Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-03-28

ulIcCt. IN making lHts PIopoSitiob,
| went beyond my instructions but,
as understood Mr.. Jones, Mr.. Cilley
would not say these words alone, nor
without adding words which did away
the effect of the word indirectly"
and which left the parties exactly
where they were when they came up
on the ground.
The statement Of Mr.. Jones and
myself contains substantially all the
propositions which | remember to have
been made on the field for settling the
difference. But here it is proper to
remark, that, when first the friends
assembled at my instance, much was
said upon both sides. A debate was
likely to ensue, and, lest dispute or
difference should arise among our.
selves, it was suggested that the friends
should consult apart, with the respec-
tive seconds, and that the seconds
should be the organs Of announcing
propositions for settling the difference,
in the hearing Of all. This seemed
to be acceded to by all parties. no.
ted nothing, therefore, as authorized,
except what proceeded from Mr.. Jones
himself, and consequently, do not, and
cannot, attempt to report what was
said by others. do not remember
to have heard Mr.. Cilley speak after
he went on the ground. He and Mr..
Graves were ordered to their stations
alter being instructed as TO the word,
and they kept their positions, eighty
yards apart, until the fight ended
The conferences of seconds and friends
were held exactly equi.6istant from
them of course, forty yards off.
made no proposition on the ground,
and rejected none without consulting
Mr.. Crlttenden and Mr.. Menefee and
| believe that every act Of mine there
and throughout the whole nflair, met
with their appreciation, and that of Mr..
Graves.
1t was at the instance of Mr.. Graves
himself, that remarked to Mr.. Jones
immediately previous to the last ex-
change Of shots: " II this matter is
not terminated this shot, and is not
settled, will propose to shorten the
distance. Mr.. Graves had no conf.
dence in his own shooting, at so long
d stance and directed me positively,
If they missed repeatedly, to prevent
prolongation OF the affair by proposing
closer quarters.
The reason why Mr.. Graves inss.
ted upon Mr.. Cllley's saying either
g" that he declined TO receive the note
oil Colonel Webb, because he was not
accountable for words spoken in de.
bate" or "that in declining TO re.
ceive the note, he did not do so upon
he ground OF personal objection to
Col. Webb, as gentleman" was be-
cause Mr.. Cilley had made both these
declarations, as Mr.. Graves alleged to
his friends, to him verbally. He would
not be satisfied with the declarations
announced on the ground, and his
friends could not advise him to accept
hem as satisfactory, for the reason
that they admitted nothing which MIR.
Cllley did not admit in his written cor.
and nothing which he
did not admit in his conversation with
Mr.. Graves. Mr. Graves could not
be satisfied on the field, whilst his ad.
versary was before Tim with u rifle in
his hand, with what he was not satisG.
ed with before, whilst looking ut a pen
merely in his own hand
| have now stated the facts, and the
world can make its own deduction of
the causes which led 10 the death of
the honorable Mr.. Cilley. If am a
proper Judge Of those causes, and ex.
pected to say what they were, will
sum them up in order:
First. MIR. Cilley, as Mr.. Graves
affirmed, and still afiirms, denied, in
writing, a satisfactory answer which
he had made to Mr.. Graves verbal.
ly.
Second. He made this written deni.
a Ia answer to n letter of Mr.. Graves,
which he had himself requested TO be
addressed to him with view to form
a pretext for a written admission OF
the very facts which he denied.
Third. He lmpeached the honor OF
one for whom, as gentleman, Mr..
Graves undertook, by the very act
OF bearing his note, to vouch
For those causes Mr.. Graves challen
ged him to mortal combat.
Fourth. When Mr.. Graves called
on him for "that satisfaction which is
recognized among gentlemen" he pre-.
scrlbed barbarous and savage terms :;
an unusual weapon the most deadly at
the distance selected in the hands of a
good shot.
Fifth. He precipitatcd the time of
meeting, when the second of Mr..
Graves was avowing a want of pre-.
paraton and a desire for delay.
Sixth. A weapon, not one of pair,
was rendered for the use of Mr.. Graves,
IN a manner that was considered tam