Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-03-17
DOMESTIC.
MR.. WlSE'S ADDRESS
To my Constituents,

NIX. WlSES AODhESS.
To my Constituents
WAS second to Mr.. Graves in his late duel with MIR.
Cey It's catastrophe has brought upon me much onl-
um and reproach Your Representative is accountable
to you for his PERSONAL we'll as his political conduct
for by il he is worthy Of you, you are dshonoeo
I owe you an explanation, then, aud make IL most
cheerrully, because know that you would gladly re-
ceiye my vindication
judge me, then you have the right For what p
Murder. No All the false witnesses who pander Tor
nasson or prejudice could convince you that am
murderer For dishonnr' Worse than murder The
certificate Of Mr. Cileys second will assure you That he
took the least exception to my course. For patoc'
patinr in duel, then-my own or that OF anothtr-a1
ALP For that you should judge ne. That my offence.
admit ii; and all dare ask is that you Will Judge
me fairly according TO that public sentiment which pre-
wills among yourselves
obligation to act? There obligation. never
aced second for friend but with two motives hrst
10 be in position To reconcile his difference, if could;
econd to guard his honor and his life could not
sfeli bound 10 do this for friend in this instance es.
pecay have been situated 10 compel me to admit
this obligation; for, have often told you, my proec'
tion in The discharge Of my duties to you here has De
pended upon my own trusy weapon, and tIusty teho
upon have been daily liable TO call to discharge
the same obg CATION TO MIR Graves Is one upon
whom would have called; and felt obliged to do for
him what would have called on him 10 do for me
But though competent To guard his honor and his i'fe
was competent 10 ncr hts difference: 1t is said
that myself hostile to his antagonist IT so may
have bern incompetent Blu, | soIennly deny that
] was hostile 10 Mr. Galley. Gnd knows whether did
not feel far more sympathy for him than many who pre-
tend 10 depIore his fate There had bern slight mis-
understanding between Us in debate, which passed on
with The moment and le not The trace OF luminosity be-
hind. True there never before or alter That occa
Sion any intimacy between because we were neve
acquainted; but was purely and proudly conscious i"
no malice towards that man, never could have con
scented to bear him challenge But hostile to him or
nnt aud though hostility might have prompted to ncle
L. loon nd aiy hate
must that have been !-yet-my conduct proves that
did earnestly endeavor to prevent the shedding ct his
blood By reconcilng his difference with my FRIEND and
the history Of the tragedy proves that not only J. but
two other gentlemen Of known character anc slanding
who were never accused of hostility 10 him, and who
might have overrued ME by their voices and influence
could not reconcile that difference, prevent its result
That history now submit to you shall detail It un
der the solemn sanction If an oath, 10 a committee
Congress investigating the canses which led to Mr.
Cilley's DEATH The report of that committee ! will
send 10 you soon as it is made and printed lhis
statement supplies what the joint statement OF MI
Jones and myself omi,s and that which could not
tain. because he could not vouch Tor what alone or
others than himself knew And send this in advance
Of the report of the committee 10 arrest IN the midst
extraordinary excitement that torrent OF defamation
which is now pouring from the walls of the wrath
those who would delight to destroy my reputation nno
usefulness public servant send IL to suspend your
judgment until be fully heard to prevent you from
blushing for me, until put 10 shame by the truth;
and to stay your condemnation until am fairly convict
ed by credible evidence.
STATEMENT.
The Hon. Jonathan Cilley, late member Of the II.
OF Representatives, fell in duel with The Hon. VIM
Graves fairly fugh between the hours Of P. NJ and
4p ~ Saturday the Oath day of Feb, 1885, the chal
lengs Of which he freely accepted, and the terms o
which, as time, place, weapons and distance, he him.
self, or his friends for him, prescribed.
As TO the causes which led 10 this duel am not the
most COMPETENT witness. presume that the Hon VIM.
Graves himself inform the committee better than
any one else from the nature Of the case OF the facts
and influences which operated on him 10 call Mr. Ciiey
TO the field.
was wholly ignorant Of the fact that Mr. g. bore,
or abou. 10 benr note from Col Webb to Mr. Gil
ley never that note until the 26th of Feb. two
DAYS after the duel On the 2lst of Feb, Mr.. Graves
Informed me that he had borne note TO Mr.. &. from
Col W., calling for explanation rebnked him for hav.
ing done So upon the ground that his previous re-
alions with Col Webb did no. justify the latter in I'M
posing upon him such Office and it's responsible.
Ties He replied, that Mr.. Cilley had taken time tn
give him answer, and we separated after very short
interview.
in the House and informed me that lie had seen MIR.
Ciley again and then for the FIRST time detailed to
what Mr. Ciley had said in substance, verbally during
their Interviews: That declining to receive The note,
he hoped it would be thought dsrespecfu to him,
tMr Graves that he declined the ground that he
could not consent to be involved in personal difficulties
with conductors Of public journals for what he had
thought proper say in debate upon the aoo and that
Webb asa gentleman" MIR Graves asked whether
thought that answer satisfactory replied. that it
tainy satisfactory; that the for declining
to receive the note were very proper; that no more
could be asked and that all he had 10 do o return
the note Col Webb, with this answer Of Mr.. Cilley
He said, Mr. Cileys answer was verbal, merely; that
% any in stating 1t To COL Webb, and TO
avoid all controversy with Mr. Cley, in regard its
substance or terms he would get him put it in writ.
ing And he left me. thought fol- the purpose Of
oblainng from Mr.. C,ley written answer. returned
90 nv seat and neither heard any os the inter.
views between Mr.. Ciiley and Mr.. Graves, nor do
know when or where they occurred what transpred
at them except what have been since told by Mr..
Graves
On the morning Of the a2d Mr. Graves informed me
that he had called Mr. Clley. and requested him tn
put his answer writing that Mr. Cey had requested
him wh., he had sad that he had written to him note,
Qhe first in their cotrespendeace and handed to him
In person and that for he had received the first
note Of Mr. Cilley, which he then exhibited TO me- Mr.
Graves highly incensed at the tenor Of this note,
and confess tina, it greatly surprised me after what MIR.
Graves told he had said verbally in their interviews
Mr.. Graves regarded The note
Frst As denying what he had alleged TO his friends
Ar Ciiey had said to him in conversation
Secondly: As contempuous and insulting to Col
Webb, whose note he had borne.
Tni.diy: As placing Mr.. Graves himself in the hu.
sniliatng attitude Of suppicalion to him (Mr Cey) 10
seiieve him (Mr. Graves) from "aa unpleasant stua
ton"
Fourtbly: As saying, in effect 81 do not recognise
COL Webbto be gentleman, Sir, but respect you
one thereby inviting Mr. Graves to substitute himself
for Col. Webb
Ssch ,eas the construction whica Mr.. Graves put
upon that letter. and could not see, and cannot now,
what he could have put upon IT, taken
ia connection with the conversations which hs ayerred
ed o<,rfp hat m ham