TO THE PUBLIC. A HANDBILL, WITHOUT DATE OR PLACE HAS FOUND ITS WAY TO THE PUBLIC, BEARING THE SIGNATURE OF W. T. BRENT, THE OBJECT OF WHICH IS THE VITUPERATION AND ABUSE OF THE UNDERSIGNED. . [Simmes, Bennet Barton] AMERICANA,BROADSIDE,LAW,MARYLAND,SOUTHERN

Folio broadside, 9-7/8" x 15-1/2," unrecorded, printed in four columns, each separated by a rule. Fine. Signed in type at the end, B. B. Simmes. This unrecorded broadside is a tutorial on the appropriate response, in the early American South, to perceived slander. Simmes [1811-1888], its author, was an energetic, aggressive young man who was on his way to becoming a substantial Louisiana citizen. Born in Maryland, he "founded Simmesport, Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana on the west bank of the Atchafalaya River" [article on Simmes at ancestors.familysearch]. Wikipedia informs that Simmes's home there, White Hall Plantation House, is on the National Register of Historic Places. He became a slaveholder, State Senator [1856-1860], and contributor to the Louisiana Articles of Secession. Find A Grave says he was a Confederate General. Believing that he was on friendly terms with Dr. W. T. Brent, Simmes "learned with great surprise that he was secretly propagating vindictive and slanderous reports, tending to affect, if true, my character most seriously." At a chance meeting soon thereafter, Brent's greeting was "more than ordinarily cordial. I replied to this, by applying my cane, to his back, which he received with the submission of a negro slave." Several months elapsed before Simmes heard from Brent. But "The eager spirit of rage slumbered within him" and Simmes received "the long delayed challenge through Dr. Neale the then acting friend of Brent." Simmes "unhesitatingly accepted" and chose Opelousas as "the place of meeting," in accordance with dueling etiquette. Brent failed to appear, Simmes ridiculed Brent contemptuously, and Brent finally left the area. Simmes prints letters from friends and seconds in the proposed duel, all justifying his position and demonstrating that Brent is a cowardly scoundrel. Dr. W.T. Brent had a practice in the Sixth Ward of New Orleans in 1849. Other individuals quoted within include P. Barry of Alexandria, Virginia; John O. Howard of Marksville; Benj. Edelen, likely a farmer from West Virginia.