The times., 1897-12-05

yaftlS south, commodore Barney, with his
marines and artillery. had effectaa.ly
checked the advance OF tie British. who
had no artillery, but not being supported,
he was flanked By the Britishsha rpshootcrs,
wounded and captured. When l Visited
the ground the small birGs were fit ing
about, and robin on tree ear by po Ted
forth his song seemingly for my special
qualification and approx a., and there vas
no evidence of war, or tEat men hail there
been settling private quaTeIs by TIE Use
of arms. Amid a scene so quiet and peace
full, IL was difficult TO ocnceiS e that it ha d
witnessed the contests of armies or Of in
Gividual men, or Ifat lives so precious 10
their relatives and their country had been
so needlessly sacrificed there.
The duel 5etween William j. Graves and
Jonathan Cilley, fought on the 24th Of
February, 1885, created as great If lot
greater excitement throughout the coun.
try than that between Aaron Burr and
Alexander Hamilton. It grew ont of the
fierce conflict OF parties during Jackson s
laSt Administration, and which continued
and gathered force during the Adr:inis
tration Of Van Buren,. There was ahso-
lutely 10 reason for duel. CiiIey he
lieved that he was made the object Of
attack because lac was from New Eng
land, and it was thought Il New England
man would not fight as the people of that
section CT the country were opposed To
duellih". He was determined to do every
thing possible to avoid meeting, but
be would not Shirk q contest if one were
forced upon him. The leading Wings of
the laweI House were fierce and over
probably not far wrong.
writer in the New York Courier and
Enquirer charged corruption against "a
member of Congress" 1t transpired that a
Senator MAS meant and not a Represent.
ative. When Henry A. Wise introduced
a resolution into the House looking TO
the investigation OF the writer's state
ments he knew the charge involved
Senator alone, and thai the House would
not investigate the charges against a Sen
ator. IN the course Of his remarks advo.
eating the adoption Of the resolution. Wise
said the editor Of the paper, ames Watson
Webb. vonchej for the truthful character
OF the writer. Ciiley opposed the passage
Of the resolution, and in the course OF his
remarks said il the editor mentioned was
the "same editor who had Cnce made grave
charges Gainst an institution OF the
country tmcaning the United states Bank
and afterward was said TO have received
money to the amount OF So, 900 from the
same institution and gave it his hearty
support, ne did not think his charges en-
titled to muvh credit in an a American Con
greSs." This statement made by Cilley
in regard To Webb's action was reported
by committee OF former House which
had investigated the matter.
Webb addressed a note to Cilley in
regard to his remarks Graves was the
bearer of this note, which Ciley declined
to receive. Graves stated that after the
conversation between him anil Ciley
when Webb's note was rendered and de-
clined, il occurred to liIn that he ought
to have Cilley state the reas sons for his
declining to receive Webb's note ia writing
He spoke TO Cilley about IL aud Cilley
suggested that Graves address / i'm Il note
stating what he wished and that he would
answer it. Graves stated that there vas
no disa greement between them as to what
was said, and that he was greatly sur.
prised W hen be read Cilley's answer This
statement is contradictory to what Cilley
told his ff ends
understanding Of the reason why Cilley
declined to receive Webb's note was, that
yop could not consent to get rSelf into
personal difficulties with conductors of
public journals, for what you might thinS
proper Ia say in debate upon this floor, in
discharge Of your duties as representa-
tive Of the people, aud that you did not rest
your objection, in our intercourse, lpOn
any personal objections to Col. Webb as
gentleman"
Cilley answered that he declined to re
ceive Webb's note because l chose to be
drawn into lao controversy with him.
neither affirmed DOR denied anything in
regard TO his character; but when you ca-
marked that this course might place you
in an unpleasant situation, stated TO you.
and now repeat, that l intended by the
refusal no disrespect to you"
After delivering this note, Cilley said to
his frieT.ds tbat it would lead to a chqi-
leuge, as it was the evident intention to
make him acknowledge that Webb was \
gentleman, which he would not do. At the
same time he would not state that he di !
not regard him as a gentleman, for vhat
might make some Of his people think lac
sought duel, which he did not. He told
Senator Pierce, afterward President. that
he was certain Graves, whom he had a
high rega rd fGi, had been urged By otheTs
to insist tha6 ne should recognize Webb rs
a gentleman or force quarrel on him,
and that the correspendence would result
in challenge being sent him.
Graves. in Ills second note, said Cnley's
answer was "inexplicit, unsatisfactory and
1 4 4,,
receive Col. Webb's communication, it
does not disclaim any exception to him
personally as a gentleman. / have, there
fore, TO inquire whether you declined to
receive his communication on the ground
of any personal exception to him as a gen.
Gemsn, or a man of honor"
Ciiley answered, expressing regret that
his note was not satisfactory, and closed
by saying: But cannot admit the right
on your part to PROFOUND the question TO
which You demand q categorical an.
swer, and therefore decline any further
response 20 it,"
Graves sent Cilley a challenge by his sec
Ond, Henry A. Wise, which CilIey accepted.
George W. Jones, a member of the House
from Wisconsin, afterward Senator from
Iowa, became his second. The weapons
selected by Cilley were rifles; the distance
eighty yards. The positions were to be
determined by lot, the losing party to gil
the word After the question, ''Gentie
men, are you ready?'' neither one answer
Ing mo /" the word was to be given thus
''Fire-one, two, three, FOUR neither 10
fire before the word '4fire" nor after the
"yoro -four" The dress was to be or,!i
harry winter clothing, either party having
the right to examine the clothing Of Ihe
other The meeting to take place at
m. OF the day stated. The meeting did
not take place at 1 H. but after 8 p. m,