Chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Geo.) 1838-1838, April 07, 1838, Image 1
' : m ■ * - -- ■- •"-' • ~ 1 1— " ~ " - ■" JI" L—r?.' -■ -L- . m m- LI ————————--
M Wiuua E. JOKES. AltilSTA, «EO., SATURDAY IS3S. [Tri-Vi,-,W>.J-Vol. 11.-Ko 49.
I Published
)AII,Y, TRI-WEEKLY AND WEEKLY,
.it .Vo. Broad Street.
ernis.—Daily paper, Ten Dollars per annum
dvam«. Tri-weekly paper, at Six Dollars in
nice or seven at the end of llie year. Weekly
er,three dollars in advance, or (our at the end
he year.
HRONICLE AND SENTINEL.
AUGUSTA.
Friday Morning, April G.
Volunteer Toasts at the Dinner given to the
•gates to the Merchants' Convention.
Jy W Winslow, of Fayetteville—The Hon
>rge McDuffie—ln whom is embodied the
ional characteristics of North Carolina ; stern
:grity and Roman virtue; such a man North
rolina would delight to honor.
3y Judge Longstreet—The Hon Robert Y
yne —The man to whom his political oppo
its ascribe the best of hearts, and his political
mils the best of heads.
los L Allyn, Esq, of Norfolk—The People of
gusta —The sentiments expressed by them
s evening are worthy of themselves.
By J T Soutlcr, of Virginia—Thomas Butler
og—A son of whom Georgia may well be
By Mr Stiles, of Savannah—The Commercial
lependence of the South—May the excitement
leraled by the idea propel to irresistible pcrse~
ancc in its pursuit.
By M C Mordccai—Augusta and her citizens
i’ho one may bo the boast of the other—both
te admired for the hospitality and beauty
ilch respectively characterise them.
firl John Hill—The Stale of Tennessee—tho’
t represented, she nobly responded to the euU
the South in granting the charter of the South
extern Bank—tho only practicable plan yet
ggested to equalise the exchanges of the South
By A L King, of Brunswick—The city of
■gusta —her beauty is only surpassed by the
spitality of her citizens.
By Thomas J Kerr, of Charleston—The chiv.
■J pry of the South—may it soon bo equalled by
cnterprisc-
I By Joshua Hill—Tho infant city of Bruns
| .jMwick —Whore nature has lavished her gifts, let
j 3miot envy or Jealousy attempt to mar her fair
fllereationi.
By U Walton — The Hon John C Calhoun—
(l ‘ “Until he cease to love the South, let others do as
they may, I will honor tho most intellectual, if
IJ«Hot the most successful politician of the age.
By John Lamar, of Macon—The South—May
IB ahe never enter again the list of President making
IBtintil she is uhtied from all shackles, nor support
■ any one who is not like Cassar’s wife, even beyond
■ Suspicion with regard to Southern institutions.
Many other toasts wore given which we have
■ been unable to obtain.
§ From Florida.
$ The Savanhah Georgian of Wednesday last
I tays: “By the arrival of the steamer Forrester,
■ from Garey’s Ferry, we learn that on the 28lh
I ult, about sundown, two citizens of Florida
I 'named Thomas Cochran and J Hogan were
I killed about 1J miles from Micanopy. by a party
I oflndians.
3 A portion of the troops at that post, under the
I command of Lieut. Soley, on hearing the whoops
I and firing of the Indians, left the fort in pursuiti
I but weie only successful in finding one of the
f BjM bodies, it being tod dark to pursue their search.
• RB They intended to prosecute it next morning.
_jß Taiee others of our cilliens 4rc reported to have
» been wounded, elsewhere, by the Indians,
»■ ■ S
” Chattahoochee Rail RbAd and Banking
[Company.
The Columbus Sentinel of df arch 29, states
that “the stockholders in this Company held
a meeting ort the 24th inst.; when it appeared
that shares of slock were subscribed
for, and that 8,465 shares were present and
represented. The Company then proceeded
to elect seven Directors, rind the following
gentlemen were duly elected, by ballot; James
Watson, James S. Calhoun, James R.
rt W. H. Mitchell, Nicholas Howard'
*4 BRjohn L. Lewis, and John 'V. Campbell. On
I the same day the following officers^,-ere elec
ted: James C. Watson, President; Wiley
Williams, bashier; Allen G. Bass, Teller;
and John E- Davis, Book-keeper.”
Samuel Swartwout, Esq., retired from the
office of Collector of the Customs of New.
York, on the 29th ult. Jesse Hoyt, Esq., is
appointed to succeed Mr. Swartwout.
Tu* Four Buutiishs Jones.—The Louisville
Journal states that these men, the murderers ot
(heir uncle Col. Ward are about engaging Henry
Clay and Daniel Webster, to defend their cause,
at a fee of five thousand dollars each.
[rnOH OCR CORRESPONDENT.]
WASHINGTON, March 29.
The people in every part of the country are
•peaking out on the momentous questions of the
currency. “Though the untried expedient” has
been withdrawn from the attention of tho Senate,
and been sent to the trnnb of the Capulels, by
the House, the memorials against it continue to
pour in.
