River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1872-09-13
De Witt Clinton His Duel with John
SMart wont.

Ut Nill AAlItVn-ulr lJuti WIN aOAAh
SwartH0ut. X
If you wish TO know what manner Of
young man De Witt Clinton was, you
have only to read the official report OF
the duel which he fought in 1902 with
John Swartwort, at Weehawken. Clin-
ton was then opposing Aaron Burr, and
Swartwout ACCUSED him Of being &C.
tuated in. his opposition only by per.
sonal and selfish motives.
"He3is & lisrs scoundrel, and a
villain" exclaimed the hot-headed
Clinton.
A challenge followed, and the duel
vas fought. suppose that ID was the
most,Temarkable affair Of the kind that
ever occurred--out of Ireland. The
first fire doing no harm to either an
tagonist, one OF the seconds asked
Swartwout:
Are you satisfied, sir?"
b am mott said he, with more blunt
ness than courtesy.
They fired a second time without
effect.
" Are you satisfied, sir2' asked the
second
"Now Numbered Swartwout.
The men fired a third time without
effect, when the same gentleman again
politely asked Mr.. SwartTout if he was
satisfied. ueI
(" i am not was the reply; neither
will | be until that apology is made
which | have demanded. Until then,
we must proceed .,
Swartwout's second then presented a
paper containing the apology demanded
Tor Clinton's signature, saying:
eve cannot spend our time in con-
versation. This paper must be signed,
or proceed" 4a
~ will not sign any paper on the
subject" said Clinton, with irmness
and dignity. 81 have no luminosity
against Mr.. Sgartwout. will willingly
shake hands, and az ee 10 meet on the
score Of former friendship"
Z The fourth fire then took place, when
Clintons ball struck his obstinate an
tagonist in the left leg below the knee.
"AIe you satisfied sir?' the wounded
man was again asked. 70.
Standing firmly at his post, he an
swered: t7A
sit is useless 10 repeat the question.
Ny determination is fixed, and beg we
may proceed"
While the surgeon was extracting the
ball rom the opposite side OF Swart-
wouts leg, Clinton again declared that
he had no luminosity against Swsltwout,
that he was sorry for what had passed,
and was williag to 90 forward, shake
hands, and bury the circumstance in
oblivion. Swarswout, however, stand
ing erect at his place, insisted upon the
written apology. A fifth time they
ired, and Clinton's ball struck his an.
,agonist in the same leg, a. little below
the former wound.
G +" Are you satisfied, sir?r asked the
second.
. ~ua not. sir = replied Sgarlwout /;
proc ed
Clinton then left his station, threw
down his pistol, and declared that he
would fight no more.
Whereupon Swartwout, turning 10
his second, asked what he should do !;
to which the second replied:
"rhere is nothing further left for
you now, but to have your wounds
dressed" ~
So the combat ended, and the two
parties returned in their barges to the
city.
Such was Clinton at thirty-three,
when he had already been a member OF
the Legislature, and was about to enter
the Senate of the United States. lie
was brave to rashness, and ambitious
beyond measure but he lived up to
the standard OF his day, and acquitted
himself of every trust with honor and
distinction.