The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)

“My dear Friend,

“I shall, without preface, enter at once into the affair, which I mentioned to you was to take place this morning, and ‘nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.’

“Agreeably to an arranged plan, I accompanied Colonel King to a spot near the Magazine in the Park. Colonel Fitzgerald we met at Grosvenor-gate, unaccompanied by a friend, which, by the way, he told me yesterday he feared he should not be able to provide, in consequence of the odium which was thrown upon his character; at the same time observing, ‘That he was so sensible of my honour, that he was perfectly satisfied to meet Colonel King unattended by a friend.’ I decidedly refused any interference on his part, informing him ‘That had not nearer relations of the —— been on the spot, he would have seen me as a principal.’ He replied, ‘He would try to procure a friend,’ and withdrew. I addressed him this morning by ‘Where is your friend, Sir?’ Answer (as well as I recollect), ‘I have not been able to procure one; I rest assured that you will act fairly.’ I then desired him to apply to his surgeon, which he immediately did, who refused appearing as a second, but said he would be in view. Colonel King was equally desirous to go on with the business. I consented. However, I prevailed upon a surgeon, who accompanied Dr. Browne, to be present as a witness that all was fairly conducted. It was no common business. I placed them at ten short paces’ distance from each other. That distance I thought too far. But I indulged a hope that Colonel Fitzgerald, sensible of the vileness of his conduct, would, after the first fire, have thrown himself on Colonel King’s humanity. His conduct was quite the reverse. In short, they exchanged six shots without effect. King was cool and determined. The other also was determined; and, to appearance, obstinately bent on blood. After the fourth shot he said something to me about giving him advice as a friend. I told him I was no friend of his, but that I was a friend to humanity, that, if after what had passed, he possessed firmness enough to acknowledge to Colonel King that he was the vilest of human beings, and bear without reply any language from Colonel King, however harsh, the present business, then, perhaps, might come to a period. He consented to acknowledge that he had acted wrongly, but no farther. That was not enough. He now attempted to address Colonel King, who prevented him by saying,—that he was a d—d villain, and that he would not listen to anything he had to say.

“They proceeded. Colonel Fitzgerald’s powder and balls were now expended. He desired to have one of King’s pistols. To this I would not consent, though pressed to do so by my friends. Here ended this morning’s business. We must meet again. It cannot end here. I have only to add, that nothing could exceed the firmness and propriety of Colonel King’s conduct, through every stage of this business.

“I am, my dear friend, very truly yours,

“Robert Wood.

“P.S.—On leaving the ground Colonel Fitzgerald agreed to meet Colonel King at the same hour to-morrow.

“Both the colonels, the same day, were put under arrest.”

Yesterday, intelligence was received in town of the death of Colonel Fitzgerald, who was lately guilty of a most shameful and dishonourable act in the family of the present Earl of Kingston, by seducing a daughter of that much respected nobleman, to whom he was allied, and in whose family he had been a constant visitor. He met with his death in the following manner:—

After the discovery of this unfortunate criminal intercourse, which occurred in England, and in consequence of which a duel had taken place between the brother of the young lady (who is now Lord Kingsborough) and the deceased Colonel Fitzgerald, she was removed to the country residence of her noble father, now the Earl of Kingston, at Mitchelstown, near Kilworth, in this kingdom. The deceased, feeling no remorse for what he had done, in dishonouring by the most artful stratagems an illustrious family, had the audacity and hardihood to follow the young lady to Ireland; it is supposed, with a view to wrest her by violence from her parents; and for this purpose, took lodgings at an inn in Kilworth.

The Colonel had been there some days before his arrival at Kilworth was known, or the object of his expedition was discovered. He was observed to walk out in the night, and conceal himself in the day, and the servants at length noticed him lurking about Mitchelstown House at unseasonable hours. Intelligence having reached Lord Kingsborough, who had had the duel with the Colonel, and resolved to defeat his antagonist’s project, he left his father’s house, and went to Kilworth, where, having inquired if that gentleman was in the house, and being informed he was, he went to the apartment he was directed to, which the colonel lodged in. Lord Kingsborough rapped at the door, requiring admittance. The Colonel, knowing his voice, replied, that he was locked in, and could not open the door; but if he had anything to say to him, he would receive it in writing under the door. This enraged the young nobleman, and he forced open the door, and running to a case of pistols in the room, took one, and desired the Colonel to take the other, and defend himself, as he was resolved to have satisfaction for the scheme the deceased had formed against his sister, and which he came to this place to put into execution. On both seizing the pistols, they grappled with each other, and were struggling when the Earl of Kingston, who had been apprised of his son’s departure in pursuit of the Colonel, and quickly followed the young lord, entered the room; and finding them in the contest, and that his son must lose his life, from the situation the deceased had him in, the Earl fired upon the Colonel, not, we believe, with an intention to kill him, though his aggravation was great. The shot, however, took effect, and the Colonel lost his life, but not lamented by any one who has heard of his very dishonourable conduct in this affair.

