The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-03-23

lays hre; nothing shall induce me to
harm hair Of his head ! will no, make
| MS vile wild wv, or his children orphans.
Their tears would BE- shed over his grave,
| nut when The soc OF Virginia rests on my
bosom, there is not, in this wide world,
me individual to pa, this tribute upon
! mine" HIS eyes filled, and resting his
mead upon his hand, we remained some
moments silent
replied "my dear FRIEND" (Cor ours
| was SORT Of poslhumons friendship, be
quealhed by our molhers) 81 deepl v re-
greet that you have mentioned this su1 Jet
TO me, for YOU call upon me to go to the
| field and to see you shot down, or to as
sumo the responsibility, in regard to your
own life, in sustaining your determination
TO throw it away. But on this subject a
mans own conscience and his own bosom
are his best monitors. ! will not advise,
but under the enormous and unpro, oked
personal insul: you have offered Mr. Clay
! cannot dissuade. feel bound, how ever
TO communicate to Col. Tatlnal your
decision" lie begged me not to do so,
and SAID, "he was very much afraid that
Tallnal would take The studs and refuse
to 60 out with him" however sought
Col. Tarnal, and we repaired, about mid
night, to Mr.. RandoIph's lodging, whom
we found reading Millions great Poem.
For some moments he did not permit us
to say one word in relation to the approa
ching duel and he at once commenced
one of those delightful criticisms on a
passage of tins Poet, IN which he was wont
so enthusiastically to indulge. After a
pause, Col. Tattnal remarked, 'Mr Ran
doIph, am told that you have determined
not to return Mr.. Clav's fire ! must sa,
to you, my dear sir, if am only to 60
out To see you shot down, YOU must find
some olherfriend Mr. Randolph remark
ed that il was his determination. After
much conversation on the subject, IN
duced Col. atlnal to allow Mr. Randol-
pm TO take his own course as his with
drawa, as one OF his friends, might lead
to very injurious demonstrations. At
last, Mr. Randolph, smiling said, swell
Tatnal, promise yon one thing, if see
the devil in Clay's eye and that with ma
lice perpense he means to take my life. !
may change my mind" A remark knew
he merely made to propilia,e the anxleties
of his friend.
Mr.. Clay and himself met at a CLOCK
the succeeding evening, on the banks of
the Potomac. But he saw no devil III
l'lay's eye" but man fearless, and ex-
al, laI , IA; Il
ness which belonged to the occasion.
shall never forget this scene as long
live. It has been my misfortune to wit
ness several duels. but | never saw one;
al least in lis sequel, so deeply affecting.
The sun was just setting behind the
blue hills of RaudoIph's own Virginia
Here were two of the mos, extraordinary
men our country in its prndigaily had
produced. about 10 meet in moral combat.
Whilst Taunsl was loading Randolph's
pistol ! approached my friend, "eieved
for the last time; took his hand; there
was not in lis touch the quivering of one
rulsalion He turned to me and said.
Clay is calm but not vindictive. hold
my purpose, Hamilton, in any event; re-
member this" -On handing him his pistol
Col. 1atnal sprung the hair trigger. Mr..
Randolph said, "Ta,nal, although am
zone of the best shots in Virginia, with
either pistol or gun, yet, never fire
with the hair trigger; besides, have a
thick buckskin glove on, which will des-
troy the deicacy Of my touch, and the
trigger may fly before know where !
am,"-Bus, from his great solci,ude for
his friend, Tattral insisted upon hearing
the trigger. On taking their position, the
fact turned out as Mr.. Randolph anticipa-
ted; his pistol wen. off before the word,
with the muzzel down.
The moment this event to ok place, Sen.
Jesup, Mr., Clay's friend, called out that he
would instantly leave the ground with his
friend, if this occurred again. Mr.. Clay
at once exclaimed it was entirely an ac-
cdent, and begged that the gentleman
might be allowed to 60 on. On the word
being given, Mr.. Clay fred wi,hnu, effsc {,
MIR. Randolph discharging his pistol in the
air. The moment Mr.. Clay saw that Mr..
Randolph had thrown away his FIRE, with
a gush of sensbility, he Instantly ap-
preached MIR Il. and said, with an emotion
never can forget, 81 trust in God, my
dear sir, you are untouched; after what has
occurred, ] would not have harmed you
fora thousand worlds" Deeply affected
by this scene, could not refrain from
grasping MIR. Clay by The hand. aud said,
my good sir, we have been long separat-
ed, but, after the events of to-day, ! feel
that we must be friend: forever" We
hare been so.
! do not know that should have refer
red to this transaction. If did not believe
dis last incident had no small influence
on an important public event in Mr.. Clay's
life. Iallude 10 the celebrated compromise
on The action OF the tariff of 1928 by the