Biographical Sketch of Lord Camelford

General Sketch of His Life

The Life, Adventures and Eccentricities of Lord Camelford (1804)

Note: The Press accounts of incidents in Lord Camelford’s Naval Career are given at the end of this sketch as are further particulars regarding the duel from press accounts and from Diaries.

Thomas Pitt, Lord Camelford, Baron of Bocconoc, in the County of Cornwall, was born February 25, 1775, and succeeded his father Thomas, the late Lord, January 19, 1793.

His Lordship’s Great Grand-father, Robert Pitt, Esq. married Harriet, sister to John Villiers, Earl of Grandison, and by her had five daughters, and the late Earl of Chatham, who was his second son.--The eldest son, Thomas Pitt, Esq., seated at Bocconoc in Cornwall, was Lord Warden of the Stannaries and Steward of the Duchy of Cornwall and Devon and died July, 1760. He married Christiana, eldest daughter of Sir Thomas LIttleton, and sister to George, the late Lord Littleton, by which lady (who died June 5, 1750) he had issue Thomas, the late Lord Camelford, created a Baron January 5, 1784, married July 29, 1774, Anne, daughter and coheiress of Pinkney Wilkinson, Esq., and by her had issue, Thomas, the late Lord, whose Memoirs we now present to the public. –Anne, born September 10, 1772, married July 18, 1792 to George Lord Grenville. Amelia married to William Spry, L.L.D., Governor of Barbados. Christiana married to Thomas Saunders, Esq., late Governor of Fort St. George. He married, secondly, Anne Maria Murray, by whom he had no issue.

Lord Camelford received the first rudiments of his education at Berne in Switzerland, which he afterwards completed at Charter-house School. When very young his Lordship engaged himself in the service of his country, and in rotation served the regular periods. His conduct, while in a state of probation for future honours, was such as to warrant a well-founded opinion of his gallantry and bravery, at the same period that his eccentricity exposed him to repeated disadvantages, without any evil intentions, through the natural impetuosity of his temper, joined to his very high sentiments of honour, he involved himself in a variety of disputes, and in some cases with those, whose superior years and rank in their country’s service did not justify such proceedings. At the same period it is equally true, that on many occasions a knowledge of his irritability has frequently induced unthinking persons to offer affornts which they well knew his Lordship neither could or would submit to; and it is a question which deserves the most serious consideration, whether knowing his habitual failing it would not have reflected more honour to themselves to have slightly passed over or neglected to take notice of his momentary passion, than by a contrary conduct compel him, in vindication of his own honour, to have recourse to a mode of conduct which, in his cooler moments, he condemned.

At an early age his Lordship entered into the naval service of his country; and under the command of Captain Vancouver, of his Majesty’s ship Discovery, sailed round the world; and there cannot exist a doubt, that if his Lordship could have conquered that irritability of temper, which involved him in such a variety of disputes, and ultimately ended in his death, he would have attained the highest naval honours. Unfortunately such was the violence of his temper, that on many occasions he totally forgot what was due to his rank, and in the moments of passion had recourse to the most violent measures.

The first act which served to draw the public attention towards him was the circumstance of his taking umbrage at some part of the conduct of Captain Vancouver, of the Discovery, which ship he quitted in the India seas, and entered on board the Resistance, Captain Sir Edward Pakenham, where his Lordship was appointed Lieutenant and paid the strictest attention to his professional duties. On his return to this country in October 1796, his Lordship challenged Captain Vancouver for alleged ill treatment in the South Seas when under his command. The Captain in reply, asserted that his Lordship brought this disagreeable circumstance on himself by his own ill behaviour, and that what he did was necessary for the preservation of discipline. Under this conviction the Captain offered to submit the whole affair to the opinion and judgment of any one Flag Officer, and if he should think the Captain was liable, by the laws, of honour, to be called up, he would cheerfully give him satisfaction; but as fighting was more agreeable to his Lordship than expostulation, this mode of settling the dispute was declined, and threatened personally to insult the Captain; nor was he long deliberating, for seeing the Captain walking up Bond-street he attempted to strike him, and was only prevented by the interference of Captain Vancouver’s brother warding off the blows. This affair was afterwards left to legal jurisdiction to settle.

The next affair of consequence was, the circumstance of his shooting LIeutenant Peterson in English Harbour, Antigua, a measure which has been the subject of much consideration, and gave rise to a variety of dispute.

