Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1881-06-02
COMMODORE STOCKTON's DUEL.
DESPERATE ACT NJ WHICH He SAVED
HIMSELF FROM CAPTURE.

DESPERATE ACT ~ WHICH HE SAVED
HIMSELF TgoX CAPTURE.
From "reminiscences by Josiah Quincy.
in the Independent, we take the follow
ing striking incident;
now come to the most marvellous
dueling adventure in which Stockton
was engaged, and this shall give as |
heard the story told by its hero one
day after dinner and in the presence OF
several gentlemen who were lingering
about the table Since writing out the
narrative gwen below have found in
the Boston City library an anonymous
life OF Stockton, apparently written for
some political purpose, and published
in 1886. The writer gives an account of
this duel from hearsay and according
to his remembrance The narrative
differs from mine in several respects,
and omits some striking particulars,
which ! am certain that / heard from
the principal actor. There must exist
materials for an authentic life Of the
brilliant Commodore. and most inter
esting book it would be. Neither my
memory nor my journals are infallible.
and If any particulars are misstated
(which do not believe to be the case
they are offered IA subject TO correction
by a responsible boRrapher.
The scene WAS at Gibraltar, and there
had been previous duel between Stock
ton and a British officer attached to the
station, who, however. was not the off
Ger from whom the afiront to be ayene.
cd had really come. There had been
charges aud counter charges. negotia.
tious and ordinations, till finally the
American officer in command put a stop
to proceedings 10y an order that none Of
his subordnates should 60 ashore while
the ship remained in that port. The
lull was only temporary. After short
cruise the Erie returned to Gibaralier.
aud this time the real offender was
forced by the public opinion of his Eel.
lows to give the Yankee lieutenant the
meeting he had demanded. A euaran.
" was required by stockton that the
British authorities of the town should
not be informed OF the duel. with a
view to ordering his arrest, and pledge
was given that there should be no in.
reference. Under these ciFcumstan.
ces." aAid Stockton, II went ashore
without distrust. The flag had been
grossly insulted by q British officer,
who was now backed up by his com.
rades. was the only unmarried otii.
Ger on board the Erie, and my duty
was, of course, clear. The governor Of
the fortress, during our previous visit,
had announced that he would hang any
Yankee who came ashore for the uur.
poae of fighting. and. although it was
not probable that he would have dared
to carry out the threat, he would have
been ugly enough had he caught me.
1t was arranged between our seconds
that, upon landing. VIC should be con.
Quoted TO a retired place where the
duel might come off without interfer.
ence. British honor was pledged TO
this, and, believing il still TO be worth
something, was rowed ashore, accom-.
panied by my second and the ships
doctor" The graphic description of
what followed must be given in feeble
outline. The Americans were conduct.
ed to . spot near the top of the rock,
where they met the opposing party,
IL then appeared that no immediate
fighting was contemplated, for the Eng.
lishmen began to enter upon . discus.
sion, and TO raise frivolous objections to
the recognized code of dueIing. Stock.
ton, seeing that all this tended to de-
lay, and suspecting treachery. suddenly
declared that he would waive all rights
and fight at once upon whatever terms
his opponent chose 10 exact. After
such declaration no retreat was posi-.
bic. The ground was measured, shots
we're exchanged, and the British officer
fell wounded. Stockton advanced to
inquire into the nature of the injury,
and then the wretched man was shamed
into confession that treachery had
been practiced, and that instant fight
was necessary IL his opponent would
avoid arrest. Upon this the Lieutenant
started for his boat, running ct full
speed. His way lay through . passage
cut out of the rock, which gave access
to the beach below. Upon turning
corner, when about half way down, he
was confronted By Gle Of soldiers,
drawn up 10 oppose his passage. The
officer IN command was = pursy little
fellow, who seemed 10 enjoy hugely the
discomiiture of his supposed captive.
There stood this meFrv gentleman upon
parapet which guazsled the road, and
which was raised : few feet above II.
lis squad was ranged In line with