Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1850-12-26
Randolph and Clay.
INCIDENTS OF A DUEL.

INCIDENTS OF DUEL,
We select from the biography OF John Ran
dolph, by Hugh A. Garland, the following &C.
count of duel between these two men, Not
wi hstandlng the absurdty of the ''code of hon.
or" as it is most ridiculousy termed, the follow
ing account shows traits of innate nobeness Of
character that will be appre lated by all good
and great men =
The ght before the duel" says Gen. James
Hamilton Of South Carolina, "Mr. Randolph
sent for me. | found him calm, but in singu-
larly confding mood. He tod me that he had
somethlnI on his mind to tell me. He then rc-
marked, Hamilton. have determined to re.
celVe, without returning, Clay's FIRE; nothing
shall induce me to harm hair of his head
will not make bus wife widow or his children
orphans. Their tears would be shed over his
grave; but when the sod of Virginia rests on
my bosom, there is not ia this wide world one IN
dlvldua to pay this tribute upon NINE His
eyes filed, and resting his head upon his hand.
We remained some moments silent. | replied,
MY do"r feio',A r.. ..-,s ~ t,,ev,u-
nous friendship bcquenthed by our mothers.)I
deeply regret that you have mentioned this sub
Ject TO net for you call upon me to 90 to the field
and to see you shot down. or to assume the re-
sponsibillty, IN regard to your owr life, in sus-
tanning your determination to throw it, away
But on this subject, mans own conscience and
his own bosom are the best monitors. | will not
advise. bu' under the enormous and unpruyoked
personal insult yoa have offered M. Clay, cam
not dssuade. feel bound, however, to com.
muucate to Colonel Tattnall your decision
He begged mr not 10 do so and said he wss
very much afraid that Tattnal would take the
studs aud refuse to go out with him. |, how.
ever, sought Colonel Tattnall. and we repaired
about midnight to Mr Rin1oph's lodgings,
whom we found reading Mi toms great poem.-
For some moments he did not prenit us to say
one word in relation 10 the approaching duel;
and he at once commenced one of those delight
tu' criticisms on passage of this poet in which
he was wont so enthusiastically to indulge. After
pause, Colonel Tattnall remarked. Mr.. RAN
doIph, am told YOU have determined not to re-
turn Mr., Clay's fire must say to you, MY dear
sir, if am only to goout to see voi shot down,
YOU must find some other friend Mr.. Ran.
dolph remarked that such was his determination.
After much conversation on the subject, | in.
duced Colonel TattnaIl to allow sIr. Randolph
to take his own course, as his withdrawal, as
one OF his friends, might lead to very injurious
msconstructlons. At last, Mr. Randolph, sml-
ing said, We'll, Tattnall, I promise YOU ono
thing, If l'see the devil in Clay's eye, and that
with malice pfepense he means to take my life,
| may change my mlnd' remark | knew he
made merely to ptopniate the snxleties hs HE
friend, Mr.. Tattnall.
"Mr, Clay aud himself met at four O'Clock the
succeeding evening, on the banks of the Poto-
mac. But he saw no devil in the eye of Mr..
Clay but a man fearless, and expressing the
mingled senslbiity and frmness which belonged
to the occasion.
81 shall never forget this scene, as long as
live. 1t has been my misfortune to witness sew
eral duels, but never saw one, at least in it's
sequel, so deeply affecting The sun was just
setting behind the blue hill of Randolphs own
Virginia. Here were two Of the most extraor-
dinary men our country in it's prodgaty had
produced about to meet in mortal combat
Whilst TattnaIl was loading Randoph's pistols,
| approached NY friend, believed, for the last
time. | took his hand there was not in its
touch tA.' quivering Of one pulsation. He turn
ed to me and SAID, Clay is calm, but not vlndl'
ctivs-I hold my purpose, Hamilton, IN any g.
vent; remember this On handing him his
pistpl. Col. Taunall sprang the hair-trigger.--
Mr.. Run, oph said, 'Ta'tnal, although l am
one Of the best shots in Virginia, with either
pistol or gun, yet never fire with the halr-trig-
osr besides. | have a thick buckskin glove on,
which will destroy the delicacy of my touch,
and the trigger may hy etore know where !
am. But, from his great solicitnde for his friend,
Tat,pal insisted upon hainng the trigger. On
taking their postioa the fact turned cut as Mr.
Randolph anticipated; his pistol went on before
the word, with the muzzel down.
The moment this event took place, Gen.
Jessup Mr. Cay's friend, called ont that he
would instantly leave the ground with his friend,
II that occurred again. Mr. Clay at once ex-
claimed it vas en- accident, and begged ,hst
the gentleman might be allowed to go on. On
The word being gwen, Mr. Clay 6na without
eject, Mr.. Randolph discharged his pistol in th"