Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-07-13

Col. Tatnall had won the choice of position, which
gave TO Gen. Jesup thesdeiyerylof the world
They stood on line east and west-a small stumpI
just behind Mr.. Clay; low graselly bank just
behind MIR. Randolph. This latter asked Gen..
Jesup to repeatthe word as he would give it; and
while in the act of doing so, and Mr. Randolph adj
justng the butt of his pistol 10 his hand, the muz-
ze pointing dow nwards, and almost to the ground,
it fire d. Instantly MI. Randolph turned 10 Col.
Tatnall and said: al protested against that hair
trigger" Col. TatnalI took blame 10 himselff
having sprung the hair. Mr.. Clay had not then
received his pistol. Mr. Johnson (Josiah,) one OF
his seconds, was carrying 1t to him. and still sever
1 al steps from. him. This uItlmell fire, though
clearly an accident, necessarily gave rise 10 some
4 remarks, and a species ofnquity, was csn
Quoted with the utmost delicacy, but which, in
itself, was ola nature to be painful
10 a 'gentleman's feelings. MI. Clay stopped IT
with the generous remark that the FIRE was clearly
l on accident, and1twas so unanimously declarcd
Another pistol was Immediately furnished; an
exchange of shots took place, and happily, with
| out affect upon the persons. Rapaolplfs bullet
struck the stump behind mir. Clay, and Mr.. Clay's
knocked up the earth and gravel behind Mr.. Ran
doph, and ina line with the level of his hips,
10th bullets having gone SO true and close that il
l WINS a marvel how they missed. The moment haG
come Tor me TO interpose. went in among the
parties and offered my meditation, but nothing
could be done. Mr.. Clay said, with that wave of
the hand with which he was accustomed 10 put
away tribe, tt1his is child play!' and required
anoth fire. The seconds were directed to re- load.
/ While this was doing prevailed on Mr.. Randolph
to walk away from his post, and renew Ell 10 him
more pressingly than ever, my opportunities to
yield 10 some accommodation; but found him
more determined than had ever seen him, and
for the first time impatient, and seemingly annoy
ed and dissatisfied atswhat was doing. He was
indeed annoyed and dissatisfied. The accidental
fire of his pistol preyed upon his feelings. He
was doubly chagrined at It, both circumstance
susceptible in itself Of unfair Interpretation,
and rs having heen The immediate and controlling
cause oil his firing at Mr.. Clay. II regretted this
fire the instant it was over. He felt that ne ha..
subjected HIM 10 imputations from viii he knew
himself to be free-a desire to kill Mr. Clay, and
a contempt for the laws of his beloved State; and
the annoyances which he felt at these yexatious
circumstances revived his original determination,
and decided him ir.eyocably to carry il out.
1t was in this interval thai he told me what he
had heard since we parted, aud to which lie alu-
ded when bespoke TO me from the window of the
carriage. 1t was to this affect: That he had been
Informed by Col. Tatnall that it was proposed 10
give out the words with more deberateneSs, so as
to prolong the time for taking aim. This nfor-
nation grated harshly upon his feelings. 1t un
settled his purpose, aud brought his mind 10
the inquiry Gas he now told me, aud as found il
expressed in the note which he had Immediately
written III pencil to apprze me of his possible
change whether. under these circumstances, he
might not .'disGbie" his adversary? This note is
sn Characteristic, and such essential part OF
this affair, that here give its very words, SO far
as relates to this point. ltran thus:
"Iuformation received from Col. Tatnall since
got into the carriage may induce me to change
my mind, OF not returning MIR. Clay'S fire. would
rot have his blood upon my hunds-it will not be
upon my soul il shed in self deence-for the
world. He has determined, by the use CT Ling,
preparatory caution by words, 10 gel time to xii
me. May not, then, disable him. Yes, il
please
1t has been seen Ly the statement OF Gen. Jesup
already given, that this Conformation" mis-
apprele nson; that Mr.. Clay had not applied for
prolongauon of time FOX the purpose of getting
sure aim, but only to enable his unused hand,
long unfamiliar with the pistol, to fire within the
a NynC nj nFRI Of1nO in
TACT, either granted or insisted upon; but he was
III doubt, and Gen. Jesup having won The word,
he was having him repeat 1t in the way he was 10
give II out when his finger touched the hair trig-
ger. How unfortunate that did not know OF
this in lime 10 speak 10 Gen. Jesup. when one
word from lin would have set all right, and saved
the imminent risks incurred! This inquiry, "MaY
not diSa BILE hing" was still on T. Randolph'S
mind, and dependentfor its solution on the rising
incidents OF tie moment, when the accidental fire
of his pistol gave the turn 10 his feelings which
solved the doubt. But he declared to rue that he
had not aimed 1.-THE life Of Mr. Clay that lie did
not level as high as the knees--not higher than
the knee-band; "for it was no mercy TO shoot
man in the knee;' that it was his only object 10
disable him and spoil his aim. And then added,
with beauty OF expression and depth of feeling
which no studied oratory attain, and
which never shall forget, these impressive words:
"I Mould not haoe him fall rnortaLiy, or epen
doubttuly toounded for all the lind tat is uuatered
by the King Of Floods andaHhis tributary streams
He left me TO resume his post, utterly refusing 10
explain out ofthe Senate hing that he had said
in it, and with the positive declaration that he
would not return the next fire. l withdrew lit
tie way into the woods, and kept my eyes liked
upon MT. Randolph, who then knew TO be the on
lyone IN danger. saw him receive the fire OF
Mr.. Clay, saw the gravel knocked up in the same
place, saw Mr.. Randolph raise Lis pistol-dis.
charge IT in the air; heard him say, 'I do not fire
you, MI. Ctay;" and Immediately advancing and
offering his hand. He was met i'll lie same spirit.
They met half way, shook hands. Sir. Randolph
/ saying loosely, .sY0u 0pe me cOnt, Mr.. Cny-|
uhe bulle. having passed through the skirt of TIE
coat, very near the lip)-o which MIR Clay
| Is no greater." had come up, ami was PROMPT
10 proclaim what / had been obligedto keep Sc
cret Tor eight days. The joy Of all was extreme at
the happy termination OF most critical affair." and
We Immediately left, with lighter hearts than we
brought. | stopped 10 SUP with Mr.. Randolph
and his trends-none of us wanted dinner that
1d'y-and had q Characteristic time of it. run
nst came in from the bank to say that they had
oVerpad him, by mistake, $3.50 that day. He an
swered, sl believe il is your rule not to correct
mistakes, ercePt at the time. aud at your couuter
| And with that answer the runner had TO return.
| Mhen gone, Mr. Randolph said, tDil pay ii on
Monday: people must be honest, il banks are not"
| de asked for the sealed paper he had gwen ME,
| opened II, took out check for $1,000, drawn in
my favor, and with which I was requested 10 have
hlu carried if killed, 10 Virginia. and buried IN
der his patrimonial oaks-not let him be buried in
| Washington, with an hundred hacks after him.
de took the gold from his leftGreeches pocket and
said 10 u.s. (Hamilton, Tatnall, and ~ "1entle-
| men, Clay's bad shooting shan't rob you of your
seals am going to London, and will have them
made for you;' which he did, and most character.
istlcally, so far mine was concerned. He went
to the herald's Office in London and inquired for
the benton family, of which lad often told him
there was none, as we only dated on that side
from my granlfath,r in, North Carolina hut The
name was found, and with it coat of arms
among the qiarerings lion rampant. That is
the family, said he, and had the arms engraved
on the seal, the same which have since ha6ltual.
ly worn; and added the motto, Faciis non peIb!s,
M slnn LII her hann into.