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

without any know ledge, left them early in the morn.
ing for the fist time apprehended that the meeting
was 10 take place that day did not suppose that II
would occur that day, because, having understood
that Mr. Graves had met with difficulty n getting
rife did not know that he had obtained one hal
right to know the time and place Of the meeting OF
the parties. only regretted my ignorance Of be-
cause, if had known 1t, could have advised where
the police might have been directed to arrest the par
ties and prevent the duel.
My belief is that never saw the terms according
to which the combat was to be conducted, prior to
the duel although think they were stated and
planned to me, probably by you. Mr.. King thinks
they shown or read by me to him. Mr.. John
son, who was present. does not agree with him IN that
particular, and my memory comedies with Mr.. John
sons But do not regard il as of the least conse-
quence had no hand in their preparation. That
was the work of one or both of the seconds.
When, on the day preceding the duel, Mr.. Graves,
in company with you, to my room, was in
formed that he had determined II challenge Mr.. Gil
ley, and he showed me the challenge which he had
drawn. Upon reading it, thought, it closed the
door to all accommodation stated that objection and
sketched draught in my own handwriting which
would admit of an amicable adjustment For, from
my first knowledge Of the affair to the hour of its a
tai termination believing that the difference ought to
be settled chung to the hope of friendly adjust
ment Of it, What became Of the sketch drew do
not know. did not see the challenge which was ac-
tually transmitted | refer TO the statement in MIR.
Grayess letter this branch Of the subject which
entirely agree with him.
did not know tina, Mr.. Graves bore note from
Colonel Webb to Mr.. Cilley, until after the delivery
of the note, and after Mr.. Graves received from him
verbal answer. In that stage of the transaction,
for the first time, Mr. Graves communicated the mat
ter to me, and congratulated him the fact of that
answer being perfectly satisfactory, and such as to
absolve him from all obligation to pursue the affair
further. This has probably escaped MIR. Gravessre-
collection, but add it, as being within my own. On
| conversing together both agreed that, to guard
against future misunderstanding and misrepresenta-
ton, it was desirable that Mr. Cilley should put in
writing what he had verbally answered, That, Mr.
Graves said, he had no doubt would be readily DONE
But unfortunate misunderstanding arose between
the parties to the terms nature of the verbal an
swer, which terminated in the challenge.
have recollection of having seen their CORE
spondcnce between the verbal answer and the cha-
lenge II was not conducted under my advice. If
any person asserts that saw it, should be unw-
ing to contradict him, uncertain is my memory
about 1t. have no doubt that, if did not it,
was informed of its purport at the time suggested
modification Of the challenge.
Any communication which was made to me con-
corning the affair, received by with regret.
was sorry that it preached to me at all but Mr..
Graves was my friend, my colleague in Congress, and
my messmate, and could not decline receiving from
him any communication touching his honor and inter-
| est, which he might think proper to make. And
admit without any reservation whatever that on all
the points of the controversy respecting which he
asked my opinion, gave it to him freely, according
to the best Of my judgment.
| And now, having made such answer to your note
as think becomes me, will add few observations
more.
| In consequence Of slight indisposition did not
leave my house during the day of the duel. never
saw the arms with which the parties fought. Not
having been on the ground Of combat, cannot be
held responsible for any of the occurrence there.
have never Joined in any censure Of you for the
part you bore in the conflict for your conduct pre-
vious to it, the ground. On the contrary, was
glad that the honor and life Of my friend were under
the care of one that regarded so competent to guard
both. never hestated to believe that you served
him with zeal and fidelity, without any departure
from the line Of honor towards his amented antago-
| MIST
| In the investigation in the House of Representa-
ves which ensued after the fatal catastrophe no at
tempt was made to implicatc me. None was made in
the subsequent publications under your signature to
which it gave rise During all that time, and, until
recently you stood in amcabe relations to me-
You have, without any cause known to me, thought
proper to establish different and inmcal relations
between US. Since this change and during this ses-
sion of Congress, in the to which have al
| ready adverted for the first time within my know
ledge, the attempt has been made to fix the blame
and responsibility of the duel upon me. Whether
you have originated been accessory to the attempt
your heart can best tell, and the public can best
! judge.
! am, with proper respect and consideration,
Your obedient servant,
Fl. CLAY.
| The Hon. HENRY A. WISE.
THE following memorandum was made by Dr.
Linn
" Received from Mr.. Clay in the morning March
lst, lS42, and handed to Mr., Wise on the Cd OF
| March. l.. F. LINN."l
This letter Of Mr.. Clay proves
LIST. That he consulted with by Mr.. Graves,
after he bore the note of Webb and before Mr. Graves
addressed his frat letter to Mr. Cilley.
2. That he advised, as have stated, that Mr.. Gil.
leys verbal answer satisfactory, and "such to
absolve Mr. Graves from all obligation TO pursue the
affair further"
3d. That he advised Mr.. Graves "that to guard
| against future misunderstanding and misrepIesena-
ton, it was desirable hat Mr. Ciley should put in
tcriting what he had verbally answered.
4th. That Mr.. Graves was his friend, his colleague
in Congress, and his messmae that he could not de-
cline communing With him on a point of his honor
and interest and that all the points of the con-
troyersy respecting which Mr. Graves asked his OPT
MON, he gave it to him freely according to the best OF
his judgment
9th. That he sketched the draught of challenge
for him Mr. Graves) in his (Mr. Clay's) own hand
writing, (which would admit of an amicable adjust
ment."
9Th That the terms Of the duel were stated and ex-
planned to him, Mr.. Clay, probably by me.
| 7th He informed of the purport of the
pondence, if hc did not see il and he does not say
| positively that he did see it.
9th. He knew that Mr.. Graves had met with diff
Guilty in getting rifle though he not informed Of
either time place of the meeting
| 9Th He concuIs with the statements Of Charles
King and R Johnson, which say that he could do no
more than adrise them to inform the civil authorities,
because too much in the confidence of Mr..
| Graves to do so him elf
And here, upon this first error of Mr.. Gravess let
ter | rest on the testimony of this one witness.
Error p" Now, although you, Mr. Crittenden,
Mr.. Mcnef;e, and myself Were boarding together,
Mr.. Crittenden knew not word Of the difficulty
til about or eleven o'clock Of the night before the
meeting, when Mr., Menefee and myself and hink
| Mr.. Wise, went after him at Mr. Joseph Galess
where he and his flmily were snendnp the eYeninr