When Miss King was taken by her father from England, on account of her disgrace, it was discovered, on her arrival in Dublin, that the servant-maid, who accompanied her, favoured the views of the seducer. On her consequent dismissal from the service she returned to England, and was the bearer of a private letter to Colonel Fitzgerald, the contents of which were, it is said, sufficient to induce the Colonel, even at the risk of his life, to make an effort to regain the young lady. But his finances not enabling him to undertake the journey, he borrowed a sum of money of an amiable woman, who ought to have been most dear to him, under the pretence of making a visit to Dorsetshire. Thus accommodated, he set out for the sister kingdom, and arrived at the village of Kilworth, near Mitchelstown, the residence of the noble family, and the place where the young lady was then kept, whose conduct was then watched with particular vigilance.

BETWEEN THE RIGHT HON. W. PITT AND G. TIERNEY, ESQ.
May 21, 1798.

In consequence of some expressions made use of by Mr. Pitt in the House of Commons on the Friday previous, Mr. Pitt, accompanied by Mr. Rider, and Mr. Tierney, accompanied by Mr. George Walpole, met at three o’clock in the afternoon on Putney Heath.

After some ineffectual attempts on the part of the seconds to prevent farther proceedings, the parties took their ground at the distance of twelve paces. A case of pistols was fired at the same moment without effect. A second case was also fired in the same manner. Mr. Pitt having fired his pistol in the air, the seconds jointly interfered, and insisted that the matter should go no farther, it being their decided opinion that sufficient satisfaction had been given, and that the business was ended with perfect honour to both parties.

BETWEEN COL. HARVEY ASTON AND MAJOR ALLEN.
December 23, 1798.

Died, at Madras, in consequence of a wound which he received in a duel with Major Allen, of which he languished about a week, Colonel Harvey Aston.

He had been engaged in a similar affair of honour, and on the same account, with Major Picton only the day preceding that on which he met Major Allen; but which was fortunately terminated by each party firing in the air, and a proper explanation taking place as to the offence.

This morning two students of our University, Messrs. Coolan and Morcan, in consequence of an unhappy dispute the preceding evening, met in the fields near Harcourt-street. They fired at the same moment, when Mr. Coolan’s shot unfortunately took place in the temple of his antagonist, and killed him on the spot. The surviving combatant has been expelled the college, and the two seconds have been rusticated.

BETWEEN J. CORRY, ESQ. AND —— NEWBURGH, ESQ.
May 10, 1800.

Yesterday a meeting took place on Drumcondra-road, between James Corry, Esq., of Lurgan-street, and —— Newburgh, Esq., in consequence of a dispute, and, as alleged, the provocation of a blow given by the latter to the former. The latter gentleman was accompanied on the ground by Captain Warring of the 24th Dragoons, as his second; the other by Mr. Weir, one of the attorneys.

Having taken their ground, the signal was given to fire. Mr. Corry’s pistol went off without effect, Mr. Newburgh’s missed fire. He was preparing to fire it afterwards, when his second called to him, telling him, the snap in duelling was considered as a fire. Both gentlemen were then provided with other pistols, and received the signal to fire again, which they did, and Mr. Newburgh was shot through the heart and expired.

Mr. Newburgh was the only son of Broghill Newburgh, of the county of Cavan, Esq. of an ancient family, and heir-apparent to an estate of 5000l. per annum.

Mr. Corry is an élève of the Speaker of the House of Commons, by whom he was placed in the lucrative situation of clerk to the Linen Board; a place which was enjoyed by his father, who was also a great favourite with Mr. Foster.

The deceased was upwards of thirty years of age, and married to the daughter of Mr. Camac, an East India gentleman, with a fortune of 30,000l. He was related to Lord Enniskillen, Lord Erne, Lord Gosford, and some other of the best families in Ireland.

Mr. Corry, who is some years younger, is a young gentleman of amiable and inoffensive manners.

BETWEEN MR. P. HAMILTON AND MR. G. I. EAKER.
January, 1802.

