Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-12-22
Communicated for the Richmond Enquirer.
81. Louis, July 10th, 1926.


vented me when answered your kind letter oil
May the 5ih, from giving the explanations on
some parts Of your brothers affair with Mr.
CLAY, which Justice TO him, and his friends, de-
mands at nv hands. These Explanations are
particularly due on two material points; the
change of determination with respect 10 firing,
and the selection of VWginia ground Tor the
place of the duel. Upon the outside view OF
The affair, Mr.. Randolph stands chargeabe with
Inconsistency in firing at Mr.. Clay, after having
declared to me that he would hot do so, and
with disrespeci for Virginia, IN going voluntarily
within her limits to fight duel in open viola
zion of one Of her statutes. But very brief de-
.ai of facts, coming within my own knowledge,
will account for both these circumstances, and
shew that the resort 10 Virginia upon that oc-
casion, was the effect Of feeling in MIR. RAN
dolph directly the reverse oil disrespect for his
native state, and that the momentary change OF
purpose with respect to firing, was produced by
sudden and unexpected incidents occurring al
most in the crisis of the duel itself.
The challenge, as you know, was delivered
ON the first day Of April, which was Saturday
Towards noon of that day, the Senate not be-
ing in session, MIR. Randolph came to my lodg-
ings, showed me the challenge which he had re-
ceiyed, inquired into the fact of my relation
ship with Mrs. Clay, and but for that would
have wished me to have been his second. OF
fered my services in different character, that
Of peace maker, but he told me there was no
COON for il that the challenge was peremptory,
and that the answer would be prompt and I'M
conditional He left me to find Cox Iattnall,
Of Georgia, and to get him to carry back his
answer immediately but before we parted he
desired TO make my bosom the depository of a
declaration which, he said, he should commit
to no other person: it was this: That he did not
mean to fire at Mr.. Clay.
The duel did not take place for week. The
seconds took il on themselves 10 put 1t oil Tor
that length of time, not for the purpose OF pre-
pairing the parties, but from generous desire
10 prevent bloodshed, and 10 afford time for
some mutual friends TO effect an honorable ac-
commoda,ion. Myselfand some others labour-
ed al this work, most assiduously, but without
results. The gentlemen remained lntisxible.
Mr. Randolph in refusing to explain out of the
Senate any thing that he had said an ii, and
MIR. Clay in demanding reparation OF some kind
for what he conceived 10 be personal INJURY
done him in that body.
On the day Of the duel, Saturday the 9Th, /
spent several hours with your brother, and he
renewed TO me at parting the declaration OF his
intention, not to FIRE at Mr.. Clay. There were
circumstances connected with this declaration
at thi. time which made an indellible impress
sion upon my feelings and memory; but they do
not come within the scope OF this letter to de-
tail, though fatter myself il will be agreeable
TO you TO hear them al some future time, when
/ can avail myself of your kind invitation to
pass a night al your house.
The meeting was to take place on :he right
bank Of the Potomac, near the Little Falls
Bridge, and within The edge Of the Virginia
line, which there approaches near to the river.
Mr. Randolph had chosen il himself. He wish
ed, if he fell, fall upon the soil OF Virginia,
and as he did not mean TO fire at MIR Clay, ne
felt it 10 be no iniraction of her statute against
duelling, TO GO within her limits for the mere
purpose of receiving the fire OF his adversary.
His words to me were: break no law OF Vlr-
ginia. l neither accept challenge within her
limits, nor do fight duel within them.
The seconds on both sides had agreed that
might be at hand, when the meeting took place,
for the purpose of interposng my mediation
at the first practicable moment. Awaiting my
self of this permission followed on behind the
parties, crossed the Little Falls Bridge Just al
ter them, and came 10 the place where the ser
wants and carriages had stopped. saw none
Of the gentlemen, and supposed they had all
gone to the place where the ground was mark
ing out; but on speaking 10 a servant, Mr.. Kan
dolph, who was still in his carriage and heard
my voice, looked out from tue WlnuOW, anu
said to me: Colonel since saw you, and since
/ have been in this carriage, have heard some
thing which may make me change my determl-
nation. Col. Hamilton will give you note
that will explain it. Col. Hamilton was then
in the carriage with him, and gave me the note
in the course OF The evening oil which he spoke.
Ireadily comprehended that tins possible change
of defamation related TO his firing; but the
emphasis with which he pronounced the word
"may' clearly showed that his mind was unde-
cided, and left it doubtful with me whether he
would fire or not. No further conversation
took place between US, the preparations for the
duel were finished, and l went forward to
piece OF rising ground from which could see
il, and hear what was said. saw the pistol put
into MIR. Randolph's hand, and while he was
adjusting the butt TO his grasp, the muzzle
pointing downwards, il went off, and the ball
entered the ground within less than yard OF
has own feet. The pistol was hair trigger, and
the butt OF the saw-handle form The instant 1t