The New Hampshire Gazette

The Key West Murder.--By the Revenue Cutter, Marion, which arrived at Savannah on the 7th inst. in three days from Key West, some new particulars are communicated relative to the causes of hostility between the late Mr. M'Rea and Captain Hawkins.

It appears that these gentlemen had long been at variance, arising from an illicit intercourse between M'Rea and the wife of Capt. Hawkins. Previous to a discovery of this, Capt. Hawkins had employed M'Rea as counsel in some very important law case then and still pending in the Courts of Key West. After Capt. H. discovered M'Rea's intimacy with his wife, a duel ensued, which resulted (after the exchange of four shots,) in M'Rea's receiving a ball in his thigh. Capt. H. then left Key West for Mexico and had been absent for four months, when on his return he learned that his wife had been sent to her family by the friends of Capt. H. on account of the renewal of her intercourse with M'Rea, and that Mr. M'Rea had stated publicly this improper conduct of Mrs. H.--M'Rea had further aggravated Hawkins, by receiving a fee, and appearing as counsel for the opponents of Hawkins, and in possession of all the facts necessary, in behalf of H.

The excitement at Key West was so great in consequence of the death of Mr. M'Rea, that on the arrival of the Cutter Marion, a letter was addressed to Capt. Jackson from Judge Webb, (District Judge) desiring him to remain in port until the excitement had subsided. The friends of the parties were armed, and a very serious rencontre was for some time apprehended. It happily was quieted when Capt. Hawkins was placed on board the Cutter.