Dallas herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1849-1873, 1872-11-09
THERANDOLpH.CLAY DUEL.


An old Story Retold-The Localities
Famous in the Randolph-Clay Due
in 1926.
"The Doctor" who writes graph
ic letters to tho Pittsburg Chroni
Gle from this city, in his last letter
tells the story Of the duel fought
near tho Little Falls, a short dis
stance above Georgetown, on the
sth of April, 1925, between Henry
Clay and the celebrated John Ran
dolph, of Roanoke Theletter also
mentions several localities, familiar
to Washingtonians, as having be-
come memorable during the trans,
action.
The duel occurred on the Sth day
of April, 1926, during the admins.
tration of John Quincy Adams, 4C
years ago. Aside from its impor-
tancc M q memorable incident OF
other days, it is envolopcd in a
mantle of memories and associa-
tons that will ovor.kcep it fresh in
the minds OF the citizens Of the
Capital.
The quarrel grew out of what
was known as tho "Panama mis-
sion," which was an Administra-
ton measure, pushed by such
means as was available to the Exc
cutive. 1t had for its object the
assembling of the American States
of Spanish origin, the American
Government to place itself at the
head. The emission" was to con.
vene at the Isthmus Of Panama,
which was the connecting link Of
the two Americas.
Mr.. Randolph charged that the
letter Of General Sulzar, the Moxi-
can Minister at Washington, to the
President, inviting "tho mis-.
sion, was manufactured here, and
his denunciatory language contain
ed the cpithets "Puritan" and
"blackIeg.
Mr.. Clay interpreted the speech
as charging Kim with forging or
originating the; Salazar letter, and
identified himself as tho party to
whom Mr. Randolph applied the
term 'blaclleg, and Mr.. Adams as
the prescribed Puritan
The challenge occurred immodi.
ately after the uttcrance Of the Of
fensive words, and General Jesup
was the bearer Of it.
THE Doctor" continues
MIR. Randolph wanted some gold
pieces to givo to his seconds and
Colonel Benton as kcepsalses, in
case of y fatal result, and he des-
patched his faithful servant, Johny'
to the United.S Estates Branch Bank,
OH the corner of Fifteenth street
and Pennsylvania Aveano,in which
he kept his account. Tho same
banking house, but little changed,
is now occupied by Riggs & Co.
The servant returned with the m
swcr that the bank had no gold.
His personal intercst.in the hostile
encounter that was to take place
within the hour did not restrain
his resentment.
In the shrill tone peculiar to him
he screamed forth his denuncia-
tions, and, mounting his horse, rode
down Pennsylvania avenue to the
bank, Johnny following at tho
regulation distance, forty spaces in
the rear. Arrived a. tho bank, he
throw down his checks for the
amount Of his deposit, over four
thousand dollars. The teller offer
ed him packages Of currency, which
he Indignantly declined, and dc.
money with an emphasis
that was startling. INN ediatoly
box after box of coin was placed
upon the counter.
At this iuncturo the cashier step
ped forward and told Mr.. Randolph
that the message conveyed by the
was mistake; the bank
had gold, and he could have what
he wanted.
The matter being thus adjusted,
there was time for no further de-
lay in proceeding 20 the field of
conflict.
The original determination of
Mr.. Randolph, not TO fire at Mr..
Clay, was changed, and this is the
Of it: 1t had been
agreed between the seconds that the
words 'ono, two, three, fire,
should be given in quick success
sion, in order to reduce the result,
as nearly as possible, TO chance.
Mr.. Clay objected 10 this, because
not being accustomed to ihespistol,
he might not be able to fire within
the time. Mr.. Randolph construed
this objection to be a desire TO pro-
long the preparatory words, in or
der to get time to liillshim, ,''and he
therefore felt justified in returning
the fire, that he might disable Mr.
Clay.
Tho moment for placing the men
had arrived. They approached and
courtcously saluted each other.
They were stationed on line east
and west-a small stump behind
Mr.. Clay a low, grave!ly bank in
the rear of Mr.. Randolph. The lat
ter stood holding his pistol in his
hand, the muzzle towards the
ground, when it prematurely eN-
ploGsd. The annoyance to Mr..
Randolph was very great, and he
reminded his second that he had
demonstrated against the hair trig-
ger. Mr.. Clay, with consummate
delicacy, remarked that the fire
was clearly accidental.
The discharged pistol WIS re-
placed by loaded one. The word
was givcn. Both wea3ons were