Daniel Webster Details a Duel Challenge by Congressman John Randolph

DANIEL WEBSTER

Publication Date: 1826

About this Item

Autograph Manuscript, recording circumstances around John Randolph's challenge to a duel, ca. 1826-1831. 3 pp., 8 x 10 in. "Mr. R sent Mr. W. a challenge, thro' Mr. B. / Mr. W. wrote an answer, to this challenge, and was prepared to send it, thro' Genl Wool, of the Army. / This answer, is the one alluded to, or spoken of, in the newspaper publication, of which Genl. B. has a manuscript copy.I destroyed my letter, according to agreement; & kept no copy. I have scrupulously fulfilled my part of the agreement, as to not authorizing any publications."John Randolph of Roanoke, Virginia, was infamous for his temper and language, which led him to challenge several contemporaries to duels. In 1816, Randolph, feeling scorned by Webster's speech in a House debate over the sugar tax, first challenged Webster to a duel. Friends resolved the matter, and Randolph withdrew the challenge. Complete TranscriptMr. R sent Mr. W. a challenge, thro' Mr. B.[1]Mr. W. wrote an answer, to this challenge, and was prepared to send it, thro. Genl Wool, of the Army.[2]This answer, is the one alluded to, or spoken of, in the newspaper publication, of which Genl B. has a manuscript Copy.At this stage of the transaction, (whether brought about by the agency of third persons, or otherwise, I now can scarcely recollect) a private interview, &, indeed, more than one, took place between Mr W. & Mr. B. At these interviews, it was finally arranged;1. That Mr. R. should withdraw the challenge.2. That Mr. W. should destroy his answer, & keep no copy.3. That, thereupon, Mr. B. should be at liberty to say that Mr. R. that Mr. W. did not intend, in what he said, to impeach Mr. R's personal veracity.4. That neither party should make, or authorise any publication, respecting the transaction.Genl. Breckenridge[3]may be assured that the forgoing is an accurate short statement of the Agreement. My copy of the writing is at Boston.I destroyed my letter, according to agreement; & kept no copy. From that day to this; I do not know that I have spoken of its contents, to any friends. Its contents were known to Mr Lloyd, then Senator from Massachusetts,[4]Genl Wool, & one other Gentleman. I principally conferred, in relation to the whole transaction, in all its stages, with Mr Lloyd. I have scrupulously fulfilled my part of the agreement, as to not authorizing any publications.Historical BackgroundIn 1824, Congressman and newly appointed Minister to Mexico Ninian Edwards of Illinois alleged that Secretary of the Treasury William Crawford of Georgia had known of the impending failure of the Bank of Edwardsville (Illinois) in 1821, but had not withdrawn federal money from it. The House of Representatives appointed a committee of seven members to examine the charges, which included both Daniel Webster and John Randolph. Before the committee concluded its investigation, Randolph sailed for England but believed that he had persuaded the committee to give Crawford an opportunity to respond to the charges made by Edwards. The committee ultimately cleared Crawford of any wrongdoing.In February 1825, Webster denied Randolph's claim that the committee had decided to allow Crawford to answer the charges, and other members of the committee agreed. The only matter that called for explanation, Webster said on the floor of the House of Representatives, was whether Randolph intended to infer that the majority of the committee wished to deny Crawford the "the fullest opportunity to answer the charges against him." Randolph reportedly responded, "I have stated as clearly as I could.the facts as they occurred." In response to Webster's statements and encouraged by members who said Randolph was a "disgraced and degraded man," Randolph issued the challenge, insisting that Webster had "indulged.in liberties with my name (aspersing my veracity)."[5] Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri delivered Randolph's challenge to Webster on February 21, 1825, (See website for full description). Seller Inventory # 24221

Bibliographic Details

Title: Daniel Webster Details a Duel Challenge by ...

Publication Date: 1826

Binding: No binding

Condition: Very Good

Book Type: Autograph Manuscript