The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

CHARLESTOWN, (South-Carolina,) August 26.

Last Thursday evening a duel was fought between Dr. John Haly, of this Town, and Peter De Lancey, Esq; deputy Post-master General for the southern district of North-America, with pistols, at Mr. Holiday's Tavern on the Bay; the Issue of which has involved some respectable families & the friends of each party, in almost inexpressible distress.

As a great number of contradictory and infamous reports have already been spread, and are daily circulating, upon this occasion, we think it our duty (and hope shall be held blameless) to lay before the public, such of the particulars as have come to our knowledge, which seem to deserve most credit. The two unhappy combatants, it seems, had dined and spent the afternoon together (among other company) at another gentleman's private lodging, with great sociability and gaiety. Towards the evening, all the company having retired, except themselves and one gentleman more, they withdrew into the balcony, and were observed to converse rather gravely, & set their watches; but no high words passed nor was there the least appearance of any difference: This might be about seven o'clock.

Soon after, each went to his respective home.

About eight, Mr. De Lancey called at Mr. Holiday's on the Bay; asked if Dr. Haly had been there; And upon being answered in the negative, enquired if they could not have the dining room above? Being told that it was engaged to a society for that evening, he looked into the corner parlour on the street, said that would do, engaged it, called for a glass of negus or punch, drank part, and went out again; leaving a direction, to tell the Doctor if he should come, that he would be there again immediately. He had been gone but a few minutes, before he returned with the Doctor, whom he had met, accompanied by another gentleman who was with them. went up Stairs; Mr. De Lancey ordered Candles & Wine, and went into the room he had engaged, the Doctor following him: then one of them directed the waiter to put to the shutters, and the door was shut: The waiter returning, to snuff the lights, he was ordered out; they shut themselves in; and presently the report of pistols was heard. The door was thereupon immediately burst open, Mr. De Lancey was found lying bleeding, and senseless on the floor, with a ball entered at his right pap, and lodged in his left side, and having a discharged pistol grasped in his right hand; Dr. Haly walked out with another in his, and (with visible concern in his countenance) called at several of his friends houses, begging a Doctor might be sent to poor De Lancey, whom he believed he had hurt.

From circumstances it appears, that they had exchanged pistols: that Mr. De Lancey fired first and missed, one ball having passed thro' the partition of the entry rather high, and the other lodged in the skirting board: that Dr. Haly fired almost at the same instant; and that each discharged the other's pistol --unhappily for both their families?--The dispute between these gentlemen, was so sudden, and so secret, that not one of the friends of either can pretend to give any certain account of the cause, though there are many conjectures; so that it seems to be known only by the survivor.-- A Jury of Inquest sat on the body that evening, & at ten o'clock the next morning returned their verdict, " That John Haly, &c. did feloniously kill and slay the said Peter De Lancey, &c."