Mr WEBSTER lo Hay offered a great num
ber of petitions remonstrating against the pas
sage of any such measure, and praying tor the
establishment of a National Bank. They were
referred to the Finance Committee.
Mr Fulton presented the joint resolution ol
the Legislature of that Stale, instructing their
Senators, and requesting their representatives to
use their exertions to procure the establishment
of the boundary line between the Territory of the
Baited Elates and that of the Texi.m Republic
,ity f *feircd lo the Committee on Foreign Relations
fj The act providing for giving effect to the treat)
— w kh Spain 1819 was taken up and passed.
* etl H 1C m aking appropriations for tho con
slruclion of roads in Wisconsin was taken up
l,c liiiH Bn<l a st «r a brief discussion was ordered to lx
j£’l' ,n 8 to ssed and read a third time.
H Cn motion of Mr. Walker the Senate procecdci
H 16 consideration of the bill reported some lim
ego, for reducing and graduating the price of the
putitic lands, and after some time spent upan it,
it was laid aside informally, and the hill for sup
pressing the practice of lluclling was taken up
which was debated to a late hour without any
decision thereon. The Senate then went into
Executive session.
fn the House to-day Mr. Ingham from the
Committee on Naval Allans, reported a hill to
provide for extending and improving the Navy
Yard at Brooklyn (Now York) and for the con
struction of a Dry Dock in that place. Read
twice and committed.
Mr. Howard olfered a resolution making the
Bill providing for the satisfaction of claims due
to certain American citizens for spoliation com
mitted on their commerce prior to the 3J of July
1810, the special order of the day for Friday
and Saturday the 13th and 14th of April, at the
hour of one o’clock. The motion requited a vole
of two thirds. The ayes weto 79 the nays 63
so the resolution was rejected.
Mr. Lincoln from the Committee on Public
Buildings and gro nd reported a bill providing
for the removal of the Walls ot the Treasury
Building now on the course of erection and for
the erection of a Fire Proof Buildings for iho
Post Omoa Department. This measure provides
that the Treasury .building bo taken down, and
that the materials be applied to the erection of a
Fire Proof building on the site of the Post Of
fice Building heretofore destroyed by lire, and it
appropriates $ 160,000. Bead twice and 'com
mitted.
The resolutions of Mr Johnson, of Maryland,
providing for the distribution of certain portions
of the public domain among the old Slates for the
purposes of public education and which had been
heretofore under discussion, as the unfinished
business of the morning hour, was icferred on
motion of Mr. Lawler to the Committee of the
Whole. Mr. L. gave as his reason lor this mo
tion, that the resolution of Mr. Johnson required
much more discussion than could possibly be giv
cn to it during the morning hour.
The Speaker laid before the House a commu
nication from the Secretary of the Treasury ttans
-1 milting i. statement of the amount of Treasury
Notes issued under the authority of the lata act
of Congress—the amouht Os the same received in
payment of Public dues—the amount of money
received on account of Customs—of public lands,
&c. laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
[• The House on motion of Mr. Catnbreling then
resolved into Committee of the Whole, and took
up and considered in succession the hills making
appropriations for the Army—for the Navy and
naval service—for the Cumberland Hoad, all of
which were reported to the House, and the first
(the Army Bill) pAased; and sent to the Senate
for concurrence.
WASHINGTON, March 3C
In the Senate, a number of memorials were
presented remonstrating against the annexation
. of Texas to the Union. Laid on the table.
, IUTIOJUJC, AKMOIIt.
Mr ALLEN, of Ohio, presented a communi
cation from the Governor of that Stale, enclosing
a copy of certain resolutions adopted by its Le
gislature, setting lorlh the particular advantages
of Ohio for a National Mr A. ro
nVitked that the Committee on Military Affairs,
; having determined to leave the selection of a pro
-1 per site for the National Armory, to the discre
tion of the Executive, h? would merely move
for the reading of tho resolution, and that they
bo printed and laid on the table.
Mr LINN rose and passed a glowing eulo
gium on the fitness of the State of Missouri lor
the purposes in question. She had within a cir
cuit of 24 miles all that was necessary for a
1 Foundry or Armory—tho iron in mountains—
the copper—the zinc—the alum—the water pow«
er—more advantages than any other part of the
world.
Mr ALLEN asked whether the State of Mis.,
souri did not produce from its soil ready mad*
muskets, and ordinance!
Mr BENTON—Yes sir,—w« have cannon—
hall river!
GENEUAL API-KOmIXTIOIf BILL.
1 Mr WRIGHT gave notice that ho would to
morrow call up for its final passage the Bill
flora the House making appropriations for the
Civil and Diplomatic expenses of the Govern
ment.
! The Army Appropriation Bill was icceived
from the House, read twice, and referred to the
Committee on Finance'.
I The Senate then proceeded to the consideration
of private bills,
s house of ukpuf.if.stativeß.
1 Mr FAIRFIELD and ciDers, by leave, presen
. ted a number of memo'i'als on the late duel, which
were offered to the Select Committee on that sul> I
I je#t.
