The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1844-03-26 00:00:00

THE 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
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 be-
lieved Mr. May a coward. This expression of
Cochran was immediately reported to Mr. May, at
whose request two or three of his friends immedi-
ately waited upon Mr. Cochran, at his room, to de-
mand of him a retractation of the words, and an
apology. Mr. Cochran declined, saying that he
would consult 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, accepted
an invitation to meet Mr. May and his friends at
eight 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 Wash-
ington about half-past five o'clock on Friday morn-
ing, in a coach with four white horses. They arr
ved upon the ground at Nelson's Tavern about half
an hour before the other party. As soon as Mr.
May and his friend arrived—as they did in a single
coach, Dr. Miller attending 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
50 paces. The mode of proceeding to be with the
breech of the rifle to the shoulder—the muzzle down
—and to be raised at the word. The words, " Are
you ready, gentlemen ?" were then to be asked.
Each were to reply " ready," and at the word
" fire !" the muzzles of the rifles were to be raised.
They were then to fire between the words "one,"
" two," " three," " stop"—neither before " 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 par-
ties were perfectly cool and composed. Both the
principals were members of the 'Temperance So-
ciety; Cochran was urged, however, to take a glass
of liquor, but he refused. Both were perfectly com-
posed, each expecting to wound his man, and escape
unhurt himself, and each hoped to draw the other's
fire—that is, by firing at the word " one," to antici-
pate the other's fire. Mr. Cochran, as was his cus-
tom, continued to sing little snatches of 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. Coch-
ran'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 (..f the brain protruded
about the size of two fingers. He appeared and was
at first believed to be dead. Scarcely any pulsation
or breathing was perceptible. Mr. May still conti-
nued in his place for some time, but subsequently
went to the place where his second had stood. Al-
most 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, which he did. His
yh affected
secondswas
s dying,cam e upra
nt o t No I r .
their Cochran,carriage, a n d
which
finding
Iv
atsh that
he
quarter of a mile off, and returned to the city with
Dr. Miller. Mr. Cochran was then left dying upon
bbt
yui et t field,hhei
s fas surgeon
rog withfeohnins
ando persons
friend.
second,r iin
who
e attendance
driver
was
oupon him
deeplyl
fe coach
and four white horses, frightened at the fall of Mr.
Cochran, had suddenly driven off to the distance of
half a mile, was brought back, and Cochran was re-
moved to his coach. In taking him to Nelson's
tavern, Cochran vomited several times, and revived
re
foundc,
to
n
a little, his pulse becoming more perceptible. He
was
ma
offdi perfectlyne uponthe t
the
senseless—bled
vicinityn
gs
re
001
fe,
us
ns
the—d
wound,
uo
npr profuse—drench,
Dr.t3u e It
i—t
dl
wasler h
n left
tig
the seats of the coach with his blood. Efforts were
ba n dtoag restore
aoprpelie the brAatin m, arn.d
N ito wasson removed
replace the protruding brain. The hair was shaved
and a impossible
thing possible was done for Mr. C
och ran. D every
Doctors
Holmead, Elliott, and Hall, of
Washington,
and
Ritchie, 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,
and at that hour died... The injury to the bones of
the head was of a peculiar and striking character,
and it seems remarkable 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 ex-
citement, originating from the youth of the parties
engaged in the duel, and a supposition that it might
have been prevented. There are those who unhesi-
tatingly say the civil authorities ought to have been
called upon to arrest the parties, and thus prevented
the deed.

CORRESPONDENCE.

ORMSKIRK CORN MARKET.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.
SlR,—Permit me, through the columns of your
useful and consistent journal, to call the attention
of the farmers and others in this neighbourhood, to
the following statements and observations respect-
ing the Ormskirk Corn Market.
All are undoubtedly aware of its re-establishment,
but, as it appears, few are aware of its real and sub-
stantial advantages, or at least if they can see the
conveniences and advantages resulting from it, they
are either too indolent to make use of them, or too
much attached to old and inconvenient customs, to
support and countenance new and beneficial ones.
Now this market, situated as it is, in the very
midst of a rich and flourishing agricultural district,
is, or at least ought to be, the central depot for the
abundant produce grown in the neighbourhood.
The market was opened with every prospect and
appearance of success, and so far it has in a great
measure realised the expectations of its supporters;
but there is still a great want of equanimity and
firmness amongst the farmers, who ought to he its
principal supporters; and upon whose endeavours and
exertions mainly depends its future destiny. The
farmers, instead of exhibiting such apathy and care-
less indifference, ought to be the first to strike up,
with a determined resolution, to give it all the aid
in their power, and this could not be done more ef-
fectually than by bringing their corn to the market,
either in sample or in bulk, (the latter is the prefera-
ble method), instead of selling it in public houses,
or carting it to Preston, as a great many are still 10
the habit of doing. If they would only stock the
market regularly with a good shew of all kinds of
grain, there is not the least doubt but that buyers
would arrive from all parts of the county.
Most of those who do bring their corn are foolish
enough to imagine, from some unknown cause•
that they have a right to demand 4d. or 6d. per
bushel more than it is actually worth, or than it
would take anywhere else ! and if they cannot ob-
tain this, they forthwith cart it off to Preston, where
in some cases they have been obliged to take the
same, or even less than was offered here ! The
consequence of this is, the dealers from Presto?,
Chorley, Blackburn, and elsewhere, say, " Why its
of no use coming to Ormskirk to buy corn, when
we can have it laid down at our own doors, or near
it, by the very same farmers, for less money ;" and
of course this is a sensible remark, and if the far'
mers are not awake to its importance, it is high time
they should be.

