The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1851-01-08
RandolDh's Duel with Clay.

The night before the duel Mr.. Randolph
sent for me. found HIN calm, but in sim
gularly kind and confding mood. He told
me that he had something on bis mind to
tell me. He then remarked,
"lIamillon, have determined to receive,
without returning, Clny's fire; nothing shall
induce me to harm hair of his head l will
not make his wife widow, or his children
orphans. Their tears would be shed over
his grave; but when the soil of Virginia
rests on my bosom. there is not in this wide
world ono individual to pay thi, tribute up
Oh nine"
lis c,cs filed, and resting his head upon
his hand, he remained some moments silent.
replied
"'ly dear friend" (for ours was sort OF
posthunoas friendship, bequsathod by our
mo,hers.) deeply regret that you have
mentioned this sui icct to me-; for you call
upon ne to 60 o the fsld and 'eo you sho.
down, or TO assume tho responsibility. in re-
glrd to your own life, in sustaining your de-
tr ninaion to throw it away. But on this
;ulioc;, mans own conscience and his own
1o.on aro lis best monitors. | will not ad-
yiso, but under the enormous and unprovo-
kcl reronal insult vou have offered Mr..
Clay cannot ds.uado. feel bound, how
over. to communicate 10 Col Taunnll your
decision"
lie begged me not 10 do SO. and said "he
was very much afraid that Ternall would
I,ke the studs and reuse to go out with
him."
l, however, sought Col. Taitnall, and We
repaired about midnight to Mr.. Rsndolph's
lodgings, whom wo found rss1ing Milton.
great poem. Tor some moments be did not
permit L, to say one word in relation to the
approaching duel aud h, al once commen-
ced one of those delightful criticisms on &
passage Of this poet, in which he wa, won't
so enthusiastically TO indulge. After apauss,
Col. Taunali remarked,
",at. RandoIph, an told you are deter
mined moi to return Mr.. Clay's FIRE | must
say to you, my dear SIR. il am only to go
out to see you sho, dOwa, you must find
some oiher friend"
Mr.. Randolph remarked that it "" his
determination.
After some conversation on the subject,
| induced Col. Tatnsll to allow Mr.. Ran
dolph to take his own course, AZ Lis withs
drawal. as cae of hs friends, might lead 10
very injurious aiscon,,ruc.ions. AT last,
MIR Randolph, smiling, said,
"NTeN. Tattnal, prOmi,e you one thing,
II | SEQ the devil in Clays eve, and that
with malice preponss ho means 10 take my
lie. may chsnea ny mind"
a remark know he made merely TO pro-
piiate the anzisliss OF his friend.
Nlr Clay and himself me. at four o'clock
the succeeding evening, on tho banks Of the
Potomac But lie SAW mo d,sil in ClsyI
eyo," but man fearls,s and expressing the
mingled sensihlity aud frmnssss which be-
longed TO the occasion.
shall uevsr forget this scene as long as |
live. II has been my misfortune to witness
several duels, but never saw one, at least
in It's sequel, 30 deeply affecting. The sun
was just setting behind The Llus hill. Of Ran
dolph's own Virginia Here were two Of
tAe most extraordinary men our country in
its proligaliiy had produced about TO meet
in mortal combat, While Tattnal WAS load
ing Randolphs pistols. l approached my
friend, believed for tue last time. took
his hand there was not in its touch the
quiyering of one pulsation. He turned to
mo and said,
Clay is calm, but not vindictivs-1 hold
my purpose, Hamilton, in any eVsnt RS
member this"
On handing him his pistol, Col. TaunalI
sprang the hAir-trigssr. Mr.. Randolph ssidi
"Taunall, although am one Of the bss!
shots in Virginia with either pistol or gum
vet never FIRE with the hair-trisger be-
sides, have thick buokskin glove on, which
will destroy the delicscy OF my touch, and
the trigger may fly before know where
am"
But. from his grsA, solicitude for his
friend, Tsttnsll insisted upon hairing the
trigger On taking their positions, the fac
e turned out as Mr.. Randolph anticipated; hi
c pistol went of before the word, with the
: puzzle down.
The moment this event took place Gene
l raj Jcsup, Mr.. Clsys friend, called out lha
: he would instantly leave the ground with hi
d friend, if that occurred again. Mr.. Clay a
g once exclaimed it WAS an accident, and beg
;, geS tba, the gentleman might be allowed l.
: 20 on. On the word being given, Mr.. Ga.
= fred without effect, Mr.. Randolph dischar
d ging his pistol in the air. The moment MI
:, Clay saw that Mr.. Randolph bad thrown q
$ way his FIRE, with eush Of sensibiliy b
d instantly approached MIR. Randolph, AM
At said, with an emotion can never forget,
Il 81 trust in God, my dear sir, you are uE
Il touched after what has occurred, ] woul
r not have harmed you for thousand worlds.
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