Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-07-13
[coxcLupED PROM YEsrERpAr's PAPER. i
Col. Benton's Historv


[ExTRAcT PROM COL BEsToN's "ru1Rry YEARS IN
THE UNITED STATES SENATE" in COURSE
OF PUBLICATION.
Ammo 1s26.-John Quincy adams, President.-
Duel bet,oeen Mr.. Clay and Mr.. Randofph.
All hope of accommodation having vanished,
the seconds proceeded to arrange for the dnel.-
The afternoon Of Saturday, the 9Th of April, was
fixed upon for the time; the right bank of the Po-
tonac, within the State of Virginia, above The Lit
lie rails bridge, was the place, pistols the weap-
ons, distance ten PAGES; each party to be attended
by two seconds aud surgeon, aud myself at lib
erty 10 attend as a mutual friend. There WINS 10
be no ctising with pistols, nd there was none
ana the words tone,' stwo,' three Stop after
the wo fire.. were, by agIernient between the
seconds, and for the humane purpose of reducing
Inc result rs near as possible to chance to be civ
en- out IN quick succession. The Virginia side OF
the Potomac was taken at the instance of NJ Ran
dolph. He went out as asVirglnia Senator, refu-
sing to compromise that character, and, If he fell
IN defence ofits rights, Virginia soil was TO him
the chosen ground to receive his blood. There
was statute of the State against dueling within
her limits; but, as hemerely went ont to receive
tire without returning it, he deemed that no fight
ing, and consequently no breach of her statute
rms reason Tor choosing Virginia could only be
explained to me, as alone was the depository OF
his secret The weeks delay which the seconds
had contrived was about expiring. 1t was Friday
evening, or rather night, when | went to SIC MIR.
=
been some alienation between us since the time of
the Presidential election in the House of Repre-
sentatives, and wished to give evidence that
there was nothing personal in it. The family
were IN the parlor-company present-and some
OF 1t stayed late. The youngest child, | believe
James, wentto sleep on the SOFIA Circumstance
which avaied me for purpose the next day
MIS-. Clay, was, as always since the death of her
daughters, the picture of desolation, but calm,
conversible, and without the slightest apparent
CONSCIOUSNESS the impending event. When all
were gone, and she also had left the parlor did
what came for, and said TO Mr.. Clay, that. not
withstanding our late political differences, my per-
sonal feelings towards him were the as for
merly, and that, in whatever concerned his ife or
horor, my best wishes were with him. He express
sed his qualification at the visit and the teclara-
ton, and said it was what he would have expect
ed OF me. We parted at midnight.
Saturday, the Sth of April-the day for the duel
hau come, and almost the hour. 1t was noon,
and the meeting was to take place at AZ O'Clock
had gone 10 see Mr.. Randolph before the hour,
ana Tor purpose; and, besides, it was so far on
the way, rs he lived half way to Georgetown, and
we had 10 pass through that place tc cross the Po
tomac into Virginia at the Little Falls bridge. |
had heard nothing from him on the point OF not
turning the fire since the first communication TO
that effect, eight days before. had no reason TO
DOUBT the steadlneSs OF his determination, but felt
desire to have some fresh assurance of it after
many Gays delay, and so near approach of thetry
ing moment. knew it would not do to ask him
the question-any question which would imply a
doubt OF his word. His sensitive feelings would he
burt and annoyed at it. So fell upon scheme
TO get at The inquiry without seeming TO make it.
told him OF my visit TO Mr.. Clay the night before
-of the late sitting-the child asleep-the I'M
conscious tranquility of Mrs Clay; AMI added, 1
could not help rejecting how different all that
might be the next night. He understood me per-
iectly, and Immediately said, with quietude of
look and expression which seemed to Iebuke an
unworthy doubt II shall do nothing to disturb the
sleep Of The child or the repose Of the mother, and
YVa IN
engaged in their preparations in different room
which was, making codicls 10 his will, all in the
way remembrance TO friends; the requests slight
IN value, but invaluable in tenderness of feeling
ana beauty OF expression, and always appropriate
TO the receiver. To Mr.. Macon he gave some Eng
lish Stllllngs, to keep the game whel. he played
whist. His nameSake, John Randolph Bryan,
then at school in Baltimore, and since married to
MS neice, was sent far to see him, but sent off be-
fore the hour for going out, 10 save the boy from
possible shock at seeing lin brought back. He
wanted some gold-that coin not being then in
circulation, and only TO BE- obtained by favor or
purchase-and sent his faithful man, Johnny, to
the United States Branch Bank 10 get a few pieces
American being the Kind asked for Johnny 1e-
turned without the gold, and delivered the excuse
that the bank had none. Instantly his clear sill
Her-toned voice was heard abovei!s natural pitch,
excialming, Their name is legicn! and they are
liars rom the beginning. Johnny, bring me my
horse His own saddle horse was was brought
hm-tor he never rode Johnny's, nor Johnny his,
the finest English blood-and rode off to the bank
down Pennsylvania avenue. now Corcoran d
Rlggs,s-Jobnny following, as always, forty PAGES
behind. Arrived at the bank, this scene, accord
ing 10 my informant, took place:
"Mr. Randolph asked for the state of his &C.
count, was shown 1t, and found to be some four
thousand dollars in his favor. He asked for it
The teller took up packages of bills, and ciyily
asked In what sized notes lie would hayeit Il
want money said Mr.. Randolph, putting emphasis
on the word; and at that time il required bold
man TO intimate that United States Bank notes
were not money. The teller, beginning 10 UNDER
stanu him, snd willing to make sure, said, inquir-
Ingy, 'You want Silver?' i want my moneyp
was the reply. Have you a cart, Mr.. Randolph,
to put it in? THAT is my business, SIR said he
by that time the attention OF the Cashier MIR
richard Smith) was attracted TO whas wat going
on, came up, and understanding the question, and
ITS cause, told Mr.. Randolph there was mistake
IN the answer given to his servant; that they had
gold, and he should have what he wanted.''
In fact, he had only applied for few pieces,
which lie wanted for a special purpose This
brou hit about compromise. The pieces of gold
were received, the cart and the silver dispensed
with; but the account in bank was closed, and
check taken for tie amount on New York. He
returned and delivered me sealed paper, w hch |
was TO open if he was killed-give back 10 him if
he fpas not; also an open slip, which was to read
before got to the ground. This slip was re-
quest to feel in his left breeches pocket, if he was
killed, and find so many pieces OF gold-I believe
n'ne-take three for myself, and give the same
number TO Tatnall and Hamilton each, TO make
seals TO wear in remembrance OF him. We wer.
all three at Mr.. Randoph's lodgings then, and
soon sat out Mr.. Randolph and his seconds in a
carriage, following him on horseback.
have already said that tie count was to be
quick after giving the wcrd "ire,' and for reason
" hich could not be told to the principals. ToMr
Randolph, who did not mean TO fire, and who
though agreeing TO be shot at. had no desire 10 be
hit this rapdity of counting out the time and quick
arrival at the command stop presented no OBJ
lection. With Mr. Clay it was different With
him il was all real Transaction, and gave rise 10
some proposals for more deliberatenessi in counting
OIL the time. which being communicated to Col.
Tatnall, and by him to Mr.. Randolph, had an m
effect upon his feelings and, aided BY an un.
toward accident ON the ground. unseiileh for q