The Sun.
London, England, 1844-03-25 00:00:00

THE LATE FATAL DUEL IN THE
UNITED STATES.

The following are a few particulars, taken from the
New York papers just received, of the late fatal duel at
Washington. This duel has, it is said, made as much
noise, and excited as much interest, on that side the
Atlantic as the Fawcett and Munro affair did here:—
In regard to the origin of the duel, it is believed that
on Thursday morning last, Feb. 15 (not on Thursday
night), Mr. Cochran said, in the presence of two or three
of Mr. May's friends, that he believed Mt. May a coward.
This expression of Cochran was immediately reported to
Mr. May, at whose request two or three of his friends
immediately waited upon Mr. Cochran, at his room, to
demand of him a retractation of the words, and an apo-
logy. Mr. Cochran declined, saying that he would con-
sult his friends, which he did. This was about noon of
Thursday.
By the advice of his friends Mr. Cochran decided to
make no apology, but, on the contrary, excepted an in-
vitation to meet Mr. May and his friends at 8 o'clock the
next morning (Friday) at Mr. Nelson's tavern, about a
mile or a mile-and-a-half the other side of the chain
bridge, in Fairfax county, Virginia.
Mr. Cochran and his friends left the city of Washing-
ton about halfpast 5 o'clock on Friday morning, in a
coach with four white horses. They arrived upon the
ground at Nelson's Tavern about half an hour before the
other party. As soon as Mr. May and his friends ar-
rived—as they did in a single coach, Dr. Miller attend-
ing on horseback—he sent a challenge in the usual style
to Mr. Cochran, which was accepted.
Mr. Pooler acted as Mr. May's second, and Mr. Ash
as Mr. Cochran's second. Mr. Cochran was also
attended by his surgeon. Articles were drawn up and
signed by the seconds, designating the weapons, which
were to be rifles, and the distance fifty paces. The
mode of proceeding to be with the breach of the
rifle to the shoulder—the muzzle down—and to be
raised at the word. The words, " Are you ready, gen-
tlemen ?" were then to be asked. Each were to reply
" ready," and at the word " fire 1" the muzzles of the
rifles were to be raised. They were then to fire between
the words " one," " two," " three," " stop"—neither be-
fore " one," nor after "stop."
The seconds arrived about nine o'clock upon the field.
when the efforts to effect a reconciliation were renewed,
but without effect.

The distance was then measured off. All the parties
were perfectly cool and composed. Both the principals
were members of the Temperance Society • Cochran
was urged, however, to take a glass of liquor, but
refused. Both were perfectly composed, each ex-
pecting to wound his man and escape himself unhurt,
and each hoped to draw the other's fire—that is, by
firing at the word " one," to anticipate the other's
fire. Mr. Cochran, as was his custom, continued to
sing little snatches f songs. Each took his place ; Mr.
Ash gave the word, it being his privilege as the second
of the challenged party. Mr. Cochran threw off his hat.
Both replied, " ready," in a fine clear voice. At
the word " one," both fired ; Mr Cochran a
second after Mr. May. Mr. May remained
unhurt. Mr. Cochran stood a moment—his rifle
dropped from his hands, and he fell heavily and slowly
back, partly on his left side, the right leg being
thrown over the left. Mr. Cochran's surgeon was first
on the spot. Blood was seen flowing from his forehead,
and, upon pushing up the hair with the fingers, a wound
was discovered through which a portion of the brain
protruded about the size of two fingers. He ap•
Reared, and was at first believed, to be dead. Scarcely
any pulsation or breathing was perceptible. Mr.
May still continued in his place for some time, but
subsequently went to the place where his second had
stood. Almost immediately after, Mr. Cochran's surgeon
came to the spot. Dr. Miller ran to his assistance, and
concurred in the opinion that Mr. Cochran must die in
a few minutes. He called to Mr. May to take his
horse and make his escape. Mr. May did so. His
seconds came up to Mr. Cochran, and finding that he
was dying, ran to their carriage, which was a quarter of
a mile off, and returned to the city with Dr. Miller.
Mr. Cochran was then left dying upon the field, with no
persons in attendance upon him but his surgeon and
second, who was deeply affected by the fall of his friend.
The driver of the coach and four white horses,
frightened at the fall of Mr. Cochran, had suddenly
driven off to the distance of half a mile, but was
brought back, and in the course of half an hour blankets
were procured, and Cochran was removed to his coach.
