The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-12-30
DAILY CRESCENT.
John I.andoIph's Duel with Henry Clay.

HIGH A. Garland, Of Virginia, who has just pub
Iished biography Of John Randolph, gives the
nEOwing account Of his duel with Henry Clay;
" The night before the due f" says Gen. James
Hamilton, of South Carolina, +" Mr.. Randolph sent
for me. ] found him calm, but in singularly
kind and confiding mood. He told me that he had
something on his mind to tell me. ne theh
remarked Hamilton | have determined upon
RECEIVING, without returning. Clays fire; nothing
shall induce me to harm hsir upon his head :;
viii not make his wife a widow, or his children
ornhans Their tears would be shed over his grave,
but when the sod Of Virginia rests on my bosom,
there is not in this world individual to pay this
tribute upon mine.' His eyes filled, and resting
his head upon his hand, we remained some moments
silent | replied, My dear friend TOR ours was
sort of posthumous friendship, bequeathed by our
mothers,) deeply regret that you have mentioned
this subject to for you call upon me to go to
the field and see you shot down, or to assume the
responsibility in regard to your own life, in
tanning your determination to throw it away But
on this subject mans conscience and his
own bosom his best monitors. | will not
advise, but under the enormous and unprovoked
insult you have offered Mr.. Clay, cannot dssuade
| feel bound, however, to Communicate to Colonel
Tatnal your decision.
Z" He begged me not to do so, and said he was
afraid that Tatnal would take the studs and refuse
to go with him. l. however, sought Colonel Tat
nal and we repaired about midnight to Mr. Ran
dolph's lodgings, whom we found reading Millions
great DOenf or some moments he did
to say one word in relation to the approaching
duel and he at once commenced one OF those
dehghtful criticisms on a passage Of this poet in
which he was wont enthusiastically to indulge
After a pause, Colonel Tatnal remarked, Mr.
Randolph am told you have determined not to
return Mr. Clay's tre must say to you, my dear
sir, If l am only to go out to see you shot down
you must find some other FRIEND Mr. Randolph
remarked that 1t was his determination After
much conversation on the subject induced Col
Iatnal to allow Mr.. Randolph to take his own
course, his withdrawal as one his friends mipbl
lead to very injurious demonstrations At Iasl
Mr. Randolph, smiling said Well, TatnaL, /
promise you one thing if | see the devil in Claws
eye, and with malice prepense he means to take my
life, may change my mind A remark knew he
made merely to proplate the anxietes of his friend
Mr.. Clay and himself met at 4 O'Clock the sIic.
ceeding evening, on the banks Of the Potomac
But he saw no devil in Claws eye.' but a man
fearless, and expressing the mingled sensibiity and
firmness which belonged to the occasion
shall never forget this scene as long as / live
1t has been my misfortune to witness several duels
but never saw one, at least in its sexual SO deen
affecting. The sun was just setting behind the binl
hills of Randolph's own Virginia. Here were two
OF The most extraordinary men, our country, in is
prodlgallty, had produced, about 10 meet in mortal
combat. Whilst Tatnal was loading Randopb's
pistols approached my friend, | believed for the
last time. took his hand there was moi in hi.
touch the culver OF one pulsltion He turned IL
hold my purpose, Hamilton in any syent. reynanr
Der this Or handing him his pistol, Colonel Ia,
nal sprang he hair trigger Mr.. Randolph said
Jatnai, although am one or the hesr-.shots 3,
Virginia, with elther pistol or a gun, vet i neveT
fire with the hair trigger besides have a lhicl
buckskin glove on, which will destroy the delicfrg
of my touch, and the trigger may fly before know
where | am. But from his great socitude for hi.
friend, Tatnal insisted upon hairipg he triggar
On taking their position, the fact turned mif q.
Randolph anticipates his pistol went off bpfor.
the word, with the muZzle down
" The moment this event took place. Gen. Jssun
Mr.. CaYs friend, called out that he wouId instan,
y leave the ground with this friend. if that ocrnTrs
again, Mr. Clay at once exclaimeCiit was an aeei
dent, and begged that the gentleman might be al
lowed to go on. On the word being GIVEN MI
Clay fred without effect Mr. Randolph disebsre
ed his pistol in the air. The momentfhat Mr.. CIsy
saw that Mr.. Randolph had thrown away his fira
with gush Of sensibility he instantly approaches
Mr.. Randolph, and witt an emolion + sbsii reyer
forget, said 4 trust in Cod my dear sir, YOU are m
touched after wha has occurred, would not have
harmed you for a thousand wOrds.'
1ears passed. He went TO Russia. He Re
turned home dying man. He entered the Senate
chamber as Rr. Clay speaking Raise M
up, he said, / want TO hear That voice again. M
Clay concluded. He saw the Virginian, and az
preached him. Raise me up said Randolph.
nope you are BETTER, said Mr.. Clay. No sir re
Piled Randolph, 8 am a dying man. and CANT
mere expressly to have this interview with you
Ihey parted, to meet no more %