New-York daily tribune., 1843-10-18
Trial OF CassiUs II. Clay-Speech OF Henry
Clay.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.

Trial OF cassius u: Slay-speech of Henry
Clay.
Correspondence Of The Tribune.
LEXINGTON, Ny, Oct 10th, ls.2
MeSsrs. Editors Not knowing that you have
arrangements made for receiving early and accu-
rate reports Of the important trial between the
Commonwealth OF Kentucky and Cassius NJ.
Clay, which has just terminated, and knowing
that sui, cannot be unin,ercsting to you or your
readers where the Wing party and the powers Of
the Tyler dynasty are brought into collision, and
around which Henry Clay has thrown the charm
OF his mighty eloquence, will attempt to give
you a short account of the trial.
With the particulars of the afray which gave
rise to the present suit you are no doubt acquant-
cd 1t occurred on the lst of August ult. at Rus
sells Cave miles from this city, between Cas-
sus NJ. Clay and Samuel Brown. This Sam
Brown is 3 salaried officer of the Tyler Admins
traton, "a Post, Office Agent for the Southern
District.) who was at that time carrying out the
principles of the Captains non.lnteriercnce cir
cular by travelling about this County on an cleo
tionecrng tour with Robert WickItie, nephew
of the Postmaster General who was the Tyler
candidate for NJ c. in opposition to Garret Da-
Wis, the regular Wing candidate. At the political
meeting at Russells Cave, Mr.. Wic&litie was
making a stump speech in his own behalf. In the
speech he made some statements with rcterenceto
the proceedings of some other meetings in the
country which Mr.. c. NJ. Clay knew to be in
correct, and which he politely begged leave of
Mr.. w. to rcctly. Thcreupon Mr.. Sam. Brown,
the Post Office Agent, was exceeding wroth, (tor
himself tcstihed,) Instantly br;stled up to Mr.
Clay, and told him his statements were not true.
Mr.. Clay exclaimed that they were true. The Lie
and the damned lie f" soon passed between them,
and Mr. Brown attacked Mr.. Clay with an unl-
brclla, who defended himself with whip he had
in his hand, Mr.. Wicklte in the mean time
cheering on his gallant defender, Mr.. Brown, by
exhorting him to 4" kill him, damn him." In the
contest, Mr.. Brown succeeded in getting the
whip from Mr.. Clay, and as he advanced upon
him with it the latter drew bowie knife and told
him to stand off, Mr.. Brown continued to ap-
proach till he came within reach of the knife,
when he received blow from it over the head
The bystanders, it seems, now made some efforts
to separate them, and did get them apart; but
friend soon handed Brown six.barrel pistol and
told him to defend himself Mr.. 3. commanded
the crowd to get out of his way and let him shoot
the damned rascal" Other voices also ex-
claimed, (" shoot the damned rascal" The crowd
separated, and Mr.. Brown drew his pistol at
! Mr.. Clay, who was about eight foot rom
him, cndcavoring to distract his aim by rapidly
moving back and forth His aim, however, was
skilful and precise, for the ball would have pierced
the heart had not the sheath Of his bowie-knife
| providentially ntcrposcd an etfectual barrier
Immediately after the discharge Of the pistol, MIR.
Clay closed upon his antagonist to prevent Sec
ond shot IIc gave him several blows upon the
head with the knife, nearly cutting OFT an ear
and quite cxngushing an eye; after which they
grappcd and both came to the ground, and were
soon after finally separated.
Such are the essential facts Of the affray, as
detailed by thirty or forty witnesses, to whose
testimony have listened. Now word about
the trial At the instance of some body or
bodies, with whom have not now 10 do who
were actuatcd by motives upon which animad-
version were waste of words bill Of indictment
was procured against Cassus NJ. Clay for assault
and battery with intent to kill. The trial came
on yesterday morning, (Oct. 9th,) at the Court
House in this city. After the empaneling of a
Jury-which was work Of much difficulty, as
nearly all had formed opinions or imbibed preju-
dices which disqualified them-a lengthy and
nearly uniform routine Of testimony was gone
through with, the substance of which | have
given above. At noon, to-day, the testimony
closed and on the re-assembllng Of the Court
after dinner, Mr.. Robertson, the Commonwealth's
Attorney, opened the argument for the prosecution
Mr.. r. is q very young man,-ln my opinion too
young for the station he holds,-but on this occa-
sion he evinced not little skill and acumen. Mr..
Smith, lawyer Of eminence, followed on the
part of the defence, and ably analysed the eyi-
dcncc, and drew up hisarguments. When he sat
down there was silence in Court A breatblcss
stiffness pervaded the dense mass that filled the
house, till broken by that voice which has 50 often
awakened listening silence into rapturous ap-
plause. HENRY CLAY needs but to rise to bow,
and to smile, and his audience arc enchained.-
He commenced his address to the jury by saying
that more than fourteen years had elapsed since
he last appeared before the barof this Court as an
advocate in criminal prosecution. He then de-
tended young man who was indicted for the
crime of murder and who was acquitted. What
change, sad he, has come over the customs and
practices of our country since that period Where
fore |, though not over young in years, stand be-
fore you this day somewhat in the condition OF a
novice in pleading, and | ask at your hands
the same forbearance and the same kindness
which you would extend to a youthful asplrsnt
after fame and reputation. But time and space