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As soon as the necessary forms would admit, his Lordship was brought to a Court Martial, and after several days being occupied in investigating the particulars, they came to the following determination:

“At a Court Martial, held on board his Majesty’s ship Invincible, in Fort Royal Bay, Martinique, Jan. 20, 1798, and held by adjournment every day after (Sunday excepted) until the 25th:--Present William Cayley, Esq., Captain of his Majesty’s ship Invincible, and Senior Captain of His Majesty’s ships and vessels in Fort Royal Bay, Martinique. Captains Jemmet, Mainwaring, Richard Brown, Charles Ekins, and Alexander S. Burrows. The Court being duly sworn according to act of Parliament, in pursuance of an order from Henry Hervey, Esq., Rear Admiral of the Red, and Commander in Chief of His Majesty’s ships and vessels at Barbadoes, and the Leeward Islands, proceeded to try the said Right Hon. Lord Camelford, acting Commander of His Majesty’s sloop Favourite, for the death of Lieut. Charles Peterson, of His Majesty’s ship Pendrix, on the evening of the 13th of February, in the Naval Yard at Antigua; and having heard the whole of the evidence adduced on the occasion, and what the prisoner had to offer in his defence, and maturely and deliberately considered the same, and being fully sensible of the necessity of prompt measures, in cases of mutiny and disobedience of orders, are unanimously of opinion that the very extraordinary and manifest disobedience of Lieut. Peterson to the lawful commands of Lord Camelford the senior officer at English Harbour at that time, and the violent measures taken by Lieut. Peterson to resist the same by arming the Pedrix’s ship’s company, were acts of mutiny highly injurious to his Majesty’s service, the Court do therefore unanimously adjudge, that the said Lord Camelford be honourably acquitted, and he is hereby unanimously and honourably acquitted accordingly; signed as usual by all the Members of the Court. His Lordship afterwards returned and took the command of his ship, which he soon after resigned, and quitted the naval profession.

On his return to this country in 1799, finding there existed the greatest animosity between this country and France, his Lordship formed the design of personally attacking the French Rulers, and for this purpose hired a boat to go to France, with two of his companions; but a suspicion arising, he was take into custody. His appearance was such as to bear evident marks of insanity–he was closely cropped, wore an old round hat, blue coat, white fustian breeches, and boots splashed all over. His Lordship was taken to the Duke of Portland’s Office to be examined; but it being evident he was actuated by some mad project not hostile to the interests of this country, he obtained his discharge. He told the boatmen at Dover that Turnbull, who robbed the Mint was a fool, and knew not how to set about getting to France. On their questioning him respecting his name he replied Camelford; but they not dreaming of having in their custody a Peer of great fortune, and allied to some of the first families in the kingdom, possessed no other idea from the information that they held in their hands a Mr. Camelford, and were not undeceived in this particular until they arrived at the Secretary of State’s Office.

Of a similar strange turn were most of his actions: at one time, when there was a general illumination for the return of peace, no threats could induce him to permit lights to be exhibited in the windows of his apartments in Bond Street; in vain the landlord of the house represented to him that the windows would be broken, his Lordship continued inexorable; and when the mob assailed the house with the usual cry of lights! Lights! He ran into the street, followed by his servants, and entered into a sharp contest with the mob, until overpowered by numbers, he was forced to relinquish the field, and next day employ a glazier to repair the damage the windows sustained.

At the close of the year 1802, his lordship had been engaged in such a variety of disputes, quarrels, and duels, that it became a matter of course to hear of his being engaged in affrays. Constant in his attendance on the amateurs of the boxing art, he was welcomed by them for the beneficence of his purse. His attachment to scenes of low life frequently occasioned many to boast their acquaintance with his Lordship, and among the rest Mr. King and his partners in the Portland Place Bank, in their advertisements, boasted of his friendship, and quarrelled as to the best means of turning it to their individual advantage. It cannot be supposed his Lordship sanctioned such a proceeding; but it clearly evinces that the Peer ought not to become a companion to the Porter.

As an instance of the eccentricity of his character, we give the following account of one of the many grand rows with which his Lordship frequently diverted himself.

