BETWEEN MR. COLCLOUGH AND MR. ALCOCK.
In the preceding year, another fatal duel, of a political or rather an electioneering nature, took place at Wexford. Mr. John Colclough, of Trulom Abbey, had declared himself a candidate for the representation of the county, which he had sat for in the previous parliament. For many years certain noblemen had monopolised the representation of Wexford, and Mr. Colclough determined on this occasion to put the sense of the county to the proof, and therefore proposed Mr. Sheridan as joint candidate with himself. With these gentlemen Mr. Alcock, supported by the interest of certain influential electors, contested the county. The election commenced, the poll proceeded, and the independent party was rapidly advancing to success, when one of the most melancholy events terminated the contest.
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.
A duel was fought on Tuesday morning, at daybreak, in a field, about a mile and a half from Totteridge, between two gentlemen, who had alighted from post-chaises, at the King’s Arms public-house, near the spot. In an hour after one of the parties was brought in mortally wounded in the abdomen, and he died in four hours after. An inquest was held, and the fact of the duel being proved by some husbandmen, a verdict of “wilful murder” was returned. The body was owned after the inquest. The deceased was a Mr. Harrison, a young man about twenty-two years of age.
BETWEEN LIEUT. STEWART AND LIEUT. BAGNALL.
October 7, 1812.
A fatal duel took place on South Sea Common, near Portsmouth. The parties were Lieutenant Stewart and Lieutenant Bagnall, of the Royal Marines, most intimate friends. The quarrel arose concerning a female, with whom both were intimate.
At the first shot Lieutenant Stewart’s pistol missed fire. At the second discharge, his ball entered behind Lieutenant Bagnall’s right shoulder. Every attention was instantly procured, but the wounded man expired on Saturday evening.
BETWEEN LIEUT. BLUNDELL AND MR. MAGUIRE.
July 12, 1813.
A duel was fought yesterday at Carisbrook Castle, Isle of Wight, at half-past two o’clock, P.M. agreeably to the written challenge of Lieut. Blundell, between that gentleman and Mr. Maguire, when at the second discharge of pistols, Mr. B—— received a mortal wound, of which he died two days after.
BETWEEN MR. O’CONNELL AND MR. D’ESTERRE.
February, 1815.
The following account is from the Freeman’s Journal of the 2nd of February:—
A difference was adjusted yesterday, at Bishop’s Court, county Kildare, which had agitated this city for several days.
At a meeting at Capel-street, on the Saturday previous to the late Aggregate Meeting, Mr. O’Connell attended; and in illustrating some matter which he was anxious to enforce, he alluded, in a contemptuous manner, to the Corporation of Dublin. “The beggarly Corporation of Dublin” was, it seems, one of the epithets of scorn used in reprobation of this act. Mr. J. N. D’Esterre is a member of the Corporation; and having seen this phrase, he addressed a letter on the 25th (the day after the Aggregate Meeting) to Mr. O’Connell requiring to know whether he was fairly reported. On the day after Mr. O’Connell sent an answer, in which he said he would not avow nor disavow what had been reported in the newspapers. But he added, that if Mr. D’Esterre wrote to him to know his opinion of the Common Council of Dublin, as a body, he could easily satisfy him by saying, that no expression which language could furnish was sufficient to convey the sentiments of contempt he had for that body. Mr. O’Connell, besides, requested that Mr. D’Esterre should consider his answer as forming the close of the epistolary correspondence on this topic.
On Friday, a letter was left in Merrion-square for Mr. O’Connell, during his absence at the courts. Its direction was different from the former one which came from Mr. D’Esterre; and Mr. James O’Connell, who had instructions to open any communications that were directed to his brother in his absence, ascertained the quarter from whence it came. He sought merely for the signature, and on perceiving it to be Mr. D’Esterre’s, he immediately closed the letter, and stated in a note to Mr. D’Esterre the circumstances under which he opened it. He said he was ignorant of its contents, not wishing, after the request his brother had made on the day previous, to know anything more of Mr. D’Esterre’s epistolary messages. He added, that his brother did not expect to hear a second time from Mr. D’Esterre through the medium of a letter. Things remained in this condition till Sunday last. On that day Mr. James O’Connell received a note from Mr. D’Esterre, containing disrespectful observations on himself and his brother. Immediately after the receipt of it, he sent his friend, Captain O’Mullan, to Mr. D’Esterre to say, that after he had adjusted his affair with his brother, he would bring him to account for his conduct to himself peculiarly. Captain O’Mullan at the same time intimated that Counsellor O’Connell was astonished at not hearing, in what he conceived the proper way, from Mr. D’Esterre.