A duel took place at New York, between Mr. P. Hamilton, son of General Alexander Hamilton, and Mr. G. I. Eaker; in which, at the first fire, Mr. Hamilton was shot through the body. He languished until the next day, when he died.

At Savannah, William Hunter, Esq., fell in a duel with Mr. David Mitchell. The dispute had its origin in July last, in the county court, to the jury of which Mr. Hunter was foreman, in a cause in which Mitchell was counsel. During the trial, it appearing to Mr. Hunter that the examination of the evidence was not conducted by the counsel with that impartiality which justice required, he addressed a few words to the court, when Mitchell got up and observed, that Mr. Hunter was very officious on the occasion. Mr. Hunter replied, that the officiousness of jurymen was not to be compared with the impertinence of some attorneys.

There the matter rested till August 9th, when Mitchell attacked Mr. Hunter in the street with a large bludgeon. Mr. Hunter, having nothing to defend himself with, after receiving four blows and attempting unsuccessfully, at the same time, to seize Mitchell by the collar, said, “Mr. Mitchell, I am unarmed; I must retreat unless you lay aside your weapon.” Mr. Hunter then retreated to Dr. Kollock’s for a cane, but could not procure one. By this time some of the inhabitants interfered. The same evening Mr. Hunter sent Mr. Mitchell a challenge, who, after much equivocation, accepted it. Dr. Kollock was Mr. Hunter’s second, Major B. Maxwell was second to Mitchell. Mr. Hunter fired first, and hit Mitchell on the hip; Mitchell missed Mr. Hunter. Mr. Hunter’s second fire hit Mitchell on the groin also, without penetrating the skin; but Mr. Hunter received Mitchell’s second ball in his right breast. Mr. Hunter immediately turned, and exclaimed, “I am a dead man;” and as Drs. Glenn and Kollock caught him in their arms he asked for a glass of wine and expired.

BETWEEN LIEUT. W——, R.N., AND CAPT. I——, OF THE ARMY.
March, 1803.

This morning a most extraordinary duel took place in Hyde Park, between Lieutenant W——, of the navy, and Captain I——, of the army.

The antagonists arrived at the appointed place within a few minutes of each other. Some dispute arose respecting the distance, which the friends of Lieutenant W—— insisted should not exceed six paces; while the seconds of Captain I—— urged strongly the rashness of so short a distance, and insisted on its being extended. At length the proposal of Lieutenant W——’s friends was agreed to, and the parties fired per signal; when Lieutenant W—— received the shot of his adversary on the guard of his pistol, which tore away the third and fourth fingers of his right hand. The seconds then interfered to no purpose. The son of Neptune, apparently callous to pain, wrapped his handkerchief round his hand, and swore he had another, which never failed him. Captain I—— called his friend aside, and told him it was in vain to urge a reconciliation. They again took their ground. On Lieutenant W—— receiving the pistol in his left hand, he looked steadfastly at Captain I—— for some time, then cast his eyes to heaven, and said, “Forgive me.” The parties fired as before, and both fell. Captain I—— received the shot through his head, and instantly expired. Lieutenant W—— received the ball in his left breast, and immediately inquired of his friend if Captain I——’s wound was mortal? Being answered in the affirmative, he thanked Heaven he had lived thus long. He requested that a mourning ring, which was on his finger, might be given to his sister; and that she might be assured it was the happiest moment he ever knew. He had scarcely finished the word when a quantity of blood burst from his wound, and he expired almost without a struggle.

The unfortunate young man was on the eve of being married to a lady in Hampshire, to whom for some time he had paid his addresses.

BETWEEN LIEUT.-COLONEL MONTGOMERY AND CAPTAIN MACNAMARA.
April 6, 1803.

As Lieutenant-Colonel Montgomery and Captain Macnamara were riding in Hyde Park, each followed by a Newfoundland dog, the dogs fought; and Colonel Montgomery, who did not see that Captain Macnamara was near, after separating the animals, exclaimed, “Whose dog is that? I will knock him down!” To which Captain Macnamara replied, “Have you the impudence to say that you will knock my dog down? You must first knock me down.” An altercation ensued, an exchange of cards followed, and an appointment to meet at 7 o’clock in the evening, near Primrose Hill; the consequence of which proved fatal. Captain Macnamara’s ball entered the right side of Colonel Montgomery’s chest, and taking a direction to the left, most probably went through the heart; he instantly fell, without uttering a word, but rolled over two or three times as if in great agony, and groaned. Colonel Montgomery’s ball went through Captain Macnamara, entering on the right side, just above the hip, and passing through the left side, carrying part of the coat and waistcoat in with it, taking part of his leather breeches, and the hip button, away with it on the other side.

