Such was the frequent occurrence of duels in this long reign, that one hundred and seventy-two were fought (in which three hundred and forty-four persons were concerned); sixty-nine individuals were killed—in three of these fatal cases neither of the combatants survived; ninety-six were wounded, forty-eight of them desperately, and forty-eight slightly; while one hundred and seventy-nine escaped unhurt.
From this statement it will be seen, that rather more than one fifth of the combatants lost their lives, and that nearly one half received the bullets of their antagonists. It also appears, that only eighteen trials took place; that six of the arraigned individuals were acquitted; seven found guilty of manslaughter, and three of murder,—two of whom were executed, and eight imprisoned during different periods.
When we compare the frequency of duelling during this period and subsequent reigns, and at the same time consider how much more fatal these meetings generally proved, we are naturally led to inquire into the causes of this material difference and amelioration in the condition of society. Desirable indeed would it be, if this circumstance could be attributed to a better feeling in the upper classes, and a just detestation of a practice as absurd as it is inhuman; but it is to be feared, that the influence of fashion here had no inconsiderable share in the change of manners. Though many men pre-eminent in public estimation have sanctioned the practice by their example; yet how few are they compared with those of former times, where we find York, Norfolk, Richmond, Bellamont, Exmouth, Talbot, Townshend, Shelburne, Paget, Castlereagh, Petersham, Pitt, Fox, Sheridan, Canning, Tierney, and many others of rank and distinction! May not this circumstance be also in some measure attributed to the frequency of the virulent discussions, which have become so frequent during the constant struggles for power, when insults becoming, one may say, of daily occurrence, are rarely noticed? Has not the influence of the increased number of newspapers, many of which have been conducted with a degree of personal animosity, and we must say, ungentlemanly vituperation, rendered the use of offensive language so general as to have become a matter of course in political argument, and therefore rarely noticed, except by still more abusive recrimination? If such a latitude in degrading phraseology had been as generally prevalent in France, scarcely an editor would be now living to vindicate his excesses, by the satisfaction of pleading his antagonist’s death; the lie, the blow, which would once have required the fall of one of the parties, is now only resented by another accusation of falsehood, a second edition of a thrashing, or an action at law.
Of late years, the most unwarrantable parliamentary language has been apologized for, on the plea of its not having been allusive to private character, so that a legislator, or a minister, may be considered a political scoundrel, but a worthy individual member of society; guilty of a falsehood in the house, but devoted to the cause of truth beyond the purlieus of St. Stephen; faithful to all his engagements with the world, but a traitor to his country; for, after all, what is the language of opposition, but a strenuous endeavour to impugn an adversary’s veracity, to show, that for mere lucre or the vanity of possessing power and patronage, he betrays the most sacred trust reposed in him by his sovereign; that he hurries his country to perdition for the selfish motive of personal aggrandisement, and sacrifices the national weal for his own benefit and that of his family and dependants? can there be any insult offered to a man more pungent, more degrading? The lie, the blow, given in a moment of passionate ebullition, are trifling offences, when compared to such serious charges, which, if substantiated, should not only expose a man to universal contempt and detestation, but to the most ignoble death. When such impeachments are hourly, daily made, can we expect much sensitiveness when reciprocal abuse is bandied at the bar of the House, as well as at the bar of courts of justice? Pleaders consider themselves justifiable in using the bitterest, the most unwarrantable language. They dress for the character they perform in wig and gown; and fancy that when they have doffed their attributes, they withdraw from the stage, and have merely performed their part in the great drama of life. Then again, in the intemperate language of opposition, how often does galling necessity, and bitter disappointment in not obtaining office (when its emoluments are required, to keep the wolf from the postulant’s door), prompt the orator? and many a time perhaps an eloquent senator has drawn out the headings of his speech, on the back of an attorney’s threatening letter, and the evil day is ever put off with the usual promise of speedy liquidation “when the present people go out.”
Men, in a public sphere of life, are, to a certain extent, public property. Their actions are exposed to the scrutiny of the community at large. A writer, however galled his acute vanity may be, cannot consider the abuse lavished on his productions as a personal insult; and it is the same with the politician,—the invectives poured upon his public conduct are not esteemed as aspersions on his private character. A falsehood is considered an expedient evasion, an error; and a personal invective, a mere ebullition of eloquence, a bubbling over of the diplomatic cabinet, an opposition caldron, as heterogeneous and monstrous in its contents as that of the weird sisters.
