The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1844-11-11
THE CILLEY DUEL.

4 Zee me following most vital testimony upon the
me character Of His affair. 1t comes late, but not
to late hope to disspate the clouds ofperversion
md ialsehood, which have been cast around the mel
mchOy death of CilIey.
The Philadelphia North American, which gives
currency 10 this letter is paper Of the highest char
a sas is conducted conscientiously and intelligent
4 ElAuay be believed Its testimony in Etci corres-
n ponds with what is otherwise known to be true, but
&eb particularly abs&t this le,Ier. which will
auac much attention.
IMPORTANT LETTER. The Ciiiey and Grares
Duel. We are favored by friend with the fellow
Ing letter in reference to the course of Mr. Clley
'nd his advisers in the duel which he fought with Mr.
GnSes' If other evidence were wanting 1t complete
ovet'rOws the ehurge that the fatal Termination Of
that affair was the result Of any preliminary action on
the pat Of Mr. Clay. The ~ruer Of the letter is a
gentleman well known to ns-who is not connected
with political affairs ia as@ manner, and whom we
Know be perfectly $isnerested in making the state
"eR' What he Gays may be relied on as perfectly
0ae Ia every Particuldr.- Phiid North american.
WASHINGTON, Oct. 27, 1874
Oae between Nlessrs. Cey and Graves. I was
@"sn Washington at the time that the duel oceurr-
'u' and was on terms of familiarity with several of
mV'I'ys personal friends. was with the late
:" william Ward Of the War Department, the bos-
"" "e"a OIL Mr CTHey, The evening before the duel
wv" Paces and was informed by him whit weapons
''''" De used and who were to be on the ground
'A seconds and friends.
oppressed my surprise at these sudden arrange
"'"' and asked him If it wore not possible that the
'0s could be obyiated through the Intervention of
'"' lie stated IN reply that Mr. Clay had al
e"er'ec his influence TO prevent 1t. And had
.''''O nc communication OF Mr. Graves to Mr. CilIey
.a''e'm'"gy to throw the responsibility of the meet
.HS wi O'l'ey' | asked him then why Mr. Cilley
V' avail himself Of this circumstance and allow
~ 'IUs'men' Of the difficulty to take place.
A.. '4u 'ha' Mr. Cilley himself was disposed TO do
uH friends were in favor of his meeting Mr.
d.., "a' New England men had so generally de-
h. uues that un impression had been obtained that
IL ,r r''' oelc'en' in courage-and they consequent
4,vi.. "ugnlles TO which they would not 9th
o.L, 70 exposed, land that it was time for some one
,,h. "a' mere was chivalry at the North as well
NJ cn N'N" asked Mr. Ward il he would 20 TO
DIR. ,hs and his iliends that night and try to pre-
G.a Tor an adjustment of the difficulty on the
,v.,v ns'''a would avail nothing; that they had
dead a'uence in him with the rifle; ihsi he was
b fought 'AA'0 III "hch the duel was to
tleetnr with A..
orho a. "''n MIR Ward after the fatal termination
We're maj. l remarked 10 him that attempts
skCsy. ~ " cast the responsibility of tho duel on
The rp,n, no replied, that is ungenerous and unjust
r,u. win ~ 0fthe meeting and the first fire,
III. rs,no.',, ~. o''ley's frcnds-and am ono, but
F'"'O'''y Ofhs death rests Will, the seconds.