In taking' him to Nelson's tavern, Cochran vomited
several times, and revived a little, his pulse becoming
more perceptible. He was perfectly senseless—bled
profusely, drenching the seats of the coach with his
blood. Efforts were made upon the ground, before Dr.
Miller left, ter replace the protruding brain. The hair
was shaved off in the vicinity of the wound, but it
was found impossible to restore the brain, and it was
removed, and a bandage applied. At Mr. Nelson's,
everything possible was done for Mr. Cochran.
Doctors Holmead, Elliott, and Hall, of Washington,
and Richie, of Georgetown, were immediately in attend-
ance. The shots were exchanged about a quarter past
nine o'clock on Friday, the 16th instant. From that
time till half-past four o'clock on the following Sunday
morning he remained perfectly insensible, an at that
hour died. The injury to the bones of the head was of
a peculiar and striking character, and it seems remark-
able that he should have lived so long as he did. The
direction taken by the ball proves that he was taking
aim when he received the wound.
The corpse was removed to the city on the 18th, and
was buried the next morning.
It is said that Mr. May returned hastily to the city,
took the horse of his brother, Dr. Frederick May,
and fled from Washington. The seconds on both
sides also fled, and none of them have been since
heard of publicly. There has been great excite-
ment, originating from the youth of the parties
engaged in the duel, and a supposition that it
might have been prevented, and ought to have been pre-
vented. There are those who unhesitatingly say the civil
authorities ought to have been called upon to arrest the
parties, and thus prevented the deed.

MARKET INTELLIGENCE.
(From the London New Price Current, of March 22.)
SUGAR.-The mark t has been better supplied with West
India Sugar this week ; the trade generally have operated with
reluctance, and the demand for Refining and Grocery purposes
has been very limited ; the rats accepted show a decline on
those of this day week of is per cwt.
To-day there was no public sale of raw Sugar of any sort ; a
better demand prevailed for British Plantation, and 400 hhds
were sold at the rates previously established ; Refiners and
Grocers, however, were not disposed to purchase more than
present wants require.
RE/IN/M.-Prices have again given way for Refined goods,
and rule is 6d to 2s per cwt under those of this day week.
To-day Refined Sugar was in better request, but the Refiners
were disposed to make sales, and accepted 74s for brown, and
75s for standard Lumps. In bonded Crushed little was done,
but there is no disposition to further give way in price.
MAURITIUS-There has been a reduction on previous rates
of Is per cwt ; low brown at 49s 6d to 51s, good and mid
548 to 565, low yellow 58s to 583 6d, mid 59s 6d to 61s, good
61s 6d to 62s 6d, fine 65s to 665, very fine bright and strong
67s to 67s 6d. and mid to good grey 58s to 61s per cwt.
EAST Itenza.-Prices have further given way 6d to is per
cwt for Bengal Sugar this week, good and fine white at 65s to
665, middling yellow 58s 6d, good bright 62s 6d to 635, white
damp and washed 623 to 655, yellow ditto at b7s 6d to 61s per
cwt ; for Manilla Sugar rather higher rates paid ; Java at 17s
to 22s per cwt.
FOREIGN.-To-day there was no public sales of Foreign
Sugar • privately 1,000 boxes brown and low soft yellow Ha-
vannah, of old importation, sold at 183 to 19s for refining here
in bond, and were considered high prices, when it was taken
into consideration the inferior quality ; this is is per cwt above
last Friday's rates. '
MoLasses.-Prices continue to give way for West India,
and are is per cwt under those of this day week. Demerara
25s per cwt for fine. Bengal Syrup at lower rates.
Cocoa.--Holders of Foreign show firmness. Pars taken in
at 293 6d per cwt for mixed red, only 27s 6d offered; West
India is much wanted ; Trinidad, good to fine red 578 to 60s,
low to middling 51s to 565, and grey 50s to 55s per cwt.
TEA.-The amount of business transacted in black Tea has
been upon a small scale only, and rather lower rates again
accepted. To-day many parcels of new Green Tea were sold
at stiff rates ; Young Hyson fetched 2s to 3s sd, and Imperial
and Gunpowder 3s to 4s 6d per lb ; in Congou and Twankay
little business was done.
RICE.-Bengal mid to fine white at 11s 6d to 12s 6d ; lOs to
10s 6d for low broken white, and 9s 6d fer sea damaged • yel-
low Madras and Java at 8s 6d to 9s per cwt. Cleaned Rice at
the former currency.
