The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-03-09
TO THE PUBLIC.
APPENDIX (coScLupER.)

APPENDx-(coNcLuDER)
The fourth and fifth witnesses on this point are
Charles King and Reverdy Johnson, introduced by
Mr. Clay himself, who certify, at his request, as fol-
lows, to wit
STATEMENT.
On Friday, 23d February, 1888, going down about
s o'clock TO the paror which with part Oh my
family and some friends from New York occupied al
Gadsby's, and where was then assembling party
of gentlemen whom we had invited to dinner, met
on the staircase Mr.. Graves, who, as well as MIR
WISE were to be Of the party. To my question
whers Mr.. Wise was, Mr.. q. said he was not com
ing and then informed me that challenge had pass
ed between himself and Mr. Ciley, that it had been
accepted that Mr.. Wise was arranging the prelimi-
naries and that both desired to be excused from din
ing with us. Mr.. Graves then went away. l was
greatly shocked at what he had told me for, although
ha heard rumors that at the request OF MIR. Webb,
of New York, Mr. Graves had called on MIR. Cilley
for explanation of language used by that gentlemen
in auson to Mr.. Webb, | had also heard and GER
tainy believed the matter was adjusted.
at once, on entering the parlor, took MIR; Webb
aside and stated what had passed between Mr. Graves
and myself. MIR. Webb appeared greatly surprised
and distressed and at said the meeting must be
prevented He beckoned to MIR. Reverdy Johnson
one of Dur guests, and the matter having been ex,
planned to him, il was agreed that MIR. Johnson ana
myself should Immediately call on Mr.. clay, anu
ask his assistance to arrest the hostile proceedings;
We Immediately went to Mr.. Clays lodgings ana
there found Mr.. Graves seated with him. express
ed my qualification at the circumstance, ana com
menced explaining the object OF our visit wheh Nr.
Graves rose to leave the room, saying, as he went
out that he could permit no interference wlth any
thing that touched his honor Mr. Johnson and my
self then represented to Mr.. Clay in the strongest
manner we could the enormity OF permitting two
gentlemen to fight in a quarrel that did not concern
them. and appealed to him, not less as a friend Of
MIR Graves than out Of regard to MIR. Webb-who,
told him, felt that would be the deepest wrong
and injury to him that others should peril life in his
cause--to aid US in arrestng the duel
Mr. Clay replied in substance that he saw how he
was situated. MIR. Graves had consulted him. lie
ought not he said, to have been consulted but hav-
ing BEEN the honor of his friend who was the chal-
lenger might be compromised by any advance on his
Mr Clays) part to arrest the progress of the affair
He either showed to or explained to US the cores
pondence of the challenge and acceptance, and the
terms &c., and assured that the meeting could not
take place the next day. Mr.. Graves had no rifle,
and that next morning we could have enough time
for interference, if we chose to interfere. 1t was
past six O'Clock in the evening, and we LETT Mr.
Clay, saying we would keep him advised OF our pro-
ceedings. Mr.. Johnson and myself then went to Mr.
Wises lodgings in the hope OF ascertaining his views
as to the possibility Of an amicable adjustment OF
the quarrel. He was out We left either note or
our names, with message that we would call again
at O'Clock. We did call again at the hour, but
without finding Mr. Wise. Hardly knowing what
step to take next after good deal of discussion, and
take place the next day, determined to wait for
the morning.
At an early hour on Saturday, was aroused from
my bed by MIR. Webb, who told me he had certain
information that Messrs. Graves and Cilley had gone
out and conjuring me to aid him in preventing any
catastrophe. | dressed in all haste, and went to
arouse Mr. Johnson from his bed and both proceed
ed at once to Mr.. Clay's lodgings. That gentleman
us to come into his bedroom. When informed that
the parties had gone out, he declared impossible,
and sent his servant instantly f.r MIR. Graves The
answer was that Mr. Graves had gone by the early
train to Baltimore. The same answer was returned
in regard to Messrs. Crittenden and Menefee, who
also boarded in the same house. This made it clear
that Mr.. Graves and his friends had gone out, the
alleged trip to Baltimore being merely cover. MIR.
Clay seemed greatly distressed and perplexed, and
after consultation to the best mode OF yet pre-
venting the duel if possble-for which he seemed as
earnest as we were-he suggested that Gen. Mercer
or Mr. Key, or both, should be seen without delay
Immediately left his apartment, jumped into hack,
and rode to Gen. MERGERS lodgings, near the Capitol
declared himself ready to 60 forthwith before ma
gistrate, either Of Virginia Marylandfor 1t was
supposed the parties would go out Of the District
and take out writ, which he would himself accom-
pany the officer and see served. The first thing
therefore, to ascertain if possible, the route Ia
ken by the parties. was about to start on the In
quiry, when Mr. Waddy Thompson, of South Carroll
ma, in. The matter was explained 10 him,
think, by Gen. Mercer, and ne at once declared there
was no reason for such duel and that he woulc
himself, if he could find them go to the ground ane
insist there should be no fight. He then got into the
carriage with me- left him at one of the boarding
houses, where he expected to obtain some nforma
ton. on my part called at several places with the
same view. All effort unavaing, and the result
is known did not see Mr.. Johnson again that morn
ing, and never, to my recollection spoke with Mr.
Clay afterwards in relation to the duel
CHAS. KING.
New York, FEBRUARY 4, 1912.
| have carefully examined the statement of Mr.
Charles King, transmitted to me in his letter of the
4th instant and, at his suggestion give my recollec-
ton of the circumstances to which it refers Every
thing preceding two interviews with MIR. Clay
and occurring at those interviews is perfectly fresh
in my memory, and, with few mmaterial particu-
lars which will mention, is precisely such as detail
ed by MIR. King.
First At neither interview were we shown the
written challenge and acceptance or the terms OF the
duel, but had them explained to only by MIR. Clay
Second. In the morning after the first interview
was not originally aroused from my bed by Mr.. King
is his recollection, but when sent for by him was
hurriedly preparing to leave my chamber in conse
quence Of having, some minutes before, received
note from Mr.. Wise, enclosing me letter addressed
to the gentleman inviting him, apologlsing for not at
tending public dinner TO take place that evening al
the Eutaw House, in Baltimore and where severa
members Of Congress, including Mr.. Graves as wei
a. himself, were expected. The note to me STATED
that the matter of which he said was aware--mean
ing as understood the duel between Messrs. Graves
and Chley-called Mr.. Graves and himself at once
from Washington and made it impossible for either
be in Baltimore. Although it did not inform that
the meeting to take place that day, SO inferred
and resolved Immediately seeing Mr.. King, and
with him to every effort we could to avoid catas-
trophe which we thought was, upon every account, SC
much to be deprecated. As we met, we went
at to Mr. Clsy's lodgings, and what took place
there is, according my recollection, set forth by Mr.
X with perfect accuracy Mr. Clays surprise at
discovering that the duel was all probability, to
cur that day, evidently great ours had been,
and his desire TO arrest it manfesty as sincere and
ardent as ours. To say nothing Of his manner
throughout the interview, this most abundantly
proved by the means he advised us to pursue.
Third. Mr.. X did not, as he seems to think, 60