Nothing farther happened on Sunday; and on Monday morning Mr. Lidwell, who remained here several days to be the friend of Mr. O’Connell, though some members of his family were seriously indisposed, left town for home, despairing of any issue being put to the controversy. Monday passed on; and on Tuesday considerable sensation was created by a rumour that Mr. D’Esterre was advised to go to the Four Courts to offer Mr. O’Connell personal violence. Neither of the parties came in contact. But it seems Mr. D’Esterre was met on one of the quays by Mr. Richard O’Gorman, who remonstrated with him, by stating that he conceived he was pursuing a very unusual sort of conduct. This occurred about three o’clock; but no challenge followed. About four it was understood that Mr. D’Esterre was in the streets; and Mr. O’Connell paraded about with one or two friends, but did not come across his antagonist. A multitude soon collected about him, among whom there could not be less than five hundred gentlemen of respectability; and Mr. O’Connell then had no other resource left, than to take refuge in a house in Exchequer-street. In a short time Judge Day entered, in his magisterial capacity, to put him under arrest. The hon. Justice said he would be satisfied if he had the guarantee of Mr. O’Connell’s honour that he would proceed no farther in the business. “It is not my business, Mr. Justice,” said Mr. O’Connell, “to be the aggressor. Further, however, I must tell you, that no human consideration will induce me to go.” The hon. Justice then retired; and Mr. O’Connell shortly after repaired to Merrion-square. No challenge of any kind grew out of Tuesday’s proceedings.
On Wednesday morning, however, it was at length intimated to Mr. O’Connell that Mr. D’Esterre intended to call upon him for a meeting. Twelve o’clock was fixed upon for the nomination of hour and place. There was some overture made to enlarge the time, but Mr. O’Connell’s friend would not consent. We should mention that his friend was Major Macnamara, of Doolen, in the county of Clare, a Protestant gentleman attached to no party, and of the highest respectability. The friend of Mr. D’Esterre was Sir Edward Stanley.
After some discussion the parties fixed upon the place which we have already mentioned. It is about twelve miles distant from this city, and constitutes part of Lord Ponsonby’s demesne. The hour appointed was half-past three o’clock. At three precisely (we can speak confidently, for we now speak from personal knowledge), Mr. O’Connell, attended by his second, Surgeon Macklin, and a number of friends, was on the ground. About four, Mr. D’Esterre, attended only by Surgeon Peel, Sir Edward Stanley (his second), and a Mr. D’Esterre, of Limerick, appeared. There was some conversation between the seconds as to position, mode of fire, &c.; which, added to other sources of delay, occupied forty minutes. During this interval Mr. D’Esterre took occasion to say that his quarrel with Mr. O’Connell was not of a religious nature. To the Catholics, or their leaders, he said he had no animosity whatever.
At forty minutes past four the combatants were on the ground; they both displayed the greatest coolness and courage. The friends of both parties retired, and the combatants, having a pistol in each hand, with directions to discharge them at their discretion, prepared to fire. They levelled, and before the lapse of a second, both shots were heard. Mr. D’Esterre’s was first, and missed. Mr. O’Connell’s followed instantaneously, and took effect in the thigh of his antagonist, about an inch below the hip. Mr. D’Esterre of course fell, and both the surgeons hastened to him. They found that the ball had “traversed the hip,” and could not be found. There was an immense effusion of blood. All parties prepared to move towards home, and arrived in town before eight o’clock.
It is said that Mr. D’Esterre’s wound is very dangerous; we sincerely hope, however, that it will not prove mortal. The ball passed through both thighs. There was a violent hæmorrhage of the bladder last night, but it had ceased before morning.
