The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1870-03-17
A DUEL BY GASlIGHT.

powdered saltpetre into every gallon of cream.
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ADUEL BY GAsLlGHT.
A duel was fought at one of the fashionable
uptown houses in New York few DAYS
since, between a Cuban named Francisco de
Porto, and an Englishman named George
Proude. The difficulty between these two
gentlemen was occasioned by Proude-dur-
| inc a heated discussion of Cuban affairs
splitting in the face of Porto. The New York
| Herald says:
The combatants were determined to fight.
Both were good swordsmen; both had wrongs
- the Cuban to avenge the SANDER of his
|countrvmen, his opponent to wipe out the
stain that the defiant expectoration of De
Porto had inflicted. With what weapons
should they fight Pistols no for, said they,
''any fool can shoot; it takes a swordsman
to fight DUEL and so swords were the
weapons De Porto insisted on foils, but
Proude desired the ordinary sabre used by
the cavalry. This question formed the sub
.ect of much wrangling. but finally De Porto
consented, and so far matters afforded mutual
satisfaction. All this occurred up town,
near the house of a common friend, and a
fashionable one at that in West Nineteenth
street.
To that house, then, the parties, accom-
panied by their seconds on Sunday night re-
paired. There was no noise, no unusual
sound to disturb the quietude of the place
Few were aware that within an hour one of
two human beings might probably breathe
his last. The preparations were made in ST.
lence, and the hour of two o'clock yesterday
morning was awaited with anxiety The
edges of the keen blades We're carefully ex-
amined and for Il heightened period scarcely
word was spoken.
1t was two o'clock. In the spacious back
parior Of the house in question the parties
assembled ere the echo OF the chimes had
died out. Both combatants stripped for the
contest, the seconds now and then whisper
ing something to those about to engage.
Only Il half dozen persons were present, each
citement. A splendid chandelier shed flood
Of light around the room, though otherwise
the place was excessively cold so cold, in
deed, as to necessitate the wearing of thin
walking coat by each of the duelists, both OF
whom were attired in tight pantaloons. all
under clothing being entirely dispensed with
All the arrangements having been completed
the cOmbatants announced their readiness to
proceed
A dead silence ensued, while an ashy pale
ness seemed to be the prevalent complexion
of every man in the room. The word was
given, and the duelists crossed swords, and,
having taken three PAGES backwards, the
fight commenced. At first slight tlmidity
was apparent on both sides-not so much
timidity, perhaps, as the nervous expectation
incident to the opening of the encounter
Finally, after some little hesitation, De Porto
advanced, Proude meanwhile on the alert to
receive him. The scene was exciting. All
at once the few spectators were startled by a
ia l,vyD L.. ~
his opponent, who, however, deftly parried
and retired a pace or two. Up to the pres
ent both had observed comparatively Sc
rene demeanor, but it was evident the duel
could not be a prolonged one, each being
bent on deadly strife. Having again crossed,
great skill was displayed by both, their eyes
flashing with fire, and endeavoring, as it
We're, to penetrate each others intent
Admirable swordsmanship was displayed,
the cuts being rapid, well-directed, and par
ried with precision. Upto the present, which
was about five minutes from the commence
ment, De Porto had escaped with slight
scratch on the chest, Proude being unharmed
when suddenly, De Porto offering a tempt
ing chance, Proude advanced upon him and
inflicted a diagonal cut upon the right thigh.
1t was fatal move for Proude, tor no sooner
had he leaned forward to make the cut than,
with lightningli like rapidity, De Porte follow
ed up the contrafilo, gashed his opponent on
the right shoulder, causing a wound some
five inches in length and about one and a
half inches in depth, His sword arm was
disabled.
Proude dropped his blade, exclaiming,
Enough for to-day: you will give me my re-
venge another time" to which De Porto re-
piled:
81 am always at your disposition"
Subsequently the parties shook hands and
the wounds were examined That inflicted
on De Porto, though some eight inches in
length, was scarcely quarter of an inch in
depth, while Proude's was of serious char
acter, the blood streaming from it in profu-
sion. He was Immediately conveyed to his
residence in Brooklyn, where proper assist
ancc was procured.
And thus terminated the sanguinary con-
test, the chivalrous Cuban on the one hand
vindicating the slight cast upon his country
men, and the Englishman avenging the bit
ter insult he had sustained. At the conclu-
sion OF the duel De Porto-who by the ,yay
was an officer on the Lilian-intimate with
marked GOODNESS that he was at home in West
lWenty-second street for any person who
took the liberty of questioning the rectitude
OF the Cuban cause and its supporters in this
city.
The Augusta correspondent of the Boston
Herald thus discourses Of the prospects of
the paper credit investigation
The present Paper Credit Investigating Commit
tee are doing their best to obtain evidence which
shall convict the defrauders of the State OF course
they are already spotted, but their tracks are too
well covered as yet as regards the sutficiency Of
evidence which would bring about their legal con-
yiction It is thought that the ReDort of tbo T.,
vestgating Committee of 1866 on the same sub
ject would afford some new light if in the posses
sion of the present committee. Accordingly "they
went for it but it not" Since that time nearly
the whole legislative body have been on grand
hunt for it, but they have recently to the con-
cluson that it has gone where the woodbine
twineth." Since the opening of the investigation,
several well known individuals have placed large