New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-09-06

" give uIJ SAHAoAHtAoA
whatever as to the meaning or application
OF those words. Oging to several causes
the duel did not occur until exactly one
week after the sending Of the challenge,
during which the friends Of the parties did
all that was possible to promote a recon-
Citation, but in vain.
Colonel Benton had been for some time
estranged from Mr.. Clay, owing to political
differences, but on Friday evening, the
night before the duel, he called on his old
friend and political chief, to show him, as
he said, that there was nothing personal in
his opposition. The secret had been we'll
kept, and no one in the House knew Of the
impending event.
The family were in the parlor," Colonel
Benton relates, company present, and
some Of it stayed late, The youngest
child, l believe, James, went to sleep on
the sofa. Mrs. Clay was, as always since
the death Of her daughters, the picture OF
desolation, but calm, conversable, and
without the slightest apparent conscious
ness of the impending event"
When at length the family and the COM
pany had all retired, Colonel Benton ap-
preached Mr.. Clay aud assured him that
his personal feelings toward him remained
the same as formerly, and that in whatever
concerned his life or honor, Mr., Clay had
his best wishes. The Secretary of State
responded cordially, and at midnight they
parted. The next morning Colonel Ben
ton called upon Randolph, chiefly anxious
10 learn whether he still retained his in
tention not to fire. He told him of his visit
to Mr.. Clay the night before-of the late
sitting the child asleep-the unconscious
tranquility of Mrs. Clay.
81 could not help thinking" added
Colonel Benton, chow different all that
might be the next night
Mr.. Randolph quietly replied as ne
looked up from writing his will
81 shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
Of the child or the repose of the mother
A few minutes after he sent his man
servant to the United States Branch Bank
to get nine pieces Of gold-a scarce COM
modify in that day as at present. The
man soon returned, saying that the bank
had no gold. Instantly the masters shrill
voice was heard, exclaiming
"Their name is legion and they are a
set of liars from the beginning Johnny,
bring me my horse.n
A few minutes later he was at the bank
counter, asking the state of his accounts,
Fonr thousand dollars was the amount Of
money which he had in the bank, and he
asked for it. The teller took mp some
packages Of bank notes, and politely asked
in what sized notes he would have it.
II want my money" roared Mr.. Ran
dolph.
The teller, little puzzled, said: "Yeu
want silver ~
81 want my money! replied the irritable
Senator
The teller, lifting some boxes to the
counter, asked him, in his politest tone
Have you cart, Mr.. Randolph, to put
it IN ?"
That's my business, sir" said the Viz.
ginian.
AT this moment the cashier came for
ward, ascertained what Mr.. Randolph
wanted, and gave the nine pieces of gold
which he condescended to take, and re.
turned with them to his lodgings. There
he gave Colonel Benton a note, requesting
him, if he was killed, to feel in his lef
breeches pocket, and take out his gold
Three pieces were for Colonel Benton him
self, for seal, and the other six were Il
be divided among two other friends, 70
the same purpose.
1t was about sunset. in thick forest, OF
the Virginia side of the Potomac, that tbs
antagonists met to decide their differences
by exchanging shots. A pistol was handed
to Mr.. Randolph, loaded and set with &
hair-trigger and it was accidentally dis
charged while the muzzle was pointed to
the ground. Randolph was exceedingly
mortified at the accident.
II protest against that hair-trigger, ,
said he
Mr.. Clay instantly remarked " It wa;
clearly an accident = and every one on the
ground confirmed the assertion.
MIR. Randolph, 1t seems had changed hi:
mind, and was now determined to diree
his pistol, if possible so as to disable hiE
antagonist without doing any serious injury
He came to this determination alter hear
ing that Mr.. Clay objected to the shortnesl
of time allowed by the seconds for firing
saying that he did not think he could dis
charge bis pistol in the time specified. Ran
dolph misunderstood the remark, and con
sidered it indicative of determination OF
the part Of Clay to inHics fatal wound.
I" de has determined" he wrote in
penciled note to Benton, q to get time II
kill me. May not then disable him
Yes, if please"
The men were placed. The pistols wert
discharged. Both were remarkably vel
aimed, and each bullet cams within few
Inches OF its mark. Colonel Benton in
stantly went forward and offered to me
date between them. Mr.. Clay waved hi
hand, as though putting away triAe, ant
said
This is chlld's play. I demand anothe,
FIRE."
Mr.. Randolph also demanded anothe,
exchange Of shots. While the pistols were
loading, Colonel Benton took Randolul
aside and implored him to consent to Al
accommodation, but he found him restiv,
and irritable. He evidently regretted hay
| ing aimed at his antagonist, and he nov
explained to Colonel Benton why be hat
done SO. He declared that he had aimed
below Mr.. Clay's knee for" said he
1t Is no mercy to shoot q man in tn
knee, and my only object was to disabl,
him and spoil his aim" he then added
In his most impressive manner
would not have seen him fall NOR
tally, even doubtfully wounded, for all til,
land that is watered by the king of food
and all his tributary streams
The men were placed a second time, enc
the word was given to fire. Mr.. Claw
bullet passed through Randoiph's coat
Randolph raised his pistol, discharged it il
the air, and IS he did so, said
II do not Ere at you, Mr.. Clay"
With these words be advanced and Of
Tered his hand, which Mr. Clay took witt
the cordially which became him.
You owe me coat, Mr. Clay sal.
Randolph gaily.
l am glad the debt is no greater,n va
Me- e. cIay's happy reply.