The Virginia Gazette

We have received the following Particulars of the melancholy Affair which happened in Hill-Street, near Berkeley-Square, last Friday Evening the 24th of this Instant. Mr. Paul, a young Gentleman of Fortune, came about Ten o'Clock in a Chair to the House where Mr. Dalton lodged, desiring to speak with him, and upon being inform'd that he was not at Home, went into the Parlour, wrote a Letter, and ordered the Servant to find out his Master and deliver it to him: The Servant, who knew Mr. Paul to be an Acquaintance of his Master's, went out, found him at the Brown's Head Tavern in Bond-Street, and gave the Letter, which his Master reading, returned immediately home with him, and ordered him not to stir unless he called him. The Servant soon heard the Noise of their pushing at one another, and presently that of the Street Door shutting. He went up, and opening the same, was told by the Chairmen who had been in waiting for Mr. Paul, that he was gone out, gave them Two Shillings, and went up the Street in a very great Hurry. The Servant on this open-ed the Parlour Door, and found his Master dead on the Floor, with the Candles out. The Deceased, upon Examination, appears to have received a single Wound only, on the upper Part of the Left Breast. It seems these two Gentlemen had drank Tea together that Afternoon at a young Lady's in Bond Street, who happened to pull out a Snuff Box that had been given her by Mr. Dalton; and Mr. Paul liking it, he told him it was at his Service; which Mr. Dalton being displeased at, a Sort of Scuffle arose in the Presence of the Lady, her Sister, and another Gentleman, in which, at last, Mr. Dalton wrested it from him. Mr. Paul then expressed some Resentment, and Mr. Dalton and the other Gentleman adjourned to the Brown's Head. When the Letter came, Mr. Dalton read it to his Friend, who would have gone with him; but receiving a Message from the Ladies, Mr. Dalton persuaded him to go over to them, and took that Opportunity of going home to his Lodgings. The Gentleman returning presently, and missing him instantly followed; but tho' he knock'd at the Door, he could not gain Admission, the Servant having received Orders to the contrary. The Gentlemen then went back to the Ladies, and returned with their Servants, and then was made sensible of the fatal Catastrophe, the Door being open, and a Number of People about the House. The Billet which Mr. Paul sent to Mr. Dalton, was, as near as can be remembered, in the following Words;

Sir,

We have long been intimate Friends, but your Behaviour in this Affair cannot be passed over. The last Degree of Satisfaction that any Gentleman could expect, is all that is required, by

Yours, &c.

P. S. I am sorry; I am obliged to send for you here, as it may be thought wrong.

On Saturday Evening the Coroner having summon'd a Jury, they sat on the Body of Mr. Dalton, but his Servant being gone into the Country, to carry the afflicting News to his Master's Relations, obliged them to adjourn to Yesterday Afternoon; when, after hearing the Evidence properly examined, they brought in their Verdict, Wilful Murder.