The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1838-03-03
THE NEWS.
Fatal Duel at washington.
Extract Of a letter 10 the Harrisburg Re-
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poTfer, ddfed
WASHINGTON Cry, Feb. "a, 1898.
"The moral sense of the community has
been greatly shocked, by an honorable muir
der committed yesterday, by an honorable
member of Congress upon another member
of Congress, under the fashionable cogno-
men of "duelling." The circumstances as
far as they can be collected from the numer-
Gus vague reports anoat, are said to be these:
Some ago, Mr. Ciley, member from
Maine, made some expression against Jas.
Watson Webb, the editor Of the New York
Courier--similar 10 what ! think | have
seen in some of the public prints before
which was in amount that Webbs change
i'll politics was induced by bribe, in the
shape Of large accommodations from the
Bank of the United States. A day or two
since, Webb arrived in the city and sent
challenge to Mr.. .Cilley whoiefused to accept
it, because he did not consider Webb gem
tleman. Mr.. Graves of Kentucky was the
barer of the challenge, and on Mr.. Cilley's
refusal to accept it, asked him if he consid-
cred him Graves gentleman. To which
he replied he did of course. Graves then
Immediately challenged him, and the chal-
lenge was accepted Mr.. II. A. Wise was
the second of Graves, and Mr.. Duncan of
Ohio, some say, and others say Mr.. Jones,
of Michigan, the second of Mr.. Ciley.-
These gentlemen, of such high chivalrlc
valour and physical courage, although they
had no respect for the laws in the District of
Columbia, had some fear of them, went
ciondcsdinely across the line, somewhere
near Bladensburg, into Maryland 10 perpe-
,trate murder in highminded and honora-
bic way. The weapons were rifles. Af-
ter the first fire Wise enquired whether the
matter could not then be adjusted, and by
common consent the challenge was with
drawn 10 afford an opportunity to the par
ties TO reconcile matters without being sup
posed to be under the influence of fear. Mr..
CilIey then stated that he had no unkind
feelings towards Mr.. Graves, aud consider
ed him gentleman and an honorable man.
Wise asked him if he was willing to admit
Mr.. Webb TO be gentleman. Cilley in
dignantly replied ''no! not as long as can
hold rifle in my hand" Wise then said
there could be no reconciliation, and the
challenge was renewed. Cilley said TO him
self, in an undertone, as he went to resume
his station, ''they thirst for my blood;" and
on the forth FIRE was shot through the body
and, as he fell exclaimed, II am wound
ed." These were his last words, which
where soon followed by his last breath. Il
is said there was some ten or dozen per
sons present who dispersed in different di
rections, as if they had been guilty Of some
q TD1s honorable act. The corpse wa:
brought back to the decedent's late lodgings
where it is now lying awaiting the order:
Of Congress respecting its interment lti:
supposed that the conscientious part Of botl
branches will resist the adoption Of the re
solution to GO into mourning by wearing tht
usual badge on the left arm for thirty days
not out of any dsrespect to the man, 70
all agree that hs was (barrng this one mat
Ter into which he was furced) a very wor
, thy man-but for tie purpose Of showlni
their disapprobation Of practice which j
likely TO destroy the liberty of speech 10 til
! Halls OF Congress. MIR. Ci!ey has left a
! amiaole wife and four interesting children
/ who l suppose, at this moment are IN
conscious of the fact that she las been mad
widow and they orphans, to satate re
; vengeful thirst for her husbands and thei
: fathers blood -