We need not describe the emotions which burst forth all along the road, when it was ascertained that Mr. O’Connell was safe.
Mr. D’Esterre died at five o’clock on the 3rd.
The particulars of this duel were reported as follows:—
The Dublin Corporation, at the period, was considered as the stronghold of the Protestant ascendancy, and the hostility to what were called the Catholic claims was carried to great excess. Mr. O’Connell, the champion of his party, assumed a tone equally violent and acrimonious; and at a meeting of the Catholics, held in Dublin, spoke of the corporation of that city in the most contemptuous terms, and amongst other abusive epithets, called it “a beggarly corporation,” an expression which soon became a by-word with their opponents.
Mr. D’Esterre, a young man of great respectability and high spirit, felt indignant at the reproach cast upon the body of which he was a member; and there is reason to believe that his indignation was fanned by the instigation of his colleagues, who were anxious to rid themselves of such a formidable opponent as O’Connell. D’Esterre, therefore, addressed a letter to O’Connell, to know whether he had used the expression which the public papers attributed to him. O’Connell, in reply, neither admitted nor disclaimed the alleged charge, but stated that no terms, however reproachful, could exceed the contemptuous feelings he entertained for the corporation as a public body. To this he added, that his letter must close all correspondence on the subject. Mr. D’Esterre was advised to address another letter to Mr. O’Connell, which was returned unread, by that gentleman’s brother. Various reports were now circulated, and it was stated that D’Esterre intended to offer O’Connell personal violence, should he meet him in the streets. Thus did a week pass, during which threats and violent language were exchanged between the two hostile parties; and it was generally concluded that a duel could not be avoided. Mr. George Lidwell, at Mr. O’Connell’s request, had waited a few days in Dublin expecting a message from Mr. D’Esterre, and at length Sir Edward Stanley, Barrack-master of Dublin, and a friend of Mr. D’Esterre, waited on O’Connell with the hostile message so long expected. The challenge was accepted, and the necessary arrangements were made between Major Macnamara and Sir E. Stanley.
The parties met at Bishop’s Court demesne, Lord Ponsonby’s seat, in the county Kildare, thirteen miles from Dublin. It is said that in the meeting Mr. D’Esterre had been very disadvantageously placed by his second, being in a line with a tree, which afforded direction to his adversary’s aim.
BETWEEN COLONEL QUENTIN AND COLONEL PALMER.
February 9, 1815.
Colonel Palmer had been at Bourdeaux, and on his return to Paris, on Thursday last, found that Mr. Lawrell (Colonel Quentin’s brother-in-law) had left a card repeatedly at his hotel during his absence; in consequence of which he immediately signified his arrival to that gentleman. Mr. Lawrell soon after waited upon him with a challenge from Colonel Quentin. The parties met: Colonel Quentin accompanied by his relative, and Colonel Palmer by Mr. T. Thompson, member for Midhurst. The distance measured was twelve paces; and the challenger, thinking himself aggrieved, having given his first fire, Colonel Palmer showed that he was influenced by no personal motive, by instantly discharging his pistol in the air.
Mr. Lawrell and Colonel Quentin having thereupon, in answer to an inquiry from Mr. Thompson, declared themselves perfectly satisfied, the affair terminated, and the parties returned to Paris.
The Duke de Guiche and two French surgeons were on the ground.
BETWEEN MR. —— AND MR. ——.
Edinburgh, Feb. 18, 1815.
About three o’clock on Monday last, a duel was fought between two gentlemen of this city, near to Caroline Park. Intimation of their intention being given to the Sheriff, a warrant was issued for their apprehension; but before the officers could reach the ground, the parties had interchanged shots without effect. They and their seconds were however taken into custody; and on inquiry into the circumstances of the case, the cause of quarrel appeared so unsatisfactory, and the whole proceeding of those concerned so very strange, that, besides ordering them to find security to keep the peace, the Sheriff fined both principals and seconds in twenty-five guineas each; and ordered the same to be applied for the benefit of the Lunatic Asylum, as being, from its nature, an institution best entitled to a fine derived from such a source.