Colonel Montgomery was carried by some of the persons standing by, into Chalk Farm, where he was laid on a bed, attended by Mr. Heaviside. As they were carrying him, he attempted to speak and spit; but the blood choked him. His mouth foamed much; and in about five minutes after he was brought into the house, he expired with a gentle sigh.

Captain Macnamara was a naval officer, who has much distinguished himself in two or three actions, as commander of the Cerberus frigate. He had lately returned from the West Indies; and his ship was, about two months ago, paid off at Chatham. He was about thirty-six years of age; a strong, bold, active man. He had fought two or three duels before; and was remarkable at Cork, for keeping the turbulent in awe.

Colonel Montgomery was Lieutenant-Colonel of the ninth regiment of foot, son of Sir Robert Montgomery, of Ireland, and half-brother of Mrs. George Byng, and the Marchioness Townshend. He was a remarkably handsome man, and he had, also, fought bravely in the service of his country. In the Dutch expedition, the Russians being put to flight, his regiment was thrown into confusion, and retreated, in consequence of the Russians falling back upon them. At this time a drummer was killed, and Colonel Montgomery took up the drum, beating it to rally his men, he himself standing alone. He succeeded in rallying them, and at their head rendered essential service. On several occasions, in Egypt and Malta also, he had distinguished himself by his courage and spirit. He was very intimate with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of York. The former shed tears on being apprised of the melancholy end of his friend.

Colonel Montgomery was well known in London by the sobriquet of the Duke of Hamilton’s double, from his studiously copying that nobleman’s style of dress.

Captain Macnamara recovered of his wound, and was tried for murder. His defence, which was prepared by Lord Erskine (then Mr. Erskine), stated:—“I am a captain of the British navy. My character you can hear only from others. But to maintain my character in that situation I must be respected. When called upon to lead others into honourable danger, I must not be supposed to be a man who sought safety by submitting to what custom has taught others to consider as a disgrace. I am not presuming to urge anything against the law of God, or of this land. I know, that in the eyes of duty and reason, obedience to the law, though against the feelings of the world, is the first duty, and ought to be the rule of action; but upon putting a construction upon my motives, so as to ascertain the quality of my actions, you will make allowance for my situation. It is impossible to define in terms the proper feelings of a gentleman; but their existence has supported this country for many ages, and she might perish if they were lost.”

Yesterday morning Mr. Heaviside, the surgeon, was arrested by Townsend, under authority of a warrant from Sir Richard Ford, wherein he stands charged with having been aiding and assisting in the murder of Colonel Montgomery; and, after undergoing a private examination before the above magistrate, at Bow Street, he was fully committed to Newgate for trial, at the ensuing Old Bailey Sessions. Several witnesses were also privately examined respecting the duel, and bound over to appear on the trial.

Captain Macnamara was yesterday declared out of danger, but was not yet well enough to be removed.

The coroner’s inquest, on taking a view of the body of Colonel Montgomery, brought in a verdict of “manslaughter.” The remains were buried in a vault in St. James’s Church.

The evidence being closed, the prisoner addressed the jury in mitigation of his conduct.

Lords Hood, Nelson, Hotham, and Minto, and a great number of highly respectable gentlemen gave Captain Macnamara a most excellent character. Mr. Justice Heath summed up the evidence, and stated, that, from the pressure of the evidence, and the prisoner’s own admission, the jury must find a verdict of “manslaughter.” They were, however, of a different opinion; for, after retiring a quarter of an hour, they pronounced a verdict of “Not guilty.”

A duel has been fought between Lord Camelford and Captain Best, of the Royal Navy, in the fields behind Holland House, near Kensington.

The meeting is said to have taken place in consequence of a quarrel between the parties, who were intimate friends, on the preceding evening, at the Prince of Wales’s Coffee-house.

Lord Camelford and Mr. Best had been intimate friends; both were young men of fashion, and esteemed first-rate shots. The subject of their quarrel was an abandoned woman, of the name of Symons, who had formerly lived with Mr. Best, but was then under the protection of Lord Camelford. This woman meeting Mr. Best at the Opera, made of him a request inconsistent with their relative positions; and on being refused, declared she would set Lord Camelford upon him; and accordingly complained to his Lordship, that Mr. Best had spoken disrespectfully of him. This greatly incensed Lord Camelford; and at the Prince of Wales’s Hotel, where they generally dined, he went up to Mr. Best, and said, loud enough to be heard by all present, “I find that you have spoken of me in the most unwarrantable terms.” Mr. Best mildly replied, that he was utterly unconscious of deserving such a charge; to which Lord Camelford answered, that he was not ignorant of what he had said of him to Mrs. Symons, and pronounced him to be a scoundrel, a liar, and a ruffian. Mr. Best said, that these were expressions which admitted but of one course, and a meeting was immediately arranged for the next morning.

