Clay–Randolph duel

Clay–Randolph duel
historic marker of the event
DateApril 8, 1823 (1823-04-08)

On the evening of April 8, 1826, Secretary of State Henry Clay challenged U.S. Senator John Randolph of Roanoke to a pistol duel after Randolph insulted him in a speech on the Senate floor.[1] The duel took place in a dense forest on the Virginia side of the Potomac River above the Chain Bridge.[2] When the sign was given to start, Clay's shot missed John Randolph by a distance that convinced observers he had not intended to hit his purported target.[3] He also missed Clay due to a misfire.[4] They dismissed the accident and counted off again.[5] He pierced John Randolph's white Overcoat but did not injure him. Randolph, not wanting to continue, shot his gun into the air as an act of honor.[6] The duel ended with no injuries as both men missed their shots and John Randolph said, "You owe me a coat, Mr. Clay."[7]

Background

On March 30, 1826, during a four-hour Senate floor speech, John Randolph of Roanoke delivered a insult of the John Quincy Adams administration. Randolph famously characterized the alliance between Adams and Henry Clay as a "combination, unheard of till then, of the puritan with the blackleg," a remark that directly attacked Clay’s integrity by likening him to a cheating gambler.[8] Clay, angered by the personal nature of the statement, issued a formal challenge to a duel shortly afterward.[9] the duel was appointed for April 8, each bringing a second and a surgeon in case of an injury.[10] They met near the Potomac River north of Little Falls Bridge (now Chain Bridge).[11] General Thomas Sidney Jesup called for the start of the duel. Clay and Randolph each took 30 paces before turning to face each other.[12] Clay took the first shot and missed Randolph.[13] Randolph's shot missed Clay and hit a stump as his gun misfired.[14] Henry Clay dismissed the misfire and ordered another round.[15] Again, Clay took the first shot piercing Randolph's coat but did not injure him. Randolph shot his gun into the air away from Clay as a sign of honor.[16] The duel finished without anyone being injured.[13]

Aftermath

After the duel ended without injury or death, Henry Clay shook hands with John Randolph and said, "I trust in God, my dear sir, you are untouched; after what has occurred, I would not have harmed you for a thousand words." Randolph replied, "Mr. Clay, You owe me a new coat."[12] To which Henry Clay replied, "I am glad the debt is no greater."[17] The two men resumed professional relations, and faced no legal repercussions for violating anti-dueling laws.[18]

References

  1. ↑ "Clay and Randolph Duel Historical Marker". www.hmdb.org. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  2. ↑ "A Duel in Arlington - In 1826, in what is now Arlington, a noted duel took place". Arlington Historical. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  3. ↑ "Guys Trying to Get Themselves Killed: John Randolph and Henry Clay | Boundary Stones". boundarystones.weta.org. 2013-09-04. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  4. ↑ Madigan, Andrew (2016-01-08). "The Pair of American Politicians Who Fought the 19th Century's Silliest Duel". Atlas Obscura. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  5. ↑ Spaulding, Myra L. (1928). "Dueling in the District of Columbia". Records of the Columbia Historical Society, Washington, D.C. 29/30: 117–210. ISSN 0897-9049.
  6. ↑ Williams, Jack Kenny (1980). Dueling in the Old South: Vignettes of Social History. Texas A&M University Press. ISBN 978-0-89096-193-3.
  7. ↑ Advocate-Messenger, Special to The (2023-12-21). "Randolph vs. Clay — the bloodless duel". The Advocate-Messenger. Retrieved 2026-01-27.
  8. ↑ "Landmarks: John Randolph or Roanoke". landmarks.allenbrowne.info. Retrieved 2026-01-28.
  9. ↑ Smith, N. Clarence (1940). "The Old Dominion Sets a Style". Current History & Forum. 52 (1 (307)): 54–55. ISSN 1932-7064.
  10. ↑ Clark, Charlie (2013-03-06). "Our Man in Arlington - Falls Church News-Press Online". Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  11. ↑ "Kentucky and the Code Duello" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2021-06-13.
  12. 1 2 Madigan, Andrew (2013-11-25). "Dueling Politicos". Arlington Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  13. 1 2 "John Randolph and Henry Clay Fight a Duel | Research Starters | EBSCO Research". EBSCO. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  14. ↑ "Landmarks: John Randolph or Roanoke". landmarks.allenbrowne.info. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  15. ↑ Smith, Z. F. (1910). "DUELING, And Some Noted Duels by Kentuckians". Register of Kentucky State Historical Society. 8 (24): 75–87. ISSN 2328-8183.
  16. ↑ Librarian, MEGAN PULLEN Deputy Clerk Historical Archives and Law (2024-07-18). ""I Solemnly Swear That I Have Not Fought in a Duel..."". Daily News-Record. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  17. ↑ ajeyaseelan (2022-06-14). "The Duel between Randolph and Clay". Collection at Bartleby.com. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
  18. ↑ "FAMOUS DUELS.; Henry Clay and John Randolph". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2026-02-01.
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