They appear as if they did not consider it any loss
of time, expense, or inconvenience, to cart their cool
18 or 20 miles, to Preston, pay turnpikes, and all
expenses attending such a journey, which, when
they come to be calculated fairly, are very consider'
able. In the first place, suppose a farmer sends 60
barrels of wheat to Preston, there are two horse!
and a man occupied two days, or one'and a-half is
least, which may be estimated at los., saying
thing about the wear of the cart ; there are 07,
three turnpikes, ls. ; these are the extra
penses astending the journey, which I consider hose
.f
sonably estimated at 6s. or Bs. more than this cal-
horses and men were employed at home "
the mark;culation is, in fact, considerably below
;t alto-
gether should not be exaggerating in eating," „,,T,cir
gether to amount to little short of one I,`" -
take this one pound for expenses, off this Go bushels
of wheat, and it will be found that in order to make
it only equal to selling it here, the farmer should ob'
tain 4d. per bushel more at Preston, which could
not be the case, if this market was supported as it
ought to be.
4 Now some may perhaps reply, that if they sell
their corn in this market, to purchasers from other.
towns, they will be required to be delivered free of
expense to those purchasers. In answer to this, I
would say, sell your corn at a certain price in the
market, and those buyers who require it to be deli•
vered to other places, let them find means to do so;
and if you do it for them, make a fair and reasons;
ble charge for cartage. This is the only effectue'
means of ensuring justice and equality, both to sel-
lers and buyers; and without this method it is irjrY
possible that the market can progress either prospo'
rously or agreeably.
I do not mean to insinuate that all the farmers are
of this stupid or unthinking disposition; there ars
some noble exceptions, but I am sorry to say they
constitute a very small minority.
Now in order to render these matters more at'
preventany act perfectly
or
discord,lin c n
which cef
and
tainable, I would suggest that the farmers, and ill'
deed all who have grain to dispose of, should meet!
to form and arrange rules for their guidance, so that
these maytherey be
enabled
not only possibly, but probably, would be the case
t o
jarring
were one to determine upon one, and another upon
other and opposite modes of proceeding.
The difficulty of removing the corn sod will i
n t
great measure, if not totally, be obviated by the con-
templated branch canal, of which, however, I cannot
at present speak, there having been`nothing materisl
transacted towards carrying it into effect.
In conclusion, I may express a hope that the
above humble remarks and suggestions will be se'
riously reflected upon by those to whom they are
addressed, and that they may be productive of the
desirable results. It is the farmers' market, and It
totally depends upon their co-operative support, or
continued indifference, whether it is doomed to
flourish or fall.—l am, sir, &c.

Ormskirk, March 16, 1844.

VERITAS.

DEATH OF THE KING OF SWEDEN.

HAMWORGH, MARCH 16.—A bulletin was affixed ett.
'Change to-day, announcing the arrival of an expres'
from Stockholm, with the intelligence that his Molest)?
Charles John had ceased to exist.
He died on the Bth instant, at four o'clock in the
morning.
His son 'and heir assumed forthwith the Royal autho-
rity, under the style of Oscar the Second, and announced
his intention of continuing the government of Sweden
and Norway in the footsteps of his late father. The most,
perfect order existed up to the period of the departure or
the express, nor was the slightest interruption to public
tranquillity expected.
The intelligence of the event caused no sensation is
Hamburg'', where it had been already looked for by post
daily for some time past.

JONATHAN AGAIN—SINGULAR.—An eminent artist
lately painted a snow storm so natural that he caught 5
bad cold by sitting near it with his coat off. He is cousin
to the man who became hoarse on. Christmas-day, throne
meeting a man in the street, dressed in nankin trousers •

REPEAL OP THE DUTY ON SOAP.—On Thursday a ge-
neral meeting of the members of the soap trade in 1,011
don, Bristol, Liverpool, Hull and other places, was bald
at the London Tavern, for the purpose of consideringli:
duties on soap ; Mr. William Hawes in the chair. 'l`"r
chairman remarked, that the use of alkali and greese
domestic purposes, in lieu of soap, was increasing 1,3°6A
rapidly. The increase in the consumption of soap bit-
not been at all equal to the augmentation in the populai
on. The Americans and Brazillians were competing wa lbo
our manufacturers in the trade, which, if free, would
enjoyed by this country, and the poor and middle clan;;
would be greatly benefitted. The chairman read a varied
of statistics- to show the advantages that the cono!X
would derive from the duty on soap being taken fel,
Lord Sandon was much in favour of such a proposal Zvi
the subject was brought before him. After a few retaffothe
resolutions were passed to carry out the object or.
meetinF, and a deputation was formed to have all of
view with Sir R. Peel upon the subject of an abolittu
the soap duties.

TUESDAY, MARCH 26,
LIVERPOOL : 1844,
PRINTED. AND PUBLISHED BY
JOSHUA FLETCHER LACE, of 63, Grove-street, and
LEONARD ADDISON, of 14, Great Orford-street,
At No. 4, ST. Gaoaos's CD.BSCENT, LIVS1000;••