Star.
London, England, 1822-06-14 00:00:00

4111111116 hihit every way fitepoelol beg=e
loth so obj a prat
eetM such wren
cum, front Mr.
hat after what bad passed Mr. Douglas and him the
Amy before, he confessed that he thought the cue was •
Craw itatnhted by Mr..ll3lllAT.—Witness was in
his own mind, that the letter signed " Ignotus," and the letter
containithe Song, were in the same hand-writing as the letter
beating SiSir Alexander's signature. • There appeared some slight
difference between the writing of the song and the letter, but as
though intended to appear so by the writer; and upon consi-
deration he was led to Coritlude that they were the same. The
paper was of different litre, the one being quarto, the other
folio. The water Mail and the post mark of Manclalin were
the same on both. It was, and is now the witness's opinion, I
that the case of identity was made out, and that both papers
teSected an imputation of cowardice on Mr. Stuart. There
was nothing in his manner of patting the question, m far as
witness could judge of his own manner, that could have given
the least offence, or caused the least difficulty in Sir. Alexan-
der Boswell's answering the question, if he had thought fit
to do so ; and he had taken every pains to guard against such
a misinterpretation, for he had repeatedly pressed the observa-
tion that he would consider Sir Alexander's word as conclusive
against any presumption that had been raised to the contrary.—
Without any hesitation, he should have advised any friend to
have answered the question, bad he net known the author. Wit-
ness did not know that Mr. Douglas said that Sir Alexander was
the author ; at least he considered it so understood, as well from
the previous evidence in his possession, as from the conversation
which passed on the occasion. From the whole of Mr. Stuart's con-
duct throughout the proceeding, there was no appearance of per-
sonal ill-will or resentment on the part of Mr. Stuart against Sir
Alexander, but only anxious to defend his own character from the
imputations with which it had been assailed, particularly from
that of cowardice. Found Mr. Stuart perfectly reasonable through-
out the proceedings. Mr. Stuart's conduct,.from first to last, was
cool, composed, and temperate, and such as might be expected
from a man of constancy and courage. This observation is applied
as well to his conduct on the field as previously. On the field,
witness desired Mr. Stuart to present his side, and not his bust;
Mi. Stuart replied, " I do not think I ought to take an aim."—
The word agreed upon was (both parties having been asked if
they were ready ?)—a Present, fire," as quickly in succession as
he thought they could be given. oth the pistols went off, also,
as quickly in succession as possible ; Mr. Stuart's pistol was
rather the first. Received no intimation, nor had he any belief,
that Sir Alexander did not intend to fire. Such an intimation,
coming from Sir Alexander, would, in witness's judgment, have
amounted to a declaration that Sir Alexander did not intend to
fight : it would have been impossible for him, after such an Inti-
mation, to have allowed any further proceeding. Never, from
all yin acquaintance with Mr. Stuart, knew a man less quarrel-
some or less vindictive. Mr. Stuart was much occupied in pub-
lic business, and had made great improvements in the county of
Fife. Never, though field-sports were going on, saw Mr. Stuart
with a gun in his hand in his life.
Mr. Douglas was acquainted with the late Sir A. Boswell,
and recollected an interview with him and Lord Rosalyn on the
25th of March. Lord Rosalyn held (he thought) two papers in
his hand. His Lordship said he had called this meeting on a
very unpleasant business : that those were copies, but a friend *1
his, Mr. Stuart, had get the originals, which contained very
obnoxious epithets. That the papers were unsigned, but among
them was a signed letter; and from making the comparison be-
tween the signed and unsigned papers, they had no doubt but
they were written by the same person; the presumption against
Sir Alexander was so strong, that he had thought it necessary
to tall this meeting ; but if Sir Alexander would say that the
papers were not his, nothing farther would be said ; or if they
were his, and he would say that he was sorry for it, or that he
did not mean anything injurious to the character of Mr. Stuart,
that would be sufficient. Sir Alexander said he would not deny
anything that was signed by him; but as to anything that was
not signed, he begged that he might be asked no questions. Sir
Alexander then retired, and that interview was then at an end.
In a subsequent interview with Lord Really'', his Lordship
stated that he had seen Mr. Stuart, and that they were still
of opinion that these were Sir Alexander's writing, and in-
structed him (witness) to communicate to Sir Alexander Mr.
Stuart's demand of satisfaction. Sir Alexander had anticipated
this, and had instructed him what answer to give, should such
an application be made. That answer was, that his brother
had died, and his circumstances were considerably altered in
consequence, and he must demand a fortnight's delay. Lord
Rosalyn assented to this, and said he considered it highly proper.
