DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.70302#0179
LIFE OF LORD CAMELFORD. 155
soon afterwards delivered to his lordship, which the peo-
ple of the house suspected to contain a challenge. A
regular information was accordingly lodged at Marlbo-
rough-street; but notwithstanding this precaution, such
was the tardiness of the officers of the police, that no steps
were taken to prevent the intended meeting till nearly
two o’clock on the following morning, when some persons
were stationed at Lord Camelford’s door, but too late.
From the coffee-house Lord Camelford went on Tuesday
night to his lodgings in Bond-street. Here he inserted
in his will the following declaration, which strongly marks
the nobleness of his disposition,—“ There are many other
matters, which, at another time I might be inclined to
mention, but I will say nothing more at present, than
that in the present contest I am fully and entirely the
aggressor, as well in the spirit as in the letter of the word ;
should I therefore lose my life in a contest of my own
seeking, I most solemnly forbid any of my friends or
relations, let them be of whatsoever description they may,
from instituting any vexatious proceedings against my
antagonist; and should, notwithstanding the above de-
claration on my part, the laws of the land be put in force
against him, I desire that this part of my will may be
made known to the King, in order that his royal heart
may be moved to extend his mercy towards him.”
.His lordship quitted his lodgings between one and two
on the morning of Wednesday the 7th of March, and
slept at a tavern, probably, with a view to avoid the offi-
cers of the police. Agreeably to the appointment made
by their seconds, his lordship and Mr. Best met early
in the morning at a Coffee-house in Oxford-street, and
here Mr. Best made another effort to prevail on him
to retract the expressions he had used. “ Camelford,”
said he, “ we have been friends, and I know the unsus-
pecting generosity of your nature. Upon my honor,
x 2 you
soon afterwards delivered to his lordship, which the peo-
ple of the house suspected to contain a challenge. A
regular information was accordingly lodged at Marlbo-
rough-street; but notwithstanding this precaution, such
was the tardiness of the officers of the police, that no steps
were taken to prevent the intended meeting till nearly
two o’clock on the following morning, when some persons
were stationed at Lord Camelford’s door, but too late.
From the coffee-house Lord Camelford went on Tuesday
night to his lodgings in Bond-street. Here he inserted
in his will the following declaration, which strongly marks
the nobleness of his disposition,—“ There are many other
matters, which, at another time I might be inclined to
mention, but I will say nothing more at present, than
that in the present contest I am fully and entirely the
aggressor, as well in the spirit as in the letter of the word ;
should I therefore lose my life in a contest of my own
seeking, I most solemnly forbid any of my friends or
relations, let them be of whatsoever description they may,
from instituting any vexatious proceedings against my
antagonist; and should, notwithstanding the above de-
claration on my part, the laws of the land be put in force
against him, I desire that this part of my will may be
made known to the King, in order that his royal heart
may be moved to extend his mercy towards him.”
.His lordship quitted his lodgings between one and two
on the morning of Wednesday the 7th of March, and
slept at a tavern, probably, with a view to avoid the offi-
cers of the police. Agreeably to the appointment made
by their seconds, his lordship and Mr. Best met early
in the morning at a Coffee-house in Oxford-street, and
here Mr. Best made another effort to prevail on him
to retract the expressions he had used. “ Camelford,”
said he, “ we have been friends, and I know the unsus-
pecting generosity of your nature. Upon my honor,
x 2 you