SAGO.-Fine small white at 235, good 22s 6d, good mid grey
IBs 6d to 193, mid 17s to 18s, and one lot foul I6s per cwt.
Sago Flour 21s to 223 per cwt for good quality. Arrowroot :
Bermuda 10d to is 24d, St. Vincents 40 to 6d, and Jamaica
6d per lb.
OFFHIL-For West India not much inquiry has prevailed
this week, but the supply being small, previous rates are sus-
tained. This afternoon the home trade were little disposed to
purchase Coffee, and the market presented a flat appearance.
Ceylon was disposed of by private contract at 66s
tower. 6s 6d per cat for good ordinary, being again
l Of Costa Rice 978 bagswere offered at
public sale and partly sold at the former value : fine ordinary
green 52s to 545; 142 bags of Batavia sold at 28s for good or-
dinary rather mixed ; 396 bags of Mysore taken in above the
value ; good ordinary yellow at 47s 6d to 48s • 41 barrels of
Berbice sold at 66s for fine ordinary unclean. 57's to 59s 6d for
good ordinary, and 23s to 27s for Triage. Foreign Coffee was
much in demand privately, and 35s paid for a parcel of 500 bags
fine ordinary Rio.
SPICES.-This afternoon at public sale 100 bags of middling
Barbadoes Ginger taken in at 455; 40 barrels of Jamaica
partly sold at 61153 to 101 lOs for low middling to good bold ;
6 casks of Singapore Nutmegs, duty paid, taken in at 4s 6d per lb.
Ruse,H
BRANDY, AND OLLA NDS. -Jamaica Rum at 3s 6d
to 3s 7d per gallon for 30 to 34 per cent overproof of fair
quality ; Demerara, 35 to 40 per cent overproof, 3s 3d to 3s 4d
per gallon ; Leewards, proof, at 2s 2d per gallon ; Calcutta
Rum at la lld proof with certificate. The demand fer Brandy
has been good, and the market has a firm appearance ; Cognac,
best brands of the vintage of 1838, hhds 531 Id, puns 5s 9d ; 1839,
hhds 5s Bd, puns 55. 6d ; 1840, hhds 5s 6d, puns 5s 4il; 1841,
hhds .5s sd, puns 5s 3d ; 1842, hhds 5s 4d, puns 5s 2d, mid 3s
6d to 4s 6d, and common marks 2s 10d to 3s 5d per gallon.
Geneva, shipping sorts Is 9d to Is 10d, and fine for duty 2s 3d
to 3s per gallon. English Corn Spirits lOs 2d cash, and Gin
22 per cent overproof 8s 8d per gallon.
INDIGO.-An inereased desire has been shown on the part
of shippers and the home trade to purchase East India ; prices
have advanced; the demand for all descriptions has been good,
and the rates given show an advance on those of the last
quarterly sale of 3d to 4d per lb. For Spanish prices rule 2d
to 3d per lb. above those of the last public auction.
TALLOW.-On the spot, 40s 9d to 41s paid for Petersburgh
Yellow Candle of first quality; in some cases 41s 3d per cwt.
given • for delivery in the last three months of the year at
41s ato 42s per cwt. Town Tallow 41s to 41s 6d per cat
nett cash. American 32s to 40s 6d per cwt for low to fine quality.
This afternoon South American went at 3.5 s to :395; Ibrail at
40s to 40s 9d ; New South Wales, 33s 6d to 40s 9d ; East
India, 37s 6d to 41s 6d ; Italian, 42s ; North American, 34s 3d
to 40s 3d ; Lard, 33s 6d to 38s per cwt.
Ozt.s.--.A considerablo advance has taken place in the value
of Olive Oil. Gallipoli has been fetching 494 Sicily 17/, Spa-
nish 461 to 46/ 10s ; Linseed Oil on the spot at 26s 64 to 26s
94 per cwt ; Rape Oil pale 375, and brown 36s per cwt.
Cocoa Nut at 29s to 325; Palm, first quality at 28s to 22s per
cwt. Priemiare firm for Sperm Oil; fine British at 711 to 72/,
and Amselead VII zto 701 lOs per ton. In all descriptions of
commpti gilks_Na-prices:have advanced ' - 341 5s to 341 103
for iTah'_Fseat 354- and'jow to fine Southern 31l to 34l
Eer ii.l.sltis -afteenOon Palm Oil went at 25s to 25s ; refined
Z • - $lOOll 81.0 d per cyo4--,,
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