Litchfield enquirer., 1838-03-08
The IGeI-Statsmess q 1hs Saeunfs. -,

ponuSlIces mat enoeu IN, tue uutortunate az
fair in which Mr.. Cilley lost his life, together
vito a statement Of the transactions ON the
lighting ground, signed by the principal Sc
conds, which follows:
After the reception Of this note from Mr..
Jones, Mr. Wise called on him, at DR.. Reil-
| ley's, and Informed Mr.. Jones that Mr.
| Graves had procured a rifle other than that
| left at his room by DR.. Duncan, and would
be ready for the meeting ut o'clock, p. NJ
! it was then agreed the parties should meet
at the Anacosta bridge, on the road to Marl-
borough, in Maryland, between the hours of
LIZ and ? 1-2 o'clock, p. NJ, and if either cot
there frst he should wait for the other, and
that they would thence proceed out of the
District. Accordingly, the parties met at
the bridge, Mr.. Cilley and his party arriving
there first, and all proceeded, about 9 o'clock
p. NJ. to the place of meeting. On arriving
at the place Mr.. Jones and Mr.. Wise imme-
| diately proceeded to mark fthe ground
| They then decided the choice of POSITIONS
Mr.. Wise won the position, and consequently
Mir. Jones had the giving of the word. At
this time MIR. Jones wos informed by Mr..
| Wise that Two gentlemen (Messrs. Halves
and Calhoun of Kentucky were ut some dis
lance off, spectators, bat they should not APP
preach upon the ground. Mr.. Jones replied
! that he objected to their coming on the
ground, as it was against the articles of the
meeting, but he entertained for them the
highest respect Mr.. Wise also informed
Mr.. Jones that contrary to the terms, he had
brought on the ground taco rifles; that if he
| (Mr. Jones) required him 10 do SO, he would
Immediately send one of them away. Upon
MIR. Jones finding that the rifle was unloaded,
he consented that it should remain in one of
the carriages. There were, it is proper to
remark. several persons on the ground, (be-
sides the hack-drivers and the two gentlemen
before mentioned at distance,) who were
there without the authority or consent Of ei-
Their party or their friends, as tar as is known
either to Mr.. Jones or Mr.. Wise, and one of
these persons was supposed to be the owner
of the field. Shortly after the hour OF 3 o.
clock, p. M. the rifles were loaded in the pres
ence of the seconds; the parties were called
together they were fully instructed by Mr..
Jones as to their position, 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 ordered to
their respective positions, the seconds as
sumed their places, and the friends accompa-
nying the seconds were disposed along the
line offre to observe that each obey the terms
of meeting. Mr. Jones gave the word dis
tinctly, audibly, and in regular succession,
and the parties exchanged shots without vio-
lating in the least sing instruction. They
both missed. After which Mr.. Wise called
upon the friends generally 10 assemble and
hear what was to be said. Upon the assem-
bling ofthe friends, Mr.. Jones inquired Of Mr..
Wise whether his friend, (Mr. Graves was
satisfied! Mr.. Wise Immediately said, in
substance: " Mr.. Jones, these gentlemen
have come here without luminosity 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 g. MIR. Jones re-
piled in substance "Whist the challenge
nations" Mr.. Wise said, in substance:
9" The exchange of shots suspends the chal-
lenge, and the challenge is suspended for the
purpose of explanation" Mr.. Jones there
upon said he would see Mr.. Ciley, and did
go to him. He returned, and asked Mr.. Wise
again: "Mr. Wise, do understand arigh.
that the challenge is suspended" Mr.. Wise
answered: "It is" Mr.. Jones was then a.
bout to proceed, when Mr.. Wise suggested
that it was best, perhaps, to give the expla-
nation or reason in writing. Mr.. Jones then
said, in substance: "Mr. Wise, if you re-
quire me 10 put what have to say in writing,
I shall require you to put what you have said,
and may say, III writing" MIR. Wise repli-
ed: well. let us hear the explanation be-
forehand. as it may not be necessary to put
it in writing" Mr.. Jones then proceeded, as
he now thinks, substantially to say =" am
authorized by my friend, Mr.. Cilley, to say,
that in declining to receive the note from Mr..
Graves, purporting 10 be from Colonel Webb,
he meant no disrespect 10 Mr.. Graves. be-
cause he entertained for him then, as he now
does, the highest respect and the most kind
feelings; but that he declined to receive the
note, because he chose not to be drawn into
any controversy with Colonel Webb" Mr.
Wise thinks this answer of Mr.. Jones was, in
substance, as follows: !" ana authorized by
my friend, Mr.. .Cil!ey, to say that in decli-
ming to receive the note from Mr.. Graves,
purporting to be from Colonel Webb, he
meant no disrespcct to Mr.. Graves, because
he entertained for him then, as he does now,
The highest respect and the most kind feel
ings; but my friend refuses to disclaim dis
respect for Colonel Webb, because he does
not choose to be drawn into an expression Of
opinion as 10 him." Such is the substantial
difference now between the two seconds, as
to this answer Of Mr.. Jones. The friends on
each side. with the seconds, then retired from
each other to consult upon this explanation.
After consultation, Mr.. Wise returned to Mr..
Jones, and said, /" Mr.. Jones, this answer
leaves Mr.. Graves precisely in the position
in which he stood when the challenge was
sent" Much conversation then ensued be-
tween the seconds and their friends. but no
nearer approach to reconciliation being
made, the challenge was renewed, and an
other shot was exchanged in manner per-
fectly fair and honorable to all parties. AT
ter this, the seconds and the friends again
assembled, and the challenge was again
withdrawn. and very similar conversations