The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Philosophy
The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)
Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)
Dueling
An affair of honour was this day decided on the Flats near Chester,
between Viscount Belgrave and Sir John G. Egerton. On the first fire Sir
John’s ball struck Lord Belgrave in the pistol arm, and slightly wounded
his lordship. The quarrel between the parties originated in certain
proceedings which had taken place on the preceding day, at the annual
election of mayor for the city of Chester. A Mr. Baker, in proposing Mr.
Evans, a gentleman in the Government interest, as mayor, made what were
considered pointed allusions to some of the Egerton party, and
insinuated that they had been stimulated by Sir John Egerton himself.
The insinuation was required by Sir John to be disavowed by Lord
Belgrave, who was present; but this his lordship refused. The greatest
confusion then arose in the assembly, and the Recorder was ultimately
obliged to adjourn the court to another day. The meeting between Sir
John and Lord Belgrave was immediately afterwards arranged.
BETWEEN CAPTAIN JOHNSTON, OF THE 64TH REGIMENT AND BENJAMIN T. BROWNE,
SURGEON OF THE ERIE, AMERICAN SLOOP OF WAR.
March, 1819.
On the 23rd of March, while Captain Johnston was on the main-guard duty
at Gibraltar, a report was made to him, that five individuals had been
taken into custody by a sentry, on their way home from the play, for
being without lights, contrary to the garrison regulations. Captain
Johnston immediately ordered a sufficient number of men to see them
home. In about ten minutes the police-sergeant who accompanied them,
returned with three of the five in custody; and acquainted Captain
Johnston that Archibald Taylor had endeavoured to escape from the
sentry, and had made use of provoking and abusive language to him.
Having, upon inquiry, found the report to be correct, Captain Johnston
ordered the offender to be confined in the Crib; an order which he
resisted, and used very offensive language to Captain Johnston himself.
At this time Captain Johnston was not at all aware that he was an
American. Taylor demanded satisfaction for the treatment he had
received; but the Captain considered that he had merely acted in
conformity with his duty, reported the whole affair to the
field-officer, who approved of the course that had been pursued, and
ordered Taylor to be continued in confinement.
In the morning Mr. Taylor was released; and upon the circulation of a
report, two days afterwards, that Captain Johnston had declined to meet
him or the American consul, who was said to have offered “to stand in
his shoes,” the former having been obliged to sail immediately with the
vessel of which he was master. Captain Johnston applied to the Consul
for an explanation; when that gentleman disavowed any knowledge of the
reports in question, and gave the Captain his thanks for the gentlemanly
conduct he had evinced in the business.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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