The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1804-05-19 00:00:00

DUBLIN, MAY 14.

A very melancholy event took place here last
night, about the hour of twelve o'clock---the parti-
culars of which are nearly as follow :
As two respectable Yeomen, armed only with
their bayonets, hying in the vicinity of this
City, were returning home by the Grand Canal,
they were assaulted by the crew of a turf-boat lying
there, who threw turf and stones at them ; and upon
their threatening the fellows, were attacked by the
crews of three or four neighbouring boats, which
obliged the yeomen to go back for assistance to a
detachment of the Roscommon Militia, stationed to
proteft the stores belonging to the Canal Company.
The guard, however, being very small, they could
only procure two men to accompany them; and on
their approach to the boats, were again saluted
with a shower of turf. They all immediately ad-
vanced with an intention to board the boat, which
the fellows perceived, and the moment one of them
put his foot on board, they threw him overboard;
at the same moment pulling the plank front under
the other three, who were running across to come
on board. Both the yeomen and one soldier were
drowned—the other providentially saved himself by
laying hold of a bush, which grew at the edge of
the water, and immediately ran for a guard, who
boarded all the boats, the crews of which (consist-
ing of 19) they made prisoners of, who were ex-
amined this day. Two of them were liberated, but
the others were held over for further examination.
Silver tokens are now in circulation as substitutes
for shillings. They weigh two penny weights 18
grains, and are worth about eight-pence. They
may be easily counterfeited, and our comers, no
doubt, will soon set to work upon them.

We have the pleasure to announce the capture of
the Esoeprienm, French privateer, of 303 guns, and
'250 men, in the West Indies. She sailed from Te-
neriffe last Oftober, in company with three other
privateers, of inferior force, and proceeding from
thence to the coast of Africa, was employed in the
capture of Gorce. The laucr place she left with
the design of cruising in the West Indies. About
150 leagues from Barbadoes, she fell in with the
o.•prey sloop, of 16 guns, commanded by Lieutenant
YOtNOIMSB AND, who engaged her in the most gal-
lant manner ; but she escaped owing to her superior
sailing. Two days afttrwards she was encountered
by the Hippomenes sloop, of 16 guns, which, after a
rnart anion, that lasted a considerable time, com-
pelled her to strike. The &mime is since arrived
in Carlisle 134 y, Barhadoes, in a very shattered con-
dition ; and it was thought it would be necessary to
break her up. No account had been received of
the other privateers which sailed in company with
her.

Tiie First Brigade of Vulunteers,ef the Western
Distriet, will be reviewed on Monday next, by His
Royal I lignness the C.C.,74M ANDES IM CaIET, in
Hyde Park.
Corps. C.,-sseendes,.
St. Gtlris's i.,,r4 CH 0
Ross! Wftttn.t.v...r Co:,..nel RullNault
Loy.l %Ves•minAt.- 11,,n Colonel Foss.
Duke of G z.:::•. at: ' -A,:etIItTWYMD•
Tso 113.55:—.) cmf VI .41 :se%'s 1.31 HOIiART.
`t. Gi:N. and St. Gri..7itt', /
ircon-br:

, "

LAW INTtLLICENCE.

COURT OF KING% BENCH, WESTMINSTER, MAY It.
Lord Et LEN BOR OUGH sat at the usual hour to try
the several can .es in the Nisi Priurlist; but in c
sequence of the Review at Blackheath, there was a
very thin attendance of the Bar, Bcc. The Jury
was merely sworn, and two causes referred to
His Lordship then observed. that the public husi-
ness sh:...uld not be delayed in thisitind of way ; and
if the like occurrence should happen again dur ng the
sittings. he requested application should be previ,ius-
ly made to postpone the business of the day. The
Court theu adjourned till to-morrow morning.

OLD BAILEY, F.io•r, M•r 16.

DUEL AT CHALK FARM.
Humphrey Hubert, a youn', Gentleman of gen-
teel appearance, was indifteS for the wilful murder
of Thomas O'Reilly, by killing him with a certain
leaden bullet, fired from a pistol, at a place called
Chalk Farm, in the county of Middlesex, on the
18th of May, 1803.
There was no counsel employed against the Pri-
soner, nor did any person appear as an ostensible
Prosecutor.

The first witness was Richard Pearson, who said
he was a Captain its the East-India Company's ser-
vice. He stated, that on the 17th of May, 1809,

he was present at a ball which was held ai the Pic-
Nic Rooms in Tottenham-street. lie went there

about one o'clock in the morning—and soon after
he entered, Mr. Hobart also entered the room, and
had some conversation with the witness, in which

