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.