The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-05-01

nIng counter os II would to the whole cuI
rent of ideas of all the friends Of Cilley, a
unequivocally expressed in all thei- re
marks and propositions.
You will readily perceive from this hov
completely aud overwhelming this preten
tlon is dsproved by the evidence. Mr.
Crttenden appears IN very awkward
position in the report and evidence. TIL,
fullest Justice is done TO his conduct on tb,
field by all the witnesses but himself. By.
nun, Duncan, Schaumburg, Jones and DR.
Foltz, all mite in representing him Il
have concurred distinctly, in the views ur.
ged by them, to The effect that " more ooula
not be asked" Of Mr.. Cilley than The salts
faction already rendered by him. In som,
Instances the witnesses quote nearly hi.
words, and are distinct and positive as Il
The substance of their and his language
bu, he now, in very labored effortto sus.
tain his frieads, in their dreadful and des.
perate position, says that every body mis-
understood him, and that he fully acqui-
csced in the proceedings of Wise and Men
efee. lie appears to have acted as a well
meaning but weak man-yery anxious that
the affair should stop, but without energy
or decision to arrest it by urging on his own
friends the views which he expressed fully
to all the others. He says that after the
third shot he will take " a decided stand"
but alas does not take it before His con-
duct on the field seems to have been credit
able to his heart, as his present elaborate
effort in behalf Of his friends, somew hat at
the expense of his own position, may also
be regarded, but neither reflects much
credit on his frmness or clearness of head.
Mr.. Wise stands irretrievabIy condemned
by the evidence and, in my opinion, the
Hon. Mr.. Menefee is lot in much better
position, though the latter did not stand in
Il similar relation towards poor CIley.
Wise makes an attempt to disconnect him
self from the idea of any personal hostility
to CilIey, and refers to his recent scene in
the House with him AS IA slight misunder-
standing, which could not have left any
on the mind of either; while il
is fresh in the memory of nearly the whole
House how grossly he insulted and attempt
cd TO bully him on the OCCASION, correcting
himself emphatically from the customary
form of expression, of " the gentleman from
Maine," to "lhe member from Maine )"
using the expression contempt )" iLtima-
ting that he could hold no further inter-
course with, or place no further confidence
in him, and concluding with the language
. What's the use Of bandying words with
man who won't hold himself responsible
ror his words -
Cilley appears to have understood the
natter perfectly. No man can doubt that
he two notes of Graves were written in a
bullying spri, to degrade Cilcy, who it was
hought would quail, and 10 extort an ac-
of Webb's character as a
gentleman. Cilley throughout insisted to
his friends that the hand of Wise was in it,
and that it was an attempt to disgrace him,
as New Englander, who would probably
submit to it, saying empha,ically she is
my enemy, and he will not let this matter
rest, but will urge it on as far ms possible"
adding, to the friend who was disposed
TO less severe opinion, "ysu do not know
him. ! read him through. lie is n false
and black hearted man, and | know he
hates me-" | do not mention this as being
n the evidence but as fact on which you
nay rely. 1t appears to have been the
opinion of Cilley's friends that it was i'm
possible that challenge could be sent in
uch case. Cllley had II strong appre-
tension of it from the first note, and per-
ect certainly from the second. His be-
avior was very gallant aud noble through
mt. lie constantly protested his regret at
eing forced and goaded on into the affair
hat nothing but self defence, for the main |
,nance of his dearest rights and highest
u,ies could make him raise his weapon at
raves; and on remark being made to |
i'm by friend that from the lightness of
is rifle it would not probably do more than
ound at that distance, he replied that it
ould be so much the better. regret to
nd this particular fact not introduced in !
he evidence. ! have it from the friend TO
HON he made the remark. All, however,
Dncur in bearing testimony to the general
ispositon evinced by him, in harmony
ith it. The last words, before the fatal
iird shot, as stated by Mr.. Bynum, were,
n his being informed of the result of the
e egocia,ions, and the demand still insisted
pom "they must thirst for my blood might
T." Mr.. Bynum told him TO keep cool,
nj be deliberate aud when asked by MIR.
Wise, what he meant by that, his reply is !:
81 feared that he might be agitated, and
y speaking to him, that he would be more
imposed, and would shoot better, having /
zen become perfectly satisfied, in my own !
,ind, that nothing short of his blood or
is disgrace, would satisfy the friends of
Ir. Graves, and l felt as though he was
bout to be innocenty sacrificed, should he
fall"
The strongest appeals appear TO have
cen made by all the friends of Ciley to
ne challenging side, but without effect.
lr. Wise brought to the field written state
rents of the concession which would be
,,isfactory, which were all substantially the
,me, and the very terms of which 90 to
pntradict the version of the affair now at