As soon as Lord Kingsborough, who was in Ireland, heard of the fate of his daughter, he came to England with his son, Colonel King; and the first step was to find out Colonel Fitzgerald, which was not done without some difficulty, as they were determined to call him to a personal and severe account.
Lord Kingsborough wrote to his friend, Major Wood, at Ashford, requesting his immediate attendance in town. As soon as he arrived a meeting was appointed, and a duel took place, of which the following particulars are given by Major Wood to a friend:—
“Fladong’s Hotel, Oxford-street, October 1, 1797.
“My dear Friend,
“I shall, without preface, enter at once into the affair, which I mentioned to you was to take place this morning, and ‘nothing extenuate, nor set down aught in malice.’
“Agreeably to an arranged plan, I accompanied Colonel King to a spot near the Magazine in the Park. Colonel Fitzgerald we met at Grosvenor-gate, unaccompanied by a friend, which, by the way, he told me yesterday he feared he should not be able to provide, in consequence of the odium which was thrown upon his character; at the same time observing, ‘That he was so sensible of my honour, that he was perfectly satisfied to meet Colonel King unattended by a friend.’ I decidedly refused any interference on his part, informing him ‘That had not nearer relations of the —— been on the spot, he would have seen me as a principal.’ He replied, ‘He would try to procure a friend,’ and withdrew. I addressed him this morning by ‘Where is your friend, Sir?’ Answer (as well as I recollect), ‘I have not been able to procure one; I rest assured that you will act fairly.’ I then desired him to apply to his surgeon, which he immediately did, who refused appearing as a second, but said he would be in view. Colonel King was equally desirous to go on with the business. I consented. However, I prevailed upon a surgeon, who accompanied Dr. Browne, to be present as a witness that all was fairly conducted. It was no common business. I placed them at ten short paces’ distance from each other. That distance I thought too far. But I indulged a hope that Colonel Fitzgerald, sensible of the vileness of his conduct, would, after the first fire, have thrown himself on Colonel King’s humanity. His conduct was quite the reverse. In short, they exchanged six shots without effect. King was cool and determined. The other also was determined; and, to appearance, obstinately bent on blood. After the fourth shot he said something to me about giving him advice as a friend. I told him I was no friend of his, but that I was a friend to humanity, that, if after what had passed, he possessed firmness enough to acknowledge to Colonel King that he was the vilest of human beings, and bear without reply any language from Colonel King, however harsh, the present business, then, perhaps, might come to a period. He consented to acknowledge that he had acted wrongly, but no farther. That was not enough. He now attempted to address Colonel King, who prevented him by saying,—that he was a d—d villain, and that he would not listen to anything he had to say.
“They proceeded. Colonel Fitzgerald’s powder and balls were now expended. He desired to have one of King’s pistols. To this I would not consent, though pressed to do so by my friends. Here ended this morning’s business. We must meet again. It cannot end here. I have only to add, that nothing could exceed the firmness and propriety of Colonel King’s conduct, through every stage of this business.
“I am, my dear friend, very truly yours,
“Robert Wood.
“P.S.—On leaving the ground Colonel Fitzgerald agreed to meet Colonel King at the same hour to-morrow.