Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-01
JOHN KANDoLpH's DUEL WITH HENRY CLAY:

Hugh A. Garland, of Virginia. who has just published
biography of John Randolph, gives the following accounto
his duel with Henry Clay:- ~
"Tbe niobt before the DUEL" says General James Ham
iltop of South Carolina, "Mr Randolph sent tor me.
found him calm, but in singulary kind and condlngmood
He told me that he had something his mind to tell me
He then remarked, "Hamilton, have determined upon re
ceivng, without returning Clays fire. nothing shall In
puce me TO harm hair upon his head will not make hl
wife widow or his children Sorphans Their tears wou'
be shed over his grave but when the sod of Virginia rests
on my bosom, there is not Is world one ndlvdua! Il
pay this tribute upon mine His eyes filled, and resting
his head upon his hand remained moments silent
replied "My dear FRIEND "(or ours. was sort Of postum
nous friendship bequeathed by our mohes) deeply re-
pre that you have mentioned this subject to me- for You
call upon me 90 the field and to see you shot down. o
to the responsibility in regard to your own e' Ia
sustaining your determination to throw 1t away. but On
this subject mans own conscience and his own bosom are
his best monitors will not advise, but under the enor
nous and unprovoked insult you have offered Mr. Clay,
canno dssuade. feel bound, however, to communicate
to Col. Talnal your decision"
He begged not to do so and said he was afraid that
1atnal would take the studs and refuse 60 with him.
however sought COL Tatnal, and repaired about mid
night Mr. Randolph's lodgngs, whom we found reading
Mi,ons great poem. For moments he did not permit
us to say one word in relation the approaching duel and
he at once commenced of these delightful criticisms on
passage of this poet in which he wont SO enthusiastic
caly to indulge. After pause COL Talnal remarked.
Mr. Rundoph, told you have determined not to re-
turn Mr. Cays fire. must say to you, my dear sir, II
am only oout to you shot down you must find some
other fend' Mr.. Randolph remarked that it was his de-
termination After much conversation the subject, in
1uced COL Tartna to allow Mr.. Randolph to take his own
course, as his withdrawal, one Of his friends might lead
to very injurious misconsructi At last Mr.. Randolph,
smiling said, Wel, Tatna promise you one thing if |
see the devil Cays eye and with malice prepense he
means to take my life, may change my mind.' re-
mark knew he made merely to puptiae the anxeties Of
his friend
"Mr. Clay and himself met at a o'clock the succeeding
evening, on the banks Of the Potomac But he saw no
devil in Clays eyes,, but fearless, and expressing
the mingled sensibity and mness which belonged 10 the
occasion.
II shall never forget this long live. 1t has
been my misfortune witness several duels, but never saw
one, al least in its sequel, deeply affecting The sun
was just setting behind the blue hills of Randophs own
Virginia Here were of the most extraordinary men
our country its prodgay, had produced about TO meet
in mortal combat. Whilst Tatnal was loading Randolps
pistols approached my friend, believed for The last time.
,oot bis ha,dy wuc,l me quver OF
one pusation. He turned to me and said-Clay is calm
but not vindicve-I hold my purpose, Hamilton, in any
event remembered this On handing him his pistol, Col.
Taina sprang the hair trigger. Mr.. Randolph said Tat
na although am one of the best shots in Virginia. with
either pistol gun yet never fire with the hair trg
ger besides have thick buckskin glove on which will
destroy the decacy of my touch and the trigger may fly
before know where am" But from his great socude
for his FRIEND Tatna insisted upon hairirg the trigger
On taking their poson the fact turned out as Randolph
anticipated his pistol went off befoe the word, with the
muZzle down.
"The moment this event took place, Gen. Jessup, Mr..
Cay's friend, called that he would instantly leave the
ground with his friend, if that occurred again. Mr. Clay
at exclaimed it accident and begged that the
gentlemen might be allowed to go On the word be-
ing given Mr.. Clay fired without effect Mr.. Randolph dis
charged his pistol in the air. The moment that MIR. Clay
saw that Mr.. Randolph had thrown away his fire, with
gush Of sensiby he instantly approached Mr. Randolph
and with an emotion can never forget- trust in God
my dear sir, yon untouched after what has occurred
would not have harmed you for thousand worlds.'
"Years passed He went to Russia. He returned home
dying man. lie entered the Senate chamber as Mr. Clay
was speaking Raise up he said Il want to hear
that voice again. Mr. Clay concluded. He saw the Vir-
ginian, and approached him. Raise up said Ran
dolph. Il hope you better said Mr. Clay. NO sir,
replied Randolph, lam dying man, and came here ex-
pressy to have this interview with you They parted.
meet no more"