As his Lordship, accompanied by Captain B. of the Royal Navy, concerned in the late fatal duel at Chalk Farm, was returning home about one o’clock in the morning, through Cavendish Square, they began to chastise the guardians of the night, conceiving they were not exercising due vigilance at the then most momentous crisis. Four watchmen, who had been deep asleep, were soon awoke to the lively impression made upon their shoulders by the assailants; they started up, but two of them were soon knocked down; they fell with a great noise, the half-pence jingled out of their pockets, and what remained in the gin-bottle was spilt on the pavement. The other two sprung their rattles, and soon collected a posse of their fraternity, who, after a contest of one hour, succeeded in taking the fashionable assailants into their custody. Divers blows and bruises were received on both sides; but Captain B., was the greatest sufferer, having received a contusion on the head. The captive heroes, strongly guarded by at least sixteen watchmen, all armed, were conveyed to the watch-house, where his Lordship seemed to feel himself quite at home–not so the Captain, he by no means liked his birth, or relished the treatment he had received. He threatened furiously to commence hostilities, and to cut a port hole through the cabin side, and was proceeding to carry his menace into execution, when a second scuffle ensued and the captain of the guard at length succeeded in seizing his arm, and being assisted by the effects of the liquor they had been drinking, prevented any further mischief. The next day they were brought in triumph to Marlborough Street, where the watchmen were gratified with a present of one guinea each; and his Lordship and the Captain, after refitting the damage their rigging had sustained, retired home in order to recover from their fatigue in sufficient time to be present at the next boxing match which took place.

We come now to that part of his history, which requires us to record an event of the most melancholy nature. His Lordship had been for some time intimate with a Lady, said to have been formerly the kept mistress of Mr. B., an acquaintance of his Lordship, and it being represented to him that Mr. B. had said something to his prejudice at the Opera House, it so incensed him that on Tuesday the 6th of March, at the Prince of Wales’s Coffee-House, where they usually dined, he went up to Mr. B., and said loud enough to be heard by all the company, “I find Sir, that you have spoken of me in the most unwarrantable terms.” Mr. B. replied, that he was utterly unconscious of having deserved such a charge. Lord Camelford replied that he was not ignorant of what he had reported to Mrs. S., and pronounced him to be “a scoundrel, a liar, and a ruffian.” Mr. B. said, these were epithets which admitted but of one course and a meeting was immediately proposed for the next morning. The place was not fixed. Lord Camelford desired the Hon. Mr. D., son to Lord H., to arrange with Mr. N., who was named by Mr. B., as his second, the time and place.

In the course of the evening Mr. B. conveyed to Lord Camelford the strongest assurances that the information he had received was unfounded; and that believing he had acted under a false impression he would be satisfied if his Lordship would retract the expressions he had used. This Lord Camelford refused to do.

Mr. B. left the Coffee-House much agitated; and shortly after a note was delivered to his Lordship, which the people of the house suspected to contain a challenge. With a truly laudable anxiety they accordingly gave notice to the Bow-street Office, from whence several Officers were immediately dispatched. Before their arrival, however, his lordship had gone away. The Officers then stationed themselves before his lodgings in Bond-street, and Mr. B.’s house in Wimpole-street, where they waited all night without success, as neither of the parties returned home, nor was any thing further heard until a quarter before eight the next morning.

Meanwhile, his Lordship and Mr. B., met in the morning at a Coffee-House in Oxford-street, agreeable to the appointment which their Seconds had made; and here again Mr. B., made an effort to prevail on his Lordship to retract the epithets he had used. He went up to him and said, “Camelford, we have been friends, and I know the unsuspecting generosity of your nature. Upon my honour you have been imposed upon by a strumpet. Do not insist in expressions under which one of us must fall.” Lord Camelford answered, “B., this is child’s play, the thing must go on.” And yet we can state, from undoubted authority, that the Noble Lord, reflecting on the whole matter, had in his heart acquitted B., and had confidentially stated to his second that he knew he was in the wrong; that B., was a man of honour–but that he could not bring himself to retract words which he had once used. He afterwards said–”Feeling that I am in the wrong, I shall not fire at B.” No remonstrance, however, could prevail on him to retract his words. An inveterate adherence to a false punetilio made him resolute in error, and the duel unhappily took place.

