject which you know to be of such infinite solicitude to me– The immense suffering you endured from the first days of September till the middle of February you never tried to conceal from me, and I well understood–7 You have now been the husband of a lovely woman nearly eight months–8 That you are happier now than you were the day you married her I well know; for without, you would not be living– But I have your word for it too; and the returning elasticity of spirits which is manifested in your letters– But I want to ask a closer question– "Are you now, g in feeling as well as judgement, glad you are married as you are"?" From any body but me, this would be an impudent question not to be tolerated; but I know you will pardon it in me– Please answer it quickly as I feel impatient to know–9

I have sent my love to your Fanny so often that I fear she is getting tired of it; however I venture to tender it again–