The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2) — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
The History of Duelling. Vol. 2 (of 2)
John Stuart Mill · en
“The prisoner, Richard William Lambrecht, being cautioned by the
magistrates to be careful of what he said, and to offer nothing to
criminate himself, said, ‘What I state is the whole truth. I was
acquainted with Mr. Clayton. I saw him receive a horse-whipping, which
he did not resent. I mentioned it to Mr. Clayton on Christmas evening,
and after that he sent me a message, to which I returned another by Mr.
Odell. Another person, nearly a fortnight after, took it up, and was my
friend in the business. After that, the meeting took place; and Mr.
Byrne, when on the ground, came up to me, and said, ‘Is it come to
this?’ and I said, that I would make a written apology to no man. After
the business took place, I went up to Mr. Clayton and shook hands with
him, and he said, ‘I forgive you, my dear friend; I forgive you.’ The
message to me by Mr. Odell was from Mr. Clayton; but Mr. Odell advised
Mr. Clayton not to fight, refused to have anything to do with it, and
was not on the ground. I offered an apology through my friend. I said, I
regretted what had taken place; that the words were uttered in a moment
of intemperance, and that I was willing to apologize; which was refused
by the other party. I sent this message through my friend. The answer I
received was, that it must proceed, as nothing would be taken but a
written apology. As far as I know about the business, both our pistols
went off at the same time. It was a chance shot, as it was dark, and we
could not see.”
Several witnesses were then called, who had long known the prisoners,
and described them as persons of a humane and peaceable disposition.