The Code of Honor | Page 3

of society, I will be compensated. I
have restored to the bosoms of many, their sons, by my timely
interference, who are ignorant of the misery I have averted from them. I
believe that nine duels out of ten, if not ninety-nine out of a hundred,
originate in the want of experience in the seconds. A book of authority,
to which they can refer in matters where they are uninformed, will
therefore be a desideratum. How far this code will be that book, the
public will decide.
THE AUTHOR
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RULES for Principals and Seconds in Duelling.
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CHAPTER I
. The Person Insulted, Before Challenge Sent
1. Whenever you believe that you are insulted, if the insult be in public
and by words or behavior, never resent it there, if you have
self-command enough to avoid noticing it. If resented there, you offer

an indignity to the company, which you should not.
2. If the insult be by blows or any personal indignity, it may be resented
at the moment, for the insult to the company did not originate with you.
But although resented at the moment, you are bound still to have
satisfaction, and must therefore make the demand.
3. When you believe yourself aggrieved, be silent on the subject, speak
to no one about the matter, and see your friend, who is to act for you, as
soon as possible.
4. Never send a challenge in the first instance, for that precludes all
negotiation. Let your note be in the language of a gentleman, and let
the subject matter of complaint be truly and fairly set forth, cautiously
avoiding attributing to the adverse party any improper motive.
5. When your second is in full possession of the facts, leave the whole
matter to his judgment, and avoid any consultation with him unless he
seeks it. He has the custody of your honor, and by obeying him you
cannot be compromitted.
6. Let the time of demand upon your adversary after the insult, be as
short as possible, for he has the right to double that time in replying to
you, unless you give him some good reason for your delay. Each party
is entitled to reasonable time, to make the necessary domestic
arrangements, by will or otherwise, before fighting.
7. To a written communication you are entitled to a written reply, and it
is the business of your friend to require it.
Second's Duty Before Challenge Sent.
1. Whenever you are applied to by a friend to act as his second, before
you agree to do so, state distinctly to your principal that you will be
governed only by your own judgment,--that he will not be consulted
after you are in full possession of the facts, unless it becomes necessary
to make or accept the amende honorable, or send a challenge. You are
supposed to be cool and collected, and your friend's feelings are more
or less irritated.
2. Use every effort to soothe and tranquilize your principal; do not see
things in the same aggravated light in which he views them; extenuate
the conduct of his adversary whenever you see clearly an opportunity to
do so, without doing violence to your friend's irritated mind. Endeavor
to persuade him that there must have been some misunderstanding in
the matter. Check him if he uses opprobious epithet towards his

adversary, and never permit improper or insulting words in the note
you carry.
3. To the note you carry in writing to the party complained of, you are
entitled to a written answer, which will be directed to your principal
and will be delivered to you by his adversary's friend. If this be not
written in the style of a gentleman, refuse to receive it, and assign your
reason for such refusal. If there be a question made as to the character
of the note, require the second presenting it to you, who considers it
respectful, to endorse upon it these words: "I consider the note of my
friend respectful, and would not have been the bearer of it, if I believed
otherwise."
4. If the party called on, refuses to receive the note you bear, you are
entitled to demand a reason for such refusal. If he refuses to give you
any reason, and persists in such refusal, he treats, not only your friend,
but yourself, with indignity, and you must then make yourself the actor,
by sending a respectful note, requiring a proper explanation of the
course he has pursued towards you and your friend; and if he still
adheres to his determination, you are to challenge or post him.
5. If the person to whom you deliver the note of your friend, declines
meeting him on the ground of inequality, you are bound to tender
yourself in his