In thinking over my difficulties with Turner at this distant day, there is nothing in my conduct which I in the least regret.  Had I acted differently; had I yielded one inch, I should have lost my self-respect and been for life an abject slave.  There was undoubtedly an unnecessary severity of language in two or three passages of my answers to his attacks; and some portion of my answer in court to his order to show cause why I should not be re-expelled from the bar might better have been omitted.  I have since learned that one is never so strong as when he is calm, and never writes so forcibly as when he uses the simplest language.  My justification in these particulars, if they require any, must be found in the savage ferocity with which I was assailed, the brutal language applied to my character and conduct, and the constant threats made of personal violence.  Malignity and hate, with threats of assassination, followed me like a shadow for months.  I went always armed for protection against assault.  I should have been less or more than man had I preserved at all times perfect calmness either in my language or conduct.

In the contest with this man I was cheered by the support of the best men of the State.  But of all of them no one aided me so much, and so freely, as the editor of the Marysville Herald, Mr. Robert H. Taylor, a gentleman still living, in the full strength of his intellect, and honored and trusted as a learned member of the legal profession in Nevada.  May length of years and blessings without number attend him.

* * * * *

Here my narrative of “Personal Experiences” must for the present end.  I could have given you, Mr. Hittell, more interesting matter.  I could have given you sketches of Fremont, Halleck, Gwin, Broderick, Weller, Geary, Sherman, Bigler, McDougal, Bennett, Heydenfeldt, Murray, and others, with many striking anecdotes illustrative of their characters.  They were all remarkable men, and the history of their lives would be full of interest and instruction.  I could have related the story of the Vigilance Committees of 1851 and 1856, and shown how the men of order and virtue acquired and maintained ascendency over the irregular and disorderly elements of society.  I could have told you of the gradual development of the industries of the State until her yearly products have become one of the marvels of the world.  I could have described the wild excitement produced by the supposed discoveries of gold in boundless quantities on Fraser River; and the later but more substantial movement upon the development of the silver mines of Nevada.  I could have recounted the efforts made in 1860 and 1861 to keep the State in the Union against the movements of the Secessionists, and the communications had with President Lincoln by relays of riders over the Plains.  I could have described the commencement, progress, and completion of the Pacific railroad, and the wonderful energy and unfailing resolution of its