, 1876-12-08

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ErrUg r.ilira naa thc mucnr. ana re-
.eutr,.rf n eu-Jnirrei. for. of late
vcars. ,,lfty feeling has been materially
solcfoi dovu. AMI dueling. at least in
the North. though occasionally resorted
~. has gone clean out of fashion.
The tragedy hal its origin in journal
ism. Matthew l.. Davis, noted news
paper man Of the time, lifelong friend
Of Burr, and the writer Of the memoirs
fehe ex-Vico President, was tie Wash
ington correspondent of the New York
Courier and Eagzire-, over the sigma
ture Of The Spy in Washington" He
made, in one Of his letters, distinct
charges Of corruption against some Con-
gresham, without naming him, and, as
he had the reputation of veracity and
earefulness OF statement, and was the
accredited representative at the National
Capital of the London Times, the mat
ter was brought before the House, and
Davis summoned to give evidence. An
exciting debate followed. Some Of the
Congressman violently assailed all jour
nails and journalists, denouncing them
as malignant, mendacious, and totally
unscrupulous. Jonathan Cilley, of
Maine. Democrat, was very severe on
James Watson Webb, editor of the
Courier and Enquirer, then the leading
Wing organ of the metropolis and of
the Republic. Webb, having been in
the army, and being fighting man both
by profession and practice, felt bound
to notice the attack, and posted down to
Washington forthwith.
Through his friend, William J.
Graves, strong Wing member from
Kentucky. he demanded either retrac-
ton or satisfaction, according to the
code. That was the general belief, but
the editors friends said that he simply
asked in courteous terms for an expla-
nation Of the language used on the floor
of the House. Those who know Webb
think that he could not have been very
cool or amiable on such an occasion, for
impetuousity and hot-headedness have
always been among his marked traits.
When Graves presented the communi-
cation Of his principal, Cilley objected
to receiving it, asking time to consider.
Soon after he declined fatty, assuming
in conversation with Graves that he
could not be held responsible for Ian
guage used in debate; that he intended
no discourtesy to Graves, and that, as
Graves understood him, he had no idea
of rejecting on Webb's character or
standing as a gentleman. After sepa-
rating, Graves addressed note to Gil
ley, requesting him to put in writing
the subject of their conversation. The
request was complied with, except any
allusion to Webb's standing or charac-
ter, which he tCilley) neither affirmed
nor denied. Graves regarded this as
equivocal. and, inasmuch as he had al
ready reported the nature of the confer
ence as he understood it, he also consid-
cred it an implied impeachment of his
word. Consequently, Graves sent
another note. referring to the point
mentioned, and requiring that such
point should be covered.
Cilley adhered to his position. re-
marking that he could not allow himself
to be catechised on the point in ques-
ton. Whereupon, Graves, through his
friend, Henry A. Wise, as the law Of
the duello demanded, sent peremptory
challenge. Cilley promptly accepted.
naming as weapons, rifles, and as dis
lance, hundred PAGES. The greatest
secrecy was observed, because It was
known that Webb had declared that the
duel should not take. place; that the
fight was his, not Graves, and that Gil
ley must meet him IN the field. Webb
made the most strenuous exertions to
prevent the meeting, and believed that
1t had been postponed for at least sew
eral days. he had no idea, it is said,
that it would occur on the day it did oc-
cur until about ten O'Clock on the
morning Of the Path, when, getting an
intimation to such effect, he set out for
Bladensburg, Md.-six miles from the
city, and the usual dueling ground.
with two friends, armed to the teeth,
and resolved to prevent the meeting, be
the consequences what they might. Not
finding the combatants, the editor and
his riendSreturned to town, and, hear
ing that the Graves and Cilley party had
gone in another direction, they went
thither in hot haste. Again disappoint-
ed, they again came back, and renewed
their attempt to discover the bellige-