1826

Personal honor was taken very seriously in the first half of the 19th century and if you insulted someone you did so at the risk of your life. Yet on the floor of Congress, members often insulted each other with impunity, protected by an understood “privilege” that covered Congressional debates.

In 1826, Virginian John Randolph delivered a blistering speech in the Senate, aimed at Secretary of State Henry Clay, referring to the alleged “corrupt bargain” by which Clay received his appointment from John Quincy Adams as a “combination unheard of till then, of the puritan with the blackleg.” “Blackleg” was a particularly insulting epithet at that time, meaning something like “swindler” or “card cheat.” Upon learning of the speech, the hot-tempered Clay fired off a letter to Randolph, demanding “personal satisfaction” for “the unprovoked attack on my character.”

Randolph considered Clay’s challenge improper, but he declined to invoke the privilege, concerned that doing so might make him appear to be a coward. Instead, he accepted the challenge and agreed to meet Clay at sundown on April 8, 1826, while telling his confidants that he had no intention of harming Clay. (Although both men were experienced duelers, Randolph was the more skilled of the two.)

Clay and Randolph met at the appointed time and took their places. As the men were pacing off, Randolph accidentally fired his pistol into the ground. Clay generously agreed that the shot would not count. Randolph reloaded and they paced off again. At ten paces, the men turned and fired. Randolph’s shot was wild (probably deliberately so), while Clay also missed, but much more narrowly. Clay then demanded a second go. The men reloaded and Randolph stood patiently while Clay aimed and fired, tearing a hole in Randolph’s coat, but not harming him otherwise. Randolph then pointed his pistol into the air and fired, showing Clay that he had no intention of shooting him.

Clay lowered his pistol and the men marched forward and shook hands. “I trust in God, my dear sir, you are untouched. After what has occurred, I would not have harmed you for a thousand words,” Clay said.

“You owe me a new coat, Mr. Clay,” Randolph answered.

Clay nodded and said, “I am glad the debt is no greater.”

John Randolph and Henry Clay fought their duel on April 8, 1826.