Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-03-29
THE CILLEY DUEL
AND "CoLUMBUs DEMOCRAT"


that print in regard to Mr.. Clay's connec-
ton with the duel between Clley and
and Graves, but finding an article already
prepared in the "Vicksburg Wh'g," we
adopt that in preference.
But it seems utterly useless and is really
disheartening to attempt to reform either
the morals or manners of the Democrat.
If we convict it of SANDER, it replies by re-
iterating the falsehood, and when we en-
deavor to hammer into 1t the appearance
of respect for decency and truth, il resorts
to vulgar blackguardism and groundeSs
recrimination.
THE CILLEY DUEL..-The NatChez Free
Trader. and the Columbus Democrat, are
engaged in systematic attempt to fasten
the Death of Cdley en- Mr.. Clay, but as is
usual with great liars, these editors have
very treacherous memories-and in their
eagerness to convict Mr.. Clay, they con,
Wet themse of being not only the most
slanderers, but unmitigated asses. We
propose to cite two paragraphs which will
sufficiently establish the truth of what we
have said. The democrat extracts from
the correspondence of Charleston paper,
the following paragraph:
"The quarre! was fastened upoh Cilley
by one ofthe best rifle shots in Kentucky,
Graves having been repeatedly selected as
the brag shot ofhis neighborhood. Cilley,
on the contrary, was but little acquainted
with the rifle. and the weapon that was
placed in his hands on the ground was so
light and Intellectual that many good Judges
have expressed an opinion that Graves
would not have been injured had he been
hit. Added to this was Cilley's imperfect
vision, which rendered the use of specta.
cIes necessary to enable him to see his op-
ponent. These circumstances will ela-
bic your readers TO decide with what pro-
priety | have designated the death of Gil
ley as a cold blooded, deliberate, and re-
Undated murder"
The Free Trader, more reckless, and
not less stupid has the following editorial
paragraphs:
"He (Cilley) was near sighted man,
habitually wearing speclacles; he fought
at the distance Of eighty yards with rife,
so small in the bore, that at the distances, it
could do no damage
The object Of each of these paragraphs
is obvious enough. 1t is to convey false
impression. To make the public believe
that Mr.. Graves, by and with the advice
Of Mr. Clay, selected a rifle as the wea-
pom, and the distance eighty yards, be-
cause Mr.. Cllley was"a near sighted man."
and had 10 wear spectaclesl! A more in
famous calumny was never uttered, and
Claiborne knows that his kinsinuations is
as false as his own black and craven
heart. He knoaCs that Mr.. CiIey sezec
ted the rife! He knOlcs that Mr.. CiZev
chose his 01cn distance! And he knows,
that having the selection of time, place,
and weapons, Mr.. Ciley would not have
gone on tine gyound without weapon with
which he was perfectly satisfied. All this
Claiborne knows, and when he says thai
Ciiley was ''near sighted, "he utters a false.
hood which carries on its face the strong.
est evidence Of lis being q falsehood.
He knows that Mr.. Cilley was ready and
anxious to hiring on the fight with rifles,
and SO certain was he Of his own weapon,
and Of killing Mr.. Graves, that he actually
rendered a rife TO him! The simple fact
that Dir. Cilley was the challenged party,
thatEhe selected the rifle, and that he chose
eighty yards as the distance, is proof pos
tive Of the falsehood of the allegations of
the Democrat and Free TraGer-that his
rifle 'cas a goodgone, and that he was not
"near sighted"
We shall now notice another asser-
ton of the Democrat, that Mr.. Graves
was repeatedly selected as the brag
shot of his neighborhood.'' This too
is false. 1t was proceed before the in
vestigating Committee in Congre IS
and we were ourself assured by the
Hon. John Calhoun Of KY, and the
late lamented Richard II. Menefee,
that Mr.. Graves was perfect novice
in the use of the rifle, and, to use their
own words,t the Fmost awkward fellow
with a gum they had ever seen. We
had long conversations with each of
them few months after the duel oc-
CURED, and while every thing was
fresh in their recollection. One fact,
also, related to US by Mr. Meneefee,
will serve to show that Mr.. Cilley not
only expected to kill Mr.. Graves, but
that he was determined to do SO. AT
ter the first fire, the rifles were reload
ed, and the parties again took their po-
sitions. The word fire was given, and
almost instantly, and before he a0as
ready, MI. Graves rife was discharged
IN the art Mr.. CiIley then drew his
rifle down. took deliberate aim and
fired, but fortunately for his victim
missed him. MIR. Calhoun said, that
from the time Graves gun went off,
until Cilley fired, seemed almost an
age. The aim was deliberate; and,
dumb with horror, he gazed upon his
friend, expecting to see him fall life
less corpse before him. Heaven, how
ever, ordered differently; and, as is
we'll known, Mr.. Cilley missed his
victim. Here then Mr.. CilIey had a