The New Hampshire Gazette

On the 3d of December:

We have the following particulars of the life and melancholy death of Miss Knox as mentioned in our paper of the 21st of November. From undoubted authority, as the facts were taken from the examinations before a Magistrate.

Miss Mary Anne Knox (the unhappy victim to the love and despair of a young gentleman as before mentioned) was the only daughter of Mr. Andrew Knox, of the County of Derry, in Ireland, a gentleman of large fortune and member of the last and present parliament there. Nature (to her misfortune) had eminently endowed her with amiable qualities of mind and beauty of person sufficient to engage the attention of every one who saw her, and the affections of every one who knew her.

Mr. M'Naughton, of an ancient family in the neighbourhood, and fortune not inconsiderable in that country, conceived a passion for her, that nothing, as appeared in the event, but death or possession could satisfy. Tho' his fortune was not equal to what the lady might have expected from her own merit, as well as from her father's circumstances, yet Mr. Naughton's application to have her in marriage, had probably been well received, but for his incurable attachment to excessive gaming: which might quickly have dissipated or reduced her present large fortune, as well as a much larger in contingency. Mr. Knox, otherwise, might have been prevailed on to consent, as the young gentleman (this fatal passion for play excepted) was then, tho' very young, not only without objection, but more than ordinarily agreeable to his acquaintance, of every rank and condition: But that objection justly weighed more in the scale of prudence, than all his good qualities could balance, if indeed any good qualities can avail, where that passion is predominant.

His proposal was absolutely rejected, and on his continuing to address her all intercourse with the family was forbidden him.

He did not, however cease to pursue the young lady's affections, but used every art to have access to her, unobserved by the family, that the ardency of his passion could suggest: At every rendezvous for summer amusement, he was ever near her in disguise, and, in Dublin, found means to see her with less difficulty, till he had so far gained on her affections, that he contracted herself to him, in the presence of one witness only, or rather married him; for they each read over the form of matrimony and signed interchangeable duplicates to witness it; their design was in appearance, to conceal their engagement all a time of reconciliation with her father, should offer, or his defeat leave at liberty to avow the choice they had made.

But the young gentleman's joy was too full to be concealed: he could not conceal it from his more intimate acquaintance, and the secret was soon divulged. A process in the Commons, to dissolve the contract, was instituted, and finally determined, last April, by the Court of Delegates, the dernier resort in that kingdom, and the contract set aside.

From that time, M'Naughton seem'd to have been actuated by a madness mixed with despair: he declared, in all companies, he would yet have her or die, and left nothing unattempted, to possess his wife (as he persevered to call her) though certain death should await him.

On the 12th day of November Mr. Knox, with the young Lady and her mother set out in a coach for Dublin, with only their ordinary attendance, and a case of pistols in the coach, and a servant armed with a blunderbuss near. He had not proceeded far when M'Naughton, with three others in arms, appeared and ordered the coachman to stop. Mr Knox on M'Naughton's coming up to the coach window, snapped his pistol at him, which M'Naughton, answered by a random fire into the coach and killed the young lady. At the same instant Knox fired his other pistol and shot M'Naughton thro' the coat, who we hear is since dead of his wound.

Thus ended the lives of two persons, brought by ill conduct, to this unhappy issue; one, who thro' life was beloved and esteemed by all; the other, well regarded, till by a train of dishonourable actions, consequent on a fortune consumed by Gaming, and a mind made desperate by a consciousness of guilt, he had justly brought himself to contempt & shame: and thus may it happen to any one who permits himself to proceed from one step to another in the same tracks of evil. Nemini repente fuit turpissimus. And though the young lady is not altogether excusable, yet we cannot but lament her.

Had the other's ruin been single, it had been less regretted: but when we see so much worth and beauty involved with it, every heart must be touched with pity, and every well turned mind alarmed at the consequences of indulging too much to passions, which though they may be something innocent are often fatal.

Dublin, Nov. 24. A Proclamation is issued, offering a reward of 50l. for apprehending each of the persons that were aiding and assisting Mac Naughton, when he murdered Miss Knox, on the 10th instant.

On Monday the 9th of December. Mr. MacNaughton will be tried for the murder of Miss Mary Anne Knox, by a special commission for that purpose.