Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1853-12-09

and 'or that reason alone desired that II
might be prolonged. | mentioned TO
Col. Tatnall the desire OF Me-. Clay.
He replied; III you insist upon IL, the
time must be prolonged, but should
very much regret IT, | informed him
did not insist upon prolonglng the time
aud was sure Mr.. Clay would acqulescc
The original agreement was carried out!
knew nothing of this until II was too
'ato to speak with the seconds or princi
pals. | had crossed the Little Falls
bridge just after them, and come to the
place where the ground was being mark
cd of; and on speaking TO Johnny, Mr.
Randolph, who was still in the carriage
and heard my voice, looked out from the
window and said TO me. "Colonel, since
| saw you, and since have been in the
carriage, have heard something which
may make me change my determination
Col. Hamilton viii give you a not,
which will explain It," Col Hamilton
was then in the carriage, aud gave me
the note, in the course of the evening
OF which Mr., Randolph spoke read
lily comprehended that this possible
change OF determination related TO hii
firing; but the emphasis with which hC
pronounced the word may clearly
showed that his mind was undecided, ant
left 1t doubtful whether he would fire or
not. No further conversation tool
place between us; tho preparations iol
the duel were finished; the parties went
TO their places; and | went to a piece OF
rising ground, from which could sec
what passed and hear what was said
The faithful Johnny followed me close
speaking not word, but evincing the
deepest anxiety for his beloved master,
The place was thick forest, aud the
immediate spot a little depression, OF
basin, In which tho parties stood. The
principals salutcd each other courteous.
ly as they took their stands. Col. Tat.
nall had won tho choifo OF position
which gave to Gen Jessup tho delivery
OF the word. They stood on line east
and west--a small stump just behind Mr..
Clay, low gravelly bank rose just be-.
hind Mr. Randolph. This latter asked
Cen. Jcssup TO repeat tho word as ho
would give u, aud while In the act ol
doing 80, aud Mr.. Randolph, adjusting
tho butt OF his pistol 10 his hand, The
muzsle pointing downwar'ls, aud almost
10 The ground, II fred, Instantly Mr.,
Randolph turned 10 Col. T'atnall and
aaidi ~ protest aga Inst the har trigger
Col Talnall took the blame 20 himself
for having sprung the hair. Mr.. Clay
had not then Received his pistol MI
Johnson (Joslah,) one OF the see0ndsI
was carrying u 10 him, aud still sever
al steps from him.
This unilmely fire, though Clearly An
accident, necessarily gave rise 10 some
remarks Ind a species Of inquiry which
was conducted with tho utmost deleaey
but which, In Itself, was Of nature "a
be lnexFresslbly painful 10 gentleman's
feelings. MT, Clay stepped with the
generous remark that the fire was clear.
ly an accident, and II was so unanimous
" declared, Another pistol was lmme
dlately hrnIshedl an exchange Of shots
took place, and happily without efieel
upon the persons, Mr, Randolph's bul'
let struck the atrump behind Mr., Clay
and Mr., clay'a kneekedup the earth ans
gravel behind Mr., Randolph, aud In q
line with the level Of his hips. both bul
lets having gone 80 true aud close thai
II was n marvel how they missed, Thl
moment had come for me 10 lnterpose. :
! went In among the parties and offered
my meditation, but nothing could bt
done. Mr.. Clay said, with that wave o.
the hand with which he was accustomed
10 put away trllles, "TNis IA ohihs piagl'
and required another fro. The seconds
were directed TO reload, While thlI
was doing | prevailed on Mr. Randolph
10 walk away from his post, and renew
cd 10 him, more presslngly than ever
my opportunities 10 yield TO some accom-
modatlon, but found him more deter,
mined than had ever seen him. and fol
the first time impatient, and dissatisfied
at what | was doing lie was indeed an
noyed and dissatisfied. The Academia
fire Of bis pistol preyed upon his feelings
lle was double ehagrInned at Il, both a
a circumstances susceptible In Itself Of AZ
unfair Interpretation, and as having beer
the immediate aud controlling cause o
his firing at Mfr. Clay. He regretted
this fire the instant II was over. liz
felt that II had subjected him TO tho I'm
putatlons from which he knew himself /,
be free--a desire To kill Mr.. Clay, and
contempt for tho laws Of his believe,
State; and the annoyanees which he fel
at the vexatious circumstances revive,
his original determination, and decide,
him lrrevoeabIy to carry Il out.
IL was in this interval that he told m'
what he had heard alnce we parted, ant
to which he alluded when he spoke TO m,
from the window OF his carriage. II wal
to this effect; That he had been inform
ed by Col. Tatnal that IL was proposed
To give out the words with more deliber
atlyeness, 80 as TO prolong the time lo
taking aim. This Information gratet
harshly upon his feelings. Ii unsettled
his purpose, aud brought his mind to thu
inquiry (as no told me, and as found 1
expressed in the note which he had i'm
mediately written in pencil to appris,
me Of his possible change whether, un
der these circumstances, he might no
disable his adversary. This note il
uuu cuCH uu CbSCuliu
part of this affair, that here give il
very words, so far as it relates to thi.
point, Ii ran thus:
Conformation received from Col. Tat.
nal, since got into the carriage MAJ
induce me to change my mind, OF not re
turning Mr.. Clay's fire. seek not hi
death. | would not have his bloot
upon my hands it will not be upon my
soll if shed in self defence-for the
world. He has determined BY the use
OF long, preparatory caution by words
To get time to kill me. May not, then
disable him! Yes, i'll please"
1t has been seen by the statement o
Gen. Jesup, already given, that this ''in
formation was a misaPprehension; tha
Mr.. Clay had not applied for prolon
CATION of time for the purpose of gettin.
sure aim, but only to enable his unuse'
hand, long unfamiliar with pistol, t
fire within the limited time; that there
was no prologation in fact either gran
ted or insisted upon; but he was il