Star.
London, England, 1825-02-17 00:00:00

FATAL DUEL AT ST. KITTS.

.....Ma...

VIZ ANTIGUA !MTh ON TAE 6TH JANUARY.

The trial of John James Amory, 14. who shot the
late G. Forbes, Esq. in a duel at St. Kitt's, on the Sd ult.
took place en the 17th. The cause of the quarrel has
been righly conjectured, though not hitherto positively
stated.—The St. Kitt's papers give the proceedings of
the trial at length ; and the circumstances connected
with it.

Mr. Forbes, who has thus untimely fallen a victim to
those false notions of honour by which some weakly
endeavour to justify that horrible practice, 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, confi-
dentially disclosed it to his friend. Unfortunately, the
deceased, some time after, imbibed a similar feeling for
the same Lady, and made a like confidential ditclosure.
It was then agreed between them, that neither should
take any steps to obtain the Lady's approbation, without
communicating his intention to the other. Mr. Amory
designing to visit Nevis to declare himself, and ascer-
tain the sentiments of the Lady, asked the deceased to
accompany him ? which be declined, and being asked
again, on the same morning, whether he intended going?
he replied, " No, I don't think I shall." Mr. Amory
was shortly afterward informed that his friend was
gone to Nevis, and in a few hours received the follow-
ing letter:
max Assoue—l pledged myself to take no step in the at-
tainment of the object we both have in view, without apprizing you
so far of the same, as to give you a fair advantage in the pursuit.
I have every reason to apprehend, from circumstances 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 considered. 'Tis consequently an
act of justice to my own feelings, and due to the Lady, to remove
any unfavourable impression of this nature, without delay.
44 I have hitherto acted undisguisedly and generously towards
yuu, in a transaction in which, unfortunately, we are most truly
and deeply interested. I think I ant not swerving from the same
line of conduct in adopting the earliest means in my power to erect
the view mentioned. I shall go no further } and if, after lam
known to be serious, you are elected on the occasion, I cannot feel
myself deeply disappointed. Whatever our fate may be, respec-
tively, 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 of
November, he passed him without notice; remarking
afterwards, that he had cut Mr. Forbes' acquaintance,

it was communicated to thit Gentleman, when some ex-
pressions fell from him which produced the following :
" November 2, 1824.
Sig—By the tenour of your letter addressed to me un Satur-
day 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. Forbes, whose,
untimely death was the consequence.
Several Gentlemen of the highest respectability gave
evidence as to the honourable manner in which Mr. A.
had acted throughout the unfortunate business, the
conciliating disposition he evinced, and the fair and ho-
nourable conduct observed towards the deceased ; and
the Jury returned a verdict of—Not Guilty.

INQUEST ON CHEVALIER DORFIEULLE.

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Monday last an Inquest was held at the Black Horse,
in Queen street, Seven Dials, on the body of the above-
named Gentleman.
Cornelius 11,ogan, of No. 4, Queen-street, assistant in
a linen drapery w arehouse, deposed, that deceased had
been a lodger at his house about two years, and con.
ducted himself very regularly, but was remarkably dis-
tant in his manner ; witness seldom saw him, and he
never observed deceased otherwise than sober; always
undcrstood that deceased was very particular, and con.
,ceived him to be a very remarkable man. Witness
never heard deceased's name during his lifetime ; he de.
sired to be denied if any one inquired for him, and let-
ters were occasionally left for him, but without any ad-
dress. Deceased would not admit any one into his
room; about seven or eight months ago deceased left
his lodgings in consequence of witness having insisted
on having deceased's room cleaned, but he returned at
the end of a week, Witness is much (torn home, and
bad not seen deceased for the fortnight previous to his
death. Deceased endeavoured to avoid the sight of
every one; he paid his rent, five shillings a week, re-
gularly, and at times would borrow small sums of wit-
ness, which he punctually returned, or apologized it he
exceeded the time fixed for repayment. Between two
and three.o'clock on Sunday afternoon last, witness was
informed by Mrs. Nl'Donald, the mother of the boy
who latterly went on errands for deceased, that she be-
lieved the Frenchman was dead, as the boy could get
no answer from deceased, and he had looked through a
hole in the door, and observed a chair overturned, and
deceased lying in tht ashes before the fire-place. Wit-
ness immediately went up stairs, and found deceased's
room door fastened inside, and returned below and
fetched Mr. McDonald, who brought a hammer, and
witness forced open the door. On entering the room,
witness discovered deceased lying on the floor, close to
the fire-place, quite dead. He was naked, excepting his
shoulders, which were covered with part of a coat, li-
terally a rag, andJlis body was swarming with vermin.
Witness has no reason to imagine that deceased died
otherwise than by the visitation of GOD.
Mr. Burgess, the apothecary at the parish Infirmary,
examined the body, and found no marks of violence: it
bore the appearance of previous health, and was rather
fat than otherwise. The body presented itself in a most
miserable situation, as described in the cqidence. It
appeared that the deceased had not lain in his bed pro-
bably for many months: the sheets were clean, excepting
that part folded over the bed-clothes, which, with every
other exposed article in the apartment, was covered with
dust and dirt. In the room was found the greater part
of a quartern loaf, some butter, bacon, and eggs, a phial
containing vinegar, and some arrow-root, in a paper.—
It was evident he did not die from want of food ; but
he was found almost in a state of nudity ; he had no
shirt or lower garments on, articles which it appeared
he had not been in the habit of wearing. One of the
Jurors stated, that he had lately been called on by de.
ceased, and he asked deceased to partake of a leg of
mutton, which he did standing up ; and it was noticed
that deceased then had no breeches on. Deceased was
also very recently seen in the street, by his landlord, at
night, going from shop to shop, in the same state, and
apparently cautiously avoiding observation. On the
return of the Jury to the Inquest-room, the Colones
suggested the propriety of having "deceased's apartment
searched, as there was reason to believe there might be
found property of some description or other. The parish
(officers were consequently dispatched for that purpose;
land, after a c examination, returned with the fel.