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                                                      York, 2nd March, 1828.
My Dear Sir,
                  If my recollection serves me right, you were present at an affray I had with the late Mr. John Ridout, in 1817, in the main street, near to where Dr. Widmer's house now stands.
    Will you have the goodness to inform me, in writing what you know, and saw of that affair.
    The article under the signature of a relative, published in the "Freeman" of the 28th ultimo, will, I am sure be a sufficient apology for putting you to this trouble.
                                                        I am yours, very truly,
                                                              SAML. P. JARVIS.
        Col. Fitzgibbon.

REPLY.
                                                        York, 2d March, 1828
My Dear Sir,
                  In answer to your note of this morning, relative to the affair you mentioned, I beg leave to acquaint you, that on the day on which the affray took place, I was passing down that street which leads from the Surveyor General's house towards Dr. Widmer's, where I saw a crowd assembled round some individuals who appeared to be in close conflict with each other. Unwilling to witness scenes of this description, I was passing on, but on observing the crowd opening towards me, I raised my eyes and saw the late Mr. John Ridout and you grappled together in close conflict. Mortified that two young gentlemen for whom I had a high respect, should so expose themselves in a crowd, I instantly ran to separate you, and seeing Mr. Robert Kerr present, I called upon him to assist me, when we with difficulty parted you, and I with much exertion compelled Mr. Ridout to accompany me to his brother's office, to whom I gave him in charge.
                                                        I remain, Dear Sir,
                                                        Very truly yours,
                                                              JAMES FITZGIBBON.
            Saml. P. Jarvis, Esq.
    N. B. —The circumstances or rather words which took place in Mr. George Ridout's office, and which I did not state this morning in the foregoing note, I now subjoin since you express a wish for me to do so.
    When I consider the nature of the attack which has been made upon you, I cannot withhold from you any fact within my knowledge, which you may think necessary to employ in your defence-they were as follows: on arriving at the office I found Mr. George Ridout in it, when I spoke to him to the following effect, viz. : -"that I had just found his brother in an affray with Mr. Saml. Jarvis in the public streets, and that I had by force separated them and brought his brother to him;" to which Mr. Ridout answered, saying, "upon my word Sir, I am very sorry you did!" This surprised me a good deal, and I replied formally bidding him a good morning.
                                                                                J. F. G.

Pamphlet by Samuel Peters Jarvis giving contradictory versions of the Jarvis-Ridout duel:
1. The Libel (article from the Canadian Freeman): 1a. opening — 1b. the Coroner's Inquest — 1c. conclusion
2. Jarvis's Contradiction: 2a. statement of the two "seconds" regarding the duel — 2b. statement of James Fitzgibbon regarding the street fight — 2c. statement of George Markland regarding the street fight — 2d. statement of Peter Robinson