These observations are not intended to condemn this philosophical view of the subject. Were these excesses noticed at the pistol’s muzzle, it would only be adding murder to corruption; and, as society is constituted, when an electioneering hustings may be oftentimes compared to a stall at Billinsgate, a candidate who seeks to vindicate what he is complacently pleased to call his honour, must indeed be a Quixotic character, when he in general conscientiously knows that every syllable of his address to the voters is void of veracity, and all his pledges futile and false.
The frequent occurrence of duels, in former times, may also be attributed to the mode of living in days fortunately gone by. Hard drinking is now rarely heard of; and when it was in fashion, insults were often given under the influence of liquor, and vindicated under the plea of excitement from the preceding night’s excesses. In Ireland it was not uncommon for parties to sit up carousing during the entire night preceding the murderous meeting; and the break of day, through the casement of the hall of revelry, was the signal for departure to the field. One of the greatest curses of intemperance is the extreme susceptibility which it gives our pride and vanity; and if there is any ground for the proverb, in vino veritas, it may be attributed to the fact, that under this potent influence we sometimes know ourselves better than in our more sober hours. The pangs of repentance are more bitter, although they may be transient in these moments of excited reflection, when the past, the present, and the future are exaggerated in all their circumstances by an imagination morbidly vivid. It is then that we love, and hate, with all the energy of our hearts; that all our evil passions, and sometimes our good feelings, prevail; for the miser, over his cups, may become generous; the barbarous, humane; and the man who has perpetrated the most reckless crimes, will weep with apparent anguish over ideal woes. Were it possible to ascertain the influence of intemperance in the many duels that have been fought, it would doubtless appear that many of these fatal quarrels would never have taken place in a sober society.
It is also to be observed, that duels, when of constant recurrence, became the subject of general conversation, and duels, like suicide, bear a fashionably contagious character, which spreads widely in society, and then the most mistaken of criminals fancies that he must also avenge certain wrongs, or rid himself of an uncertain life. The one feels a pleasure in killing a supposed enemy, and the other seeks a riddance from pain by killing himself. The one thinks that he must establish a character of courage, not to be despised by society, and the suicide bids farewell to a society which he disgraces; whereas, neither the one nor the other in these desperate acts displays a particle of true courage.
In the present state of society, insults to women are comparatively rare; and indeed, unless a person, who in the slightest degree claims the character of a gentleman, is labouring under the brutalizing influence of liquor, it is scarcely possible to imagine how he can so far forget every manly attribute as to offend a being whom nature has placed under our protection, and to whose assistance, when in danger, we rush instinctively. This cause of duelling is therefore seldom noticed.
Leaving off the wearing of swords, as I have already observed, rendered bloody frays less frequent; but at the same time, the adoption of pistols gave a much more serious complexion to a hostile meeting. It is true, that comparatively few shots tell, but the wounds of fire-arms are in general more dangerous than those inflicted by a rapier. Skill in fencing might be of considerable advantage to a good swordsman; but it is also a well-known fact, that a man who has science in fencing, can not only parry a thrust, but inflict a mortal wound on one less dexterous. Moreover, when what was called the first blood was drawn, however trifling the scratch, the seconds generally interposed. It may be therefore concluded, that as mankind is taught to think soberly, the danger of a duel may deter many from rashly running its chance.
In recording the many duels that took place during this reign, several of them may appear trivial, and not worthy of notice, yet, as the history of duelling, as I have already said, may be considered as the mirror of the manners and prevalent ideas of the day, these circumstances, however insignificant, are of importance, inasmuch as they show both the progress and the gradual decline of this detestable practice; they will tend also to point out those cases where the most punctilious should have been amply satisfied with an apology, and where the seconds were guilty of murder, by allowing their principals to proceed to the fatal extremity of sending life in pursuit of the phantom misnamed Honour.
Although this meeting took place at Marseilles; yet, as being one highly characteristic of the times, it may be properly considered here.
Lord Kilmaurs was the eldest son of the Earl of Glencarne, and was one of the best-natured persons imaginable; but, unfortunately, was extremely deaf. Being one evening at the playhouse, he was talking rather loudly to the person who sat next to him, as deaf people generally do. This happened to give offence to a French officer, who was in the neighbouring box, who called out to his Lordship “Paix!” (silence); which word the officer repeated two or three times without its being heard, or of course attended to. Upon which the Frenchman rose, and exclaimed, with great violence in an angry tone of voice, “Taisez-vous!” His Lordship this time heard the insolent address; and observing the supercilious air that accompanied it, replied, that as the other had no right to command silence there, he should show his utter contempt of his insolent injunction by talking still louder, which he accordingly did.