1 Mr CAVURELING, from the Committee on 1
I Wavs *ud Means, reported a bill making appro- I
prisii'ons for presently suppressing Indian hosti- '
’ titles for the year 1833, and for the arrearages of I
1837. Read twice and committed. 1
Mr SERGEANT,by leave, presented certain
joint resolutions from the Legislature of Penn- 1
sylvania oh the subject of a dty dock. Referred 1
1 to the Committee on Naval Affairs, and ordered 1
• to he printed.
r The House proceeded to the consideration of
tho resolution heretofore offered by Mr Hopkins,
’ providing for tho appointment of a select com
mittee to investigate the abuses existing in the
administration of the Legislative branch of the
' Federal Government: and report on the proprie
■ ty of divorcing by public law, the Government
j from the public press. Some debate followed,
and the question was not taken when the House
passed to the orders of the day, being the consi
c deration of private bills.
,1 The House have just refused to reconsider the '
vote by which they passed the bill for the relief
t of the heirs of Robert Fulton. Mr Ogden Hoff
man, the distinguished New York Barrister,
made a most eloquent appeal in behalf of the
claimants which enchained the attention of the
delighted auditory.
The Senate have adjourned over to Monday,
But the House sits to.morrow.
It is reported and believed in well-informed
e circles that Mr Stevenson is toon to return from
'* the Court ol St James, and lake the office of
*’ Secretary oftlicNavy—and that Mr Woodbury
is to go to England in his place—and that Ken
u dall is to be made Secretary of tho Treasury—
and that Senator Grundy is to be made Post
Master General
The Supreme Court having decided against
Amos Kendall in the case of Stockton and
Stokes, and in favor of the jurisdiction of the
Circuit Court, the latter to day issued a peremp
j lory mandamus against that refractory person,
returnable on Tuesday next. Having the fear
)t of the Marshal and of a prison before his eyes
the “Jack in office" has agreed to pay Messrs
Stockton and Stokes tho full amount awarded to
’ them, M.
s, 1
y From fht .V 1 Cour (f Enqirer , March 29.
Later from France.
*• The Havre packet ship Utica, Capt Pell, ar-
P; rived yestordiy. She sailed on the 26th ultimo,
and brings Paris papers as late as the preceding
, day
;d We ind nothing in them worth extracting.
10 On the (subject of the Canadian troubles, the
I piess in France displays the moat egregious ig
noranco. The proclamation of Sutherland pui
xles them excessively. In alluding to one signed
by him “as llrigndier General, commanding the
3d division of the Patriot army of Upper Cana
da,” the Ounstilutinnel says, II exists done tine
Ire division. “There is then a lirst division"
and goes on to express the opinion in opposition
to the general tenor dY the English press, that the
English Government will find it a difficult task
to subdue the malcontents. Our Gaallic con
temporary will be astonished to find that both
first and second division never had any exist
ence save on paper. Hut the most ridiculous
-tory in connection with this subject propagated
by the Continental press, is that of the Russian
Government had caused the revolt in Lower Ca
nada.
The accounts from Spain are so confused that
it is impossible to glean from them any informa
tion than that the civil war rages there with as
little probability of a termination as ever.
From the address of the French chamber of
Deputies to the King, wegive the following lians
lation irt commendation Os the United States
Hank.
The system of circula'ion that we earnestly
wish to see established in France is not a new
one. It exists in England, hut it is in North
America that the late hank of the United Stales
had brought it to the last degree of perfection.
Its bills were payable at all its branches and in
the greatest part of the other banks, whose lulls
it also received as currency, thus nothing was ea
sier than the transportation of money from one
place to another. In a word, life liquidation of
exchanges in all the parts of the Union was ef
fected in the most simple anil , conotnical manner
MR. WISE’S ADDRESS.
[From the Richmond Compiler of the ICtA iust.]
TO MY CONSTITUENTS.
I was second to Mr. Graves, in his lute duel
with Mr. Gilley- Its catastrophe has brought up
on me much odium and reproach. Your repre
sentative is accountable to you for his personal,
as well as his political, conduct; for by it he is
worthy of you, or you are dishonored. I owe
you an explanation, then, and 1 make it must
chnetfully, because I know thatyou wonld gladly
receive my vindication.
Judge me, then; you have the right. For
what’—Murderl No. All the false witnesses
who pander for passion or prejudice could not
convince you that lam a murderer. For disho
nor? Worse than murder! The certificate of
Mr. Gilley’s second will assure you that ho look
not the least exception to my course. For par
ticipating in a duel, then—my own or that of
another—at all! For that you should judge me.
That is my offence. I admit it' anil all J can
dare ask is, that you will judge mo fairly, accor
ding to that public sentiment which prevails
among yourselvas.
