The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1834-11-26
DUEL AT ST. DOMINGO.

this fine French colony at IT'S summit OF gran
dcur and prosperity. Culture and industry had
amasscd for it more gold than its mines could fur
nsh to the ayaricious Spaniards this metal was in
active circulation, and with it advanced luxury and
superlluitics Of pleasure. Beneath the burning sky
of the tropic passions naturally warm become IN
famed and ungoycrnable when wealth, which alone
is able to generate them, comes and offers new in
ycnliycs
At the period of which have to speak, l7SS,
the passion which prcdOminatcd amongst the rich
inhabitants of ST. Domingo, was that Of gaming.
But those games where calculation of address equal
zcd the chances of fortune could not suffice them
for their love of play; there must needs be some of
those games where chance would govern every
combination OF the mind, at those games where
heaps Of gold mount upon the table, where throw
Of the die would saggcr fortune or in like man
ncr accumulate enormous sum- 1t was at die in
fact that the gamestcrs sought for feeling capable
for stimulating their dull senses, and it was not ul-
usual to "A whole plantation, cargo of negroes,
east a stake upon the fatal board. They would
throw upon the table some dozen dice, mix them,
and the player would pick mp at hazard with his
dice box three, by which he would learn his fate.
Well, thcn in 1883, (trusting to my mcmory)
there served in the capacity of captain in the rcg-
mcnr of Port-au-Prncc, the of a rich sugar
merchant belonging to the colony. Captain Scyery
numbered twenty-five or six years, and in addition
by inclination, embraced the military profcsson.-I
None could rival his address at small sword none
surpass his deXcrty at his pistol; at once, brave
even to raShncss, he did not abuse his fatal skill
and IN general could make good sport of those who
dared TO measure with him ne was boastng even
to insoIcncc, he bad scarcely among his numerous
ducs received any scratches, and had already left
Il long track of blood in society. Still he possessed
good qualities. Scycry was more dreaded than be-
train his fatal pcncham for duclIing Ii is ncccssa-
~ to add, that he gamestcr
One evening, i'll Il playhouse, place of resort
for the gamblers of Port-au-Prlncc, the inmates
were amusing themselves at gOrdaHer till the socI-
cty was sufficiently numerous to animate the play.
In these gaming rcccptaclcs they style gOrdGiLcr,
simply playing gour,iS (dollars, (which was, in their
slang phrase, throwing snow-bas till the party ar
rived. An officer of the French MARINE captain of
a irigac, who had been residing for some time in
their colony, entered at this moment into the gam
bling room. In passing Il table where they where
playing, he gave a look, and pcrccymg some pieces
of money before the players,
"Who makes up the game y cried Il voice.
" ~ replied the captain, (whosc name has cs-
'apcd mc.) lie then came and carelcscy threw a.
licC then turned away to sldcboard 10 finish his
glass of lcmonadc meanwhile thc gamblers con-
uucd the play.
Z
", who was one of the players; "pick up the
stake; - and he pushed towards his fortunate adyer
;ary several heaps of gold.
At the sight of this immense sum, the French
officer, who ancied but to have rskcd few dollars
rccoilcd in amaZcmcnt, then pushing the tray of
gold which was presented to him 81 should be-
cyc myself wanting in delicacy, were | to appro-
pirate that sum having lawfully gained it, Tis
but right to tell you, gentlemen, that i'll making the
Il. al.
which had perceived upon the table never wish
nor ought to regard that gold as my own"
Take IL, SIR" says Severy. You have as
much right TO it as you would have had to pay, had
YOU lost"
- You deceive Yourself, if YOU imagine that;
should moi have believed my honor stained in re-
iu,ing to acqut a debt which had not contracted
aud consequently should stain it by appropriatlng
a sum had not gained"
d" You would have paid, Mr.. Commandant,' re-
piled Scvcrv clcyating his voice and laying stress
upon the words Z" You would have paid. 'Iis
who tells YOU
There was in the language and still more III the
Captains tone, an idea of provocation which did
not escape the marine officer. lie likewise retorted
i'm bitter tone and II was soon too late when the
friends of the two gnmoSers willing to interfere, To
prevent an awkward result. Each of the parties
considered himself 50 grossly insucd that any me-
dunn to their respective wrongs become lmpossiblc,
and a duel inevitable.
"Sr," says Scycry, to his opponent, "not wish
ing To have over you the advantage which every
body knows my address mt the sword and pistol
would give me, ought 10 offer you more equal
terms. let "A loaded pistol be brought here immc-
dialcy, throw ofthc die shall decide which of us
shall blow out the brains of the other"
Agreed"
4 ,hrlll of horror pcryaded them all; some took
themselves OF, trembling, not wishing TO he witness
Sos Of the bloody drama which was in preparation
others animated with the feeling of brutal curiosity,
formed Il close circle around the gamcslers, who,
seated ia face of each other, and separated by ta-
bic four feet wide, were Watching the premnarcs
of the duel. Meantime third person loaded the
fatal weapon in presence of Scycry and tho French
nlirrr drndlN silcncr rrirnrd lLrniInhnn the as