In the course of the evening Mr. Best conveyed to Lord Camelford the strongest assurance that the information he had received was unfounded; and believing that his Lordship was acting under a wrong impression, he would be satisfied if the expressions he had made use of were retracted. This Lord Camelford refused to do. Attended by their respective friends, they met the following morning at a coffee-house in Oxford Street; and there again Mr. Best made an effort to obtain a retractation of the insulting words. He went up to his Lordship, and said, “Camelford, we have been friends, and I know the unsuspecting generosity of your nature; upon my honour, you have been imposed upon by a strumpet. Do not persist in expressions under which one of us must fall.” Lord Camelford answered, “Best, this is child’s play; the affair must go on.”

And yet at this moment Lord Camelford had in his heart acquitted Mr. Best, and had confidently stated to his second, that he knew he was in the wrong; that Best was a man of honour; but that he could not bring himself to retract words which he had once used. In going to the ground, he reiterated this statement to his second, adding, that as he and Mr. Best were considered the two best shots in England, one of them must fall; but, whatever was the issue of the affair, he begged him to bear testimony that he acquitted Mr. Best of all blame. No remonstrance, however, could induce him to withdraw the offensive expression.

They were placed at fifteen paces from each other. They fired together, and Lord Camelford fell, to all appearance dead. In an instant, however, he recovered the shock, so far as to exclaim, “I am killed! but I acquit Best. I alone am to blame.” He begged them to consult their safety. When a labourer, who was working in an adjoining garden, repaired to the spot, he found Lord Camelford lying on his back, in the lower part of the field, which was overflowed, to the depth of several inches in water. Captain Best and his friend had rode off directly after the shot took effect, and the other gentleman followed their example, immediately on the countryman’s coming up, on the pretence of going for a surgeon.

His Lordship was unwilling to be removed, and it was with difficulty that those who came to his assistance got him placed in a chair, and conveyed to Mr. Ottey’s, at Little Holland House. His adversary’s ball had penetrated his right breast, and was supposed to have passed through the lungs and lodged in the back bone. When questioned as to the names of the other gentlemen who had accompanied him, he declined giving any satisfaction on the subject.

Lord Camelford, by his will, peremptorily forbad his relatives and friends from prosecuting his antagonist, declaring that the combat was of his own seeking. The day previous to his death he added a codicil to his will, in which, after stating that persons have in general a strong attachment to the country which gave them birth, and on their death-beds usually desire that their remains may be conveyed to their native land, however great the distance, to be interred, he continued:—“I wish my body to be removed, as soon as may be convenient, to a country far distant, to a spot not near the haunts of men, but where the surrounding scenery may smile upon my remains.” The place he chose was situated on the borders of the Lake of St. Lampierre, in the canton of Berne, and three trees stood on the particular spot. The centre tree he desired might be taken up, and his body being there deposited, immediately replaced. “Let no monument or stone be placed over my grave.” At the foot of this tree, his Lordship added, he formerly passed many solitary hours, contemplating the mutability of human affairs. As a compensation to the proprietors of the spot, he left them one thousand pounds. He also requested his relations not to go into mourning for him. At the period of the duel Lord Camelford and Mr. Best had a bet of two hundred pounds depending, as to which of them was the better shot.

The following account of this pest to society is given by one of his biographers; but we must hope, for the sake of mankind, that the intellects of this desperate nobleman were occasionally deranged:—

“His character was a curious mixture of much that was virtuous and much that was vicious: all in extremes. With chivalrous notions of punctilious honour, and with an irascible temper, which brought him into many broils, he was warm in his affections, and almost unexampled in his benevolence. Disdaining all luxuries, in his own manner of life, he sought for opportunities of dispensing his fortune in acts of genuine charity, and conferred the most liberal favours with a secrecy that ennobled the gift. He did not distribute less than four thousand pounds per annum in the purchase of commissions for gallant young men, who had not the means of buying them, and in the relief of decayed seamen and soldiers. If many of his political proceedings were characterised with imprudence, no one could doubt they sprang from patriotism. He was a man whose real character was to the world but little known; his imperfections and his follies were often brought before the public, but his counterbalancing virtues were seldom heard of. Though too violent to those whom he imagined to have wronged him, yet to his acquaintance he was gentle, affable, and courteous; a stern adversary, but the mildest and most generous of friends. He was often the dupe of the designing and crafty supplicant, but he was more often the soother of real sorrow and unmerited woe.”