Why act as second for another, where there
was no obligation to acll There was an obliga
tion. I never acted as second for a friend but
with two motives; first, to be in a position to re
concile itis difference if 1 could; second, to guard
Iris honor and his life, if I could not—l felt
bound to do this for a friend in this instance. 1
especially have been so situated as to compel me
to admit this obligation; for, as I have often told
you, my protection, in the discharge of my du
ties to you here, his depended upon rny own
trusty weapon, and a trusty friend, upon whom I
have been daily liable to call to discharge the
same obligation to me. Mr. Graves is one upon
whom I would have culled; and I felt obliged to
do for him what I would have called on him to
do for me
But, though competent to guard his honor and
his life, was I competent to reconcile his differ
ence! It is said that 1 myself was hostile to his
antagonist. If so I may have been incompetent.
But I solemnly deny that I was hostile to Mr.
Gilley. God knows whether 1 did not feel far
more sympathy for him than many who pretend
to deplore his fate. There had been a slight mis
understanding between us lit debate, which pas
sed off with the moment, and left not the trace
of animosity behind. True, there was never be
fore or after that occasion, any intimacy between
us, because we were never acquainted; but I was
purely and proudly conscious of no malice to
wards that man, or I never could have consented
to bear him a challenge. But, hostile to him or
not, and though hostility might have piomptcd
to incite another to seek his life—dark, and deep,
and deadly hale mud that have been!—yet—my
conduct proves that I did earnestly endeavor to
prevent the shedding of bis Mood, by reconciling
bis difference with my friend; and the history of
the tragedy proves that not only I, but two other
gentlemen, ol known character and standing, who
were never accused of hostility to him, and who
might have overruled rne by their voices and in
fluence, could not reconcile tliat difference, or pre
vent its result. That history I ndw submit to
you as I shall detail it under the solemn sanction
of an oath; to a committee of Congress now in
vestigating the causes which led to Mr. Gilley’s
death. The report of that committee I will send
to you as soon as it is made and printed. This
statement supplies what the joint statement of
Mr. Jones and myself omits, and that which it
could not contain, because ha could not vouch
for what I alone or others than himself knew.
And I send this in advance of the report of the
committee, to arrest in the midst of extraordina
ry excitement, that torrent of defamation which
is now pouring from the vials of the wrath of
those who would delight to destroy my reputation
and Usefulness as a public servant. I send it to
suspend your judgment until I can bo ('ally heard;
to prevent you from blushing for me, until I am
put to shame by the truth; and to slay your con
demnation until I am fairly convicted by credi
ble evidence.
STATEMENT.
The Uon. Jonathan Cilley, a lale member of
the House of Representatives, fell in a duel with
the Hon. Wm. J. Graves, fairly fought between
the hours of 3P. M.and 4 P. M. sa|urd;y, , ne
2411 i day of February, 1838, the challenge of
which he freely accepted, and the terms of which,
as to lime, place, weapons and distance, he him
self, or his friends for him, prescribed.
As to the causes which led to this duel, I am
not the most competent witness. I presume that
the Hon. Wm. J. Graves himself can inform the
committee belter >han any one else, from the na
ture of the case, of the facts and influence wbieh
operated on him to call Mr. Gilley to the field.
I was wholly ignorant of the fact that Mr. G.
bore, or was about to bear a note from Gol. Webb
to Mr. Gilley. I never saw that note until the
26th of February, two days after the duel. Un
the 21st of Fobiuary, Mr. Graves informed me
that ho had borne a note to Mr. Cilley from Co
lonel Webb, calling for explanation. 1 rebuked
him for having done so, upon the ground that his
own previous relations with Colonel Webb did
not justify the latter in imposing upon him such
an office and its responsibilities. Ho feplied,
that Mr. Cilley had lateen lime to give him an
I answer, and we separated after a very short inter
j view.
, j Afterwards, Mr. Graves called me out from my
; seat in the House,and informed me that he had
seen Mr. Gilley again, and then for the first time,
detailed to me what Mr. Ctlley’had said in sub
e stance, verbally, during their interviews That
- . J.- - , 1 _ M.l ■ I !!■!
"in declining to receive llio note, 1 e liu, , ii
would not lie thought disrespectful lo Inin,
Graves;) that he declined on the ground that tin
i could not eminent to be involved in personal dif
ficulties with conductora of public journals for
what he had thought proper to suy in debate up
on the floor; and that he did not decline upon any
personal objections to Col, Webb aw a gentleman.”
Mr Graves asked whether 1 thought that answer
satisliictoryl I replied, that it certainly was sat
isfactory that the reasons for declining to receive
the note were very proper; that no more could bo
asked; and that all he had lo do was, to return
the nolo to Col. Webb, with this answer of Mr.
Cilley. Ho said, Mr. Gilley’s answer was vci
bal, merely; that to prevent any error in stating
it lo Colonel Weblr, and lo avoid all controversy
with Mr. Cilley, in regard lo its substance or
terms, he would gel him to pul it in writing.
And he left me, as I thought, for the purpose of
obtaining from Mr, Cilley a wiilteu answer, 1
returned to my sent, and neither saw nor heard
any of the interviews between Mr. Cilley and Mr.
