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GEORGIA AND GEORGIANS 513
'' Gen. Clark is in the woods looking for a bee-gum.''
"May I inquire," asked Mr. Crawford, "what use he intends to
make of a bee-gum?"
"I want to put my leg in it," replied Judge Dooly. "Do you sup-
pt)se for a minute that I am going to risk a good leg of flesh and blood
against Tait 's wooden stump ? If I hit his leg, he' can get him another
one before tomorrow morning; but if he hits mine I may lose my life,
certainly my leg; and to put myself on equal footing with Tait, I must
have a bee-gum for protection. I can then fight Mm on equal terms."
"Then am I to understand that you do not intend to fight Judge
Tait?" inquired Mr. Crawford.
'' Well,'' responded Judge -Dooly, '' I thought every one knew that.''
"Perhaps so," replied Mr. Crawford, "but you will fill a newspaper
column in consequence of this day's business."
" So be it,'' replied the judge, with an arch smile,'' I would rather fill
a dozen newspapers than one coffin."
There was nothing more to be said. Judge Tait was, of course,
chagrined at this unexpected turn of affairs. He expected to humiliate
Judge Dooly, even if he could not force him to fight; but Judge Dooly had
cleverly managed the situation and, without putting his good legs in
jeopardy, had come off the' victor. • Gallant Jack Falstaff himseljf
could not have managed the affair with, keener strategy or with cooler
discretion.
Prior to December 12, 1809, there was no law on the statute books of
Georgia forbidding the practice of duelling, though it was customary for
belligerents to cross the state lines, to avoid indictment on the general
charge of murder, in the event of fatal consequences. But the frequency
of such affairs, involving men of the highest intellectual type and of the
greatest public usefulness, eventually produced a revulsion of sentiment.
The killing of Alexander Hamilton by Aaron Burr, perhaps more than
any other event, served to call nation-wide attention to the imperative
need of reform in this direction. It is hardly an exaggeration to say
that not less than 1,000 duels were fought in Georgia in consequence of
this feudal enmity between Clark and Crawford; and there were few
households in the state which were not bereaved, either directly or indi
rectly, by the countless sacrifices which were made during this period to
appease the demands of this bloody Moloch.
Consequently, on December 12, 1809, Governor David B. Mitchell
signed a measure, passed by the General Assembly of Georgia, making
it unlawful either to extend or to accept a challenge, or to be concerned
in any way therein, either as principals or as seconds; and on conviction
the offender was to be excluded from the right to hold any office of trust,
honor, or emolument in this state.* Governor David B. Mitchell, whose
signature as chief magistrate was attached to .this measure, himself fig
ured on one occasion in an affair of honor.
It was well enough to have such a law upon the statute books, in
deference to humane public opinion. But for years it was practically a
* "Olayton's Compilation," p. 529.
Vol. 1—33