That such might have been his private character is most decidedly to be hoped; but most unquestionably, his public character rendered him a nuisance to society, and whoever did rid the world of such a murderous and (in matters of blood) unprincipled ruffian, was entitled to public thanks. Priding himself on his superiority in pistol practice, he sought for quarrels on every possible occasion. His dress, more especially in uniform, was such as to excite remark and observation, which he would gladly seize upon to fight a duel. He was even known to treat his horses in the streets of London in the most cruel manner, for the mere purpose of drawing forth some remonstrance or remark which he could consider an insult, and justify a murder. He died as he had lived, a blood-thirsty monster. He sought to deprive a bosom friend of life, although he was conscious of the falsehood of his own assertions, solely because he wished to display his superiority as a shot, and endeavoured to sacrifice a companion whom he esteemed, for a miserable woman whom he despised. His previous conduct towards Paterson was not justifiable under any circumstances of discipline, since he had the means of bringing him to condign punishment without being his executioner.

He was attended in the course of the day by Mr. Heaviside, Mr. Thomson, and Mr. Horne, surgeons. A Mr. Nihell, or Nield, we understand, was second to Captain Best, and the Hon. Mr. Devereux was second to Lord Camelford.

The following is a further account of his death, as it appeared in one of the papers of the day:—

On Saturday evening this unfortunate nobleman breathed his last. He sent for his solicitor, Mr. Wilson, of Lincoln’s Inn Fields, and made his will the night after the accident; and maintained the most perfect composure under his sufferings to the last.

In the voluminous evidence adduced before the coroner’s inquest, it was proved, that Lord Camelford had declared,—that he was the aggressor, that he forgave the gentleman who had shot him, and that he hoped God would forgive him too.

Mr. Hodgson, the coroner, in his address to the jury, made the following observations:—

“It was evident the deceased had been killed by a shot fired at him by some person, of whose identity the jury had no direct or admissible proof. The laws of this country admitted of no excuse for one man killing another in a private duel. But, supposing the person who had slain the deceased to be able, before a superior tribunal, to offer circumstances and facts in palliation of his offence, they could not have any weight in this inquest. He had, strictly speaking, been guilty of murder, and to that effect must necessarily be the verdict of the jury. In the present case, there was no doubt of the deceased having been feloniously killed; but there was no evidence who was the principal, or who were the seconds. In point of fact, they were all equally guilty; for, in the crime of murder, accessories before the fact were considered as principals. There was hardly a doubt that the expressions and avowal of the deceased, so honourably made in favour of his opponent, would, if the latter were arraigned in a superior court, induce his acquittal; but that was a consideration which ought not to operate on the minds of those whom he was addressing. Had the parties been in a room; and upon a sudden quarrel had the deceased, having given the first provocation, been killed, it might have been justifiable homicide; but, on the contrary, it appeared, they had deliberately gone out to commit an unjustifiable act. Had it been proved who the person was who fired the shot at the deceased, the jury would have been bound to have returned a verdict of “murder” against him, and those who were aiding and abetting him; but, as the case stood, they would only pronounce the verdict to which he had alluded.

The jury unanimously returned a verdict of “wilful murder, or felonious homicide, by some person or persons unknown.”

BETWEEN ENSIGN BROWNE AND LIEUT. BUTLER.
January 1, 1806.

This morning a meeting took place in a piece of ground, in the parish of Basford, between Ensign Browne, of the 36th regiment of Foot, and Lieutenant Butler, of the 83d Regiment, on the recruiting service, at Nottingham.

The parties fired together by signal, when, unfortunately, Ensign Browne was shot through the heart, and instantly expired, without uttering a word.

Lieutenant Butler and the seconds immediately withdrew. The body of the deceased was taken to Basford church, by some persons who were attracted to the spot by the report of the pistols; and a verdict of “wilful murder” was returned by the coroner’s jury who sat upon it.

Ensign Browne was a promising young officer, of a very respectable family in Ireland, and had only just attained his seventeenth year. He and Lieutenant Butler belonged, lately, to the same regiment; but from a serious disagreement which took place between them, the Commander-in-chief ordered them to be placed in different corps. On their meeting at Nottingham, however, the embers of animosity rekindled, and the unhappy result has proved the loss to society of a valuable and much respected young member.

BETWEEN MAJOR BROOKES AND COLONEL BOLTON.
January 4, 1806.