Graves, nor do I know when or where they oc
curred, or what transpired at them, except what 1
have been since told by Mr. Graves,
On the morning of the 28d, Mr. Graves infor
med me that be bad called on Mr. Cilley and
requested him to put his answer in willing; that
Mr. Cilley had requested him first lo addioss him
(Mr. Cilley) a note, inquiring of him whni he had
said; that he had written to him a note, (the first
in their correspondence ) and handed it to him in
person; and that for answer be hud received the
first note of Mr. Cilley, w(licit bo then exhibited
to me. Mr. Graves was highly incense.'* at the
tenor of this note, and 1 confess that it greatly
surprised me after what Mr. Graves told mo lie
had said verbally in their interviews. Mr. Graves
legarded the note
First: As denying what hr had alleged to his
friends, Mr. Cilley had said to him in conversa
tion.
Secondly ; As contemptuous and insulting to
Col. VVehh, whose note he had borne.
Thirdly : As placing Mr. Graves himself in
the humilitaling all'lude of supplication .to him
(Mr. Cilley) lo relieve him (Mr. from
"an unpleasant situation.”
Fourthly : As saying, in effect, "1 do not re.
cognize Col. Webb to boa gentleman, sir, but I
respect you as one;” thereby inviting Mr. Graves
to substitute himself for Col. Webb.
Such was the construction which Mr. Graves
put upon that letter, and I could not See, and can
not now, what other construction he could have
put upon it, taken in connection wilh the con
versations which he averred had passed previous
ly between them. It seemed wholly irtecoiicile.
able with, and contradictory 10, what hud passed
between them verbally. Hut, upon due conside
ration, he determined to oiler Mr. Cilley again
an opportunity lo explain, lie prepared his se
cond letter, and sent it to Mr. Cilley by the Hon.
Mr. Menefce, as he has since informed ipe. 1
know nothing of what passed between Mr. Cilley
and Mr. Menefce.
During the silling of the House on the 28d,
between the hours of 3 P. M. and 4 P. M., I
think, Mr. Graves came to ms wilh Mr. Gilley’s
reply,in which he denied the right ofMr.Graves
to propound the question in his second note, and
! requested mo lobcar lo Mr. C. a challenge, which
I ho had already written, and which ho placed in
• rny hands. 1 expressed my reluctance to ho the
i hearer; told him 1 would confer wilh him agiin
upon the subject; and returned lo my seat to at
tend to the discussion of the hill in relation lo the
disturbances on lur Canadian frontier. I addresi
ed the House that evening, soon alter which it
adjourned.
Mr. Graves walked with me from the oapitol
to my boarding house, i then repeated mv ob
jections to bo the bearer of ids challenge jand insis
ted that I would not bear it that evening; that I
wanted lime for reflection; that I could not do
that service under any circumstances, except for
an intimate friend, who would make a like sacri
fice) and incur a like responsibility for mo ; that I
regarded him as such a friend, who had in fact
shown every disposition to stand by rr.a upon try
ing occasions; but I hoped that something might
ycl be done lo avoid the alternative he had cho
sen • and that I must bo permitted to delay the
delivery of it until the next day, if 1 delivered it
at all. I prevailed on him to wait until the next
morning, when he called open me again : said
that nothing had occurred lo change his determi
nation ; took the challenge and changed its phra
acology; (I have not a copy of the first he put
into my hands, nor do I recollect Its terms ;) and
insisted that I should deliver it before the House
met, on the 23d of February. I was prevailed
on to do so ; and, accordingly, a few minutes be
fore 12 M„ on Friday the 22d, I called at Mr.
Gilley’s boarding bouse, and handed him the
paper.
When I went into the silting room at Mr.
Birth’s, 1 met a gentleman whom 1 lo ik lobe Mr.
Williams, the senator from Maine. We con
versed a few minutes, and in a short lime Mr.
Pieice, the Senator from New Hampshire, came
in, followed by Mr. Cilley. Directly after salu
ting these gentlemen, Mr. Williams first, and Mr.
Pierce soon after him, retired into an adjoining
room, leaving Mr. Cilley and myself alohe. I
informed him that I bore to him a note from Mr.
Graevs. He said, ‘‘l will receive it, sir.” I han
ded him the challenge ; ho read it, and said,
“Mr. Pierce, or some other friend, sir, will hand
Mr. Graves my answer.” I bowed, arid we part
ed. I went immediately lo ibe House, and, in
the evening, after its adjournment; Mr. Jonis
came to my room, and handed Mr. Gilley’s acep- (
tanco to Mr Craves, as described in our joint
statement. Mr. Craves, expecting to have lo ,
fight wilh pistols, had come to my room to exam- ,
ine a pair I had, and see whether they would
suit him. He bad not been practised in the use
of any weapon, ho told mo, and desired me lo have j
my pistols put in order lo go out with him next
morning, and instruct him how to use them. 1
Soon after, Mr. Jones furnished me with the
terms of the meeting, [ left my room with y, r . ,
Menefce, who had eontc i„ just as Mi. Jones and ,
I were parting, about G P. M., I think, to show
the terms to some of Mr. Grave,s friends, and lo
submit to them whether they should be accepted, ]
They were condemned as barbarous, and such
as might properly he declined ; but it was thought
that they were intended to intimidate; that the
distance was so great ate in some measure to mil- |
igate the severity of the weapon, and, therefore I
was advised that they should be accepted. In- j
deed, it was thought that the acceptance of such
terms might avoid the duel altogether, inasmuch
as the plain object ofsuch propositions was cither
to make the duel fatal, or to deter Mr. Graves 1
from accepting them ; and if the latter was the
object, the party [imposing was most likely to fly
from the terms himself.
