The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-03-13
THE LATE DUEL,


hot,yoep Mr. Graves of kentucky, and MIR. CiIley
of Maine. are from Washington correspondent of
tho Boston Atlas, writing under date of Feb. &c,
have authentic sources of infor-
,,o,ion not generally accessible.
When Mr. Graves took the challenge of Col Webb
10 MIR CiIIey they had long conversation together
in perfectly friendly terms. Mr. Cilley declined
,"ceiying The note Of Col. Webb stating that he
WINS not answcrable for words spoken in debate
Mr. Graves asked if that all, and whether he
made any objection to the character and standing
orthe challenger? Mr. Cey replied, that he made
none but relied on his privilege as member of the
House. Mr. Graves said. that perfectly proper,
and he had nothing to object to it and at the same
time he reminded Mr. Cilley Of the proprey of hay
ing this answer in writing For this end he accord
ingly wrote note to Mr. CiIley, rcciting the con-
versaton above stated, and requesting Mr. Cilley TO
say, if those were not his for declining TO
accept the challenge. Mr. Clcy replied, agreeing
TO the correctness of the statement, as to his Inteh
ton of relying upon his privilege but as TO the
statement relating to Col Webb, Declined cthor 10
admit or deny it. Upon this Mr. Graves addressed
another note TO Mr. Ciey, informing Mn that ms
first answer was not satisfactory; and requesting
him be more explicit as TO that part OF theIr con
versarion respecting Col. webb Mr. CiIeyFoturned
an answer declining to make my neutrality-suspicious.
lion. and expressing unwilIm9ness ~ 61cato-
chi.cd upon thai point All ibis occurred on Thurs
dny On Friday, Mr. Graves wrote Il challenge 10
Mr Cille, and gave it 10 MIR Wise to deliver MIR
Wise retained the greater pant of Friday forenoon,
taking caro-, however, TO let Mr. Cillcy know that
challenge was 10 come, Out giving MN al oppUItu-
nifty to make further explanations II he saw proper
About noon the challenge was delivered.
Ii was accepted late on Friday evening. The
time, place, and weapons were in the choice of MIR
Cilley and he selected rifles, at eighty yards dig.
lance, for the weapon, noon the next day uas the
time, and for the place, spot in Eary Andyncar
Rock Creek Mr. GRAY though he was not ac-
customed to the of the rifle, -agreed to these
terms, provided he could obtain rifle in time.
The whole day on Friday, Mr. Ciliey, in company
with his friends, engaged in practising with the
rifle. lie is said to have used one belonging to Mr.
Duncan of~Ohio, who is great shot, and who was
one of the chief advisers in this matter. MIR Ciiley
was an excellent marksmun, His success in firing
mark on Friday was very great for II is said that
he repeatedly hit, at eighty yards the size of dol
lar. His friends elated at his skill, and fiat
tered him with the idea, that he would certainly kill
his opponent at the first fire.
MEANWHILE MIR Graves and his friends were bust
Iy employed all Friday evening, in hunting up a
rifle TO be used the next day. But this was wea.
pom not easy TO be found and they continued their
search with little success, the next day, that al
ten O'Clock they found themselves obliged to send
IL note to the friends of Mr. Cilley informing them
that it might be necessary to postpone the meeting.
This was Immediately construed by the friends Of
Mr. Cilley into q backing out on the part OF Mr.
Graves, and reports to that effect were instantly
circulated. About il o'clock, probably by way Of
taunt or bravado, Mr. WISE the friend OF MIR Graves,
received taoo notes rendering him the of two
rifles, if he could obtain none elsewhere; and MIR
Duncan waited upon Mr. Wise in person, with a rifle
in his hand of which he rendered The use declar
This oficious anxiety OF Mr. Cllcys friends to pro-
cure a weapon for Mir Gra' es, to his ears ,and
rather than break his appointment, he finally ac-
cepted the loan Of a rifle from Mr. RiYes, Of the
finn Of Blair & Rives, editors of the Globe. The
lock Of this rife prove however, trial. to be so
out Of order, that, their way to the ground, they
obliged 10 stop, and have it operated upon by
blacksmith
Mr. Graves was attended by Mr. Wise of Virginia,
Mr. NJ cniiee of Kentucky, and some other of his
friends; Mr. Cilley was attended by Mr. Jones OF
Wisconsin p( Nyb octa cd
as second and surgeon, and by MIR Schomberg IA
NOUS for having taught duel on horseback with
broadswords, at New Orleans
After the first second fire, a barley took place.
MIR Wise announced to the opposite party that The
challenge was withdrawn, and he called upon Mr.
CilIoy TO say something as a justification TO MIR G.
IN withdrawing it. Mr. CiIley retired and consult
&c with his friends, and finally proposed TO saw that
he had and always had, an entire respect for MIR
Graves, but that he reracted and would retrac.
nothing, regarded Col Webb Mr. Wise en-
treated Mr. Cilley and bis friends withdraw that
part of his statement which related to Col Webb
If lie would conne himselft to that part oft which
related to Mr. Graves, it would be perfectly satis-
factory; but with this implied insult in il to his
friend Col Webb, it would be impossible for Mr.
Graves to accept it. This point was urged with
great zeal by the friends of MIR Graves; but Mr. Gil
ley after retiring again, and consulting with his
friends, positively refused to modify this statement
in the smallest degree The firing was then re-
neWed. There seems to be most remarkable diff
ference of opinion among the spectators whether
the parties fired three four times 1t is agreed
however, that MIR CiIey fred once more than Nr
Graves; as at one fire, Mr. Graves rife caught IN
ms coat before he brought it a level and he miss
ed the fire altogether
1t is SAID that Mr. Cley, in the progress Of the
affair, consulted freely and frequently with Mr.
benton OF the Senate It's also said that the great
est confidence was entertained by Mr. Cilley IS |
friends, that he would kill Mr. Graves at the Grsl
are They looked upon him doomed man-i
MIR Cilley is said to have acted with great GOODNESS
and dellberaiion, and to have taken a very stradv
aim, In all probability; nothing saved the life Of
Mr. Graves except the high wind, which made i, |
impossible for The most prac'sed marksmnn to hold !
Il rifle at arm $ length perfectly steady. Mr. CilIoy
is thought to have shared in the confidence of his
friends, and 1t is reported, that the last sentence he
uttered was an exclamation TO his second, Just pre-
Nlous to the last fre-"I'l bring him this time ="
Col, WEBB has written letter in vindication of
MS conduct in reference to the late duel in winch
lie attributes the fatal result to the interference of