Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1847-07-17
The Duel Between Randolph
and CLAW.


extract, has been given to the public
in letter Of Gen. James Hamilton,
who accompanied Mr.. Randolph to the
field on this occasion, in conjunction
with Col. Tatnall, then in Congress
from Georgia:
"The night before the duel, Mr.
Randolph sent for me. | found hin
calm. but in singularly kind aud
confding mood. He told me that he
had something on his mind TO tell me.
He then remarked-'Hamiton, am
determined TO receive, without return
ing, Clay's FIRE; nothing shall induce
me to harm hair Of his head; / will
not make his wife a widow, or his chill.
dren orphans. Their tears would be
shed over his grave; but when the sod
of Virginia rests on my bosom. there
is not, is this wide world, one individ-
ual to pay this tribute upon mine -
His eyes filled, and resting his head
upon his hand, he remained silent.
replied, 'My dear friend, (for ours was
a posthumeus friendship, bequeathed
by our mothsrs,) | deeply regret that
you have mentioned this subject to me,
for you called upon me TO 60 to the
field and see you shot down, or to as
sumo the responsibility in regard to
your own life, in sustaining your de-
termination to throw il away. But
on this subject, mans own con-
science and his own bosom are the
best monitors. will not advise; bot
under the enormous and unprovoked
personal insult you have offered Mr..
Clay, | cannot dissuadc. feel bound,
however, to communicate TO Col. Tet
nall your decision He begged me
not to do so, and said, lie was very
much afraid that Tatnali would take
The steeds and refuse to 40 out with
him. i, however, sought Col. Tat
nall, and we repaired, about midnight.
to Mr.. Randolph's lodgings, whom we
found reading Millions great Poem.
For some moments he did not permit
us to say word in relation to the ap-
preaching duel: and at once common
ced one of those delightful criticisms
on passage from this poet, in which
he was wont so enthusiastically to in
dulge. After pause, Col. Tatnall re-
marked, 'Mr. Randolph, | am told
you are determined not to return Mr..
Clay's fire; ! must say to you, my
dear sir, if ! am only going out to see
you shot down, you must find some
other friend Mr.. Randolph remark
ed that such was his determination.
After much conversation on the sub
ject, | induced Col. Tatnall TO allow
Mr.. Randolph to take his own course,
as his withdrawal as one Of his friends.
might lead to very injurious miscon-
structions. At last Mr.. Randolph,
smiling, said, 'Well, Tatnall, prom
Use you one thing; If see the devil in
Clay's eye, and that with malice pre-
pense he means 10 take my life, I may
change my mind a remark I knew he
merely made to propitiate the anxiety
Of his friend.
"Mr. Clay and myself met at four
o'clock the succeeding evening, on the
banks Of the Potomac. But he saw
mo devil in Clay's eye,' but as a man
fearless and expressing the mingled
and frmness which belong
ed 10 the occasion,
81 shall never forget this scene as
long as live. II has been my misfor-
tune TO witness several dusls, but |
never saw one, at least in its sequel SO
deeply affecting.
The sun was just setting behind the
blue bills Of Randolph's own Virginia.