The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-03-02
DUELs THAT DIDN'T COME OFF
Why Clay Wanted TO Fight John q. Adams
Randolph Posted by Gen. wilkinson.


To THE EDITOR OF THE SUN-Sh: There
is no doubt. think. that Henry Clay once sent a
hostile message to John Quincy Adams. Tho
facts are given on the authority Of an acquaint-
anco. who was formerly an officer in our navy,
and personally cognizant Of the circumstances.
In the year 1914. some time in February. tho
sloop-of-war John Adams, Capt. Samuel Angus,
in which vessel my informant was mdship-
man nj tho time sailed from New York for the
North ofEuropc. having on board as passenger
the Hon. Henry Clay. ono Of the Commissioners
who were to negotiate the treaty Of Client John
Quincy Adams and Jonathan Russell. tho other
Commissioners. Joined the ship in Europe and
she proceeded to her destination. which was
Gutenberg. in Sweden. Clay suffered much
from sea sickness. while Adams and Kusscilcx-
one nno day, the two last named gentlemen.
Wishing tO while away the timc prevailed on
Mr.. Clay to accompany thcm up into the Fore
top. where they had arranged - nave MIN SUD
looted to the Old sea custom. taking his chnicc
between paying his footing and h'ing made, n
spread caslc--i. r.. tied To the rigging uhtil ne
complied. The toll demanded 10y the sailors in
such cascs Is n bottle of erog.
The three diplomats arrived safely In the
ton Nessrs. Clay and Adams going through the
"Iubber's hole" and Mr. Russell, who had been
sailor. over the bullock shrOuds In thc
mean time the topmen, who had been dulV ad-
viscd Of the joke. pounrcd upon the thr@e
adventurous. and. made them iast 20 me
WVuflrr MrNHrN.
submitted quietly. promised 70 pay their loot
ing. and were at once released hut Mr.. Gay re-
sisted vigorously, became stubborn ana lndlg-
nant. and could not br induced To promise any
thing His companions left him tied 10 the rug
l,ing and reached tho deck. CAPT. Angus;
.arnng whqt wal gong A. Hsnin,{ 1r1 nonn
down in u towering rage. and an angry scene
followed H. could not b. pcrsuaded 10 ' COX
n serious rupture between himself Capt. Angus:
and the other two gentlemen. With Mr, Russell
he became reroncicd after time bnt no, 80
| with Mr.. Adams, to whom, It wns belleyei on
| board the ship, he sent chnllcng" u nght u
duel. No hostile meeting took place, however.
! hut on their arrival at Gutenberg the gentle-
| mon went 10 diff' rent hotels.
| This affair had "A worry tragic ending. involv-
| Ing thc death Of the gallant Capt. Angus. who
! WIS as implacable when offended as any man !
ever know, and was acquainted with him from
| my bOyhood, caused complaint To pc rAh' 70
| the Secretary of the Navy against the captain
| for "unwarrf utahle conduct In permitting and
conniving nj the aforesaid insult To official dlg
! nifty" Capt. Angus replied discourteously. and
| was suspended. He rclolncd. ana was hrf'sr'
the Navy. This drew from the unfortunate
| sailor an angry remonstrance; ana, under th'
| excitement Of what he deemed gross injustice
| unhappy controversy 10y committing suicide
AT the time he was in command OF the Brook
Thnt John Randolph tho old virginian gen
tlcrnan. whose adhesion to the code was u mat
ter OF faith. should have once refused ch,l
lcnge may seem almost as incredible ~ tn
conduct Of Mr.. Clay on the OCCASION alluded to
yet that IL the fact. On the 3lst Of December
1907. MIR. Randolph. then member Of Congress
introduced and rcud certain documents relatlv
- the conduct Of Gen james Wnkinann d
command Of the army NJ the time OF Aaro
Burrs conspiracy. charging wilkinson wit
having betrayed las trust and with having De-"
in the uay OF the King OF spain. Mr.. landolp
also called on Mr.. Clark of New Orleans. Ia
father 81 Mrs. Myra Clark Gaines and mem
| Der Of the House. who he said. WIS able. u con
peol to give stu more damniug gvideu ''
! and concluded 10y moving that the Pr"sidrf
! OF the United Stntes De requested to @uus
an inquiry To- bee made into the cOndu'
Of Gen. Wilkinson. The result Of this accuse
! ton is n mnttcr u history; but not SO We
known Is an incident connected with IL whic
accounts for the invctcruc ran or v III wine
Randolph followed up his startling disclosure
Wilkinson scnt friend to Randolph. complain
INK Of tho injury done ~ his reputation aud d'
mandin- salts faction. The next day Mr. linl
dolph returned an answer. declaring his h'li'
In tho truth IL tn" charges against Nilknsol
and concluding IN the following words:
you. sir. can recognize no right 10 hold me a.
cCuntahlc for my public or private opinion
your character that would not subject me- 10 n
equal claim from Col. Burr or Sergeant Dui
hlgh. | cannot descend To- your level This
my final answer Wilkinson posted Rand0lI
as prrvaricating. base. eliminating scou
! drel. uoitroon. and coward The haugh
Nir-inian treated this performance with scnr
and the -nne day retaliatci by exposing all
knew Of MilkinsOns dupiicity. Il.