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The Duel That Changed American History: Fought in Rhode Island Between William Austin of Charlestown and James Smith of South Kingstown

Craig Blair

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Published in A Forgotten Duel : Fought In Rhode Island Between William Austin Of Charlestown And James Henderson Elliot Of Boston March 31 1806

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In 1798, a duel took place in Rhode Island that would have a profound impact on American history. The duel was fought between William Austin of Charlestown and James Smith of South Kingstown. Austin was a prominent Federalist, while Smith was a leading Republican. The duel was over political differences, and it ended with Smith's death.

A Forgotten Duel : Fought in Rhode Island Between William Austin, of Charlestown, and James Henderson Elliot, of Boston, March 31, 1806

by Marcello Musto

4 out of 5

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The duel took place on July 4, 1798, in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island. The two men had been arguing over the merits of the Federalist and Republican parties. Austin was a strong supporter of the Federalists, who were in power at the time. Smith was a leading critic of the Federalists, and he was a strong supporter of the Republicans.

The argument between the two men became heated, and they eventually agreed to settle their differences with a duel. The duel was fought with pistols, and Smith was shot and killed. Smith's death caused outrage among Republicans, and it helped to galvanize opposition to the Federalist Party.

The duel also led to the passage of a law in Rhode Island that prohibited dueling. This law was one of the first of its kind in the United States, and it helped to set a precedent for the eventual abolition of dueling in the country.

The Participants

William Austin was born in Charlestown, Rhode Island, in 1758. He was a lawyer and a politician. He served in the Rhode Island General Assembly and the United States House of Representatives. He was a strong supporter of the Federalist Party.

James Smith was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island, in 1763. He was a lawyer and a politician. He served in the Rhode Island General Assembly and the United States House of Representatives. He was a leading critic of the Federalist Party and a strong supporter of the Republicans.

The Duel

On July 4, 1798, Austin and Smith met in the town of Westerly, Rhode Island, to settle their differences with a duel. The duel was fought with pistols, and Smith was shot and killed. Smith's death caused outrage among Republicans, and it helped to galvanize opposition to the Federalist Party.

The Aftermath

The duel had a profound impact on American history. It led to the passage of a law in Rhode Island that prohibited dueling. This law was one of the first of its kind in the United States, and it helped to set a precedent for the eventual abolition of dueling in the country.

The duel also helped to galvanize opposition to the Federalist Party. The Republicans were outraged by Smith's death, and they used it to their advantage in the upcoming elections. In the election of 1800, the Republicans defeated the Federalists and took control of the presidency. This was a major turning point in American history, and it marked the beginning of the Republican era.

The duel between William Austin and James Smith was a turning point in American history. It led to the passage of a law that prohibited dueling, and it helped to galvanize opposition to the Federalist Party. The duel also helped to usher in the Republican era in American politics.

A Forgotten Duel : Fought in Rhode Island Between William Austin, of Charlestown, and James Henderson Elliot, of Boston, March 31, 1806

by Marcello Musto

4 out of 5