Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-07-09
COL. DEMONS HISTORY
TExrRAcr IRON COL BEsToss "THIRTY YEARS THE UNI
rED STATES SENATE" COURSE OF PUBLICATION

Ammo lS26-,Joha Quincy Adams, President
Duel bstceen Mr. Clay and M. Randolph
II Saturday, the first day Of April towards moor
the Senate not being that day session. that Mr. Ran
dolph came to my at Browns Hotel, and (withou
explaining the Of the question: asked me il wa
the blood-relaion Of Mrs. Clay answered that was
and he Immediately replied that that put an end to re
quest that he had wished make Of me- and then wen
TO tell that he had just received challenge iron
Mr.. Clay had accepted it, was ready to go out a"'
would apply TO Col. Tanall to be his secoHd Beior'
leaving be told me he would make my bosom the aepos
tory Of which he should commit to no other per
son it was that he did not intend fire at Mr. Clay
He told il because he wanted witness OF ms IN
teniion and did not mean tell it to Lis second or any
body ese and enjoned nvolable secrecy until the ae
was over This was the first notice had of the anaif'
The circumstances Of the delivery of the challenge ma
from Gen Jesup, Mr. Clay's second and they were 70
perfectly characteristic of Mr. Randolph that give Aen
In detail and in the Generals own words:
81 was unable Mr. Randolph until the morning
OF the Isl Of April when called him for the purpose
OF delivering the Previous TO presenting IT, now
ever thought proper TO ascertain from Mr. Randolph
himself whether the information which Mr. Clay had re-
ceiyed-tLat he considered himself personally account
able for the attack on him-was correct accordingly
informed Mr.. Randolph that was the bearer OF mes
rage from Mr. Clay, in consequence Of attack winch
he had made upon his private well public character
in the Senate; that aware one had right to
question him out Of the Senate for any thing said In de-
bate unless chose voluntarily waive hS privileges
rs member of that body Mr. Randolph replied that
the constitution did protect him, but he would never
shield himself under such snbteriuge as the pleading
of his privilege as Senator from Virginia that he did
hold himself accountable to Mr. Clay but he said that
gentleman had first pledges to redeem one that he
had bound himself to fight any member Of the House Of
Representatives who should acknowledge himself the au
thor OF a certain publication in Philadelphia paper and
the other that he stood pledged to establish certain facts
in regard great man, whom hewoud not but he
added he could receive verbal message from Mr. Clay
that any message from him must be in writing reped
that not authorized by Mr.. Clay to enter into
receive any verbal expanatonsthat the inquiries had
made for my satisfaction and upon my
sponsbilitythat the only message of which l the
bearer in writing then presented the note and
marked that knew nothing of Mr. Clay's pledges; but
they existed he Mr. Randolph) understood them
and lac Of them when he made the attack
planei Of he could not avail himself Of theln-tha by
making the attack / thought he had waived them him
self lie said be had not the remoest intention of tax
ing advantage Of the pledges referred that he had
mentioned them merely 10 remind me that he waiy
ing his privilege not oaly Senator from Virginia.
but private gentleman that he ready to
pond TO Mr. Clay, and would be obliged to ii would
bear his note in reply aud t he would, in the
of the day look for friend. declined being the
bearer Vi his note but informed him my only for
declining was, that thought he owed himself to con-
suit his friends before taking important step He
seized my hand, saying You right, sir. i thank
You Tor the suggestion but you do not take my note
you be impatient ii you should not hear from
me to-day. now think Of only friends aud there
are circumstances connected with one Of them which
may deprive me Of his services aud the other is in bad
heahhe sick yesterday and NAV not be out to-day
l assured him that any reasonable time Which he
might lind necessary to take would be satisfactory.
took loaNe Of him and it is due to his memory say
that his bearing throughout the interview that Of
high-tened chivalrous gentleman Of the old school"
m.
challenge and the only thing necessary to give Then
their full character is recollect that with this promp
acceptance and positive refusal explain and this extr
cut about the two pledges, there perfect determi
nation FIRE at Mr. Clay That determination reste
on two grounds: first, entire uuwiningness to hur
Mr.. Clay; and next conviction that return TIE fir
would be to answer, and would De a implied ackno~
iedgment Of Mr. Clays right 70 make him Til
he would not do, neither by implication in words
denied the right Of any person 70 question him out Of II
Senate for words spoken within it. He took istnctic
between man and senator. As senator he had const
tuonal immunity, given for wise purpose, and whic
he would neither surrender nor compromise as indiv
dual he was ready % give satisfaction for what
deemed an injury. lie would receive but not return
fire. Ii was much to say Mr.. Clay may FIRE at m
for what has offended him; viii not, BY returning tn
fire, admit his right 10 10 This subtle distinc
ton and that in case of life and DEATH and not yery
clear to the common intellect; but to Mr. Randolph bot
clear and convincing His allusion to the two pledges
unredeemed, which be might have plead in bar to Mr.
Clay's challenge and would not, another sarcastic
cut at Mr. Adams and Mr. Clay, while rendering salts
faction for cuts already given. The member Of tho
House" Mr.. Geo. Kremer, Of Pennsylvania who, al
the time Of the Presidential election in the House Of
prcsentatves had avowed himself to be the author Of
anonymous publication the writer Of which Mr. Clay Ia,
threatened 10 call TO IL be would himself
and did not The great man" was President Adams
with whom Mr.. Clay had had n newspaper controversy
involving question Of fact, which had been postponed
The OF this sarcastic cut and OF all the keen per
sonality in the Panama speech, the belief that ID
President and Secretary the latter especially
the newspapers in their interest TO attack him. whic
they did inces>any and he chose to overlook the edi
tors and retaate upon the instigators he believes
them 70 be. This he did bis hearts content in tina
speech-and to their great annoyance the coming
the challenge proved The "two friends" alluded q
were Col. Iatna and myself, and the circumstance
which might disqualify Of the two those Of
relationship to Mrs Clay Of which he did not know th
degree whether Of affinity
the hrst no cb-table the other a complete bar my mp
pearing as his secondholdng he did, with the te
nhcly u an Indian 70 the obligations Of blood and laying
but htte stress on marriage connexions His aahle
cepton AMI courteous demeanor 10 Cen Jesup were nc
corning 10 his hgh breeding and the decorum which be
1ongcd 20 such occasions. duel in the circle to which
he belonged was " m affair u honor" aud higA honor
according TO its code, psryade every part Of IT,
tenerai Jtsup had come upon unpleasant business
Mr. Kandoph determined to put him at his aud did
il 50 Sfectuslly rs to charm him into admiration Tn,
whole plan OF his conduct down to contingent details
was cast in his mind instantly as II by intuition an,
departed FROM The acceptance the refusal IL ex
plain the determination not TO ERE, the first and
choice of friend, aud the circumstances which MIDI,
dsquality and delay the other, the additional Cd,
and the resolve TO fall II he fell, the soil ~ Virginia
all, to his mind single emanatOn the lash 81 q
instant He needed consultations, deliberations
arrive at all these important conclusions. dwell upo
these small circums because they characterize