New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-08-20
MIR. Clay and the Cilley Duel.

MIR. Clay and the Cilley Duel.
The demoniac malignity with which Mr.. Cioy
is pursued by such journals as the New-llamp.
shire Patriot and its kindred oral deiamers through
out the Country, impels US to heap testimony on
testimony TO the fact of Mr.. Clay's entire inno-
cence Of any participation in the matter save as
/, peace maker and a friend OF Mr.. Graves, whom
h wished to save from dishonor or seemingly in.
vitable death. The main point on which Mr..
Clay is now assailcd is his suggestion that the
emicable conversation between Messrs. Graves
nd Cilley should be reduced TO writing, so as To
Q prevent the possibility of future misunderstood
Ing. This is the course uniformly pursued IN
such cases, where difficulty has arisen and has
been peacefully adjusted-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 circulating contradictory yer
sions of the affair. Put the whole on record
while it is fresh, and no difficulty altcrwaTd
grow out of it. Thus Graves and Ciey would
have been at peace, and the duel prevented, but
for the interference of officious friends of the lat
ter, insisting that he should not reduce 10 writing
the explanations he had verbally made, but should
deny them and back out or bear down Ken
tuckian. This was TO make him the foremost
man from Ncw-E ngland,' his confidential
ni~..I ~.--i.:-ei, .'~ ho-,o To Maine
Mr.. Graves, Mr.. King, and all but Mr. Wise,
who knew any thing of Mr.. Clay in connection
with this matter, unqualifedly represent him as
anxious throughout for peace and laborlng for
reconciliation. Mr.. Wise never attempted TO i'm.
plicate MIR. Clay till after he had failed to BE-
chosen Speaker, attributed his defeat to Mr.. Clay,
turned against the Wings, and became especially
bites and vindictive against Mir. Clay. Then he
made charges and insinuations which were
abundantly refuted by his own previous account
OF the matter.
The following statement by gentleman OF un.
doubted honor who was cognizant Of the affair is
another conclusive vindica,ion of Mr.. Clay:
From the Rochester Democrat.
The meeting of Monday evening was tie mos
solendid and enthusiastic evening meeting which
has been held during the present campaign. Gu
spacious Club House was filled TO overlooking.
IL is capable of comfortably accommodating 1906
persons o. HASTINGS, ESQ. who has not attend
ed political meeting before in sixteen years,
presided The opening speech was made by
CHAs HING, ESQ. editor of the New York Amc
rican. His subjects were the Tariff and An
ncxation-both of which he discussed for an
hour and hall, with c,carness aud eloquencC
which rivcted the attention of the audience, and
elected frequent enthusiastic cheers.
Mr.. King related several facts, in connection
A. 81 IL,
Mr.. h. 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 friend, proceeded to Mr.. Cay's
lodgings, to prevent, if possible the meeting -
MIR. Clay heartily seconded the plans proposed to
avert the duel, but before any project was deter,
mined upon for that purpose, Mr.. Graves came
in, and remarked that any interference their
part, would be received unkinciy by HIM. Mr.
G. exhibited the challenge il had been writ
Ten, to Mr.. Clay Mr.. c. objected TO lis phrase
olopy, on the ground that II afforded no opportu.
mite for a reconciliation. This, he insisted,
should be done; and wrote, with his own hand,
another note, which was drawn that Mr. Gil
ley, might, 10Th honor, make an explanation, and
preueat the fatal meeting.
THIS note, thus modified for this peaceful pur.
pose, was sent to MIR. Ciley; but he did not avail
hlmSei ot inc escape winch hau Deen putp0Sely
placed before him. He ihsd bIoody.mnded ad
yisers about him, and they compelled him to &C.
cept the challenge. They also advised him 10
choose the K tle as the weapon with which the
duel should be fought. There were two reasons
for this Il was Il weapon with which Ciev was
acquainted and he WAS the best shot IN Wash
inplon. Graves knew nothing ahoutit In order
to effect his purpose more certainly, DR.. Duncan
accompanied Clllcy, for practice in the afternoon
preceding the duel aud, IN s:r Shots C,lley eRf
do,on sapiing al so PAGES
Mr. King remarked that, when he learned tina,
the challenge had been accepted, and mites Sc.
lected as the weapons himself, with Mr.. Clay,
determined if possible 10 prevent Mr.. Graves
from being able TO obtain rife, and they hao
succeeded, as they supposed; br, after they re-
tired, Dr. Duncan, who acted rs one of Clley 5
friends, taun,ing!y sent his rife To MIR. Graves,
with the message that no time need DC lost for the
want OF rife. OF this message Mr. hing and
Mr. Clay were entirely ignofan,. They HAD re-
tired with the conviction that the meeting could
not take place at the tine designated.
Between Sand O'clock, however, next niGrn
ing, MIR. King was called and informed tia;
Graves and Cilley, with their friends, had gore
out. Mr.: h. Immediately proceeded 10 Mir.
Gays lodgings, called INN ny, and. after icw
moments eonsolte,ios,, Hfrs Clay wrote notes 70
two OF the District Justices, iafhrfuing them OF
twas gong 90, and requesting their i,nme.
'tDos,tion. These notes were CARED ~
Mr.. R. johnson of Bal,imore-the
obtained, and Tire proper officers,
with these gentlemen. proceeded to
nc combatan,s in two Grectonsr-3i,t
,ely they could not be found, and the
place.