Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-04-11
AEEX a MD8lAs
TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL II, 1926.

We copy below, what is said TO be an au'
thentic account of the late Affair between Mr..
CLAY and Mr.. RANDOLPH. 1t differs so essen
,;allv from the statements which were made to
ne ON Saturday evening, that We feel increased
satisfaction in the course we adopted. 1t was
better 10 be silent than TO risk misrepresenta-
ton in so important matter; and especially
when our motives might be disadvantageously
construed, and our errors made the foundation
of charge of unfairness in the friends CT Mr..
CLAW, which we verify believe would have been
done, had we stated the transaction as we orr
sinally heard 1t.
Washington, .RprR Io.-The following state
1nent of a transaction which, on Saturday last
and since. has excited considerable sensation Ill
this civ, has been authorized by the friends oil
the parties, and may Of course be lmphclliy re-
lied uDon. We have only to add TO il, that the
difference, thus adjusted, is supposed to have
arisen out of considerations merely political /:
National LtsLigeocer.
son Saturday, the Sth April, at half past
four o'clock, meeting took place between MIR.
CLAY and Mr.. Randolph, upon cal,oi the Tor
mer, in consequence Of certain EXPIRE sions used
by the latter in a recent debate in the Senate,
which Mr.. Clay considered offensive, and APP
piled personally 10 him.
MIR Randolph was attended by Col Iattna!l,
Of GEORGIA, and Major Hamilton, Of South Ca
rolina. Mr.. Clay by Gen. Jesap, OF the Army,
and Mr. Johnson, OF Louisiana.
The parties net on the ground-exchanSed
salutations, and took their stations.
The pistol OF Mr. Randolph, which was sus-
nended by his side, went off. 1t was perceived
to be an accident, and so pronounced by Mr..
Clay; Immediately, however, upon the report OF
the pistol, Mr.. Randolph turned to Col. Ia,tnall
and said, 81 told you So" Col. Tattnall, then
turning TO Gen. Jesup, observed, "Slr the fault
is mine; Mr. Randolph protested against he
use of the hair trigger; it was Al my express IN
s,apce the hair was sprung" Another pistol
was Immediately handed 10 Mr. Randolph-the
par,ies resumed their stations, and exchanged
Shots without effect.
Immediately after the report of the pistols,
while Col, Tattnall and Gen Jesup were re-
loading, Col. Benton, Of Missouri, rode up, and
united with MIR. Johnston and Maj Hamilton
in an effort TO stop the affair, which proved in
effectual. The parties again took their sta
tons, aud the word being given, Mr.. Clay rails
ed his pistol and fired, and the ball passed
through Mr. Randolph's clothes. Mr.. Ran
dolph reserved his 6re-holding his pistol per-
pendicularly up-said,"I do not FIRE at you,
MIR. Clay" and discharged his pistol in the air
He added, sit was not my intention TO have
fred at you at ALL the unfortunate circumstance
of my pistol going off accidentally, changed my
determination" At this instant Col. Benton
came up, and said, eyes, Mr.. Randolph told
me so expressly, eight days ago" The parties
simultaneously approached towards each 9TH
err, both with extended hands-Mr, Randolph
remarking, "Sir give you my hand which
was cordially received by Mr.. Clay; and the
affair thus honorably and happily closed.
The friends oft parties, without consulting
their respective principals, in the hope OF ter
minating the difference in manner ".ike hon
orable TO both, were induced to delay the peri
cd of meeting for few days"