I consented lo accept the terms reluctantly,
and, before I did accept them, I endeavoted lo
ascertain whether they could bo complied with,
by procuring a weapon within the appointed
time. I rode to four different places to inquire
wheie a fit weapon could he got, and after a
vain search for several hours, 1 went to Mr.
Jone’s room,and banded him the first note,about 9
o’clock, P. M. In that note I was particularly
to name that there should be but one ball, and to
: lessen the chances of a fatal shot, by confining ’
- i the parties to the “downward horizontal position'’ 1
until the word “fire,” thus shortening the time |
rn which they could take aim, and, not knowing
whore to get a riflo, or whether one could l>e got,
the mam of the note was to gain lim ■. 1 wish
ed to gain lime, not only to procuio a fit riflo,
hat to afl'ord an opportunity, it' possible, to pre
vent tho meeting. Indeed, 1 remarked in Mr.
Jones, verbally, that I knew of no person to
w hom I could apply will) certainty of gelling a
tried weapon in the city of Washington, and 1
expected to bo obliged 19 send to Philadelphia
lor one. Ho seemed to intimate that tha time
could not lie postponed for that purpose; said
that there must belli weapons here, and asked if
I could not procure one from the arsenal! I re
plied that I should not risk an untried riflo, ami
told him that 1 would ho obliged if ho would in
form me where a (it riflo could bo got. 1 fixed
upon the hour oil 1 A M., the next day, as the
latest period when I would inform Mr Junes
whether Mr Graves could bo ready. 1 informed
Mr Graves ut what 1 had dune, and retired to
rest.
About 2 o’clock, at night, Mr Mencfee came to
my room, awoke mo out of sleep, and informed
mo that Mr Graves’s friends had procured for
him a riflo, but, he said, it was in exceedingly
bad order. The owner of it has since told me
that it had not been used for more than eighteen
months, and it was very rusty 1 directed Mr,
Monefuo to have it cleaned as early as possible,
and that it must be tried in the morning before
Mr Gia vch’s life was hazarded on it.
Early the next morning, 1 went to the room of
dm lion Mr Hawes, whero according to appoint
ment with Mr Menefee the night previous, I ex
pected to meet Mr Graves. Not finding Mr
Graves there, I returned to Miss Queen's, my
own boarding house, to breakfast, and found dn
my table, about 8 o’clock, A M., the note of Mr
Jones, informing me that he would bo at Ur
Reilly’s until II o’clock, A M., on the 24th.
At 10 o’clock, A M., I went to Ur Reilly’s and
wrote Mr Jones a note that Mr Graves could not
he ready by I 1 M., and that 1 would inform him
by 12 M. when he could be ready. 1 was still
anxious to delay the meeting, and desirous to
throw obstacles in the way of it for that day. At
about 10i A M. 1 found Mr Graves at the arse
nel, where he wont to have the rifle cleaned,and
I saw him try it several times at a mark. He
was extremely awkwaul, shot badly, and i by no
means liked the rifle he had. 1 feared very
much the consequences of going nut with him
under sach a total want of preparation ami skill,
ami was still rilorb than eVi r anxious for delay,
ns were his other friends. Liuj on my return to
my room, abeul I AM., I found two notes
from Mr Jones, a rifle, a powder flask, with pow
der and ball in it, lying on.my table.
Tho first no,le, dated K)j A M., in reply to
mine of 10 A M., slated that Mr Jones had “the
pleasure to inform” mo that ha had "an excel
lent rifle, in good order, which was at the service
of Mr Graves.” The second note, which had
not been delayed for an answer to the first, dated
half of an hour only alter the first, tendered to
me, “for the use of Mr Graves, the rifle referred
to,” and there were the rifle and its appendages.
These notes and that rifle hastened the meeting.
1 dared delay no longer, without danger of a
taunt for cowardice. M, Graves should have
gone upon the ground, after this, under every
disadvantage, hut he should nut have used the
rifle sent him, because, though “an ex
cellent riflo, in good order,” Mr Gilley, had, of
course, preferred another to it; and if Mr Graves
had 11 isted with i , and been killed, I would have
been justly chargeable with his death. The
| meeting was then lo be hud ns soon as Mr
Graves’s rifle could ho cleaned, as a surgeon
could hs got, ami as the parties could reach n
field out of the Uiutrict ofColumbia, 1 saw Mr
Jones immediately, and we agreed upon J o’-
clock, 1’ M., us said in our joint statement.
I returned lo Mr Hawes’s room, where Mr.
Graves was, and informed him of the appoint
ment. Ho then selected the Hon John J Crit
tenden, of the Senate, and the Hon R 11 Menefee,
of the House as the friends whom I wnslocon
sult. Mr Graves retired, and while the rifle was
being cleaned,! then submitted lo Mr Crittenden
and Mr Mcnefeu the question distinctly—what
should ha done in case the parlies missed ! We
weie all sure Mr Graves would miss often.
