Dueling pistols

Accession number: 1961.35.A-K

A symbol of the code duello and southern honor, these London-made pistols and case were carried by John Randolph of Roanoke (1733–1833) to his duel with Secretary of State Henry Clay on April 8, 1826. The acerbic senator from Virginia had compared President John Quincy Adams and Clay to Blifil and Black George, the two villians of Tom Jones. Thomas Hart Benton called this affair of honor "about the last high-toned duel" he witnessed.