Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1844-09-06
POLITICAL.
MIR. CLAY AND THE CILLEY DUEL.
TESTIMONY OF COL KING.

The demoniac malignity with which Mr. Clay is
pursued by such journals as the New Hampshire
Patriot and and its kindred oral defamers through
out the country, impels us to heap testimony on
testimony to the fact of Mr. Clays entire innocence
of any participation in the matter save peace
maker and friend Of Mr. Graves, whom he wished
to save from dishonor or seemingly inevitable
death. The main point on which MIR Clay is now
assailed is his suggestion that the amicabe con-
versaton between Messrs Graves and Ciey should
be reduced to writing, so as to prevent the posi-
bility of a future misunderstanding This is the
course uniformly pursued in such cases, where
difficulty has arisen and has been peacefully adjust
ed-the only and obviously safe course. Neglect
it, and the friends of the respective parties will be
sure to involve them again in trouble by circulat-
ing contradictory versions of the affair. Put the
whole on record while it is fresh, and no difficulty
can afterward grow out of it. Thus Graves and
Ciey would have been at peace, and the duel pre-
vented, but for the interference Of ofiicous friends
of the latter insisting that he should not reduce to
writing the explanations he had verbally made, but
should deny them, and back out or bear down
Kentuckian This was to make him, the foremost
man from New England as his confidential friend
eXultingly wrote home to Maine.
Mr. Graves, Mr. King and all but Mr. Wise, who
knew any thing of Mr. Clay in connection with this
matter, unqualihedy represent him as anxious thro'
out for peace and aboring for reconciliation. Mr.
Wise attempted to implicate Mr. Clay till af-
ter he had failed to be chosen Speaker attributed
his defeat to Mr. Clay, turned against the Wings,
and became especially bitter and vindctive against
Mr. Clay. Then he made charges and insinuatons
which were abundantly reiuted by his own previous
account of the matter.
The following statement by gentleman of I'M
doubted honor who was cognizant of the affair is
another conclusive vindication of Mr. Clay:
From the Rochester Democrat.
The meeting on Monday evening was the most
has been held during the present campaign Our
spacious Club House was filled to overflowng.-
1t is capable of comfortably accommodating 1900
persons. o. Tasting, Esq who has not attended a
political meeting before in sixteen years. presided.
The opening speech was made by Chas King, Esq.
editor of the New York American. His subjects
were the Tariff and Annexaton-bo both of which he
discussed for an hour and half with clearness
and eloquence which riveted the attention OF the au-
dience and elected frequent enthusiastic cheers.
MI King related several facts, in connection with
the Cilley duel, which deserve repetition Mr. X
was in Washington at the time. He dined with
Mr. Graves on the day the challenge was sent to
Cilley; and the moment he learned the fact, he
with a friend proceeded to Mr. Clay's lodgings, to
prevent, if possible, the meeting-Mr Clay heartily
seconded the plans proposed to avert the duel, but
before any project was determined upon for that
purpose, Mr. Graves came in and remarked that a
ny interference on their part, would be received
unkindIy by him. MI G. exhibited the challenge
as it had been written, to Mr. Clay. Mr. Clay OBJ
jected TO its phraseology, on the ground that IL Of
jorded no opporunityfo, reconciliation This, he
insisted, should be done; and wrote with his own
hand, another note, which was SO drawn that MI
Cilley might ,cih honor, make an explanation, ana
prereat the fatal meeting.
This note, thus modified for this peaceful pur-
= pose, was sent to Mr. Cilley; but he did not avail
;, himself of the escape which had been purposcly
placed before him, He had bloody minded advis