Beschreibung:

CLAY--RANDOLPH DUEL]. CLAY Henry (1777-1852), Secretary of State , and Senator John RANDOLPH of Roanoake (1773-1833)]. TATNALL, Edward F. (1788-1832). Autograph manuscript "Memorandum of the Terms of the contemplated meeting between Messrs. Randolph & Clay," signed at end by the two seconds, General Thomas Jessup (1788-1860) and Colonel Edward F. Tattnall, [Washington, D.C.?], just prior to 8 April 1826. 2 full pages, 4to, integral blank docketed "arrangements for the meeting. " "YOU OWE ME A COAT, MR. CLAY": THE FORMAL TERMS OF ONE OF THE MOST NOTORIOUS AMERICAN DUELS, BETWEEN SECRETARY OF STATE CLAY AND SENATOR JOHN RANDOLPH A highly unusual document in the hand of Col. Tatnall, Randolph's designated second, setting out in precise detail the rules under which the famous Randolph-Clay duel was to be conducted. In the election of 1824, the choice of President was thrown into the House, as none of the candidates received a majority. Clay, acting contrary to the instructions of his Kentucky constituents, cast the decisive vote for John Adams Clay's subsequent appointment as Secretary of State convinced many of Andrew Jackson's supporters that Adams and Clay had struck "a corrupt bargain," denying their candidate his rightful office. Randolph, a fiery orator and implacable enemy of Clay for many years, vociferously stated these charges on the floor of the Senate on March 30. Clay, goaded to fury by the charges he could not silence, challenged Randolph. In Thomas Hart Benton's first-hand account of the duel (full text included with the lot), Randolph "denied the right of any person to question him out of the Senate for words spoken within it," arguing that "as a Senator he had a constitutional immunity," but as an individual "was ready to give satisfaction." The present manuscript, approved by both seconds, specifies weapons (pistols "of smooth bore"), distance ("ten paces or thirty feet"), time of meeting ("Saturday April 8 1826 at half past four"), place of meeting ("immediately out of the District of Colombia...on the new turnpike leading to Alexandria"), manner of holding the pistols ("perpendicularly"), and the "word" ("'are you ready?' 'Fire.' At the word 'Fire' the parties may fire as quickly as either may please. At the word 'Stop,' shall either party not have fired he shall be deemed to have lost his fire "). Other stipulations specify the choice of location (by lots), the "posture of each party," and the presence of "two friends and a surgeon" for each duelist. (It was Randolph's choice to hold the encounter in Virginia, so that, if killed, he would have the privilege of dying on the soil of his beloved state.) The celebrated duel, on the afternoon of April 8, began badly. Randolph's gun discharged prematurely. Clay fired back, catching Randolph's voluminous coat. A second round of fire was called for and agreed to. Benton reported that, this time, Randolph received the fire of Clay, as he had planned, without returning fire: "I saw...Randolph raise his pistol, discharge it in the air; heard him say, 'I do not fire at you, Mr. Clay'; and immediately advancing and offering his hand. He was met in the same spirit. They met half way, shook hands, Mr. Randolph saying, jocosely, 'You owe me a coat, Mr. Clay'--(the bullet had passed through the skirt of the coat, very near the hip)--to which Mr. Clay promptly and happily replied, 'I am glad the debt is no greater....' The joy of all was extreme at this happy termination of a most critical affair; and we immediately left, with lighter hearts than we brought."