The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1856-06-18
IONA. cILLEY.
Hon. w. J. GRAVES.

Ever since this melancholy tragedy have abored
der the impression that the OF Mr. Graves chaeng
ing Mr. cey was that Mr. Cley had refused to recognise
General Webb as gentleman. Such, think, has beer
the public impression and we are confirmed in the correct
ness of this impression by the correspondence which pre-
coded and led the fatal result aud by the report Of th'
special committee The following extract from the report
settles this question:
"1h not left open inference argument The
of the challenge appears in which precudes
all doubt II is still further specified and avowed by Mr.
Graves himself in his note, which contains the cba
enge. 1t is stated clearly unequvocay, and with the ut
precision and assigned expressly and IN form, The
for which the challenge is given "As you hare d.
aed accepting communication Whioh bore 10 from o.
one bb and BY yo note 81 yesterday you hare rqHa
deciae grounds 5hfch uoald croHerafe me from az 70
sponsJiy gro,cing Of The affair." am lg no Other aho'
aove Jto ask thar sosi.faction h recognized aROg
gentlemen" Mr.. Cey, by his note Of yesterday bad re-
fused to the question which categorical dns
had demanded that is to say, heth he dscnd 70
Colonel Wetbs communication The ground per-
sonal ercption him genetan Of honor. The
ground Of challenge therefore, is by Mr. Graves himself,
expressly stated be- that Mr. Cey declined % rcers NJ
from We'd, and by his note Of February lad
refused that question, touching hc honor 9 H'
This the open and ayowod cause, set forth and pre-
sented TO Mr. Cey by which he gnded and upon which
man responsibility For t3s cause and for this alone hs
was challenged and fell by the hand Of Mr.. Graves"
General Webb however says that Mr. Graves challenged
Mr. Cilley because question Of vcracity had arisen be-
tween them On this point we turn to the report Of The
special committee and we End that in their judgment
there was not the slightest TO believe that there
any question OF veracy which led to the challenge
To show how unreliable General Webbs memory is as to
this unfortunate transaction quote from the report
follows;
"Thc committee disposed to pursue this inquiry 10
every FORM Not content with tracing the Of the ehh
enge in the written correspondence, in tho assignment o.
reasons the challenge under Mr. Gravcss hand and
Ia the various propositions which were Submitted on the he
om the 10 the end OF the contest they proceed
10 put to every witness who believed know anything
upon the subject the direct inquiry whether Mr. Graves
or his second at any time before MIR. Ciey fell commuh
Gated MIR. Ciey his second, attendant friends, thai
question OF veracity between Mr. Graves and Mr. Cy Wa
point Of difficulty be adjusted Mr.. Jones answered
Certainly not to me, Mr.. Cey, at any time, to ~
know ledge, either before during the day the duel
fought did not hear Of the existence OF such queo
until the Sunday Monday after Mr.. Clley was Et.'
The written correspondence between Mr. Graves and W.
Cley does show tho existence Of any such question
veracy.' Mr.. Bynum answered, Il heard such COMM
nication directly or indirectly, from either Mr. Crave
his second made iptimsted 70 Mr.. Cey or any -
friends before he FELL Mr.. Schaumburg answered, = ~
understand that there question Of rerde'g ~
tween the parties, there any conversation on -
subject DR.. Duncan answered, There never dd % ~
knowledge | heard the question Of veracity aign
during Mr.. Ciley's life the Of any dihcuy
Mr. Pierce answered, Il held any conversation w.
Mr. Graves his second attendant friends, IN relation
the late fatal duel did hear until sub'eqaenuy
the Path OF February last that any question OF yerse
tween Mr.. Graves and Mr. Cney point Of dimoa'y
be adjusted Or. Foltz answered, They did moi. -
Wise answered, u do not know what Mr.. Graves may !"
communicated 70 Mr. Cey any time before be ieh y,
ves,ioo Of verseity between them verbally. believe ha
aid state 10 Mr. Jones 20 other friends Of MI. O
the ground that Mr.. Graves said Mr.. oiey had