The French officer soon after left the box; and, as his Lordship’s ill star would have it, he also quitted his, and went into another, where the same officer was, but, it is reported, without the least thought of what had taken place, so much so indeed, that looking about him on entering the box, he cast his eyes on the officer without recollecting him. The indignant Frenchman ran up to him, and asked him, what he meant by staring him in the face. To which Lord Kilmaurs replied, that he had a right to look at any one. The officer indignantly replied, that he was not to be treated in such a manner with impunity. Without any further preamble he exclaimed, “Come along!” and pulled his Lordship by the arm out of the box, and in the middle of the street struck him across the shoulder with his naked sword. Upon which Lord Kilmaurs drew, and made a pass or two; and before any one arrived to part them, received the sword of his antagonist in the pit of his stomach, whence it passed through his right shoulder; on which they were parted. They were immediately surrounded by numberless spectators. At first his Lordship was hardly sensible of his wound, but in a few moments he dropped down speechless; in which situation he must inevitably have been smothered by the pressing on of the crowd, had not the Duke de Pequigny brought a guard to keep them off. Again, he ran the risk of being stifled with his own blood, had not a surgeon, passing through the crowd, cut his stock and the neck of his shirt, and applied some drops to his nostrils. He remained several hours speechless, with almost every mortal symptom. These, however, passed off, and in three days he was out of danger. The officer took post immediately into the Pope’s dominions at Avignon, while a short detail of the affair was sent to the British ambassador at Paris, who settled the affair.
The same year (1765), a duel was fought between two officers on Kennington Common, when a Major A—— was desperately wounded by a ball in the breast, which came out at his side. His opponent effected his escape.
In 1769 a duel was fought in Ireland between Henry Flood and James Agar, when the latter was shot dead. An old quarrel had long subsisted between them, and this mode of arranging their differences was ultimately agreed upon.
Duels between dramatic performers are uncommon occurrences. It is true, that there does not exist a class of society more morbidly alive to the unction of flattery than players; but they are so accustomed to rudeness of behaviour amongst each other, the green-room and stage familiarity fully illustrating the old proverb, that insults generally go, if not unheeded, at any rate, according to the ideas of honour generally entertained, unrevenged. In 1770, on the 17th November, a meeting took place between George Garrick, the brother of the celebrated David, and Mr. Baddeley, both of Drury Lane. The trumpet of fame had long accused George Garrick of being concerned in an intrigue with Baddeley’s wife, till at last Baddeley, urged on by an intriguing mischievous Jew, who was himself a great admirer of the lady, was persuaded, that it became him, as a man of parts, to demand satisfaction. The parties very reluctantly met in Hyde Park; when Baddeley discharged his pistol without effect, and, indeed, it was reported, without aim, as his arm was as unsteady as that of Gil Blas in his first action with the robbers. Garrick magnanimously fired his in the air. On the arrival of Mrs. Baddeley, in a hackney-coach, who, jumping out of the vehicle, threw herself between the combatants in an imploring attitude, exclaiming, “Spare him! spare him!” the tableau was so effective that the parties embraced each other, and the interlude was concluded by a general reconciliation.
The cause of this duel was never well known. However, the meeting took place behind Bedford House. Lord John Cavendish was Lord Milton’s second; and Captain Kelly, Lord Poulett’s. When they had taken their ground. Lord Milton desired Lord Poulett to fire first, which he did, and the ball entered Lord Milton’s belly.
In 1772 a melancholy meeting took place between a Mr. M’Lean, of Gartmoor, in Scotland, and a Mr. Cameron. An old grudge had existed between them, when the latter gave M’Lean the lie; a duel followed, and M’Lean was killed on the spot. His mother, on hearing of the melancholy event, was deprived of her reason, and a Miss M’Leod, a young lady, to whom Mr. M’Lean was soon to have been married, was seized with fits, and died three days after.
When Mr. Sheridan became the avowed suitor of Miss Linley, the celebrated vocal performer, her father, the late composer, did not at first encourage his suit, and he had many rivals to overcome in his attempts to gain the lady’s affections. His perseverance, however, increased with the difficulties that presented themselves; and his courage and resolution in vindicating Miss Linley’s reputation from a calumnious report, which had been basely thrown out against her, obtained for him the fair prize for which he twice exposed his life.