About a year ago a duel was to have taken place at Liverpool, between Major Brookes and Colonel Bolton, in consequence of a quarrel; but the affair being known, they were bound over to keep the peace for one year. After this, the animosity between them increased daily, and each reproached the other with having informed the officers of justice of their intention to fight.

The time for which they were bound over to keep the peace elapsed on Friday week, when a challenge passed, and an immediate meeting was determined upon. They met, and at the first fire Major Brookes was killed on the spot. The Colonel absconded.

A duel was fought on Galleywood Common, near Chelmsford, Essex, between Lieutenant Turrens and Mr. Fisher, both of the 6th regiment of Foot, in barracks there. The parties with their seconds arrived on the spot appointed for the encounter at daybreak, when the preliminaries having been settled, they took a short distance, and turning round, fired at the same instant. The Lieutenant received his antagonist’s ball in the groin, and immediately fell. On which Mr. Fisher went up and took him by the hand, expressing much regret at the lamentable consequence that had ensued, as, from the nature of the wound, he was apprehensive it would prove mortal.

Assistance having been procured, the wounded gentleman was removed to a windmill at a short distance, and as soon as possible, conveyed from thence to his apartments in the barracks, where every attention was rendered that his unfortunate situation could require. The ball having lodged on the side opposite to which it entered, was extracted by Dr. Welch, at four o’clock the same afternoon, but he expired between nine and ten o’clock on Sunday morning. An inquisition was taken by J. O. Parker, jun., Esq., coroner, on view of the body, on Monday, and a verdict returned of “wilful murder” against Mr. Fisher and the two seconds, one of whom is under arrest. Mr. Fisher and the other have absconded.

BETWEEN MR. ROGERS AND MR. LONG.
Dublin, May 3, 1806.

This day a duel was fought in Foster Avenue, between two young gentlemen of the Barrack-office, in this city, and intimate friends, upon occasion of a tavern quarrel the preceding evening.

On the first fire, at the distance of eleven paces, both parties fell; the one, Mr. Rogers, received a ball through his heart, and of course died instantly. The other, Mr. Long, was shot through both his thighs, and is also since dead.

BETWEEN BARON HOMPESCH AND MR. RICHARDSON.
Sept. 22, 1806.

A duel was fought this morning between Baron Hompesch and a Mr. Richardson, of Colchester, in consequence of the Baron, who is near-sighted, running against Mr. Richardson and two ladies in the street. On the exchange of the third pistol Mr. Richardson was shot through the body.

On account of a misunderstanding between Sir Francis Burdett and Mr. Paull, a meeting took place at nine o’clock this morning, near Wimbledon Common. Mr. Paull conceiving his character very injuriously reflected upon by Sir Francis, despatched a challenge, late on Friday night, to the Baronet, which being accepted, the parties met early yesterday morning at Coombe Wood, near Wimbledon Common.

They discharged two pistols each. The second shot, fired by Mr. Paull, wounded Sir Francis in the thigh; the second pistol, fired by Sir Francis, wounded Mr. Paull in the leg. Sir Francis returned home in the same carriage with Mr. Paull.

The following is the truly amusing account given of this duel by Mr. Bellenden Ker, and shows the necessity of selecting proper seconds on such occasions:—

On Saturday morning. May 5, about half-past five o’clock, Sir Francis Burdett’s servant came to me with a note from Sir Francis, desiring me to come to him instantly to Wimbledon, with a pair of pistols, as he had been called upon; but did not say by whom. I could procure none, after trying at two officers of the Guards, and at Manton’s, but found none fit for the purpose. It occurring to me that going thus from place to place for pistols, might at last be the occasion of bringing on more notice than I wished, I determined to proceed without them, thinking that those who called upon him must have a pair at least; and that if it was necessary they might serve both parties. I arrived at Sir Francis Burdett’s house, at Wimbledon, about eight o’clock, having been obliged to wait more than two hours for a chaise. He was gone on to the King’s Arms, Kingston, having left a note for me to follow him there in his carriage. On entering Kingston, I saw Mr. Paull in a coach, accompanied by another person, and a servant on the coach seat. He called out to me on passing his carriage, and said something that I did not distinctly hear; but I think he advised me not to proceed into the town, as the affair would be blown. I asked him where the inn was, and went on.

