The North-Carolina standard., 1844-04-10
From Kendall's Expositor.
HENRY CLAY'S DUELS.


From KendalI's Expostor.
HENRY CLAY'S DBELS.
"THoU SHALT NOT KILL"
Dialogue bct,ceen Deacon and Ais Minister o,
the subject of the Presidential Elertions~s
DeGcon-I come to advise with you as to th'
course WHICH, as Christian ought TO pursue il
the next Presidential election.
Mimister-Well what are your difficulties
- Deal am trne Whig, and hope a true
8 Christian In 1923 was much inclined to vote
for General Jackson on account ofthe great srrvi
ceszhe had rendered the country, bnt You advised
me that, as true Christian, | could not do so, be
cause he had set at defiance the laws Of God and
man by fighting Duel. The Wings now pre-
sent us canlidlto for the Presidency who has
fought two due!s, anl baen an accomplce in the
third. What am | to dog
ssf[in.-[ have learned that Clay was dueliSt
but have never inquired into the particulars.
Deal have for l ihought it my duty TO do
SO when called on to put him at the head of the
nation TO sac the laws faithfully executed. Shall
l give you the particulars?
ET;n--Go on.
Dea-Here is Biography of Henry CLAW
written by his particular friend George u. Prem
tice. AT page so we arc told he accepted chal-
lenge from Col Davies but it was adjusted. AT
are
The words of the Biographcr;s viz:
q Mr. Clay brought resolution before the house
Qhe Kentucky House of Representatives that
each member, for the purpose of encouraging fhe
industry of the country, should clothe himself in
garments Of fdonestc manufacture. This rcSoIu-
ton called into exercise all Mr. MarshalPs talents
of Yituperation. He denounced it as the project
of demagogue, and applied variety of epilhets
TO IFS author which no parliamentary rules could
justify. Mr. Ciay's language in reply was proba-
bly, of q harsh character, and the quarrel procee-
dedfrom stage 10 another till according 10 the
laws of honor, which every Kentuckian of that
day was taught to reverence no alternative re-
manned to MIR. Clay, anI he was required to chal-
lenge his antagonist. The challenge was accept
ed The parties met, and The first shot was ex-
changed without other effect than slight wound
to Mr. Marshall On the second or third trial,
Mr. MarshalPs ball gave MIR. Clay slight flesh
wound in-the leg, and the seconds now inlerfered
and prevented continuance of the combat"
This account is given by friend and apoIogist
But it shows that MIR. Clay was the challenger
and that t0ice thrice he deliberately ATTEMPTED
to take away the life Of his fellow-man
Min.-Bul does not the Historian saw, Mr. Claw |
has repented of this early crime?
DeG.-He says we have no doubt, that Mr. t
Clay erred inshis affair with Mr. Marshall, and IL
IS said that he himself looks back to the incident
with dsapprobation and regret" If there had
been any sincere repentance it would have shown
itself in his subsequent conduct. So far from that
some seventeen years afterwards, he publicly pro-
claimed his determination to commit the same
crime If he could fin1 an antagonist and the next
year did commit i'll
Mi1.-Let Us have the particulars2
DeG-P,fior to the election of President by the !
House of Representatives in 1925, il was charged
in letter published in Philadelphia, purportIng
o be written by member ofthe House, that MIR.
Clay had bargained to make Mr. Adams Presi-
dent on condition of receiving preferment at his
hands, whcreapon Mr. Clay published card in
the newspapers which concluded as follows viz:
"Ipr0nonnee the member, sohoerer he nuou be-
Z BASE and INFAMOUS SCALUMNIATOR,
A BASTARD and a LIAR and If he dare
tnreI himself and GUOaO his name, / 1oiU hold
IAN responsible as here admit myself to be, to all
lie Laacs aOhieh gOrerm Gzd regulate tile conduct
# men Of honor. H. CLAY.n
Mr. Clay was then Speaker of the House off
and it was from that high stationi
hat he thus hurled defiance at the laws of God
lnd man, shocking all the moral and religious Z
ceilings OF this great nation
Mln.-But no duel grew out of that. believe }
DeG.-No; but it was not in consequence of ,
my retraction or repentance on the part of MIR. >
Clay, as the events OF the next year am ply demon
trates
Min-Go on.
Dea.-Mr; Adams was elected President BY the :
id of Mr.. Cay's vote and influence. and annoint.
d Mr. Clay Secretary of State In speech in i,
he Senate at the next session of Congress. John /,
Randolph Characterised this coalition of known
'oltical enemies, as the union of the Easteru .
'urit0n ciM tie Western BlGcHeg." Mr., CIaw :
sent him challenge MIR. Claws +,
3iographer has not though proper in the text Of
lis Work, to give us any account of this Duel r
ut in the newspapers Of the day, find the fol,
owing oficialaccount of the meeting, viz r
" On Saturday, the G!h April, at half past fopr :
clock meeting took place between MIR. Claw /
nd Randolph. upon call of the former, in con. /
equence of certain expressions used by the latter :.
n recent debate in the Senate, which Mr. CIov -
considered offensive, applied personally TO him. :
Mr. Randolph attended by Col TatnaIl :
# Georgia, and Maj Hamiltono of s. c, MIR. CLAW