The New Hampshire Gazette

NEW-YORK, NOV. 29.

Yesterday morning, died, Mr. Philip Hamilton, eldest son of General Hamilton, in the 20th year of his age, of a wound received in a duel with Capt. George I. Eacker. Few events have so much interested the public, whether they consider the youth and promising talents of the deceased, the feeling of most affectionate parents, or the false honor to which his life was sacrificed.

The duel was occasioned by some frolicking and satirical expressions made by Mr Hamilton and a young Mr Price, at the Theatre, on the Friday preceding, about an Oration of Mr. Eacker's, and in his bearing. This conduct Mr. Eacker resented in a very intemperate manner, collared Mr. Hamilton, called them damned rascals and villains, and said if he did not hear from them, he would treat them as such. Challenges were consequently sent to him by both.

Mr. Eacker and Mr. Price met on Sunday following, and after exchanging four shots, without injury to either, the seconds interfered. On Monday the fatal duel between Mr. Eacker and Mr. Hamilton took place. Young Hamilton was shot through the body, on the first discharge, and fell without firing. He languished until the next morning, and then expired.

He was a young man of a natural amiable disposition, of a strong and cultivated mind. In August last, he took his first degree in Columbia College, and at the Commencement delivered an Oration remarkable for its correctness of sentiment, elegance of diction, and with that justness of elocution and propriety of gesture, that all hoped to see in him another Hamilton. Let it be added, as the highest praise, that in his dying moments, he professed his belief of the Christian Religion, and relied for pardon and mercy on the Saviour Jesus Christ.

As to the part which Mr. Eacker has acted; whether he was not too hasty in resenting the levities of youth: whether he might not after the first duel, even on the principles of the world, avoided the second, there is little disposition to discuss. Conscience is a just monitor, and that is a tribunal to which all are amenable. The custom of fighting duels should receive the highest reprobation; as being not only directly opposed to that meekness and forbearance which Christianity enjoins; but contrary to the dictates of humanity, and destructive of peace order and happiness among mankind.