—Witness again saw Sir Alexander, who said, in consequence
of a conversation with his man of business, his affairs were so
far arranged, that the meeting might take place in a few days.—
In the meantime, however, Sir Alexander was bound over to
keep the peace, and in consequence it was proposed that the
meeting should take place the next morning. This proposal wit-
ness communicated to Sir Alexander, who at once agreed to go
out on the following morning, with Mr. Stuart. Fifeshire was
proposed as the place of meeting, it being the easiest way of get-
ting at Lord Rosslyn, anal it was desirable to get over the busi-
ness as soon as possible. Auchtertool was fixed upon as being
the nearest point of meeting for all parties. Lord Rosslyn was
first on the ground. Witness asked Lord Rosslyn if he thought
there was any chance of an amicable arrangement? Lord Ross-
lyn said he feared not. Lord Rosalyn measured off the ground.
Witness desired Dr. Wood not to stand so near he replied, "be
wished to be near, lest Sir Alexander might die before he could
come up to hie assistance." The parties having taken their posi-
tions, Lord Roselyn proposed that witness should give the com-
mand ; witness said he wished Lord Rosslyn to do it, which his
Lordship did. On their way to the ground, Sir Alexander con-
sulted witness as to firing in the air or not. Witness said, he (Sir
Alexander) must consult his own feelings on that subject. Sir
Alexander said, he had, perhaps, in an unhappy moment, injured
Mr. Stuart, and therefore he should tire in the air. Witness said
that was exactly his own opinion. On the field he did not notice
how Sir Alexander fired, as he felt that Mr. Stuart was in no
danger, but he kept his eye on Mr. Stuart. Saw him raise his
arm, which appeared firm and nervous, but be could not tell the
direction exactly in which, it pointed. Both fired : there was just
a difference between the time of the two reports. Mr. Stuart's
was rather first. Sir Alexander fell. Assistance immediately
was rendered to hint. Mr. Stuart approached, and witness ad-
vised him to flee. Tha only words which Sir Alexander spoke
to witness then were, that he regretted he had not nude his fire
in the air more deciale.l than it had been. Sir,Alexander's wound
was not dressed on the field, but at Balmuto-house, whither he
was immediately conveyed.
The Loon Anvocars wished to ask the witness, whether,
supposing the papers had not been in the handwriting of Sir A.
Boswell, he would have permitted any questions about them to
be answered?
Mr. JEFIIIEY objected to this question, and the witness was
removed.
The question having been noted, Mr. Jerrarr was proceeding
to state his objection, when
Mr. Stuart rose, and said, he begged to waive all objections to
any questions that might be put by the Counsel for the Crowe,
as be wished for the fullest investigation.
The witness was consequently recalled, and the Lord Advocate
repeated his question. Witness replied that he should not have
advised an answer.
Cross-examined by Mr. Cemnitostaxe.—The injury done to
Mr. Stuart, to which Sir Alexander alluded in his carriage, I
witness understood to be some squibs that he had written con-
cerning him. Sir Alexander had called on the witness the
Sunday before he met Lord Rosalyn, and said he expected a
challenge from Mr. Stuart, in consequence of some papers, and
among them a song, having been seized from the Sentinel Office.
Sir Alexander recited the stanza which he considered obnoxious
and it was the same an that now sheen) to witness. The in:
farmation to the Sheriff was given by some friends of Sir Alex-
ander. On the journey between Edinburgh and Queensferry,
a conversation took place in the carriage, in fhe presence of Dr.
Wood. On its being considered whether there was any possibi-,
lity of an amicable settlement, Sir Alexander said, he felt con-
vinced there was not. On the field, witness went up to Sir
Alexander, and directed Sir Alexander to make his fire in the
air as distinct as possible, as that would facilitate an adjust-
ment of the dispute. He directed Sir Alexander to fire into the
bank in direction of the snonds. Being asked if in the held
Mr. Stuart conducted himself in every respect as became a mats
of honour and of courage, witness replied, certainly. Sir Alesa
ander never said to witness that he wished it to be concealed that
he was the author of the articles in the Sentinel.
Dr. Wood, the next witness, detailed the circumstance of his
having been called upon to accompany Sir A. Boswell to the
field. The pistols were fired in quick succession ; they went to
the spat and found Sir Alexander wounded in the shoulder;
they extracted two pieces of bone ; the first was extracted by
himself, and the other by Mr. Llama. Witness described the
direction of the ball, and stated that he accompanied Sir Alex-
ander to Balmuto-house, and attended him till three o clock the
;neat day, When lw died. In the carriase, on the way to the