Portland Gazette, And Maine Advertiser

THE MINISTERIAL DUEL.

Sept. 22. Yesterday morning a duel was fought on Wimbledon Common, between Mr. Canning and Lord Castlereagh. Mr. C. was attended by Mr. Ellis; and Lord C. by his cousin Lord Yarmouth. Both parties fired together, and both missed; at the second fire, Mr. C. received his antagonist's ball, in the upper part of his thigh, outside the bone. As Mr. C. brought no surgeon with him, Mr. Home (Lord Castlereagh's surgeon) accompanied him to Gloucester Lodge, where his wound was dressed.—The wound is not dangerous.

Sept. 23. All the reports of the duel having been occasioned by words spoken by Mr. Canning upon the subject of the late Expedition, or upon any appointment connected with the Expedition, are wholly unfounded. Nor did Lord Castlereagh take any offence at any thing said at a Cabinet Dinner at the Duke of Portland's. The misunderstanding is not of a very recent date. About three or four months ago, it states, Mr. Canning conceived it would be for the advantage of his Majesty's service that Lord Castlereagh should retire from the Cabinet. This opinion he is said to have communicated to the Duke of Portland, the Premier, and his Grace concurring with him, his Majesty's pleasure was taken at a private audience. His Majesty, in consequence, consented to receive the seals from Lord Castlereagh, and directed the Duke of Portland to submit for his approbation a proper person to succeed his Lordship. The person wished by Mr. Canning is said to have been the Marquis Wellesley. The opinion entertained by Mr. Canning of the necessity of Lord Castlereagh's resignation and of the steps taken were not disguised by Mr. Canning: but Lord Castlereagh, it is added, felt himself injured by the circumstance being concealed from him, whether by Mr. Canning's desire or not we are not informed, by other Members of the cabinet. He conceived that a frank and open disclosure was what he had a right to expect—Conceiving Mr. Canning to be the origin and author of the treatment of which he complained, he demanded satisfaction of him.—No correspondence of any length took place between them—there were no more than two letters—the letter that demanded, and the answer that consented to give satisfaction. Such is the report which is in circulation, and to which we are inclined to give credit—We understand that no conversation took place on the ground between Mr. Canning and Lord Castlereagh.—

There were two fires—after the first there was a short pause, but neither party entering into any explanation, a second pistol was delivered to each, and the consequence was Mr. Canning's wound in the thigh.