The Sun.
London, England, 1825-02-18 00:00:00

TRIM. FOR DUELLING.

The trial of JOHN JAMES AMORY, Esq. who
shot the late GEORGE FORBES, Esq. in a duel at
St. Kitt's, on the 3d ult., took Place on the 17th.
111 r. FORBES and Mr. AMORY were (as is generally the
case) on terms of the closest intimacy. The latter entertaining
an affection for a Lady in the neighbouring Island of Nevis,
confidentially disclosed it to his friend. Unfortunately the
deceased, some time after, imbibed a similar feeling for the
same lady, made a like confidential disclosure. It was then
agreed between them, that neither should take any steps to ob-
tain the lady's approbation, without communicating his inten-
tion to the other. Mr. A. designing to visit Nevis to declare
himself, and ascertain the sentiments of the lady, asked the
deceased to accompany him, which he declined ; and being
asked again on the same morning whether he intended going,
he replied, " No, I don't think I shall."—Mr. A. was shortly
afterwards informed that his friend was gone to Nevis, and in a
few hours received the following letter :

"MY DEAR A 31011 Y—I pledged myself to take no step in
the attainment of the object we both have in view, without ap-
prising you so far of the same, as to give you a fair advantage
in the pursuit. I have every reason to apprehend, from cir-
cumstances that have recently come to my knowledge, that
there is a doubt entertained of the sincerity of my attentions, in
a quarter, where I am most anxious it should be otherwise con.
sidered. 'Tis, consequently, an act of justice to my own feel.
ings, and due to:the lady, to remove any unfavourable impres-
sion of this nature without delay.

" I have hitherto acted undisguisedly and generously towards
you, in a transaction in which, unfortunately, we are most truly
and deeply interested. I.think lam not swerving from the
same line of conduct, in adopting the earliest means in my
power to effect the view mentioned. I shall go no farther ; and
if, after I am known to be serious, you are elected on the occa-
sion, I cannot feel myself deeply disappointed. Whatever our
fate may be, respectively, you may always calculate upon the
sincere friendship of,
" Your's, very truly,
GEO. FORBES."
Conceiving that this conduct Was ungenerous, when he met
the deceased ( who had returned) on the 2d November, he passed
him without notice ; remarking afterwards that he had cut
Mr. F.'s acquaintance, it was communicated to that Gentle-
man, when some expressions fell from him which produced the
following :

" " Nov. 2, 1824.
SIR-By the tenour of your letter addressed to me on Sa-
turday last, I discover that you have committed a breach of
promise, in consequence of which I can no longer be upon
terms with an individual who has acted so unlike a Gentleman.
" I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
" JOHN JAMES AMORY."
This occasioned a message from Mr. F. whose untimely end
was the melancholy result.

Several gentlemen of the highest respectability gave evidence
as to the honourable manner in which Mr. AMORY had acted
throughout the unfortunate business, the conciliating dispo-
sition he evinced, and the fair and honourable conduct observ-
ed towards the deceased ; and the Jury returned a verdict of—.
Not Guilty.

LONDON SESSIONS, FEB. 16.

RECORDFR'S

H The Grand and Petit Juries having been sworn, the RE-
CORDER addressed the former at considerable length. He
was happy to' congratulate the Gentlemen of the Grand Jury
that the calendar of prisoners was much lighter than it had
been at corresponding Sessions in preceding years, nor were
any of the offences marked with any extraordinary degree of
moral turpitude. There was, however, a case of manslaughter,
which would claim their particular attention, and it was pro-
bable, that in the case to which he alluded, a bill for murder
would also be preferred against the accused. It would therefore
be their province to find either one or the other of the bills or
both, should they think proper, on the evidence which would be
laid before them. The Recorder was extremely sorry to observe,
that that part of the calendar which related to the• county
contained no less number than rive cases of manslaughter,
which were alleged to have been committed during the short
interval since the last session. It appeared to him, as it had
to others, that much of this evil was to be attributed to the
encouragement held to those notorious violators of the law de-
nominated pugilists, whose profession it was to fight for money ;
hence it was that the lower classes of the people were freqttently
led into disputes, and terminated them in the disgraceful man-
ner to which he alluded. It liras lamentable that men of rank
were to be found who debased themselves so low as to sanction
and promote such proceeding which were shameful and flagrant
misdemeanors against the public at large. He (the Recorder)
could not hells regretting that persons of distinction should by
their patronage sanction such violations of public peace and
public decency, and thereby contributeito the deterioration of
public morals. In order, if possible, to stem this tide of
iniquity, fraught as it was with destruction to human life,
the Court was determined, as far as its power and influence
went,-to yield its assistance ; and should.any- case of this de-
scription come before .it, the parties convicted should be pu-
nished with the utmost rigour of the law. The learned Re-
corder also intimated, that not only the principal in such con-
tests, but those who had provoked, excited, or abetted them,
should also be prosecuted, and that neither rank nor station
should prove a shield against the powerful sword of the
law. • .The Recorder . attri-buted
,the diminution, of offence
in the city to the promptness with which the daily prowler
had been prosecuted and condignly punished '(alluding
.to
the crime ofstealing handkerchiefs, &c.); it was 'therefore
by stich a prOcedure that crimes of other discrintions might,
ft not abolished, at least be rendered much less frequent.