Duel: John Randolph of Roanoke vs. Henry Clay

Date: April 8, 1826
Location: Pistol Grounds, near Arlington, Virginia (across the Potomac from Washington, D.C.)
Weapons: Pistols

Cause of the Duel

The conflict erupted during debate over the Panama Conference, where the United States was invited to meet with newly independent Latin American nations.

Henry Clay, then Secretary of State, supported U.S. participation.

John Randolph of Roanoke, serving in the Senate, fiercely opposed the measure and delivered a blistering speech in which he accused the Adams–Clay administration of corruption.

Randolph’s speech referred to the administration as:

• “the coalition of Blifil and Black George”
  (characters from Tom Jones, the first a hypocrite, the second a bully)

This was widely understood as equating Clay with a scoundrel and a mercenary, calling into question both his honor and his integrity.

Clay demanded Randolph retract the insult. Randolph refused.

A duel was the accepted remedy.

Quotes from the Combatants

Randolph’s refusal to retract his insult

“I will not apologize for what it is my right to say in debate.”

Clay’s response
Clay told his second that Randolph’s language was “intolerably offensive to my honor.”

Randolph’s famous line before the duel
On the morning of the duel, Randolph told his second, Senator Thomas Hart Benton:

“I will not fire at Clay. I will not harm a hair of his head.”

This statement is crucial — it shows Randolph intended to “throw away his fire.”

Clay’s line after Randolph’s shot struck the ground
After Randolph purposely fired into the air, Clay replied:

“Mr. Randolph, I trust you are not hurt.”

Randolph answered:

“You owe me a new coat, Mr. Clay.”

Clay’s shot had grazed his coat.

Both men then shook hands — an extraordinary ending for a duel.

Outcome of the Duel

• Randolph fired deliberately into the air (a “delop,” signaling he did not intend to kill).
• Clay fired and grazed Randolph’s coat.
• No one was hit.
• The duel ended with reconciliation and mutual respect.

This duel is famous for being one of the few honor duels intentionally resolved without bloodshed.

Witnesses / Seconds

For John Randolph:

• Thomas Hart Benton (second)
• Dr. Thomas Sewall (attending)

For Henry Clay:

• General James Hamilton Jr. (second)
• Dr. John F. May (attending)

The seconds affirmed that both parties had behaved honorably and declared the matter resolved.

In the Press

United States' Telegraph Fri, May 12, 1826 ·Page 3

P. S. There has been a Duel after all. Mr. Randolph and Mr. Clay met on the banks of the Potomac, on Saturday afternoon at 4 o'clock, fired twice each without hitting the mark, and then shook hands. Thus giving to the nation unequivocal proof of their honor and their skill in sharp shooting. N. B. Either of the gentlemen might as well have fired at a jack knife as at his antagonist.