Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1844-10-04

would readily be DONE But an unfortunate mis- W
between the parties as to the sa
terms or nature OF the Verba answer, Wnlch Ter I'll
minated in the challenge. til
"When, on the day preceding the duel, Graves, tc
in company with you, came to my room was in
formed that he was determined to challenge Ciley,
and he showed me the challenge when ne mad "
drawn. Upon reading it, thought it closed the
door to all accommodation; stated that objection b
and stretched a draft IN my oaCn hand tcr't'ng,
which would admit of an amcabe adjustment"
This draft in Clay's o,cn hand torIting, was
coped by Graves and sent to Cilley. 1t was in the
following words:
"Washngton City, Feb %, 1889
Hon J. Cey:-.As you have declined accept
inp communication which | bore to you from
Col. Webb, and as, by your note OF yesterday,
YOU have refused to decline on grounds that would
Iexhonorate me from all responsibility growing OUT
of this affair, am left no other alternative but to
ask that satisfaction which is recognized among
gentlemen My friend, Col. Henry A. Wise, Is
authorised by me to make the arrangements su''a-
bic to the occasion.
Your obedent Servant
w. GRAVES.
From statement published by Messrs Wise
and Jones (he seconds) after the duel, it appears
that Jones stated to Wise, when Cilley accepted
the challenge, that he was authorised by CIIey
to say, that in declining to receive the note from
> Col. Webb, he meant no dis respect to Graves, be-
cause he entertained for MIN then, as he does now,
the highest respect and the most kind feelings;
but that he declined to receive the note because he
chose not to be drawn into any controversy with
: Col. Webb"
If there had been door open in the challenge,
n why was not the matter settled without duel for
IS surely no one could justly have asked greater
J; concession than that made by Cilley?
> The terms were settled to fight with rifles at
the distance of eighty PAGES Wise, Graves Sec
10 ond, in published note, says; opposed but Clay
IL approved of the adoption of the terms.
That Mr.. Clay might have altered the arrange
of ments or prevented the duel by single word, i;
IT evident from the whole aspect of the evidence ant
is expressly so declared by Wise, who says:
"In defence of the course pursued by Grave
of never failed to quote the authority OF the advice
" of his friend Clay"
IT. 81 have said that Graves sought his (Clay'sl ad
nd vice at the very beginning Of his correspondence
ofI with CilIey that his (Clay'sj advice was given
and that it was the controlling advice with Grave
and myself"
ga Mr.. Clay himself says, in his letter to W;
he 81 admit, without any reservation whatever
ar. that on all points of the controversy respecn
mo- which he, (Graves,) asked my opinion, gave
-. to him freely, according to my best Judgment"
That he felt a great responsibility arising fro
~ personal participation in the arrangements, is al
- parent from his reply to Johnson and King, VT
~ called on him TO interfere or call on the police
- - prevent the meeting. He replied that " GRAY
had consulted him. He ought not to have BET
= consuted; but having been, the honor of his trIen
g who was the challenger, ght be compromised
~ any advance on his (CIoys) part to arrest the pr
,ho grcss Of the affair.
1t is also deserving of notice that Wise was
W. ieced by the wing senate, by an overwhelm
majority when nominated as minister to France
194S, but in 1914, when nominated as minister
"'' Brazil, he was confirmed by the same senate, b
vote of 80 to 10; and Mr.. Leavitt, who was
Washington about that time, affrms " that it '
.,,d the prevailing impression there at the time
=, ~, Wise received his appointment as sop, to
him out of the way and keep him still about
h;b;t Cilley due.'
o., | am aware that Clay has labored hard to ST
=: that he made an attempt to stop the duel; but,
3d.. cording to the testimony of Johnson and King
~, informed them at the time that being " the fri
of Graves | COULD NOT INVOKE THE AUTHoF
-, OF THE POLICE to prevent the duel"
Y,1L There was evidently guilt resting upon the
f'' of some one; and Judging from these facts,
Iieve Henry Clay had no small share oft.
:, I'D In 1910, Senator Walker on the floor of
n his gress, made some remarks that offended Clay
t my aroused his dueling propensities somewhat.
Fesu- following is his reply to him:
Az al have Only single word to say to the sci
-, from Mississippi, and it is probably the last n
7I' Dut he will ever receive from me. Let me tell
>or Of senator and all those who back him, that
tanner Young or dying, shall never fail to repel
(Which ence and mpertinence, or answer any calls
honor might demand, here or elsewhere m
angea rose TO rebuke nsolence and imperllnence, al
III saw let that senator and those who prompt him,
thai as long as one single pusaton throbbt
Clay tins heart, sn"'' never '1'' ~ ~ 90
oorol,, Here the matter ended, without any chal
In the on either side
,vos We now come to his last fracus, for which
was now under bonds to keep the peace. Durln
70 .ho special session Of the Senate i'll March 194l,
for the purpose of acting on Gen. Harrison
NJ nominations, Blair & Rves were removed {
ro fr long debate, from the office of printers to tht
70 Mr. ate. Mr.. Clay took leading part in the d
lav and spoke in very strong terms against the
NM his ter of Blair. Mr.. King, of Alabama, in repl
other that he was acquainted with Blar's conduct