I understood positively from Mr. Graves, that
ho would not he satisfied with any admission
short of what Mr. Ci I ley had made lo him, vet
bally, in their interviews. Our object then was,
lo adopt of suggest some form, or explanation or
admission, which should he as casv us possible
lor Mr. Cilley lo make, and Which should satisfy
Mr. Graves. This was out study, and we unan
imously decided, that immediately alter the first
tire 1 should propose to Mr. Cilley, or his second,
that he should assign some such reason, or make
some such disclaimer, for declining lo icceivc Col.
Webb,s note from Mr. Craves, as he hod made lo
Mr. Graves in their private conversation. Mr.
Crittenden and Mi. Menefee Wrote down what
they thought Mr. Graves should be satisfied with.
The one wrote—
“ That in declining to receive from Mr. Giuvcs
the note from Col. Webb, Mr. Cilley was no', in
fluenced by considerations affecting tho honor of
Col. Webb.”
The other wrote—
“Mr, Cilley slates that he did not decline lo
receive Col. Webb’s communication from Mr.
Graves in consequence ol any personal exception
to Col. Webb as a gentleman ora man of honor.”
To those I added another form of admission;
which should he accepted as satisfactory—■
“.Mr. Cilley declined lo receive the communi
cation from Col. Webb, at (lie hands of Mr
Graves, upon the ground that ho, Mr. Cilley, did
not hold himself answerable to Gol. Webb for
words spoken in debate, on the floor of tho House
of Represcnta ives.”
These or any admissions approaching in sub.
stance to these,were lo bo considered satisfactory,
i carried the written propositions with me, in tny
pocket, on tlia giound, Tito reason why Mr.
Graves would not bo sa'isfied with any thing
e.l,ort of these, was because lie alleged that M r
Cilley had inside both these admissions to him
verbally
As to what “transpired on the field,” &c., <scc.,
I must refer generally to the suleincnt published
by Mr. J onus and mysclfj Hut, as that state
ment is only of what occurred within our joint
k nuivlalge, besides the correspondence given
upon information of others, 1 have a Isw particu
lars within my own knowledge to add.
The distance appointed was rifjhly yanlt. It
is rny firm belief that the distance stepped off by
Mr. Jones and myself,which we did “pari passu,”
was nearer one hundred yards then eighty. The 1
ground was measured before the choice of posi
lions, and I believe that we both stepped with a
view of preventing the parlies from hitting each
other. The choice of position fell to my lot. The
giving of the word fell to Mr. Jones.
I kept my eye upon Mr, Cilley; it was my duty
to ace that he obeyed the rules. At ths fu it ex
chang of the shots, I thought that ho fired,
though perfectly fair, 100 hurriedly, and his hall,
did not reach Mr. Graves, because he did not
raise his rifle sufficiently high. Mr. Graves fired
after Mr. Cilley.
As tho rifle was put into Mr. Cilley’s hands
the second time, I saw, though I could not hear,
| Mr. Jones giving him directions, as I thought, lo
jbe more deliberate. I had beard that ha was
1 a fine marksman, snd I was extremely uneasy
1 for tho result.—The word was given, Mr. Graves's
rifle went off quickly, and as he told me after-
'» w«'J“ accidentally, and into the ground. Mr.
Cilley drew up very' dehheratoly, 1 tcircd,a dead*
, ly *hol, mid fried, 1 thought he had Lit Mr.
Graves. I went to liini, uud inquired why ha
. hud shot BO quick! Hu said that hu must have
J j another allot, dial Mr. Mcnefe.e had told him not
“; 10 l )Ut hls huger upon the guard, hut the digger
1 : was 100 easy, and that he would mil time,
.1 shout his own way. His nlle had gone off ac
’ j cidenlally, owing to lus having taken his finger
I oil the guard, and ho insisted upon another
f shot.
U was very apparent to mu that Mr. Cilley
1 had shot at the hie ol Mr. Graves. If when Mr.
■ Graves’s rifle went off, wi/hout harm to him, ha
1 hud discharged in the air, or reserved his fire,
■ the light would have been at an end: he would
i not again have jeoparded Mr. Graves’s life, and
would have saved his own, Mr, Graves was not,
1 however, touched hy Uia hall, and I again with
drew the Challenge, as before for explanation.
’ II was between the second and third exchange
of shots and uflor the rtlies were ordered to ho
again loaded ho the third lire, the ehullenge hav'
ing been renewed, that I proposed to Mr, Jones
that Air. Cilley should say that, ‘-in declining to
I receive Col. Webb's note, he meant no disrespect
J to Mr. Giaveseither “directly or indirectly.” In
making this proposition, 1 went beyond my in
structions; hut, us I undvrtsood Mr. Jones, Mr.
Cilley would 1101 say those words alone,nor with'
out adding wo.ds whiuh .lid away the effect of
the word ‘indirectly,” and which lifj the parties
exactly where they were when they came upon
the ground'.
