The Van Buren press., 1859-12-16
AFFECTING DEsCRIprIoN OF THE MEET
No RETwFEN HFNRy Cray Avn IouS Raw

AFFECTING DESCRIPTION OF THE MEET
ING BETWEEN HENRY CLAY AND JoHN RAN
DoLPH, Ely GEN. HAMILTON. became ac-
quainted with Mr.. Clay in the session of
1923, when he filled The chair of Speaker
of the House of Representatives. Although
1t that time a young member. yet, through
his Kindness and partiality, ] was placed at
the heal of one of its inhentiai committee,
Our acquaintance ripened INTO the strongest
social intimacy. which continued without
abatement, until the formation of that great
party which vas constituted 20 effect the
election OF Gen. jackson to the Presidency
Of tho United States. 1t is known to you
we took different sides. felt myself, in
the angry contest which marked that great
public couvnlsion, gradually separated from
him. Although | never indulged in the
sma Jest personal abgse and denunciation
of this gentleman-waich would have been
SO utterly inconsistent with orr former re
lations-yet. after the election of Mr.. Adj
ans to tn. Presidency, | was in the habit of
passing Mr. Clay in the streets of Wash
ington, without even distant recognition
for | had then the folly to regard an OPP
ponent of Gen. Jackson almost as a pub
ic enemy of the country. Such is the
madness of party. These relations contin
uel till | was summoned by Mr.. Randolph
to attend him to the field. under Mr.. Clay 5
challenge, in consequence of the fragrant
Insult which he had offered him in the SEN
ate of the United States, in Injunction
with your lamented and gallant fellow
countryman, Col. Tatnall. at that time a
member OF the House OF Representatives,
from Georgia.
There are some circumstances connected
with this ducl which have never been made
pu6lic, which. as they are honorable both
to the living and dead, hope | may be
parloned in relating, l do not think they
will render Mr. Clay's reception less COR
dial and enthusiastic, among'a people who.
if they cherish romantic, and they are
called, false, notions of honor, are at the
same time alive to the testimonies of a gal
liant, generous, and feeling spirit.
The night before the duel, Mr. Randolph
sent for me in the evening. | found him
calm, but in singularly kind and coniid-
Dental mood. He told me that he .had
something on his mind to tell me. He then
remarked: Hamilton. have determined
to receive-without returning Mr.. Clay's
fire nothing shall induce me to harm a
hair of his head I will not make his wife
widow, or his children orphans. Their
tears would be shed over his grave but
when the sod of Virginia rests on my boz
som, there is not, in this wide world, one
to pay this tribute to mine" His eyes
filed, and resting his head upon his hand,
we remained some moments silent.
| replied, g Ny dear friend, (for ours was
| a sort of no, thumous friendship. beuueath-
ed by our mothers l deeply regret that
YOU have mentioned this subject to me, for
you call upon me to so to the field. and to
see you shot down, or to assume the re-
sponsibility in regard to your own life, in
sustaining your determination to throw il
away. But on this subject a mans owl
conscience and his own bosom are the bes
monitors. | will not advise, but unde
the enormous and unprovoked personal in
suit you have offered Mr.. Clay, l canno
dissuade | feel bound, however, to com
municatc to Col. Tattnal your DECISION