he informed him, that he had been grossly insulted
by a Mr. O'Reilly. The witness at the same time
understood, that something like a challenge had
passed between the parties—that it had been given
by Mr. O'Reilly. He did his endeavour to bring
about a reconciliation between the parties, but fail-
ed in doing so ; and shortly after he retired from the
assembly. He had known Mr. Hobart prior to this
event—he was a student at law—and he had always
considered him as a Gentleman of very proper con-
duet—and he had every reason to believe, that on
the unfortunate occasion in question, the Prisoner
was solicitous to avoid a duel. The Judge asked
the Witness, if he knew who it was that gave the
challenge ? He raid, he thought he ,heard it was
Mr. O'Reilly.
A Mr. Joseph Dixon, of Camden town, gave an
account of the duel which took place on Wednesday
the 18th of May, at Chalk Farm. He saw the par-
ties and their friends alight from two coaches, and
go across the fields. His curiosity led him to ob •
serve what they were about, when be saw the
ground measured, and the combatants, on a signal
being given, tire at each other; upon'which one of
them put bis hand to his side, as if he had been
wounded. His friends came about him, and pre-
vented him from failing. The other gentleman
who had fired the shot at him ran off. Who this
gentleman was, be could not say.
The Judge---.. Sir, you should have stopped him."
The Witness.—" I did not think I had any right,
or that I could have been justified in doing so."
The Witness then went to the house to which the
wounded man was carried ; saw him after the ball
was exuated. and be appeared to be in a dying
state.
Another Witness gave a similar account of the
duel, which took place on the 18th May, 1803, in
a field north of Chalk Farm. The parties stood
15 cr 16 yards asunder. The next day, about
S o'clock, the gentleman who had been shot, died.
Ile saw a gentleman run away; but he could
.not
tell whether the Prisoner was that person or not.
Mr. John Rutherford, a surgeon, said, on the day
in question, he was dining at Chalk Farm, and be-
tween five and six o'clock in the afternoon he was
called away to attend Mr. O'Reilly, whom he had
known some years ago, in the West Indies, where
he was an officer in His Majesty's service. He met
the people bringing him to the house. Upon ex-
amining him, he found he had a wound upon
the right hi;s, appearing as if it had been given
by a pistol bill. He discovered the ball, and ex-
tralted it without difficulty, although it had passed
to the other side of the body. He afterwards
found that it had perforated through the lower
bowels At first he entertained some hopes that
the deceased would recover, not knowing at the
time, that his bowels had been injured; but the
neetday he found him id such a state as made him
desp iir of a recovery; he left him about ten o'clock
in the morning, and did not see him till an account
was brought of his death. The witness was con-
vinced that the pistol ball was the cause of the
deceased's death.
Mr. Billing, an apothecary and surgeon, said, he
had assisted in examining the wound of the deceased
iminechatele atter he was shot. He saw him the next
morning (the I!..th) when the deceased told him
that his antagonist had offered to compromise the
dispute, but that he (the deceased) refused to do so.
The deceased knew at the time he could not live,
and the witness considered what fell from him as his
dying declaration.
Captain Dixon was again called up, and examined
by the Judge. He said he had known Mr. Hobart
upwards of five years. He had lodged with him
in the same house for two month', before be went
to Ind a. from which country he returned in Ja-
nuary lAA. since which he renewed his acquaintance
v.-1:11 the Prisoner, and saw him frequently. The
Prisoner lived in South Molton.street, for the last
two months, took no pains to conceal himself; but
walked publicly about the neighbourhood. Mr.
Baron GRAN tNt asked the witness. it he had not ad-
vised the Prisoner to surrender himself, and (oaks;
that he was the person who had shot Mr. O'Reilly ?
The witness at first objefted to answer this ques-
tion ; but, at last, he said, be did advise Mr. Ho-
bart to concess at the time he *as at Bow-street.
before Sir Richard Ford. He was next asked,
if he had not advised the prisoner before that
time to surrender ? lie answered. that he had-
-1 he Judge then asked him, if he knew who the prose-
cutor A% .IS ? He said, he could not tell ; sea: Sir
Richard Ford hid bound him ov:r to give eel-
; that he hid tint been sutipenee,l. and knew
nothing of any prosecutor. Being asked, if he
knew the Soli.;.:or for the prosecution. i.e said, he
did not • but pointed to Mr. Humphries, whoni he
, supposed to be the person. Mr. Humphries, it
ap-
peared, was the prisoner's Solicitor. He was asked

If he h:d had any conversation with Mr. sp*of
previous to his being at Bow-street t+be aekisam...
ledgP, that Mt. H. had advised him to tell ,
prisoner, that it would be better for him.* MMAIO
and surrer.der himself I and lie did accordingly MT •
so to the prisoner. . .
Mr. Baron GRAHAM said, that it was levideni.

there had been a plan 'and ess,ntrissince iss pro-
duce a confession on the part of the Prisoner t 004
make it appear as if the confession was essorsoa.
tl; At point mil,t go to the Jury. The Preemies cep,
fession, made before the Magistrates, mutt be tales

by the Jury as evidence. '-
Mr. Ktiar, e and Mr. Batty, as Counsel for the
Prisoner, 'nrgued that there was no evidence of the
Prisoqeesl:nowing of any contrivance.
On "1-.alf of the prisoner, four or five reaped-
able gentlemen gava him an encases* charader
for humanity and gentleness of temper. Core d..
scribed him as a young man of a most amiable
disposition, and one who, so f.AT from welting 4
quarrel, would endeavour to ;Void add compro-
mise it.
Mr. Baron Gas.eis, in his charge to the Jam
said, they mast on the whole take it, that there was
evidence of the prisoner having confessed to the
Magistrate that he was the person who killed the
deceased and if they thought that was such a vo-
luntary uninfluenced confession, as to induce them
to believe the prisoner was the ;man who com-
mitted the homicide, heltemnot how it could be
extenuated to any thing 'bar nf ibe crime of mur-
der, which, according to law, it certainly was.
The Jury returned for about many minutes, an 4
returned a verdid Not Guilty.

