The North-Carolina standard., 1844-04-10
was copied by Mr. Graves and sent 10 Mr. Gil
itiey. twas in the following WORDS VIZ

Hon. i CilLsy:
As you have declined accepting comuiunica-
ton which bore 10 you from Col Webb, and as
to your note of yesterday, you have refused to de-
cline on grounds which would exonerate me from
all responsibility growing out of this affair, am
left other alternative but to ask that satisfaction
which is recognized among gentlemen. My
friend, Hon. Henry A Wise. is authorized by me
to make the arrangements suitable to the occasion.
Your obedient servant
w. J. GRAVES.
From statement published by Messrs. Wise
and Jones (the seconds) after the duel it appears
that Mr.. Jones stated to Mr.. Wise (when Mr..
Cilley accepted the challenge) that he 'was au-
thorzed by Mr.. Cilley to say, that in declining to
receive the note from Mr. Graves, purporting to
be from Col Webb, he meant no disrespect to
Mr. Graves because he entertained for him then
as be does now, the highest respect and the most
kind feelings; but that he declined to receive the
note because he chose not to be drawn into any
contriversy with Col. Webb
Yet after this second disavowal of any disre-
spect to Mr.. Graves was this duel pushed under
the advice of Mr. Clay to a fatal termination.
But this was not the last of Mr. Clay's agency
He was duly informed Of the acceptance of the
challenge written by him, and of the arrangement
to fight with the deadly rife In the same letter
he says
'My belief is, that never saw the terms ac-
cording to which the combat was to be conducted
prior to the duel. although think they acre stat
ed and explained to me, probably By yOu,' (Mr.
Wise)
That he was in possession of all the particu-
lars is proved by the Statements of Charles King
and Reverdy Johnson, Esqrs published by MIR.
Clay himself; in which the former says, MIR. Clay
showed them the papers, but the latter says: "At
:: cl~ tbo, 1oI
lenge and acceptance the terms of the duel, but
had them explained to us By Mr. Clay only
By Mr. Clays own evidence, therefore it ap-
pears, that he advised the written correspondence
which led to the duel and that he knew the
terms on which they were TO fight
Min-Well when we knew that the parties
had arranged to commit mutual murder, did he
not invoke the power of the law to prevent it2
Dea.-So far from that, he directly refused to
do so! In letter already referred to. Mr.. Clay
says. Being tie friend of Mr.. GrGres, coud
dupL'
His friends, Messrs. Charles King and Rever-
dy Johnson concur in stating, that their urgent
appeal 10 Mr.. Clay TO aid in arresting the duel.
Mr.. Clay replied in substance, that saw how
he was situated. MIR. Graves had consulted him.
He ought not, he said, to have been consulted but
having been, the honor of his friend who was the
challenger, might be compromised by any ad-
vance on his (Mr. Clay's) part to arrest the prog
ress of the affair."
These gentlemen found Mr. Graves with Mr.
Clay on that occasion, it then being past six o.
clock in the evening, and early The next morning
the asofat murder aoas eOmsummGied almost an
sight Of the CAPITOL
Mr. c. says he did not expect the duel to be
fought the next day, because Mr.. Graves had not
ut that time procured rife; but MIR. Ciay's col
league from Kentucky in the Senate, and one of
mis- particular friends in the House, borrowed one
about II o'clock at night with which the fatal
Iced was consummated in the morning.
Mr.. Wise who was Mr.. Graves second has |
always declared, that the duel was caused by Mr.
Clays advice which differed from his own; and |
Mr. Clay says in his letter.
II admit without any rescrvation whatever,
hat all the points of the controversy respecting
Which he (Graves) asked my opinion, gave it to
lin freely, according to the best of my Judgment"
1t thus appears:
That Mr. Clay helped to concert this murder
And
That when the plan was all complete, he refus-
to aid in GrreStimg ii.
Does not tie blood Of CiHeyrest on Mr.. Clays
cad?
Min-But Mr. Graves was Mr. Claws friend
nd he says he was bound to give his advice when
sked
Dea.-That may be; but can any man lawful I
advise his friend to commit murder2 Can apv
ian, knowing that murder Was in contemplation.
:qult himself of his duty 10 God and man with.
ut taking efficient steps to prevent t2 With .
lr Clay this was not San affair of feeling like
is duel with Randolph. He, at least, could area-
N" in thissca
Min.-Is your case fully stalled? a
DeG.-No; have one point more The
constitution of the United states says:
sFor any speech or debate in either house they
he members of Congress) shall not be questioned :
any other place"
When Henry Clay was appointed Secretary of ,
ate in 1925, he took the following oath prescrib
by law, in pursuance of the constitution, viz T
SO HELP ME GOD. O
Yet the words for which he challenged and at tt
mpted to kill John Randolph aoere spoken in de. ;;
vie IN the Senate of the United States If Mr. c,
lay had been private citizen, this challenge in
ould have been violation of the constitution: CO
ing Secretary of State, and under oath to sun. S a
'rt that instrument it not only violation of dc
e constitution, but of his SWORN COVE.
ANT WITH HIS GOD. Pt
How can l, as Christian, or good citizen, hs
pport for President a man who not only violates
e most sacred laws, human and divine but sets sa
nought his SOLEMN OATHS What will &c &c
come OF our laws, our constitution or our coun- tn
:, when man who is capable of becoming so ar
cited by san affair of feeling" that he cannot
II L. L