Republican vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1857, 1856-02-23
from DR.. Hambleton's History of the 2
Campaign oflS55. in Vrgiuia.l
Tee Graves and Cilly Duel

misunderstanding, misrepresentation. ant
wiful end uublushing ialsehood as upon
the unfortunate meeting between Messrs
Graves and CiIIey. And upon no subject
has there ever been such general excite.
ment aud grounded prejudices arou-
sed. 1t was the peculiar and unavoidable
misfortune OF Henry A. Wise tL be con-
nected with this sad affair. Not that he
could not have avoided it, but not as an
honabIy man, in an honorable way, to
an importunate friend. This subject has
been fruitful theme with the enemies
and traduc.rs Of Mr.. Wise to arouse, excite
and prejudice the popular mind. THIS ef
fort of his foes has TO some extent been
successful with those who were ignorant
oil the particulars of this duel, its antece-
dents, &c. We have used every exerlion
to get possession of all the facts connected
with the affair, which we now submit in
as condensed form as possible;
In 1887 political excitement was greater
than was ever known in the Congress Of
the United States. The House OF Repre-
sontatives was composed Of a number OF
able and frey debaters, and the issues
then before that body frequently brought
The talent of the House in collision. The
Hon. Jonathan Cley. of Maine, took is
sue OIL one occasion, upon some subject.
with the Hon James Watson Webb, OF
New York. and made what he considered
legitimate attack upon him. MI. Webb
took exceptions to the language used, and
demanded satisfaction. He called upon
L. I # Il \;
to act as his friend. Mr.. Graves, without
the know ledge. counsel. advice, infofms-
ton, or su>pirion Of Nj. WISE. carrled a
letter from Mr., Webb to Mr. CiAey. The
| letter that was carried has hevrr to this
dav been seen by Mr.. Wi>r. MIR. Ciiir,
| declined to receive the letter, as Mr..
Graves alleged, on the ground that he did
no, choose to be held accountable iet words
spoken in debate, aud woald not recog-
nize Mr.. Wrbb's right to call upon him
lor words spoken OF aud concerning him
Oh the floor o. the House. All this had
happened at leas, II week before Mr.. Wise
knew syllable Of it. Finally Mr.. Grav,s
took exceptions 10 Mr.. Cilley's not receiv-
ing the letter of Mr.. Webb at his hands
and consulted with Messrs. Clay and Webb
upon that point several DAYS before he
mentioned The subject to Mr.. WISE
W hen Mr.. Graves came TO Mr. Wise for
the first time for advice, he said to Mr..
Wise tina, h,s only anxiety was to do his
full duty to his principal. and nothing more.
Mr.. Wise then advise L him that Mir. CI!-
iey's ground was perfectly tenaSle, aud
could not be excepted TO, as he did not
choose to be held accountable for con-
shtuliona priviledge-ior " ords spok Ell i,
debate because he did not consider tha,
he had assaulted the character OF James
Watson Webb a. a gentleman. this ex-
PLANTATION satisfied Mr. Graves in that res
pect; but he said MI. CiIley had expresse d
his grounds to him verbally, and then re-
fused to commit them to writing in the
form which he had inferred from the list
interview with him. Mr.. Wise then ad-
vised Mr.. Graves to address Mi. Ciley
respectfully IN writing, and request of him
to say upon what ground it was he then
declined 20 accept the note at his hands
from James Watson Webb. This Mr.
Graves did, but not through Mr.. WISE
| Mr.. Ciliev's answer was unsatisfactory in
this tina, il did not admit what Mr..
Graves had stated to have passed verbally
between them in their first interview
This raised question, seemingly, as We
racity. But still Mr.. Wise advised
Mr.. Graves not 20 go farther than
to demand whether MIR. Cilley mean
TO assal his Statement, as untrue. Mr.
Gravs then saw Mr.. Clay as his chief adj
wiser, and after some day or two of delay
came back to Mr. Wise to take his chal.
lenge to Mr.. Cilley. Mr.. Wise declined
to do so, aud begged him TO sleep upon il
at least for one night The next morning
he went to MIR. Wise's room, and agar
urged him 10 bear Mr.. Cil'ey hischalienge
Mr.. Wise then discussed the matter, ant
told him he saw no reason or ground for d
chaIlange save that of reraciiy, that if he
called upon that ground, he was sure Mr.
Cilley would disclaim all impeachment o
his veracity. and there would DE an enc
TO the whole affair And in doing this
Mr.. CilIey was still hot bound TO disclain
impatation upon the character OF james
Watson Webb;-he could plead his privil'
eye only, without affirming or disrlaim:ns
anything as to him. He then, at the IN
stance OF Mr.. Wise. drew up his challenge
placing it expressly on the ground that Mr
Cilley had assaled his statement as t.
shat occurred when he first carried Webb
note. mir. Wise agar. refused ~ be thu
BEARER OF the challenge. Mr. Graves thel
urged him to go with him to Mr.. Clay
room. Fh-y went, and submitted eacl
their respective differences OF opinion
"hen Mi. Clay took the challenge whiri
Mi. Caves had written, aud pronounce
il to be imp,ope, becarSe he had bases
his call upon :he wong ground-thA, o
veraci.y. Mr. Clay said that there wa
but on- issue III the case, and that was
that Mr.. Ciley had declined to receiy,
ilr james Watson Webb's poie at til,
hands of MIR. Graves, and unless Mr.. Gil
Icy would discIaim lmputatlon upon Mr.
Webb as gentleman, that he, Graves
was bound By the code Of honor to steI
INTO Webb's shoes, and TO Challenge di
rectlv for that cause. MIR. Clay ther
threw the challenge aside. as written b,
Mr.. Graves, aud drew the form of one
which was atterward taken by Mr. CiiIey
with bis own hand and pen. Mr.. Grave,
then xopi-d i: again, and proposed to Nj.
Wise TO be the bearer. lie declined agai.
o" ~ ground that he did not approve III,
io... IN which the challenge vas written;