Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Mass.) 1828-1830, 1830-04-13

The LATE DUEL. The Philadelphia
Morning Journal furnishes the following
additional particulars in relation to DE re-
cent fatal duel between Mr.. Miller of Phil
adelphia, and Lieutenant Hunter, of the
U. S. Navy. The death of MIR. Miller,
has excited great sensation in Phiadel-
phia, and the publick authorities-the
Mayor in particular--are censured for
their remisness, in allowing such an out
rage upon the laws of the State, and the
feelings Of the citizens to 90 unoticed.
Bost. Bulletin.
Before the suggestion appeared, which
we made yesterday, of the expediency of
the interference Of the Mayor to prevent
the occurrence of one or more duels which
were likely to occur, meeting took place
between VIM. Miller, Jr. and Lieut.. G. G.
Hunter, of the Navy, in which the former
gentleman was shot down the first fire.
The surviving parties concerned have
fled. Mr.. Miller was young gentleman
who has always borne an excellent char
acter, and although we would not say
word to exculpate any duellist, yet he was
certainly dragged into the measure by the
most trivial causes. The dispute between
him and his antagonist, was the third of a
series. which has grown ont Of a fend be-
tween two other individuals, (Mr. Griffith,
and r. Dillon Drake.) In order to pro-
mote reconciliation between one pair of
the disputants, letter had been written
by the friends of one Of the gentlemen, ac-
knowledging that he had been in errour,
and expressing hope that the affair
would be Quoted without further irrita-
ton. This proposal was addressed to
Mr.. Miller, as friend ofthe parties, who
was Immediately waited on by Lieut.. Hum
ter, on behalf of the gentleman alluded to
in the letter, requesting the return Of the
original and all the copies that had been
made of it. The request was Immediate
ly complied with by Mr.. Miller, who gave
up all the copies within his reach, and
the papers were destroyed. On the next
day, however, the letter appeared in print,
and Hunter at. once accused Miller with
duplicity, and challenged him. Mr.. Mil
Ter asserted that the publication was made
without his knowledge, and refused to ac-
cept the challenge, alleging the INSULT
cheney Of the provocation. Upon this,
Hunter posted him in handbills, declaring
at the same time that he held himself
ready to met Mr.. Miller. Thus goaded,
Miller accepted the challenge, and the
fatal meeting took place.
The acts of Assembly are express in
their provisions against duelling. For ac-
cepting or sending a challenge, there is
prescribed penalty Of $500, one years
imprisonment at hard labour, and a for
fixture of rights Of citizenship for seven
years. For carrying challenge, or acting
as second, the same fine and imprlson-
ment, and incapacity Of ever holding an
office Of honour er trust in the common
wealth. For publishing handbills abusing
person for not fighting, the same punish
ment as if the duel had taken place. All
these laws have been openly violated
the challenges have been published and
acknowledged by the parties publications
instigating to dueIs have been widely dis
seminated, yet no officer interfered,-
none ofthe offenders were indicted ane
held to bail. And shall they yet escape
If the murder took place out Of the cognl
zance Of the tribunals of the State, the
challenges at least were written and sent
| in Philadelphia, and the parties are an
swerable for this offence.
1t is sincerely hoped that the offenders
may be taken, and brought to justice.
II The lines found in Lord Byron's Bible
and attributed generally in the American
.nrinfs 10 that nohleman. will be found in ths