Iho statement of Mr. Junes and myself coil,
tains substantially all the propositions which 1
remember to have been made on the field 'for
settling the dilfetenco. Hut here it is proper to
remark, that when first the friends assembled at
my instance, much was said hy them upon both
sides. A debate was likely to ensue, and, lest a
dispute or dillereuce should arise among our
selves, it was suggested that the friends should
consult apart, with the icspective seconds, and
that the seconds should ho the organs of an
nouncing propositions lor settling the difference,
in the hearing id all. This seemed to ho acceded
to hy all parlies, I noted nothing, therefore, as
authorised except what proceeded from Mr. J ones
himself; and, consequently do not, mid cannot
attempt to report what was said hy others. 1 do
not remember to have heard Mr. Cilhy speak
alter he went on the ground. Ho and Mr. Graves
wete ordered to their positions, after being in
structed as to the word, and they kept their posi
tions, cighjy yards apart, until the light ended.
Ihe conferences ol seconds and friends were
hold exactly equi-dislant from them; »f course
forty yards off.
I made no proposition on the ground, arid re
| jeeted none, without consulting Mr. Crittenden
I and Mr. Menofee; and I believe that every act of
mine there, and throughout the whole affair,
' mat with their approbation, and that of Mr.
Graves.
It was at the instance .of Mr. Graves himself,
( that I sad to Mr. Jones, immediately previous to
, *ho exchange ol shots. "llt h t s matter is not
terminated this shot, and is not settled, I wifi
propose to shorten the distance.” Mr. Graves
had no confidence irr his own alio 'ting at so long
a distance, and directed me positively, if they
j missed repeatedly, to prevent a prolongation of
the affair hy proposing closet quarters.
I lie reason why Mr. Graves insisted upon
Mr. Gilley’s saying either “that lie declined to
1 receive the note of Gol. Webb, because he was
not accountable for words spoken in debate,” or
“that in declining to receive the note, he did not
do so upon the ground of personal objection to
Gol, Webb us a gentlemen,” was because Air.
Cilley hail made both these declarations, as Mr,
Groves alleged to his friends, to him veibally.
He would not he satisfied with the declarations
announced on the ground, and his friends could
advise him to accept them as satisfactory, for I lie
reason, that they admitted nothing which Mr,
Cilley did not admit in his written correspon
dence, aiid nothing which he did admit in his
conversation with Mr. Graves. Mr. Graves
could not he satisfied on the field, whilst his
adversary was before bim a rille in bis hand, with
what he was not satisfied with before, whilst
looking at a pen mutely in his awn hands.
I have now stated the facts, anil the world can
make its own deduction of the causes which led
to the death of the honorable Air. Cilley. If I
am a proper judge of those causes, and am
expected to say what they were, f will sum thorn
up in unitr;
first. Air. Cilley, as Mr. Graves affirmed;
and still affirms, denied, in writing, a satis
factory answer which he had imTdo to Air.
Graves verbally.
S ‘cond. Hu made this written denial iti
answer to a letter of Mr. Graves, which ho
had himself .requested to he addressed to him',
with a view to form a pretext for a written
admission of the very tacts he denied.
Third. He impeached the hoporof one for
whom ns a gentleman, Mr. Graves undertook;
hy the very act of bearing his note, to vouch.
For these causes, Mr. Graves challenged
him to mortal combnl; and, ”
Fourth. When Mr. Graves called on him
for I lint satisfaction whiert is recognized
amonggentlemen,” bo prescribed barbarous
and savage terms; and unusual weapon, the
most deadly, at the distance selected, in the
h inds of n good shot.
filth. He precipitated the lime of meeting,
when the second til Air. Graves was avowing
a want ol preparation, and n dosire for delay,
Sixth. A weapon, not one of a pair, was
tend rod for the use of Air. Graves, in a man
ner that was considered taunting.
Seventh. In the second exchange. of shots,
Mr. Cilley fired deliberately at Air. Grave’s
life, alter the rifle of Mr. Graves had gone off
accidently, and without effect.
Eighth. Mr. Graves called Air. Cilley out
upon a point of sufficient importance, as he
thought, to cause a cha.lengc. Ho did not
get the satisfaction lie demanded; and he was
not the m m to leave the field, without gain
mg that point, after any number of ineffectual
And for reason ol all these causes, the com
hat proved mortal. Air. Cilley was killed; '
death might have been the fate of Air. Graves!
Certain h is, that Mr. Graves did not hold Air.
Cilley accountable lor the exercise of any
ptivilege of a member of the House of Re
presentatives. There was no point of their
controversy where the plea of Mr. Cillcy’s
privilege of debate would not have been held
sacred and sufficient hy Air. Graves and his
; friends. Mr. Graves field him accountable
1 in defence only of his own veracity, and of
j the honor of one for whom he had underta
ken to vouch as a gentleman.
Such are the more prominent causes known
to me which made this duel Bloody!; which
made Air. Graves insist upon a second anti
tlprd exchange of shots; and which brought
Mr. Cilley to au untimely end.
Alost respectfully.
HENRY A. WISE.