“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, “Agent for the House of Representatives of the Massachussets Bay.” BETWEEN CAPTAIN STONEY AND THE REV. MR. BATE. January 13, 1777. 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. BETWEEN COUNT RICE AND VISCOUNT DU BARRY. Bath, November 23, 1778.