Elizabeth-Town gazette. [volume] (Elizabeth-Town, N.J.) 1818-1821, 1820-05-30
From the New York Columbian.
DUELS AT GIBRALTAR.

/ The National Inteiligeucer contains
detailed account from a g respectable
source of the recent duel and challenges
at Gibraltar, between the officers Of our
squadron, aud those Of the British garri-
son. We are not disposed to give eclat
to the murderous practice of duelling,
which ought long since TO have been eff
fectually checked by government but
facts OF this kind must be stated by the
journalist and are sometimes interviewer
with circumstances Of some national i'm
portance.
liz brieE, lieut.. Downing Of the Guer-
riere, and lieut.. Smith, Of the 9th regi-
ment, quarrelled and fought-they ex-
changed three shots, and Smith received
three Wounds Downing escaped. Gov.
Don interdicted all intercourse between
The squadron and garrison. The affair
created great excitement, and caused the
following interviews, which we state in the
language of the correspondent Of the In
teiligencer.
On Sunday morning, Capt. Thompson
was sitting with his wife and child in the
cabin of the Guerriere, unprepared for
other company than his own officers. and
relying on the non-intercourse as security
against visits from the shore. Two gen
tlemen from the garrison were announced
TO be on deck, and DESTROYS to see the
captain. They we're invited down, and
shown into the cabin They were both
strangers to Capt. Thompson, but discoy-
cred themselves and their business at once.
One was Capt. johnson, aud the other
Doct. --, both of the Gath regiment.
Without intimating wish to see Capt. L.
in private, or that his wife might with
d aw, or that their purpose was hostile or
unpleasant 10 its character, Johnson adj
dressed him to this effect: 1t is asserted
on shore, and is generally believed, that
it is your wish TO give national tone to
the quarrels between your officers and
those Of the garrison: at least il is thought
so by our regiment: our officers began
the war with the American officers, and
we are resolved to go through with il and
finish it. Accordingly, Sir, am charg-
ed to present you the compliments of
Maj. Dickson Of the Gath, and to beg you
will do him the favor to give him meet
ing on the neutral ground this afternoon,
at o'clock, at two PAGES, and offer the
same terms TO your Lieutenant, Downing.
You are very successful at your own dis
lance; you may not be so at ours" By
this time, Mrs. Thompson was in fits, and
her little daughter screaming with fright.
Capt. Thompson complained that they had
done him great injustice in imputing to
bin feelings or wishes 10 any degree hos
tile to the British officers, discIaimed
ever having expressed or entertained the
wish ascribed to him !; and sent for his lst
and I'd Iieutenants, Gordon and Dulany,
to come into the cabin, that they might
be witnesses to the conversation. He re-
peated his disavowal of all hostile feel.
ings, or wishes, and his lieutenants did
the same. The fight, and on their terms,
was now urged upon Capt. Thompson
with great warmth, and insisted upon by
Johnson and the surgeon as unavoidable.
Capt. r. said. If you will force me into
this controversy against my wishes, and
under this disavowal Of mine, / will enter
into it, and upon your own plan. You
have singled me out as the principal OBJ
iect Of resentment and attack, merely be.
cause command the ship to which Lieut..