Mr. Matthews, a gentleman, then well known in the fashionable circles at Bath, had caused a paragraph to be inserted in a public paper at that place, which tended to prejudice the character of this young lady, and Mr. Sheridan immediately applied for redress to the publisher, who gave up the writer’s name.
Mr. Matthews had, in the mean time, set out for London, and was closely followed by Mr. Sheridan. They met, and fought a duel with swords, at a tavern in Henrietta-street, Covent-garden. Mr. Sheridan’s second on the occasion was his brother, Charles Francis, afterwards Secretary at War in Ireland.
Great courage and skill were displayed on both sides; but Mr. Sheridan having succeeded in disarming his adversary, compelled him to sign a formal retractation of the paragraph which had been published.
Sheridan instantly returned to Bath; and thinking, very properly, that as the insult had been publicly given, the apology should have equal notoriety, caused it to be inserted in the same paper. Mr. Matthews soon heard of the circumstance; and irritated at his defeat, as well as at the use which his antagonist had made of his apology, determined to call upon Mr. Sheridan for satisfaction. A message was accordingly sent, and a meeting agreed upon.
Mr. Sheridan would have been fully justified, according to the most delicate punctilios of honour, in declining the call; but he silenced all the objections that were started by his friends, and the parties met on Kingsdown.
The victory was desperately contested, and after a discharge of pistols, they fought with swords. They were both wounded, and closing with each other, fell on the ground, where they continued to fight until they were separated. They received several cuts and contusions in this arduous struggle for life and honour, and a part of Matthews’s sword was actually broken off in Sheridan’s ear.
Miss Linley did not suffer the prowess of her champion to remain long unrewarded, and accompanied him on a matrimonial trip to the Continent. The ceremony was again performed on their return to England, with the consent of the lady’s parents.
This afternoon, the long-subsisting difference between Lord Townshend and the Earl of Bellamont was finally decided in Marylebone Fields, when the latter received a ball in the right side of his belly, near the groin.
They were armed with small swords, and a case of pistols; but it was agreed to use the latter first. Lord Townshend fired first, which gave the unfortunate wound, and Lord Bellamont discharged his pistol immediately after, without effect. The seconds were the Hon. Mr. Dillon for Lord Bellamont, and Lord Ligonier for Lord Townshend.
Lord Bellamont was immediately taken up and put into a chaise; but from the agony arising from his wound, he could not bear the motion. A chair was, therefore, immediately sent for to carry him to his lodging, where, on his arrival, he desired to be laid on his back. Mr. Bromfield and other surgeons were immediately called in, who endeavoured, but in vain, to extract the ball. His lordship ultimately recovered after great suffering.
This day a duel was fought between Mr. Scawen and Mr. Fitzgerald, near Lisle, in which neither of the gentlemen received any hurt. Mr. Fitzgerald fired two pistols, one by design and one by accident. Mr. Scawen fired one in the air, when making some slight apology for the cause of the duel, the parties were reconciled, and returned highly satisfied with the issue of the affair.
A duel was fought in Hyde Park, between Mr. Whately, brother of Mr. Whately, late Secretary to the Treasury, and John Temple, Esq., Lieutenant-Governor of New Hampshire, when the former was dangerously wounded.
The cause of quarrel was—the discovery of the confidential letters written by Messrs. Hutchinson, Oliver, Paxton, &c. &c., which were lately laid before the Assembly at Boston, and have been since published in most of the London papers.
Soon after this duel was fought, the following information was given to the public by Doctor Franklin:—
“Finding that two gentlemen have been unfortunately engaged in a duel about a transaction and its circumstances, of which both of them are totally ignorant and innocent, I think it incumbent on me to declare (for the prevention of further mischief, as far as such a declaration may contribute to prevent it) that I alone am the person who obtained, and transmitted to Boston, the letters in question. Mr. Whately could not communicate them, because they were never in his possession; and, for the same reason, they could not be taken from him by Mr. Temple. They were not of the nature of private letters between friends. They were written by public officers to persons in public stations, on public affairs, and intended to produce public measures. They were, therefore, handed to other public persons, who might be influenced by them to produce those measures. Their tendency was to incense the mother-country against her colonies; and, by the steps recommended, to widen the breach, which they effected. The chief caution expressed with regard to privacy was, to keep their contents from the colony agents, who, the writers apprehended, might return them, or copies of them, to America. That apprehension was, it seems, well-founded; for the first agent who laid his hands on them, thought it his duty to transmit them to his constituents.
