The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-03-01

10 O'Clock a. m
SIN have called at this place. in conformity
with your note of this morning. TO inform you that
Mr.. Graves has not as yet been able 10 procure ri
fe and put il in order, and cannot be ready by II
o'clock, m. to-day. He Is DESTROYS, however, to
have the meeting to-day, if possible and will in
form you by half past IL o'clock, m. to-day what
time to procure and prepare weapon he will re-
quire.
Very respectfully, &C.
HENRY A. WISE.
Hon. GEORGE W. JONES
Afterwards, Mr.. Jones left at Mr. Wise's room
the following note, TO wit:
WAsHiNoroN, 10iAM
February 24th, 1888.
SIN Your note dated at 10 o'clock to-day is re-
ceived
In reply, have the pleasure TO inform you that
have In my possession an excellent rifle 10 good or
der, which is al the service of Mr. Graves.
Yours respectfully, &c
GEO. w. JONES.
Afterwards Mr. Jones sent to Mr.. Wise's room
the following note, TO wit
WAsHsGroN
Feb. "a, 1885, III a. m.
Sm Through the politeness of my friend, Doct
Duncan, ] now tender to you, for the use of Mr.
Graves, the rifle referred TO in my note of l0t m.
this morning.
Respectfully,
Your obedent servant,
GEO W. JONES.
Hon. H. A. WISE.
And with this note rife and powder flask, and
balls, were left at Mr.. Wise's room.
Alter the reception OF this note from Mr.. Jones,
Mr. Wise called him, at DR.. Reillys, and inform
ed Mr. Jones that Mr.. Graves had procured a rifle
other than that leff at his room by Dr. Duncan and
would be ready for the meeting at o'clock, p m.
II was then agreed that the parties should meet at
the AEacosta bridge, on the road to Marlborough,
in Maryland, between the hours of IL and "a o'clock
D. m and if either got there first he should wait for
The other and that they would thence proceed out of
the District. Accordingly, the parties met at the
bridge Mr.. Ciey and his party arriving there first,
and all proceeded about o'clock, p. IN. to the place
of meeting. On arriving at the place, MIR. Jones
and Mr. Wise Immediately proceeded TO mark off
the ground. They then decided the choice of posi-
tons Mr.. Wise won the position, and consequent
ly Mr.. Jones had the giving of the word AT this
time Mr.. Jones was informed by MIR. Wise, that two
gentlemen (Nir. Calhoon of Kentucky and Mr..
Halves Of Kentucky we're at some distance of,
spectators, but they should not approach upon the
ground Mr.. Jones replied that he objected TO their
coming on the ground, It was against the articles
Of the meeting but he entertained ior them the high
est respect Mr. Wise also informed Mr.. Joncs
that contrary to the terms, he had brought on the
ground tico rifles that if he (Mr. Jones) required
him to do so, he would Immediately send one OF
them away Upon Mr.. Jones finding that the rifle
one Of the carriages. There were, il is proper to
remark several persons the ground, (besides the
hack-drivers and the two gentlemen before mention
ed distance1 who were there without the autho-
rity or consent of either party or their friends as
far as is known either TO Mr.. Jones or Mr.. Wise,
and one Of these persons supposed tobe the own
err of the field Shortly after the hour OF o'clock
D. M the rifles were loaded in the presence OF the
seconds the parties were called together; they
were fully instructed by Mr. Jones as to their posi-
ont and the words twice repeated to them, as they
would be, and as they were, delivered to them, in
the exchange of shots. After this they were order
ed to their respective Positions the seconds assumed
their places, and the friends accompanying the Sc
conds were disposed along the line of fire TO observe
that each obeyed the terms OF meeting Mr.. Jones
gave the word distinctly audibly, and in regular
succession and the parties exchanged shots without
violating in the least single instruction. They
both missed After which, Mr.. Wise called upon
the friends generally to assemble and hear what was
to be said
inquired Of Mr. Wise whether his friend (Mr.
Graves) was satisfied? Mr.. Wise Immediately
said, in substance: MIR. Jones, these gentlemen
have come here without anmosiy towards each
other; they are fighting merely upon point OF
honor cannot Mr.. Cilley assign some reason for
not receiving at Mr.. Graves's hands Col. Webb's
communication or make some disclaimer which
will relieve Mr.. Graves from his position = Mr..
Jones replied in substance: Whilst the challenge
is impending Mr.. Cilley can make no explana-
tions - Mr. Wise said in substance: "The ex-
change Of shots suspends the challenge, and the
challenge is suspended for the purpose OF explana-
ton" Mr.. Jones thereupon said he would see Mr..
Cilley, and did go 10 him He returned, and asked
Mr.. Wise again: Mr.. Wise, do understand Alright
that the challenge is suspended e Mr.. Wise an
swered: !" 1t is" Mr.. Jones was then about to pro-
coed, when Mr.. Wise suggested that it was best,
perhaps to give the explanation or reason lnWrilng.
Mr. Jones then said, in substance Mr.. Wise, II
you require me to put what have to say in writing,
shall require you to put what you have said and
NAV saw. in writing" Mr. Wise replied "Weil, let
us hear The explanation beforehand it may not be
necessary to put il in writing" Mr.. Jones then pro
ceeded as he now thinks, substantially to say:
am authorized by my friend, Mr.. Ciley, to say that
in declining to receive the note from MIR. Graves,
purporting 10 be from Col. Webb, he meant no dis
respect to Mr.. Graves because he entertained for
him then as he now does the highest respect, and
the most kind feelings but that he declined to re-
ceive the note because he chose not TO be drawn
into any controversy with Col. Webb" MIR. Wise
thinks this answer Of Mr.. Jones was, in substance,
as follows q am authorized by my friend, Mr..
Cillev 10 saw that in declining TO receive the note
from Mr.. Graves, purporting TO be from Col. Webb,
he meant no disrespect to Mr. Graves, because ne
entertained for him then, he does now, the high
est respect and the most kind teeilngsj out my
friend refuses to dscaim disrespect for Col webb,
because he does not chose to be drawn into an ex-
preston of opinion as to him." Such is the sub
sianlal difference now between the two seconds,
to this answer of Mr. Jones. The friends on each
side with the seconds then retired from each other
10 consult upon this explanation. Alter consulting
Mr.. Wise returned to MIR, Jones, and said: Mr.
Jones this answer leaves MIR Graves precisely In
the position in which he stood when the challenge
was sent" Much conversation then ensued between
the seconds and their friends but nearer approach
TO reconciliation being made, the challenge was re-
newed and another shot was exchanged IN man
ner perfectly fair and honorable to all parties