An affair of honour was this day decided on the Flats near Chester, between Viscount Belgrave and Sir John G. Egerton. On the first fire Sir John’s ball struck Lord Belgrave in the pistol arm, and slightly wounded his lordship. The quarrel between the parties originated in certain proceedings which had taken place on the preceding day, at the annual election of mayor for the city of Chester. A Mr. Baker, in proposing Mr. Evans, a gentleman in the Government interest, as mayor, made what were considered pointed allusions to some of the Egerton party, and insinuated that they had been stimulated by Sir John Egerton himself. The insinuation was required by Sir John to be disavowed by Lord Belgrave, who was present; but this his lordship refused. The greatest confusion then arose in the assembly, and the Recorder was ultimately obliged to adjourn the court to another day. The meeting between Sir John and Lord Belgrave was immediately afterwards arranged.

BETWEEN CAPTAIN JOHNSTON, OF THE 64TH REGIMENT AND BENJAMIN T. BROWNE, SURGEON OF THE ERIE, AMERICAN SLOOP OF WAR.
March, 1819.

On the 23rd of March, while Captain Johnston was on the main-guard duty at Gibraltar, a report was made to him, that five individuals had been taken into custody by a sentry, on their way home from the play, for being without lights, contrary to the garrison regulations. Captain Johnston immediately ordered a sufficient number of men to see them home. In about ten minutes the police-sergeant who accompanied them, returned with three of the five in custody; and acquainted Captain Johnston that Archibald Taylor had endeavoured to escape from the sentry, and had made use of provoking and abusive language to him. Having, upon inquiry, found the report to be correct, Captain Johnston ordered the offender to be confined in the Crib; an order which he resisted, and used very offensive language to Captain Johnston himself. At this time Captain Johnston was not at all aware that he was an American. Taylor demanded satisfaction for the treatment he had received; but the Captain considered that he had merely acted in conformity with his duty, reported the whole affair to the field-officer, who approved of the course that had been pursued, and ordered Taylor to be continued in confinement.

In the morning Mr. Taylor was released; and upon the circulation of a report, two days afterwards, that Captain Johnston had declined to meet him or the American consul, who was said to have offered “to stand in his shoes,” the former having been obliged to sail immediately with the vessel of which he was master. Captain Johnston applied to the Consul for an explanation; when that gentleman disavowed any knowledge of the reports in question, and gave the Captain his thanks for the gentlemanly conduct he had evinced in the business.

Thus matters continued till the evening of the 31st, when Captain Johnston received the following letter by the hands of Lieutenant Stockton, first Lieutenant of the American sloop of war Erie:—

“Erie Sloop, March 3rd 1819.

“Sir,

“You have refused to give the satisfaction due to a man of honour, whom you did not hesitate to insult, because he was no more than a commander of an American merchant schooner. That gentleman is known to me, and I vouch for his equality to you in every respect. I am his representative; and the satisfaction I understand you boast to have offered his friends, I demand as an American. My rank, I trust, is enough for any man of honour; and you will do me the favour to consider the bearer, my friend, for your use.

(Signed) Benjamin T. Browne.”

Mr. Browne was surgeon of the Erie. Captain Johnston instantly accepted the challenge; and the next morning, a meeting took place between them, upon the neutral ground; Captain Johnston having distinctly disavowed making any boast with regard to Mr. Taylor. The arrangement made by their mutual friends on the ground was, distance eight paces, the word to be given, “Are you ready, gentlemen?” and, on assent being given, both to fire, after a pause for taking aim, while one, two, three, could be counted. On the first fire Captain Johnston received his opponent’s ball through his hat. They were handed pistols a second time. The Captain fired; but Mr. Browne reserved his fire so long, that the friend of the former exclaimed, “That is not fair!” on which he fired. Captain Johnston expressed his indignation at the reservation of fire by his antagonist. After some warm language on both sides, the third discharge took place, without effect; and on the fourth,—which was rather hurried, in consequence of the approach of a sergeant’s guard,—Captain Johnston’s ball took effect in Mr. Browne’s thigh. His friend, Mr. Stockton, immediately took up the ground, desiring Captain Johnston to keep his. They were about proceeding, when the sergeant’s guard reached the spot, and prevented any further progress at that time.