The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-08
thus published both by Webb and Charles King (the

Suu0 puDusneQ DOtn Dy w 600 and Cnariet Ming \tue
editor of the American) the day after the duel II
states
lst. "Edrly IN the morning Of yesterday 1.-THE
OATH the day of the duel) Sol Webb of New York,
called at my lodgings, rhiie ras yet in bed, and
stated that, on The erening preceding, Mr. Ciley, Of
Maine, had accepted challenge from Mr.. Graves, OF
Kentucky, and that they fight at eighty PAGES
rtM rifles" After other matters pertinent TO this
issue, II states
I'd. AT 10 O'Clock was informed by Col. Webb
that although he had been assured the evening pros
that Mr. Graves and Mr. Clley would not for Some
days. he had believe that he had been Intentional
Iy deceived and that the meeting could take place that
day ut ~ o'clock"
These two points of testimony besides other mat
ters, are contained in that letter. 1t published
in blank but the committee ascerained that it was
subscribed in fact by VIM. II. Morel and that il was
Morell called before the committee and examin-
ed as follows to wit:
By the committee to Mr.. Morell-
:" First interrogatory. Is the statement, herewith
shown to you, true statement Of facts And was it
subscribed by yourself and any other person? And
who was that other person."
:" nswer to first interrogatory. 1t was subscribed
by myself and by Daniel Jackson, in my presence.
1t is true statement of facts far set forth.
When Col. Webb first proposed to go to Mr.. Ciey's
prety of it. He replied that this the only course
which his friends thought he could take under the
circumstances in which he was placed and | then
consented to accompany him."
Second question. By whom, and at whose in
stance was that statement prepared"
ANSWER to second question. II ,cas prepared by
James Watson Webb and signed by me at his request"
Third question. Was that letter intended for
publications.
Answer to third question. 1t was, through the
New York American, If COL Webb should at any time
think it necessary but without the of myself
and Mr.. Jackson
Thus, them it is seen that Webb himself is the real
witness to these two points of evidence He prepared
the statement he had the discretion of publishing it,
and did publish it in his own paper. and thus again
confirmed it and it proves
1st That early on Saturday morning, the day the
duel before his friend More out of bed he knew of
the challenge OF the acceptance, the distance, and the ,cea-
pom.
I'd. That as early 10 O'clock he ,oas undeceired if
he ever had been deceived and that the time at
IL o'clock that day. Thus he knew Of the time too.
Was MIR. Clay deceived?
The second witness whom propose to introduce
on the first issue is the very person himself whom
am charged with having deceived, to wit, Mr. Clay
himself:
See his letter below, in which he says Z" / never
thought said that was deceived by you by any
other person to the time and place of the meeting
Of Messrs. Graves and Cley."
The third witness on this point is of my as
sociates in the duel the Hon. John J. Crittenden,
who, in to me- addressed to me the following
letter, to wit:
WASHINGTON, February 81, 1912
DEAR Sir: | received yesterday your letter of the
26th instant and in compliance with your request,
shall proceed to answer the questions it contains,
without any formal repetition of them, reference
to the order in which they are put.
The paragraph which you have marked as quota
ton from the " Weekly Courier and New York En-
qurer' of the 18th instant is, think, full of errors
and mistakes.
There is no just ground that have any knowledge
of for mputing to you your associates the decep-
ton which that paragraph charges them with having
practised on MIR. Clay.
From The first communication which Mr.. Graves
and Mr. Menefee made to me concerning the affair
on the night before the duel, understood generally
that the terms and arrangements for the meeting of
the parties had all been made, and that these
had, of course been prescribed the part of Mr.
Cley. know they informed me that the next day
the time appointed for the duel, and that rifles
to be the weapons; but do not remember what
said in reference to the place of meeting to any
arrangements about it. had personal Knowledge
of the appointments of time place. But of this
feel quite confident, never, after that first
ton with Graves and Menefee, knew, informed,
of any change Of arrangement (made or suggested)
in respect to either the time place except perhaps
that the meeting may have been postponed to some
what later Lour of the day. in consequence of the diff
fculty of procuring and preparing life for Mr..
Graves. With that probable exception, | have al
Ways supposed and believed that the meeting took
place and conducted in fair and entire accordance
with the terms and arrangements Gncluding those re-
lang to time and place) prescribed and appointed by
or on the part of, Mr. Cilley himself
Not having before me the statement of Gen. Jones
and yourself of the Goth of February, l848, cannot
speak in reference 10 it, do suppose the omission
can be at all material after what have said.
did not you with MIR. Graves and Menefee
when, the night before the duel they came for me
to Mr. Galess. Mr.. Graves seems to speak doubling
ly about your presence and presume that he is mis-
taken in that particular, am quite certain that YOU
were not present when there met with them.
They told me of the intended duel; that the next
day the time appointed, and rifles the arms pre-
scribed by Mr. Clley; and that Graves was then, at
that late hour GO or ii O'Clock at night unprovded
altogether with rifle. They earnestly requested
that would 60 with them in quest of one. did so,
and we finally succeeded in borrowing rifle from
MIR. Rives, Of the Globe office, which he told us had
been lonb unused and was very much out of order.
You were not in company with us Cd that occasion,
and do not recollect to have seen you at any time
during that night.
am conscious that great injustice has been done
you in relation to this affair." and shall be gratfed if
the statements have here made can contribute any
thing to vindcate you from misrepresentation.
Trusting that you will find my answers to your in
quires full and satisfactory, have little to add but
expression of regret that any circumstances should
have rendered necessary this late re-agitation of
subject that must Cause much unmerited pain to
Mr. Graves, who has already suffered far beyond the
ordinary for such offences. In this feeling,
think, you will participate with me- We can both
bear witness for him that in his unhappy affair with
Mr.. Cilley, however mistaken he may have been, he
acted from his sense of honor, unlnixed with any
base motive, and that no in such conflict ever
conducted himself more fairly, more chivarousy, or
in manner further above all reproach The issue
most unfortunate, but the real offence consisted
only in fighting duel Ineither approve nor apollo
gize for the practice, but it to me that the
judgments of the just and the generous must be much
nit gated on such subjects, when they consider how
much dueng ought to be regarded rather as the vice
of the age and of public opinion than of the ndivd-
uals who become its victims
Mr.. Graves's case is of a character to entte him