(Signed) “Benjamin Franklin,
A rencontre happened at the Adelphi Tavern, in the Strand, between Captain Stoney and Mr. Bate, editor of the Morning Post.
The cause of quarrel arose from some offensive paragraphs that had appeared in the Morning Post, highly reflecting on the character of Lady Strathmore. After having discharged their pistols at each other without effect, they drew their swords; and Mr. Stoney received a wound in the breast and arm, and Mr. Bate one in the thigh. Mr. Bate’s sword bent, and slanted against the captain’s breast-bone, of which Mr. Bate apprising him, Captain Stoney called to him to straighten it; and, in the interim, while the sword was under his foot for that purpose, the door was burst open, or the death of one of the parties would most certainly have ensued. On the Saturday following Captain S. married the lady whom he had thus defended at the hazard of his own life.
On Saturday, the 17th inst., Count Rice and Viscount du Barry, being together in the house of the latter, a question arose between them about which they disagreed; and in the heat of the dispute, upon an assertion of Count Rice, Viscount du Barry said, “Cela n’est pas vrai,” to which Count Rice immediately observed, “You probably do not observe the idea that expression conveys in the language you speak in, and that it admits but of one very disagreeable interpretation.” Upon which the other replied, “You may interpret it as you please.” This ungentlemanlike treatment having provoked the resentment of Count Rice, and Viscount du Barry offering no apology, they immediately sent for seconds, who did not quit them till they got to Claverton Down, where they remained, together with a surgeon, till daylight, when they took the field, each armed with two pistols and a sword. The ground being marked out by the seconds, the Viscount du Barry fired first, and lodged a ball in Count Rice’s thigh, which penetrated as far as the bone. Count Rice fired his pistol, and wounded the Viscount in the breast. He went back two or three steps, then came forward again, and both at the same time presented their pistols to each other. The pistols flashed together in the pan, though one only was discharged. They then threw away their pistols, and took to their swords. When Count Rice had advanced within a few yards of the Viscount, he saw him fall, and heard him cry out, “Je vous demande ma vie.” To which Count Rice answered, “Je vous la donne.” But in a few seconds the Viscount fell back and expired.
Count Rice was brought with difficulty to Bath, being dangerously wounded. But he afterwards recovered.
The coroner’s inquest sat on the Viscount’s body; and after a mature examination of the witnesses and the Viscount’s servant, brought in their verdict “Manslaughter.”
A duel was fought at Coxheath between a Lieutenant of militia and a Lieut.-Colonel, when the latter was shot in the left breast, and expired immediately. The deceased had charged the lieutenant with exciting his men to mutiny, of which he was honourably acquitted by a court-martial.
Mr. Fox having in debate, one day in the preceding week, animadverted, with some degree of asperity, on a particular species of argument, frequently made use of by the friends of ministers, viz.:—“That bad as the ministry were, it was not certain that the nation would be at all bettered by taking their opponents”—a Mr. Adam, who had made use of that argument in the same debate, called on Mr. Fox, some days after, for an explanation.
The following letters passed on the above occasion:—
“Mr. Adam presents his compliments to Mr. Fox, and begs leave to represent to him, that upon considering again and again what had passed between them last night, it is impossible for him to have his character cleared to the public without inserting the following paragraph in the newspapers:—We have authority to assure the public, that in a conversation that passed between Mr. Fox and Mr. Adam, in consequence of the debate in the House of Commons on Thursday last, Mr. Fox declared that however much his speech may have been misrepresented, he did not mean to throw any personal reflection upon Mr. Adam.
“Major Humberstone does me the honour of delivering this to you, and will bring your answer.
“To the Hon. Charles James Fox.”
“Sir, “I am very sorry it is utterly inconsistent with my ideas of propriety, to authorise the putting any thing into the newspapers, relative to a speech which, in my opinion, required no explanation. You, who heard the speech, must know, that it did convey no personal reflection upon you, unless you felt yourself in the predicament upon which I animadverted. The account of my speech in the newspapers is certainly incorrect, and certainly unauthorised by me; and therefore, with respect to them, I have nothing to say.
“Neither the conversation that passed at Brookes’s, nor this letter, is of a secret nature; and if you have any wish to relate the one, or to show the other, you are perfectly at liberty so to do.
I am, &c. &c.
“Chesterfield-street, half-past 2, Sunday, Nov. 28.
“To —— Adam, Esq.”
