The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-10

OF a. hsucky, AND Culoy, OF MAINE. snail answer
the shortest and moAs inislEgi6ls way for make
myself undars4ood.
Ny ri6s u'as borrowed ON the night Of the 23d Fee
brusry, 1886, by tho Hon. John J. CEittsndsn, and
the Hon Mr. Msnefes; the former then Senator,
and the latter msnbss Of The House of Representa-
lives of the United Ssates frem the State of Ken
lucky for the purpose ofbeing used in the duel men.
toned above. They did tell what they wanted
with the gum, but afterwards understood from the
Hon. John CaIhoon, then member Of Congress
from Kentucky, who was present whom the duel was
fought, that my rifle used by Mr.. Graves, and l
have doubt Of it, az have never heard it contra
dicted They applied to me for it between 10 and IL
O'Clock at night; but being from home when the
application made and the rife being my house,
and its accoutrements at the Globe Office it near
IL o'clock at night before they Obtained all. You
not applicant for the rife, nor do recolsct
to have heard from you from the time the chA-
lenge was carried until after the duel was fought.
possess no other knowledge on the subject that |
deem pertinent. $685.
Respectfully, JOHN c. RIvEs.
Hon. HENRY A. WISE
House of Representatives.
This testimony, presume, is conclusive on this
point.
To show that the grounds now take concerning
the part which and others bore in this unfortunate
duel are no new grounds, and not taken Of late be-
cause of any change of relations between Mr.. Clay
and myself, subjoin the following letter from Dr.
Foltz who was the surgeon of Mr.. Graves, and who
attended him on the ground to wit:
BALTIMORE, FEBRUARY %, l842.
DEAR SIR: have just concluded reading your
statement in this mornings Intelligencer relative to
the meeting of Messrs- Graves and Cilley, which
have long been looking for, and which am happy to
see at length placed before the public.
Early on the morning after the duel, you informed
me, in your room at Mrs Queens, that you OPP
posed to the meeting and that you thought that it
might have been avoided but older heads than yours
had been consulted, and their advice followed; that
you, as FRIEND could not decline bearing the chal-
lenge, and that you accompanied Mr.. G. on the
ground with conviction that he would be shot.
From that moment to the present time was con-
WINGED that you were treated with Injustice but as
that conversation was confidential, was unable Of
course TO correct the impression which had gone
abroad
My connexion with the affair was entirely profess
sionai, and as have frequently served on similar
casions, my efforts there elsewhere, directed
towards the side of humanity, and to me it has al
ways been source of regret that any portion of my
testimony should have been made of for po-
litical purposes. If have erred in any portion of
my testimony, it was from an imperfect recollection,
was given in without consultation with any ndi-
vdual, and not deeming that it could possibly be of
any consequence to either party. Mr.. Graves had
known intimately, and have never met with one
whose amability of character and cheerfulness of
and he will, am convinced, upon reflection, fully
confirm your very clear statement of this morning.
You will believe me, trust, when assure you that
am glad to see this long standing error corrected,
while remain very truly, your most obedlent servant
Tothe Hon. HENRY A. WISE, of Virginia.
This letter was addressed to me voluntarily on his
part; and, further piece Of spontaneous evidence
which came to me last night, without any seeking
my part subjon the following extract from an edo-
rial in the Native American Bulletin, published at St.
Louis, Missouri, by Vespasian Ellis, Esq formerly Of
the Senate of Virginia, who knew me well whilst he
lived in my native county
The DUEL OF GRAvEs AND C.LLEy: -AlIusion
having been frequently made of late 10 this duel in
connection with the name Of Henry A. Wise, we CO.
by the following editorial of the Richmond Wing,
Opposed to MIR. Wise politically and also the re-
ported remarks Of MIR. Wise made the floor Of
Congress few days ago. for the purpose of showing
that very improper Impressions have been made by the
enemies of this gentleman in reference to his conduct
in this matter
We will add that, having heard both from the lips
OF Mr. wise anu from several OTHERS who wero
SAINT of the facts all the particulars of that transac
ton within a few days after ts occurrence, we have
hesitation in saying that he ought be held in
any manner responsible, either for the manner in
which it was conducted for its consequences. He
only unjust to himself in permitting his private
friendship for Mr. Graves to carry him to the field
his ieguard in an affair which he was not permitted
to direct
have written also to General George w. Jones, of
Wisconsin, who the second of Mr.. Cilley, to an
swer inquiries touching the imputations of Webb
that the time and place of the NEE ing were changed
by me and my associates to deceive Mr.. Clay. His
answer is immaterial now, and it shall be published
when it reaches my hand
As to the third the charge made by Mr..
Adams that inshgated the duel of Graves and Gil
ley-need do more than to point to the foregoing
array of evidence, particularly to the letter of Mr.
Clay, to vindcate not only myself but any one else
from 80 base an aspersion, and to sustain the full
statement in every material point, which have here
tofore addressed to Mr.. Gravesl
No; no dspassionate, just, and generous mind will
henceforth, can hereafter harbor suspicion of such
crime against any body else, alike detractng
Just to him and to all Of his friends and advisers. 1t
is only be regretted and little humiliating that
from the reserve of some of his friends in the past
and from the mistakes of the world to the true
history of the duel there should be any apparent con-
test now as to who is the guilty man of an imputed
offence against all the laws Of honor and humanity,
of which no man is guilty. Of giping Mr.. Grapes
their adpice when he sought it and needed it, many
of his friends were guilty, if that was an offence
was adopted and pursued by Mr. Graves only because
his judgment was esteemed the sounder, his expe
rience the to be relied on his the strong
or, and his authority the best Why should the pab-
lie be troubled with this private affair any longer
Respectfully,
HENRY A. WISE.
Washington, March 4, 1912.
The conviction here spoken Of by DR.. Foltz arose
only from the fact that. Mr.. Ciley was very good
shot and Mr.. Graves was very bad one.
HENRY A. WISE