Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1868-09-12
"That," rejoned Randolph, "puts an end
to request which l wished to make of

sole depository OF an 1mpOrtnnC SeCTct. ile
said that lie did not intend to fire at Mr..
Clay, but meant to keep this intention a
secret, and cnjoined secresy upon Col. Ben
ton until after the duel. In the course of
the day Col Tatnai, of Georgia. conveyed
Mr.. Randolph's acceptance of the challenge,
which was couched in the following terms
"Mr. Randolph accepts the challenge OF
MIR. Clay. At the same time he protests
against the right of any minister of the ex-
ecutive government of the Unite States to
hold him responsible for words spoken in
debate as Senator from Virginia, in crimina-
ton of such minister, or the administration
| under which he shall have taken office. Col.
| Tatnall of Georgia, the bearer of this letter,
is authorized to arrange with Gen. Jessup,
Cbe bearer of Mr.. Cay's challenger the
terms of the meeting to which Mr.. Randolph
is invited in that note"
Some further correspondence took place
between the parties relative to the correct
ness Of the report upon which Mr.. Clay's ac-
| tion was founded. Mr. Randolph admitted
its substantial correctness. He acknow-
lodged that he did apply to the administra-
tion the epithet puritanic, diplomatic, black
! legged administration but he peremptori-
y declined to give any explanation what
ever us to the meaning or application of
those words. Owing 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 reconciliation, but
in vain.
Col Benton had been for some time
estrangcd 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 op-
position. The secret had been well kept,
and no one IN the house knew of the i'm
pending event.
The family were in the parlor," Col Ben
ton relates. company present, and some OF
it stayed late. The youngest child, be-
lieve James, went to sleep on the sofa. Mrs
Clay was, as always since the death of her
daughters, the picture of desoation, but
calm, conversable, and without the slightest
apparent consciousness of the impending
event"
When at length the family and the CON-
pany had all retired, Col Benton approach
ed Mr.. Clay and assured him that his per
sonal feelings toward him remained the
same as formerly and that in whatever con
cerned his life or honor Mr.. Clay had his
best wishes. The Secretary of State respond
etl CoItllhllN, uutl 1T HlliuiSht thCy p"ilSt'
The next morning Col. Benton called upon
Randolph. chiefly anxious to learn whether
he still retained his intention not to fire.
He told him of his visit to Mr. Clay the
nigh. before-of the late sittng-the child
asleep the unconscious tranquility of Mrs.
Clay.
Il could not help thinking" added Col.
Benton, show different all that might be the
next night"
Mr.. Randolph quietly replied, as he look
ed up from writing his will =:
IL shall do nothing to disturb the sleep
of the child or the repose of the mother"
A few minutes after he sent his man SER
want to the United States Branch Bank to
get nine pieces of gold-a scarce commodi- |
ty at 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 set
of liars from the beginning! Johnny, bring
me my horse"
A few minutes later he was at the bank |
counter, asking the state of his accounts. !
Four thousand dollars was the amount of
money which he had in the bank, and he |
asked for it. The teller took up some pack
ages of bank notes, and politely asked in |
what sized notes he would have it.
81 want my money" roared Mr.. Randolph. !
The teller, a little puzzled, said-"You
want silver 2"
81 want my money" replied the irritable
Senator
The teller, lifting some boxes to the coun-
ter, asked him, in his politcst tone
"IIave you a cart, Mr.. Randolph, to put !
it in r.
"That's my business, sir" said the Vir
ginian.
At this moment the cashier came forward,
ascertained what Mr.. Randolph wanted, and |
gave the nine pieces Of gold, which he con-
descended to take, anG returned with them
to his lodgings There he gave Col Benton /
note, requesting him, if he was killed, to !
feel in his left breeches pocket, and take out |
his gold. Three pieces were for Col. Benton |
himself, for a seal, and the other six were to I
be divided among two other friends, for the
same purpose.
1t was about sunset, in a thick forest on
the Virginia side of the Potomac, that the
antagonists met to decide their differences
by exchanging shots. A pistol was handed |
to Mr. Randolph, loaded and set with a |
hair trigger, and it was accidentally dis !
charged while the muzzle was pointed to
the ground. Randolph was exceedingly !
mortified at the accident.
81 protest against that hair-trigger," said |
he.
Mr.. Clay instantly remarked sit was
clearly an accident" and every one on the |
ground confirmed the assertion.
Mr.. Randolph, it seems, bad changed his
mind, and was now determined to direct his
pistol, if possible, so as to disable his anita
gonst without doing any serious injury.
He came to this determination after hear
ing that Mr.. Clay objected to the shortness
of time allowed by the seconds for firing,
saying that he did not think he could dis
charge his pistol in the time specified. Ran
dolph misunderstood the remark, ana con-
sidereG it indicative of a determination on
the part of Mr.. Clay to inflict fatal wound.
"He has determined" he wrote In pen
ciled note to Benton, ''to get time to kill
me. May not then disable himG Yes,
if please"
The men were placed. The pistols were
discharged. Both were remarkably well
aimed, and each bullet came within few
inches of its mark. Col. Benton instantly
went forward aud offered to mediate be-
tween them. Mr.. Clay waved his hand, as
though putting away a trihe, and said
"rhis il ohild's nlay | demand another