“Sir, “As you must be sensible that the speech printed in the newspapers reflects upon me personally, and as it is from them only that the public can have their information, it is evident that, unless that is contradicted by your authority in as public a manner as it was given, my character must be injured. Your refusal to do this entitles me to presume that you approve of the manner in which that speech has been given to the public, and justifies me in demanding the only satisfaction such an injury will admit of.
“Major Humberstone is empowered to settle all particulars; and the sooner this affair is brought to a conclusion, the more agreeable to me.
“I have the honour to be, &c. &c.
“To the Hon. Charles James Fox.”
In consequence of the above, the parties met, according to agreement, at eight o’clock in the morning. After the ground was measured out, at the distance of fourteen paces, Mr. Adam desired Mr. Fox to fire; to which Mr. Fox replied, “Sir, I have no quarrel with you, do you fire.” Mr. Adam then fired, and wounded Mr. Fox, which, we believe, was not at all perceived by Mr. Adam, as it was not distinctly seen by either of ourselves. Mr. Fox then fired, without effect. We then interfered, asking Mr. Adam if he was satisfied. Mr. Adam replied, “Will Mr. Fox declare he meant no personal attack upon my character?” Upon which Mr. Fox said, this was no place for apology, and desired him to go on. Mr. Adam fired his second pistol without effect. Mr. Fox fired his remaining pistol in the air; and then saying, as the affair was ended, he had no difficulty in declaring, he meant no more personal affront to Mr. Adam than he did to either of the other gentlemen present. Mr. Adam replied, “Sir, you have behaved like a man of honour.”
Mr. Fox then mentioned that he believed himself wounded; and upon his opening his waistcoat it was found it was so, but to all appearance slightly. The parties then separated, and Mr. Fox’s wound, on examination, was found not likely to produce any dangerous consequences.[7]
A remarkable trial lately happened in the Court of King’s Bench, in Ireland. A Counsellor R— had fought a duel with a gentleman, and killed him. He traversed the indictment, and imagined the jury, as usual, would bring in their verdict of “manslaughter.” But the barrister found himself mistaken: they deemed the intentions of two men going out, premeditatedly, to fight, to be “malice aforethought;” and to the astonishment of the Court, brought the prisoner in “guilty,”—Death. The judges desired them to recommend him to the Bench as an object of mercy. They did it with reluctance.
Mr. Fullarton, member for Plympton, and late secretary to Lord Stormont, in his embassy to the Court of France, complained to the House of the ungentlemanlike behaviour of the Earl of Shelburne, who, he said, with all the aristocratic insolence that marks that nobleman’s character, had, in effect, dared to say, that he and his regiment were as ready to act against the liberties of England, as against her enemies. This occasioned some altercation between those who were the friends of each party; but being generally thought unparliamentary, it went at that time no farther.
However, on the 22d of March the parties had a meeting.
Lord Shelburne, with Lord Frederick Cavendish for his second, and Mr. Fullarton, with Lord Balcarras for his second, met at half-past five in Hyde Park, March 22, 1780. Lord Balcarras and Lord F. Cavendish proposed that both parties should obey the seconds. Lord Shelburne and Mr. Fullarton walked together, while Lord Balcarras and Lord F. Cavendish adjusted all ceremonials, and fixed on pistols as the proper weapons. When they came to the ground, Lord Shelburne told them that his pistols were already loaded, and offered to draw them, which was rejected by Lord Balcarras and Colonel Fullarton; upon which Lord Balcarras loaded Colonel Fullarton’s pistols. The seconds having agreed that twelve paces was a proper distance, the parties took their ground. Colonel Fullarton desired Lord Shelburne to fire, which his Lordship declined; and Colonel Fullarton was ordered by the seconds to fire. He fired and missed. Lord Shelburne returned it, and missed. Mr. Fullarton then fired his second pistol, and hit Lord Shelburne in the right groin, which his Lordship signified; upon which every body ran up, and the seconds interfered. Lord F. Cavendish offered to take the pistol from Lord Shelburne; but his Lordship refused to deliver it up, saying, “I have not fired that pistol.” Mr. Fullarton returned immediately to his ground, which he had left with a view of assisting his Lordship, and repeatedly desired his Lordship to fire at him. Lord Shelburne said, “Sure, sir, you do not think I would fire my pistol at you;” and fired it in the air. The parties and their seconds joined together. Lord Balcarras asked Lord Shelburne if he had any difficulty in declaring he meant nothing personal to Colonel Fullarton. His Lordship replied, “You know it has taken another course; this is no time for explanation.” His Lordship then said to Colonel Fullarton, “Although I am wounded, I am able to go on if you feel any resentment.” Colonel Fullarton said, “He hoped he was incapable of harbouring such a sentiment.” Lord F. Cavendish declared, that, from the character he had heard of Colonel Fullarton, he believed so. Colonel Fullarton said, “As your Lordship is wounded, and has fired in the air, it is impossible for me to go on.”
