Daily Republican., 1880-02-17


gentry. The free pardon of the British
King, 1t appeared, not only wiped ava,
every political offence, but also ever,
injurious feeling entertained by tn,
aristocracy towards him. He was tn
type OF gallant, noble Irish gentle
man. As an honorable man he had few
equals, aud no superiors
Irish aristocratic society at that day
was sinsulsriy wild. Dueling was
common that most of the judges, law
yers and officials had at some time O
other been engaged at least in one
Therefore Mr.. Rowan only acted in &C
cordancs wSth the manners Of the chiv
alrous Irish gentlemen of the time
Two Hundred and twenty-seven me
morabls and official duels were actually
fought during the memory Of single
noted Irish gentleman. The following
are few Of the most celebrated.
The Lord Chancellor Of Ireland
Earl Glare, fought the master of til,
rolls, Curran. The Chief Justice
Lord Connolly, fought Lord Tyrawley
"a pfiyy oounseller) Lord Standoff anC
two others. The Judge Of the county
Of Dubliu, (Rgan) fought the master o
the rolls, (Roger Barrett) and three
others. The Chancellor Of the Exche
quer, fought the Right Honorable Henry
Grattan, privy counsellor and anoth-
er. Chief Justice, Lord Norburv,
fought FIRE eater Fitzgerald, and two
other gentlemen. Dauiel O'Connel
the celebrated Irish patriot, fought and
killed Mr.. De Esterrs, the leader of the
Orange party. The quarrel commenced
from O'Connell applying the term
'beggarly' to the corporation Of Dublin.
This custom of dueling was so prevalent
that no young gentleman's education
was considered finished until he had
exchanged shots with some of his ao-
qnaintances. When a young man
proposed marriage the two first ques-
tions asked we're: "What family is he
OH" "Did he ever blazs?"
The duel in Ireland, (as it was in
England) was formerly mode of set
tling Judicial disputes. 1t was per-
formed before Bishops, judges and 9th
er high authorities and their ladies.
The last exhibition supposed to be Of
this nature, was between two Irish gen.
tlemen named O'Connor. They fought
in Dublin Castle with broad swords
and skenes (large knives) and hewed
each other for an hour before most of
the greatest rulers of the kingdom, and
their wives and daughters. Amongst
them was the Arch bishop of Dublin.
Finally one cut off the head of the 9TH
er, and courtsously handed it bloody as
it was with piscs of the neck attached
to it, to the Lord Justice by whom it
was graciously received.
Dueling however was also prevalent
in Delaware at that time. Amongst
those whom | have heard as being en-
gagged in such affairs, was the first
James A. Bsyard who fought duel in
with another gentleman
in saw pit, Henry M. Ridgely of Kent
county, one Of the most esteemed men
of the State, who was shot in the arm.
James Henry Clayton, brother of John
NJ. Clayton, vert out to fight a duel
with Joseph L. Harper of Dover, but
The matter was arranged without
,hange of shots. John Adams, a young
belonging to Dover, fought
. duel with another midshipman abroad
Ind killed him in the conflict.
A family named knight, living near
were so famous for fight
ng duels that they obtained the cog
lomen of the Gig ghting Knights" The
manner of that day justified it, and
Gentleman would have been forever
lisgraced who refused a challenge, or
reelected to send one when insulted.
When was boy duel was fought
It Naaman's Creek. this State, between
ames Watson Webb, of New York,
nd Humphrey Marshal, Of Kentucky.
\ crowd of citizens from Wilmington,
Imongst whom was eX-Mayor Valen.
inc, were present at the conflict. Mr..
Webb was wounded in the leg.