The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-03-06
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gaea 9@iRIg GY1&&o
ESDAY, M A Il III 3, 1855.
EATAI DUEL AT WASHINGTON.

bv n duel between two members of Congress, winch
resulted in the murder OF Jonathan Cilley rom
Maine IL is indeed strange that man from New
England, under any circumstances, should consent
n expose hlmsefto be murdered, while 1.-THE same
time he attempts the murder of his antagonist even
a, the hazard of being branded coward, as he
would be according to the laws OF honor among
Southern desperadoes in case he refuses TO accept
challenge. In accepting challenge a man shows
himself the greater coward-as not possessing sufh-
cient moral courage to decline it, and meet the
scorn of chivarous blacllcgs, which they, and they
alone would bestow upon him. That is true cour-
age which enables a man to resist evil and compat
popular errors.
The circumstances which led to the duel as near
as we gather them from the various and contra
dictory statements are these Mr. Cilley, Repre-
sentative from the Lincoln District in Maine, IN
debate in the House reiterated the stale charge a.
gainst Col. Webb, of the New York Courier and
Enquirer, with having been bought up by the late
U. S. Bank several years ago, for $52,ooo WoDo
demanded a retraction of the churge-Cilloy de-
clinod a compliance, and Webb proceeded to Wash
ington and challenged Clley, through Mr. Graves
of kentucky. Cilley declined fighting Webb, al
Lodging as a reason that che was no gentleman,
which, according to the code of honor was an insult
to the bearer of the challenge, and obliged him to
challenge Ciloy. This he did-the challegc was
accepted, and Cilley had choice of weapons, and
selected rifles. They met at Bladensburgh, on the
oAth and took their 6stance--100 yards-and on
the Sd (some accounts say the 4th) fire. Ciey fell,
the ball entering his Breast and sevorng the large
artery leading to the heart Great efforts were made
by the friends OF each, as as it was known a
duel was expected, to prevent lis occurrence. Mr.
Clay, Mr. Crittenden, the City Marshall, and others,
went in pursuit ci the party, but could not find
them Mr. Cilley has left wife and three children.
He is said to have been man of talent, and popu-
lar in his State He native of Nottingham,
NJ H. and grandson of General Ciey, Of Revolu-
.ionary fame. He died Gas the fool dieth."
| The following account by tho seconds, is from
| the Washington Globe. Mr. Wise acted second
to Graves, and Mr. Jones as Ciey's second.
| II was then agreed that the parties should meet
at tho Anacosta bridge on tho road Marlborough,
in Maryland, between the hours OF l l-2 and l-2
o'clock p. VI and If either got there first he should
wait for the other, and that they would thence pro-
met a, the bridge Ciiey and his party arriving there
first, and all proceeded, about o'clock =. NJ. TO
tho place of meeting. On arriving at the place, Nh
Jones and MIR Wise Immediately proceeded 10 mark
off the ground They then decided the choice Of
positions. Mr. Wise won the position, and conse-
quently Mr. Jones had the giving of the word. AT
| this time Mr. Jones was informed by MIR Wise
that two gentlemen (Messrs. Halves and Calhoon
of kentucky at some distance off, spectators,
| but they should not approach on the groune. MIR
I Jones replied that he objected TO their coming on
| the ground, as it was against the articles of the
meeting, but he entertained for thom the hig chest
respect. Mr. Wise also informed Mr. Jones that
contrary to tho terms, he had brought upon tho
ground t1c0 rifles; that if he (lr Jones) required
him 10 do so, he would Immediately send one OF
them away Upon Mr. Jones finding that the rifle
was unloadod, he consented that it should remain
in one Of the carriages. There were, II is proper TO
remark, several persons on the ground, (besides the
hack drivers and the two gentlemen before men.
toned at q distance) who were there without the
authority consent OF either party or their friends
as far 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 o.
clock p. M, the rifles were loaded in the presence
OF the seconds; the parties were called together
they were fully instructed by MIR Jones to their
position, aud the words twice repeaI ed to them, as
they would be and as they were, delivered TO them
in the exchange Of shots. After this they Or
dered their respective positions the seconds as.
the seconds were disposed along the line Of fire 10
observe that each obeyed the terms of meeng.-
MIR Jones gave the words distinctly, audibly and
in regular succession, and the parties exchanged
shots without violating in the least single insruc
ton. They both missed. After which, Mr. Wise
called upon the friends generally TO assemble ant
the friends, Mr. Jones inquired of Mr. Wise whethe
his friend, (Mr Graves) was satisfied? MIR Wise
imml ediatey said, in substance " Mr. Jones, these
gentlemen have come hear without animosit,
towards each other they are fighting merely upol
point of honor; cannot Mr. Ciley assign som,
reason for not receiving at MIR Graves's hands Col
Webbs communication, make some dscaime
which will relieve Mr. Graves from his position ,?
, MIR Jones replied in substance: Whilst the chal
longe is impending, Mr. Ciley can make no explain
atoms" Mr. Wise said, in substance; 1.-THE ex
change of shots suspends the challenge, and tn
challenge is suspended for the purpose of explana
ton" MIR Jones thereupon said he would see M
CiIley, and did go to him. He returned, and aske
q Mr. Wise again: ''Mr Wise, do understand arigh
:, that Fthe challenge is suspended? ?" Mr. Wise an
q swered: cit is" Mr. Jones was then about to pre-
d coed, when Mr. Wise suggested that it was hes
perhaps, to give the explanation in writing
= = "Mr Jones than said, in substance "Mr Wise,
you require me to put what have say in writing
= shall require you to put what you have said, an
q may say, in writing" Mr. Wise replied "Wel
~ let us hear the explanation beforehand, as it ma
n not be necessary to put il in writing. Mr. Jone
a then proceeded, as lie now thinks, substantially
u say 81 am authorized by my friend, Mr. Cilley,
say, that in declining to receive the note from M
n Graves, purporting to be from Col. Webb he mea,