Boon's Lick times. [volume] (Fayette, Mo.) 1840-1848, 1844-09-28
THE CILLEY DUEL.

OF all men living, Henry CLAY has
been most yilely and unjusty abused and
slandered The Locofoco press of the
whole country, with malignity more wor.
thy of demons than of men, has been teem-
ing with falsehood and SANDER against him
for years, in the vain hope of destroying
his well earned fame, and arresting his
career to glory and honor. Amongst the
basest Of these attacks is the attempt TO
pervert his agency in the duel between
Messrs. Graves and Cilley. His entire
agency in this matter was humane and
pacific, and all his efforts were directed to
the object of preventing the duel. AS
proof of this, we ask the attention of our
readers to the following statement Of the
facts in the case, by gentleman who was
in Washington at the time, and was fully
cognizant of the whole affair. The state.
ment was made by Mr.. Charles King, of
New York. in the course of speech at a
large Wing meeting in Rochester, on Mon
day evening of last week, and is a complete
and conclusive vindication Of Mr.. Clay.
The statement is fully corroborated by Mr..
Reverdy johnson, Mr.. Graves, Mr.. Clay
himself, and all others who knew anything
of the affair. All the testimony goes to
show that Mr.. Clay anxiously labored to
prevent the duel. We copy from the Ro-
chester Democrat.
"Mr. King related several facts, in connec.
ton with the Cilley duel which deserve repeti
ton, Mr.. X. was in Washington at the time
He dned with Mr.. Graves on the day the chal.
enge was sent to Ciley; and the moment he
learned the fact he, with friend, proceeded to
Mr.. Cleys lodgings, to prevent, il possible, the
meeting. Mr.. Clay heartily seconded the plans
proposed TO avert the duel, but before any pro
ject was determined upon for that purpose, Mr..
Graves came in and remarked that any interior.
ence on their part, would be received unkndly
by him. Mr.. G. exhibited the challenge, as it
had been written, to Mr.. Clay. Mr. G. OBJ
ected to its phraseology, on the ground that IL
offered no opportunity fora reconciliation. This,
he insisted, should be done; and wrote, with his
own hand, another note, which was so drawn
that Mr.. Clley might, nth honor, make an
explanation, and preuent the fatal meeting.
"This note, thus modified for this peaceful
purpose, was sent TO Nh. Ciley; but he did not
avail himself OF the escape which had been pur-
posely placed before him. He had blood y minded
advisers about him, and they compelled him to
accept the challenge. They also advised him to
choose the Rifle as the weapon with which the
duel should be fought. There were two reasons
for this; it was weapon with which Cilley was
acquainted and he was the best shot in Wash.
inglon. Graves knew nothing about it. In
order to effect his purpose more certainly, DR..
Duncan accompanied Cilley for practice in the
afternoon preceding the duel. and, in sic shots
Clley cut dotcn sapling at so pac es.
MIR. King remarked that, when he learned that
the challenge had been accepted, and rifles Sc.
lected as the weapons, himself with Mr.. Clay,
determined, If possible, to prevent Mr.. Graves
from being able to obtain rifle, and they had
succeeded, as they supposed; but after they re.
tired, DR.. Duncan, who acted as one OF Cilley's
friends, tauntingly sent his rifle to Mr.. Graves
with the message that no time need be lost for
the want OF rife. or this message Mr.. King
and Mr.. Clay were entirely ignorant. They hat
retired with the conviction that the meeting could
not take place at the time designated.
Between six and seven o'clock, however, next
morning, Mr.. King was called and Informed
that Graves and Ciley, with their friends hat
gone out. Mr.. K. immediately proceeded 10 Mr..
Clays lodgings, called him up and after few
moments consultation, Mr.. Clay ,orote notes t.
taco Of the District Justices, informing them o
what was going on, and requesting their immedi
ate interposition, These notes were carried BY
Mr.. King and Mr. R. Johnson Of Baltimore
the warrants were obtained, and the proper off
, GERS, in company with these gentlemen, pro
ceeded TO search for the combatants in two direc
tons. But unfortunately they could not b'
found, and the duel took place.
! ITO show that Mr.. Cilley's friends were con
fdent in his skill, bets were offered in the House
Of Representatives, by a Locofoco, that at tn,
time named Graves was dead man; or as i
was said, the turkey was shot, Not man be
| eved that Graves would escape for all knew
the perfection OF Cilley's skill with the rife
But Graves escaped and he fell, and his BLOOD
rests upon the heads OF his friends who pushed
him into the fight, notwithstanding the means o
escape opened to him by Mr.. Clay, whose
efforts to prevent the meeting were unceasinl
from the moment the facts came 10 his knowledge
] Yet, with these facts before them, Mr.. Clay
I enemies fendishly connect him with this fata
affair With the history Of this unfortunate alfai
before them, we. have no fears Of the decision o.
the people.
A BASE FRAUD.-The Washington Globe