Lord Balcarras and Lord F. Cavendish immediately declared, “That the parties had ended the affair by behaving as men of the strictest honour.”
On hearing of the above affair, the following message was sent from the City:—
“The Committee of Common Council for corresponding with the committees appointed, or to be appointed, by the several counties, cities, and boroughs in this kingdom, anxious for the preservation of the valuable life of so true a friend of the people as the Earl of Shelburne, respectfully inquire after his Lordship’s safety, highly endangered in consequence of his upright and spirited conduct in Parliament.
“By order of the Committee,
“W. Rix.”
“The Earl of Shelburne.”
At the assizes at Kingston, in Surrey, the trials on the Crown side came on before the Hon. Mr. Justice Gould, and a special jury, when Mr. Donovan (who voluntarily surrendered himself) was tried for having killed, in a duel, Captain James Hanson. It appeared by a number of respectable witnesses, that the deceased was entirely in fault, and had forced Mr. Donovan to meet him in a field near the Dog and Duck. It also appeared that the only ground of quarrel between the prisoner and the deceased was, that Mr. Donovan interfered between Captain Hanson and another person, and prevented their fighting; on which Captain Hanson gave him very abusive language, and insisted that “he would make him smell powder.”
The deceased was wounded by a pistol bullet in the belly, and lived about twenty-four hours after. He declared to two eminent surgeons who attended him, and to several other persons, that Mr. Donovan behaved, during the action, and after it, with the greatest honour, tenderness, and concern. And he particularly desired that no prosecution should be carried on against him, as he himself was solely in fault, by an unprovoked rashness of temper and heat of passion.
The learned Judge gave an excellent charge to the jury, and said, “Though he allowed that all the circumstances were as favourable to the prisoner, as in such a case could be; yet, as the idea of honour was so often mentioned, he must say, and inform the jury and the auditors, that it was false honour in men to break the laws of God and their country; that going out to fight a duel was, in both parties, a deliberate resolution to commit murder; and there could be no honour in so savage a custom, which, however disguised in words, is contrary to the principles and happiness of society, and ought to be reprobated in every well-regulated community.”
The jury, without going out of court, acquitted Mr. Donovan of the murder, and found him “guilty” of “manslaughter,” on the coroner’s inquest. The Judge fined him ten pounds to the King, which being paid in the court, he was immediately discharged.
A duel was fought in Hyde Park, between the Rev. Mr. Bate, of Surrey-street, and Mr. R——, a student of the law, late of St. John’s College, Cambridge.
The quarrel arose from some circumstances relating to the conduct of the Morning Post, in which they were both engaged. The chance of the first fire falling to Mr. Bate, he discharged his pistol, and hit Mr. R—— in the fleshy part of the right arm. The wound, however, was not sufficient to incapacitate him from returning the fire, which he did, but without effect.
The seconds now interfered, and the affair was adjusted.
Died, in Park-street, Grosvenor-square, Lloyd Dulany, Esq., a gentleman of a most respectable character, and large property in Maryland.
His death is said to be occasioned by a wound which he received on Tuesday evening last, in a duel with the Rev. Mr. Allen, in Hyde Park. The second of the former was —— Delancey, Esq.; and of the latter, Robert Morris, Esq. He was attended by Dr. Millman, and Messrs. Pott and Adair. The magistrates of Bow-street having advertised a reward of ten guineas each, for the apprehension of the Rev. Mr. Allen, and Robert Morris, Esq., they were, in consequence, apprehended, and committed to Tothill-fields Bridewell.
Yesterday the Rev. Mr. Allen surrendered himself at the Sessions’ House, in the Old Bailey, when he and Robert Morris, Esq., were indicted for the “wilful murder” of Lloyd Dulany, Esq.
