The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1850-12-12
Randolph's Duel with Ireury c,ayy.

The night before the duel says General
james Hamilton, of South Caroliua "a ssfr
Randolph senifor me. found him calm.
but in a singslarly kind and contidine ,poDd
lie told me that he had something on his
mind to tell me. He then remarked, .Han.
ilton, have determined to receive. wi,bon,
returning, Clay's fire nothing shall induce
me to harm hair of his head, I will NOT
make his wife widow, or his children or.
phans. Their tears would be shed over his
grave; but when the sod Of Virginia res,s
on my bosom, there is not in this wide world
one individual TO pay this tribute upon mine,
His eyes filled, and, resting his head unop
us hand, we remained some moments 81.
lent replied, MY dear friend (for oxrs
Was sort of posihumous friendship. be.
queahed by our Mothers deeply regret
that you have mentioned this subject to me
lot you call upon me 20 90 10 the field and
10 see you sho, down, or TO assume The res.
possibility, in regari to your own life. ;r
sustaining your determination 10 throw +,
away. But on this subject, a mans own
conscience and his own bosom are his hast
monitors. l will not advise, but, under The
enormous and unprovoked insult yo,,' otf.red
Mr.. Clay, cauno, dissuade. | feel hound
however, TO communicate 10 Col. Tainan
your decition.' He begged me no, to do so.
and said The was very much afraid that Ta,.
nall would take the studs and would refnss
to go out with him. ], however, sought
Vol iattnai, and we repaired abept mid.
night to Mr Randolph's lodgings, whom we
found reading Milton's great poem. For
some moments he did not pefmi, us to- saw
one word in relation to the approaching du.
ell, and he at once commenced one of lnos
delightful criticisms on passage of this M.
et, In which be was want 50 en,husias,;oallv
to indulge After a pause Col Ta,tual re-.
marked, sMr. Randolph, am told voa hare
determined not TO return Mr.. Clas's fire:
must say TO you, my dear sir, it / am only
70 go out to see youkshot down, you mus,
find some other frend' Mr. Randolph ~.
marked that il was his determination. Alter
some conversation on the shbyect indaeed
Col lattnall to allow Mr. Randolph to take
his own course, as his Withdrawal, as one OF
his inends, might lead to very injurious mis-.
constructions. At last, Mr.. Randolph. smi.
ling, said, 'Well, TattnaIl, promise YOU
one thing; if | see the devil in Clay's eve.
and that with malice prepense he means 40
take my lite, | may change my mind.' A.
remark knew he made merely TO propi,ia,o
the anxieties Of his friend.
'Mr. Clay and himself met at four o'clock
the succeeding evening, on the banks of the
Potomac. But he saw mo devil in Claws
eye, but man fearless, and expressing the
mingled sensbility and irmness which, be.
longed to the occasion.
81 shal..never forget this scene as long "a
live. II has been my misfortune N. witt
ness several duels, but never saw one, at
least in its sequel, so deeply affecting. The
sun was just setting behind the blue hills of
Randolph's own Virginia. Here were two
OF the most extraordinary meu our country
IN Ms prodigality had produced, about to
meet IN mortal combat While Tatnall
was loading Randolph's pistol, | approached
my friend, l believed, for the last time. I
took his hand; there was not in lis touch
the quivering of one pulsation. He turned
to me and said, Clay is calm, bua no, vindi-
cative-l hold my purpose, Hamilton, in
any event; remember this.'s OH handing
him his pistol, Colonel Tattnall sprane the
hair-trigger. Mr.. Randolph.said, 'Taitnail,
although am one of the best shots in Yir.
ginia with either pistol, or gun, yet nev-'
er fire with hair trigger Besides, hare a
thick buckskin glove on, which viii ass,rov
the delicacy of my touch, and the trigcer
may fly before know where am.' Bdt.
from his great schcitude for his friend, TAFT.
nall insisted upon hairing the pistol. On ia
king their position, the fact turned out as
Mr.. Randolph anticipated; his pistol went
off before the word, with the muzzle down
The moment this event took place. Cen
Jesup, Mr.. Clay's friend, called out that he
would instantly leave the ground with ka
friend, If that occurred again. MIR. Clay at
once exclaimed 1t was an accident, and beg
ged that the gentleman might be allowed 10.
go on. On word being given, Mr.. Clay fir
ed without effect, Mr., Randolph disshare-
ing his pistol In the air. The moment that
Mr. Clay saw that Mr.. Randolph had thrown
away his fire, with gush of sensibilAy. he
Instantly approached Mr.. Randolph, and
said. with an emotion ! can never forget
sT trust in God, my dear sir. Won are nntop.
ched; after what has occurred, | would not
have harmed you for thousand worlds.i,-
Life Of John Randolph.