As soon as I entered the room where Burdett was sitting, a person appeared, who had followed me. On his entrance I asked Burdett who he was. He said it was Paull’s second. I then said, “Whom have I the honour to address?” “My name is Cooper.” “Do you know him, Burdett?” “I have no doubt Mr. Paull has appointed a proper person to meet me.” “Sir, sir, sir,” was Mr. Cooper’s answer. I then said, as Burdett desired, that we should immediately follow them, if they proceeded to Coombe Wood, which seemed to be a proper place for meeting.

After Burdett had given me some letters and memorandums for different friends, and explained to me the subject of Mr. Paull’s demands, we proceeded to the place appointed; where, ordering the carriages to stop for us, we went into the wood to a considerable distance. I fixed on a proper spot. During our walk Mr. Paull frequently addressed me on the subject of the quarrel. He said he was sure I had not heard it rightly stated, and wished me much to hear him. I always replied that I had heard the whole from my principal, and that I placed implicit confidence in what he said; for if I could not have done that, I should not have accompanied him there; and that, from all I heard and read concerning the matter, it was my decided opinion that Burdett was the person most entitled to consider himself as ill-used; but that, at all events, an apology from him was out of all question, and that I would rather see him shot than advise him to so disgraceful an act. As Mr. Paull did not seem to have at all placed his opinions, or case, in the hands of his second, I found it in vain to talk to him on the subject of an accommodation. After we had stopped, I asked for the pistols, which were produced by Mr. Cooper, who declared that he had not expected things would have taken this turn. I asked him if he expected I should advise, or Burdett would consent to disgrace himself. I then told him we had been unable to obtain pistols, and expected he would consent, as well as Mr. Paull, that we should use one of theirs. To this they both agreed. He (Mr. Cooper) told me he did not know how to load them; I showed him how, and directed him to load Burdett’s while I loaded Mr. Paull’s. I then asked him what distance he proposed them to stand at; he said he knew nothing about the matter, and left it to me. I measured out twelve paces, and placed the principals at the extremities of the space. I then directed him to give Sir Francis a pistol, and I presented another to Mr. Paull, at the same time assuring him, as I had Mr. Cooper, that Sir Francis came there without the slightest animosity against Mr. Paull; but that he would fire at him as a mode of self-defence. I said besides to Mr. Paull,—that I hoped he was thoroughly convinced that the injury he had received was of a nature not to be satisfied with anything short of attempting the life of my friend, and risking his own. He replied,—he must do so, unless he had an apology.

I then asked them if they would agree to fire by a signal I would make by dropping my handkerchief? They each did agree to it. I placed myself about four yards on one side the centre of the space between them; while Mr. Cooper, on giving the pistol to Sir Francis, retreated very precipitately behind a tree at some distance. On a signal being made, they fired together, but without effect. I then took Mr. Paull’s pistol from him, and said, “I hope, Sir, you are now satisfied.” He said, “No; I must have an apology, or proceed.” I said, “To talk of an apology is absurd, and quite out of all question.” I then reloaded the pistols, and gave them as before. I again addressed Mr. Paull as I had at first. He answered with warmth,—that he must have an apology, or proceed; and called God to witness that he was the most injured man on earth. Mr. Cooper was then to make the signal; but he stood so far out of the way, that Sir Francis could not see him, although he had already called to him during his retreat, and begged him not to go so far off, and to come forward, or words to that effect. At last I saw Sir Francis could not see Mr. Cooper, nor his signal; and upon his making it, I called out, “Fire,” to Sir Francis as soon as I saw Mr. Paull raise his pistol. They did so together, I believe, upon my uttering the words.

I should observe, that while they were waiting for the signal, I observed that Sir Francis held his arm raised, and his pistol pointed towards Mr. Paull. Knowing this was not with a view of taking any unfair advantage, but the effect of accident, I said, “Burdett, don’t take aim. I am sure you are not doing so; drop your arm, as you see Mr. Paull has his pistol pointed downwards.” Mr. Paull then asked me, why I advised Sir Francis not to take aim. I said—anybody might see that I could only mean for him not to take aim, or prepare to do so, before the signal, and from a desire to see that they were upon equal terms. The consequences of the second shots have been already described. After speaking to each of them, I set off for the carriages. Both were put into Mr. Paull’s. I went on to Sir Francis Burdett’s house, to Lady Burdett and his brother; and also to procure a surgeon at Wimbledon.

During the transaction not one word passed between me and Sir Francis, except what I said about taking aim. Mr. Cooper has constantly refused to sign any official account, to say where he lives, or what is his situation; which also was repeatedly requested of him before me; nor do I at this moment know anything further about him.

John Bellenden Ker.

BETWEEN MAJOR CAMPBELL AND CAPTAIN BOYD.
August 1808.