Several tenants of a person who had given his interest to Alcock,
absolutely refused to vote for that gentleman, declaring that, at every
risk, they would support Colclough and the “great Sheridan.” Mr.
Alcock’s partisans ascribed the conduct of these persons to seduction on
the part of Mr. Colclough. The latter protested in the most solemn
manner that he had not even solicited their votes. Alcock insisted that
they should not vote for him. “How can I prevent them?” naturally
replied Mr. Colclough. After much discussion Mr. Colclough was required
to decline the votes, or receive them at his peril. Of course he
disregarded this threat; open war ensued, and it was determined, that
before the opening of the next morning’s poll, the candidates should
decide by single combat the contested question.
Early on the following morning many hundred people assembled to witness
the affair, among whom were several magistrates. Both candidates were
remarkably near-sighted, and Mr. Alcock determined upon using
spectacles. This was resisted by the friends of Mr. Colclough, who would
not follow the example. The partisans of the former, however,
persevered, and he did wear them. The ground at length was marked, and
the anxious crowd separated on either side, as their party-feelings
prompted them. The seconds handed to each principal a couple of pistols,
and placing them about eight or nine steps asunder, withdrew. A dead
silence and a pause ensued—the crowd stood in motionless suspense—the
combatants presented—the word was given—Mr. Alcock fired first, and his
former friend and intimate companion fell shot through the heart, his
pistol exploding without effect.
The bystanders were almost petrified with horror, when on a sudden a
loud and horrible yell burst simultaneously from every quarter of the
field. Alcock was hurried by his friends from the ground; while those of
Colclough raised the body and mournfully bore it to his native home.
Within two hours after the fatal duel Mr. Alcock was returned _duly
elected_. At the next assizes he was tried for murder, before Baron
Smith, who openly declared against a capital conviction; and the jury,
without a moment’s hesitation, pronounced a verdict of not guilty.
The acquitted duellist, however, suffered much in mind, and ended his
days in a great measure deprived of his intellectual faculties. Two
other duels were fought on the same occasion, but with little injury.
To this melancholy affair there was another sad corollary: Miss Alcock
had known Colclough for a considerable time; she was an amiable and
sensible person—her brother’s absence, his trial, and his subsequent
depression deprived her also of her reason, and in this state she did
not long survive the dreadful fate of her brother and his friend.
BETWEEN MR. HARRISON AND ——.
May 9, 1811.