The Port Gibson herald, and correspondent., 1851-01-31
Randolph's Duel with Clay.

The following is an extract from the life OF
John Randolph, written by Garland;
The night before the duel, says General James
Hamilton of South Carolina, Mr.. Randolph sent
for me- found him calm, bui IN a singnlary
kind and conid.ng mood. He told me that he
had something on his mind to :ell me. lie then
remarked: Hamilton. have determined 70 re-
ceiye without returning Clay's fire, nothing shall
induce me to harm hair OF bis head; will not
make his wife widow, or bis children orplafis.
Their tears would be shed over bis grave. But
when the sod IF Virginia rests upon my bosoFn,
there is not IN this wide world one individual To-
pay tribute upon mine. Ills eyes filled, and,
resting bis head upon his hand, we remained
some moments silent. IFeped my dear friend
(for ours was sort of posihumous friendship,
bequeahed by our mothers, deeply regret that
you have mentioned this subject to me; for yoif
call upon me to go 10 the field and see you shot
down, or assume the responsibility; in regard TO s
your own life, in sustaining your determination
to throw it away. But on this subject, a mans
own conscience and his own bosom are his best
monitors. will not advise, but under the enor-
nous and unprovoked personal insult you have
offered Mr.. Clay, | cannot dissuade. ] feel
bound, however, to communicate to Col. 'Fatt-
nall your decision. He begged me moi TO do SO,
ahu Sotus fbut AlC was fSI1 tbuIb ubdiu tHot
Tattnall would take the studs and refuse TO &C
out with him. |, however sought Col Tattnell,
and we repaired about midnight to Mr.. RAN
dolphs lodgings, whom we found reading hlil-
tons great poem. For some moments he did
not permit US to say one word in relation to the
approaching duel; and be at once commenced
one OF those delightful criticisms ON Passags
OF this peer, in which he was wont so enlhusi.
astically to indulge. After pause. Col. Tattnall
remarked-Mr. Randolph, am told you have
determined not to return Mr. Is fire; must
say to you, my dear sir, if am only TO GO ont
to see you sLot down. you must find some other
friend. hlr. Randoll h -em ried that il was bis
determination. After much conversation on the
subject, / induced Mr. TattnalI to allow Mr..
Randolph TO have his own course, as bis with
drawal, as one of the friends, might lead to very
injurious misconstructions. AT last Mr.. RAN
dolph mildly said, Well, Tattnall, promise YOU
one thing, il see the devil in Clay's eye, may
change my mind. remark. knew he made
merely to propitiate the anxieties of his friend.
Mr.. Clay and himself met at o'clock the
succeeding evening on the banks OF the Poto-
mac. Bui he saw no sdevil in Clay's eye." bnt
man fearless and expressing the mingled SEN
sibility and firInness which belonged to the oc-
cason.
shall never forget this scene as long as
live. 1t has been my misfortune TO witness sew
era duels, but never saw one. at least in its
sequel, so dee, ly affecting. The sun was just
setting behind the blue Iii Is Of Raadolph's own
Virginia. Here were two of the most extraor-
dinary men our country in its prodigallty had
produced, about TO meet in mortal combat.
Whilst Tattuall was loading Randolpll's pistols,
approached my friend believed, loE tie last
81. l.. q
touch the quvering of one pulsaton. He turn
ed to me and said, "Clay is calm, bat not vindc.
t;ve--l hold my purpose, Hamilton, in any event,
remember this.n On handing him his pistol,
Col. Tattrail sprang tie air trigger, Mr. Ran
dolph said, 'sTattnall, although am one of the
best shots in Virginia, with etts. ztts.,ssi
yen tf..Aper fire VIM the hair trigger; beslces
have a thick buckskn glove on, which will
destroy the delicacv of my touch, and the trig-
ger may fly before | know where am But,
from his great solicitude for his friend, Tatnall
insisted en- hairing the trigger. On taking 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, Gen. Je-
sup. AIR. Clay's friend, called out that he would
instantly leave the ground with his friend # that
occurred again. Mr.. Clay at once exclaimed il
was an accident, and begged that the gentleman
might be allowed TO go on. On the word being
given, MrClay fIed without effect. Mr.. Ran
dolph discharged his pistol 10 the air. The
moment that MIR. Clay saw that Mr. Randolph
had thrown away his fire, with gnsh OF sensi-
| bility he instantly approached Mr.. Randolph and
said, with an emotion can never forget, q trust
| in God, my dear sir you are untouched; after
what has occurred, | wouid not have harmed
| YOU for a thousand worlds" saas5 81
The close Of this passage In Rand0lph's ca-
reer makes too complete picture to be omitted.
4 Returning from his mission as Minister to Rus
1 sia, broken in health, sick at heart-at deaths
| door--he went into the Senate Chamber and
took his seat in the rear Of Mr.. Clay. That
gentleman happened at the time to be on bis
/ feet addressing the Senate. sRaise me up"
said Randolph, Il want TO hear that voice again"
When Mr.. Clay had concluded his remarks,
which were very few, he turned around to see
from what quarter that singular voice proceeded.
Seeing Mr. Randolph, and that he was in dy-
ing condition. he left his place and went 20 speak
! to him; as he approached, Mr. Randolph said to
the gentleman with him, "Raise me up" As
1 Mr.. Clay offered his hani he said, "Mr. Ran
i dolph, hope you are better, sir" No, sir"
replied Randolph. 81 am dying man, and
came here expressly TO have this interview with
you.
They grasped hands and parted, never to
meet more.
/ The termination os his life was answerabls
to its desulate course; alone heirless, dependent
on the aid of a poor slave, and the chance char.
Iity OF strangers; at quarter before II oeiork
on The oath day of Jnne, 1893, aged sixty years..
he breathed his last in chamber Of the City
Hotel, No. Al North Third street, Philadelphia
SATISFACTION IN PERsPECFIvE.---An ex-
i change relates the following:
very Jealous and devoted layman Of the
Freewill faith, at a certain factory village in
i New Hampshire, who was ever willing to do his
share Of speaking in meeting" had the 81 luek
to board at house where most of the inmates
were anything bat good, steady, pous men, aud
who seemed most delighted when they could
play some mischievous prank upon our good
man. One Sunday morning our saint, to COM
pete his toilet, inserted his two fore6ngers into
the straps and bis foot into the leg Of a pair Of
bran new boots; he gave smart pull, and
smack his toe came fun tilt against an egg Of
dubious age, dropped there BY some cruel wag.
After a littleaime and trouble, the martyr was
ready for church. although late some what. lu-
ring the sermon our victim bit his lip and