BETWEEN LORD PAGET AND THE HON. CAPT. CADOGAN.
May, 1809.
In order to prevent the appearance in the papers of any mis-statement respecting the duel which took place this morning between Lord Paget and Captain Cadogan, we, the respective friends of the parties, feel it incumbent on us to submit the following as the correct statement of the event as it occurred:—
In consequence of a challenge having been received by Lord Paget from Captain Cadogan, and every attempt to prevent a meeting having failed, the parties, attended by their respective friends, Captain Cadogan by Captain Mackenzie of the navy, Lord Paget by Lieut.-Colonel Vivian of the 7th Light Dragoons, met, as agreed, at seven o’clock, on Wimbledon Common. The ground having been taken at twelve paces distance, they were directed to fire together. Captain Cadogan fired; Lord Paget’s pistol flashed. This having been decided to go for fire, a question arose whether Lord Paget had taken aim, as if intending to hit his antagonist. Both the seconds being clearly of opinion that such was not his intention (although the degree of obliquity he gave to the direction of the pistol was such as to have been discovered only by particular observation), Captain Mackenzie stated to Captain Cadogan, that as it appeared to be Lord Paget’s intention not to fire at him, he could not admit of the affair proceeding any farther. Lieut.-Colonel Vivian then asked Captain Cadogan whether he had not himself observed that Lord Paget had not aimed at him, to which he replied in the affirmative. Captain Mackenzie then declared his determination not to remain any longer in the field, to witness any further act of hostility on the part of Captain Cadogan. Captain Cadogan replied, that of course his conduct must be decided by his second; declaring, at the same time, that he had come prepared for the fall of one of the parties. On Captain Mackenzie and Lieut.-Colonel Vivian making it known to Lord Paget, that as he evidently did not intend to fire at Captain Cadogan, the affair could go no farther; his lordship replied, “As such is your determination, I have now no hesitation in saying, that nothing could ever have induced me to add to the injuries I have already done the family, by firing at the brother of Lady Charlotte Wellesley.” The parties then left the ground.
(Signed) R. H. Vivian.
George Charles Mackenzie.
The cause of the above duel is well known. It arose from the seduction of the lady of the Hon. Henry Wellesley (sister of Captain Cadogan) by Lord Paget. Her husband afterwards gained 20,000l. damages in the Sheriff’s Court.
BETWEEN LORD CASTLEREAGH AND MR. CANNING.
Sept. 21, 1809.
A duel took place early this morning between Lord Castlereagh and Mr. Canning, in which the latter received a wound in the left thigh; but happily it is not dangerous, being merely a flesh wound.
The meeting took place at Putney Heath. Lord Yarmouth seconded Lord Castlereagh, and Mr. R. Ellis accompanied Mr. Canning. We understand they fired by signal, at the distance of ten yards. The first missed; and no explanation taking place, they fired a second time, when Mr. Canning was wounded in the left thigh, on the outer side of the bone; and thus the affair terminated. He was put into a coach, and conveyed to Gloucester Lodge, his newly purchased seat at Brompton, and Lord Castlereagh returned to his house in St. James’s-square.
The circumstances of this celebrated political duel were the following:—“It had been long reported that there were divisions in the Duke of Portland’s cabinet, and that a change in some of the highest offices of State would take place. These divisions became public in the latter end of September, when Lord Castlereagh, then Secretary of War, sent a challenge to Mr. Canning, who held the seals of the foreign office.