The Princess of *ails and suite arrived at South-
End, on Sunday se'linight. She was escorted front
Rayleigh, by Captain Astute, troop, and was re-
ceived, upon her arrival at dfe Grand Terrace, by
the Prittiewell Volunteers, in a very ioldier-lilte
style ; though unfortunately the Commandant, CepT
tarn was absent. Her Royal Hhisest, with
her accuitomed urbanity, seemed mach p with
the attention of the respeitive Corps, and returned
her thanks in the poluest manner, but dedimet
accepting a guard offered her by Captain Met s'e
orders.
The Earl of HAIDIVICKII certainly ',Maas la
Ireland.
The division in the Tribunate upon the modal for
conferring the title of Emperor upon Boesesava
and his heirs was carried by a majority of 41 to
and not 14 to 1, as we stated yesterday.
A Solemn Dirge, for the repose of the soul of
the late Duke &Eno Hint. was celebrated yesterday
morning, in St. Patrick's Chapel, Sutton-strait.
Soho-square. It was numerously attended, as well
by English, as by French Nobility and Ges.try. A
very eloquent sermon, in the English language, was
pre4ched upon the occasion, wise* drew man f.tii
every eye. •

Tin following extra& of a letter, dated from
Ahtnednuggur the 2d October last, merits stentioo:
" About ten days ago Lieut. Morgan left this
place to join a division of the army with sixty-three
sepoys. Capt. O'Donnell, and another officer of the
cavalry, took this opportunity of joining their corm.
They had proceeded about 70 miles, whip they
perceived a body of Pecos of about SOO; they Im-
mediately threw down their knapsacks, leaving these
and the baggage in the charge of a few
flu
and
attacked the Peons, whom they put to fli what
a body of 900 horse appeared in we Thiess on
each flank. This obliged the small patty to retreat
to a village, which they entered after some mist.
ance ; it was fortified, but so extensive, they could
not guard every entrance. The inhabitants let the
horse and Peons in at another dirediou. In this si-
tuation the party took possession of a large homed
which was immediately beset on all sides, where
they defended themselves far some hours, tall marl,
all their ammunition was erpended, all theirbaggajet
plundered, and not a morsel to eat, ihongh they
had plenty of good water. A sally was proposed,
which was readily agreed to, and headed by ears.
O'Donnell : they rutted forth and threw the amok
ants into confusion ; they made off to a gates which
being small, the party overtook them, b gametal
about thirty, and took several horses, which. hem•
ever, they were obliged to abandon, and retreat ter
the house. This gave them time to throw breast-
works across die lanes, and barricade and block se
every entrance.
" Captain Lucas instandr, on hearing of their siw
tuation, left Abmednuggur with four c.ompasiesnist
two 6-pounders at about twelve o'clock at
Yesterday evening we heard from him; he says
they found the gallant party almost exhausted. sot
having had any thing to eat for nearly two days.
The streets were strewed with dead bodies, and tee
party had four 9epoys killed and thirteen wounds',
mostly by an incessant fire kept up from the adjoin-
ing houses. What must have been their feelings es
seeing Captain Lucas coming to their *seismical
" Capt. Lucas has taken several prisoners. The
horse still hover round them ; but they arenow nag
then indulged with a few of our &pounder tans."
A few days ago, a very singular and daring
robbety was attempted by a driver of a Canterbuty
return post-chaise. hi the parish of Ash, seat
Sandwich. Mr. Maim, plumber and glazier. of
that place. had received a cask of white lead, weigh-
ing 300Ib. which he had laid at his shop door,
judging the weight would insure its safety; is dila
evening as he was going to shut up his shop (which
is a few rods from his dwAling.house), and to
.ecure the cask, he observed a post-chaise standing
in the road, the driver of which came up to him, anti
asked if he was a leisure man, offering him a print of
beer if he would assist him up with a sta. which. lee
said, had by its weight forced open the chaise-door.
and had fallen under the chaise. Mr. 'Mann com-
plied his request, when he was astoeishedlo
find that it was Ais cask in the situation be had
described; be then inquired of the !Wirer what
he was going to do met it i he replied, that be
intended to put it up in his chaise, from which it
had fallen out. Mr. MARSH then charged hiss wits
being a thief, and endeavoured to secure him; which
he ten;:vd. and immediately jumped on the-bar
of the chaise, and slapping his whip to the horses,
gallopped of, leaving the cask in possession of the
owner. The darkness of the evening favolued his
escape, before any assistance could beprocured; and
it is to be lamented, that Mr. M. could not discover
whom the driver or the chaise belonged to.
_ail