Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1864-04-27
Henry Clay and John Randolph

Henry Clay and John Randolph
The account of the duel which we ex
tract has been given in letter to Gen
James Hamilton. who accompanied MI
Randolph to the field on this occasion il
conjunction with Col Tattnall, then il
Congress from Georgia:
The night before the duel, Mr. Ran
dolph sent for ME. found him calm bu
IN singular confding mood. He toll
me that he had something on his min'
to tell me.
lie then remarked" Hamilton, | an
determined to receive without returning
Clay's fire; nothing shall induce me I,
narln hair OF his head; will not max,
his wife widow, or his children orphans
Their tears would be shed over his grave
but when the sod of Virginia rests on MI
bosom, there is not in the wide world an
individual to pay this tribute ON mine
hls eye filled, and resting his head upoI
his hand, he remained silent. / replied
M lear friend" (for ours was post
Luz. rs friendship bequeathed by oul
/ mothers, IL deeply regret that you have
mentioned this subject to me, for YOU cal
me TO go to the field and see YOU shot
4
regard to your own life, in sustaining your
determination to throw it away. But on
this subject a mans conscience and his
bosom are his best monitors. I viii not
advise; but under the enormous and IN
provoked personal insults you have offer
ed Mr.. Clay, | cannot dissuade. feel
bound, however, TO communicate to Col.
Tattnal your decision.
He begged me TO do so, and said he was
very much afraid that Tattnall would
take the steeds and refuse to go out with
him. l. however. sought Col. Tsttnall,
and repaired about midnight to the lodg-
ings OF Mr.. Randolph. whom we found
reading Millions great poem. For some
moments he did not permit us TO say a
word in relation to the approaching duel,
and at once commenced one of those de-
llghtful criticisms in which he was wont
so enthusiastically 10 indulge.
After pause, Col. Tattnall remarked
MIR. Randolph, am told you are de-
termined not TO return Mr.. Clay's fire
must say TO you my dear sir, if am only
going out TO see you shot down. you must
find some other friend"
Mr.. Randolph remarked that such was
his determination. After such converse
tion on the subject induced Col. TAFT
nall to allow Mr.. Randolph to take his
own course, as his withdrawal as one of
his friends might lead to very injurious
misconstructions. At last Mr.. Randolph
smilingly said
well, Tattnall, | promise you one
thing, if see the devil in Mr.. Clay's eye,
and that with malice prepence he means
to take my life. may change my mind
"a remark he made merely to propitiate
the anxiety of his friend.
Mr.. Clay and himself met at four
O'Clock, the succeeding evening, on the
banks of the Potomac But he saw no
''devil in Clay's eye," but man fearless
and expressing the mingled sensibility
and firmness which belonged to the ocea-
sion.
| shall never forget this scene SO long
as | live. 1t has been my misfortune to
witness several duels, but never saw one,
at least in its sequel, so deeply affecting.
The sun was sinking behind the blue
hills of Randolph's own Virginia. Here
were two of the most extraordinary men
our country in its prodigality had pro-
duced, about to meet in mortal combat
While Tattnall was loading Randolph's
pistol, approached my friend, believed,
for the last time. took his hand, there
was not in his touch the quickening of
one pulsation-He turned to me and said,
"Clay is calm, but not vindictive. l hold
my purpose, Mr.. Hamilton, in any event,
remember this" ----------
On handing him the pistol, Col. Tattnall
sprang the hair trigger. Randolph said
"Tattnall, although / am one of the
best shots in Virginia. with either pistol
or gun, yet | never FIRE with hair trig-
ger; besides | have thick buck skin
glove on, which will destroy the delicacy
of my touch, and the trigger may fy be
fore know where | am"
But from the great solicitude of his
friend, Tattnall insisted upon hsiring the
trigger. On taking position the fact turn
ed out as Mr.. Randolph anticipated; his
pistol went off before the word with the
muzzle down.
The moment the event took place, Gen.
Jessup, Mr.. Clay's friend, called out that
he would instantly leave the field with
his friend if it occurred again. Mr.. Clay at
once exclaimed that il was entirely an ae-
cident, and begged that the gentleman
might be allowed to go on. On the word
being given, Mr.. Clay fred without effect
Mr.. Randolph discharged his pistol in
the air.
The moment that Mr.. Clay saw that
Randolph threw away his fire, with gush
of sensibility, he instantly approached
Mr.. Randolph, and said with an emotion
/ never can forget
81 trust in God, my dear sir you are un-
touched. After what has occurred, would
not harm you for thousand worlds %
Deeply affected by this scene, I could
not refrain from grasping Mr.. Clay by the
hand, and said
my good sir, We have been long sepa-
rated, but after the events of to-day.
feel that We must be friends forever