Mr. Justice Buller, in his charge to the jury, observed, that the case before them consisted of two parts, law and fact. As to law, there is not, nor ever was a doubt, that where two persons meet together deliberately to fight a duel, and one of them is killed, the other is guilty of “murder,” and his second likewise. In respect to the fact, he stated that the quarrel arose from a circumstance of three years’ standing. A paragraph called, “Characters of Principal Men in Rebellion,” published in the Morning Post, June 29, 1779, referred to the first and fifth of July, the same year, and now recognised by the prisoner Allen, in a letter proved to be his handwriting, avowing himself the author of those characters, retorting the charge of “liar and assassin,” upon the deceased; telling him he did not mean to dispute with, but to punish him; and if he (the deceased) harboured any resentment or revenge, the bearer (Morris) would put him in the way of securing its immediate execution. This brought on sundry verbal messages, and at last, on the 18th of June, a meeting of Mr. Dulany, Mr. Delancey his second, and Mr. Morris; from which they went to Mr. Wogden’s, gun-maker, to get Mr. Allen’s pistols charged; and about half-past nine in the evening, after measuring eight yards, discharged their pistols, when the deceased fell.
Mr. Delancey said that Mr. Morris repeatedly urged deferring the duel to the next day.
One Lydia Lepine deposed, that she saw the prisoner Allen shooting at a mark, in a field near Blackfriars’ Bridge, with pistols, between eleven and twelve o’clock, on the 18th of June. Her master and his son confirmed the fact; but could not swear positively to the person. His Lordship concluded with observing, that a mistaken point of honour was not to bias the judges and the jury in such a case.
The jury withdrew about twenty minutes, and brought in a verdict, Allen, “Guilty of Manslaughter.” Morris, “Not Guilty.” The Recorder then, after a pathetic speech, pronounced sentence on Mr. Allen, of one shilling fine, and to be imprisoned six months in Newgate.
Bamber Gascoigne, Esq., and two ladies, proved an alibi as to shooting at a mark; and they, as well as Lords Bateman, Mountmorris, and several other persons, gave Allen an excellent character. Mr. Morris brought no witnesses.
Two officers of the army, with their seconds, and a surgeon, met in a field near Kensington Gravel Pits, to fight a duel; but were happily prevented by the interposition of a clergyman, who lives in that neighbourhood, who happened to be passing by as they alighted from their carriages, and who suspecting their intention, interfered. The polite and affectionate address of this clergyman effected an honourable reconciliation.
A duel was fought between Mr. Riddell, of the Horse Grenadiers, and Mr. Cunningham, of the Scots Greys. Both these gentlemen belonged formerly to the Scots Greys, and had differed at play. Mr. Riddell had challenged Mr. Cunningham, which challenge Mr. Cunningham had declined; but many of the gentlemen of the Scots Greys reviving, at intervals, that circumstance, Mr. Cunningham found it necessary, for the full restoration of his honour, that he should call upon Mr. Riddell. This appeal, Mr. Riddell considering as out of season, declined attending to, till he had consulted his brother officers, who agreed there was no obligation on him to answer Mr. Cunningham.
This being their determination, Mr. Cunningham resolved upon forcing him to the point; and meeting him accidentally at Mr. Christie’s, their agent, spat in his face. Mr. Riddell observed that this being a fresh affront, he should take notice of it, and took his departure. He then proceeded to make a few arrangements in his affairs. But before he had completed them, he received a billet from Mr. Cunningham, reminding him of the affront which he had passed upon him, and declaring his readiness to give him satisfaction. This note coming while the wafer was yet wet to the hands of Sir James Riddell, who was under some apprehension of his son’s situation, he opened it; and having read it, closed it, without taking any other notice of its contents, than providing, in consequence of it, the assistance of several surgeons of the first ability. The meeting was fixed. They were both punctual: Mr. Riddell attended by Captain Topham, of the Horse Grenadiers; and Mr. Cunningham, by Captain Cunningham, of the 69th regiment of foot.
Eight paces were first measured by the seconds, and afterwards the contending parties took their ground. They tossed up for the first fire, which Mr. Riddell won. Mr. Riddell fired, and shot Mr. Cunningham under the right breast, the ball passing, as is supposed, through the ribs, and lodging on the left side near the back. The moment Mr. Cunningham received the shot he reeled, but did not fall. He opened his waistcoat, and declared he was mortally wounded. Mr. Riddell still remained on his ground, when Mr. Cunningham, after a pause of two minutes, declared he would not be taken off the field till he had fired at his adversary. Mr. Cunningham then presented his pistol, and shot Mr. Riddell in the groin; he immediately fell, and was carried in a hackney-coach to Mr. Topham’s. The unhappy man lingered until seven o’clock on Tuesday morning, and then expired.