On the morning of Wednesday the 7th of March, his Lordship and Mr. B. were observed riding upon the road to Kensington, followed by a post-chaise, in which were two gentlemen, followed by their servants on horseback, who rode at a distance from each other. Upon their arrival at the Horse and Groom, leading to the fields at the rear of Holland House, Kensington, the parties dismounted. The seconds stepped out the ground, when they took their stations. His Lordship fired first and without effect. A space of several seconds intervened before Mr. B. returned his Lordship’s fire, and from his attitude and manner, the people at a distance supposed he had been asking whether his Lordship was satisfied. Mr. B. fired, when his Lordship fell instantly at full length. Mr. B. and the two seconds ran up to his assistance, as did a gardener of Lord Holland’s, and some persons who had been looking on from behind the hedges. The ground being very swampy, the water had run into his half boots; and his Lordship was endeavouring to support himself upon his arm, and expressed great reluctance to receive any assistance A chair was procured with all possible expedition, and he was carried to the house of a Mr. Ottey, and a surgeon immediately sent for

His Lordship most unequivocally declared, that from the evening of Saturday the 25th of February (the night on which Mr. B. explained his conduct at the Opera) to the period of the duel, Mrs. S. did not send him any letter, or in any other manner urge him to the steps he took, so that all the reports of the unfortunate affair having originated in the conduct of htat lady are wholly unfounded, especially so, as from the 25th till the duel she had not been at the Opera and consequently could not have addressed the threatening words she is reported to have used.

Previous to the fatal meeting, several overtures were made to Lord Camelford to effect a reconciliation, which he rejected, from an idea that as his antagonist was the best shot in England, he was extremely fearful his reputation would suffer if he made any concession, however slight, to such a person.

After he fell, he is said to have expressed on the spot that he was the sole aggressor.

As soon as circumstances would admit, information of the tragical event was sent to Lord Grenvile, and his Lordship, accompanied by Lady Grenville, arrived at Mr. Ottey’s on Thursday afternoon. The surgeons, however, thinking from the distress of Lady Grenville, that a meeting between them might be attended with dangerous consequences, prudently forbade it.

Lord Camelford continued in agonies of pain during the first day, towards the evening he grew rather better, and by the help of laudanum he got some sleep during the night, and in the morning found himself much relieved. His hopes revived considerably during the second day, and he conversed with some cheerfulness. The surgeons, however, would never give his friends the slightest hopes.

From that time till Saturday the 10th, his lordship suffered great pain, and frequently exclaimed to his servant “this is suffering indeed.” He wrote several letters to sir Sydney Smith, requesting him to come to town to fulfill a few conditions, one of which was to send his body to Berne in Switzerland, to be interred in a particular spot between three trees in the Canton of Berne, the place where he was educated.

It affords much consideration that he was attended in his latter moments by his cousin the Reverend William Cockburne, to whom he expressed his hope in the goodness and mercy of God, and that the agonies he then suffered might expiate the sins he had committed.

During Saturday his Lordship showed no symptoms that could be considered favourable; at eight o’clock in the evening a mortification commenced, which induced the medical gentlemen who attended him to pronounce his recovery impossible, and an express was sent to that effect to the Marquis of Buckingham. His Lordship, nevertheless, had strong hopes of recovery, and repeatedly asked the medical gentlemen who attended him, why they did not begin the proposed operation, adding, I am ready to undergo it whenever you please.

A little after eight o’clock, the servant and those who attended him, believed him dead, his lordship however, breathed till within a quarter of nine, when he expired, apparently without sense of pain. The time of his decease agreed within a short time with that stated by the surgeons. The ball was extracted after his death and about four o’clock the next day the body was opened in order to give satisfactory information to the coroner’s jury.

Thus died Thomas Lord Camelford, in the prime of life. His real character was little known, while his imperfections and follies were often brought before the public. He was passionately fond of science, and though his mind when a sailor had been little cultivated, yet he had of late years acquired a fund of information upon almost every subject connected with literature. In his youth he was fond of puzzling the chaplains of ships and to enable him to do this, had read all the skeptical books he could procure; as, however his judgment encreased, he became convinced of the importance of religion, and a few days before his death observed, “No sensible and well informed man can presume to assert that christianity is false, I do not yet venture,” said he, “to assert positively that it is true, but I confess the probabilities are in its favour.”

So little did he expect his dissolution, that he had been for some time employed in preparations for the disposal of his property in this country, and had sent persons to value the timber on his estates in Cornwall and Dorset.

During his illness he made a bequest to a chemist who had assisted him in his laboratory and to Captain Berrie he left an annuity with a firm to pay his debts.

Accounts from the Press

Lord Camelford and Lieutenant Peterson.

The Sporting Magazine, April 1798 at 34

The following statement is given in a letter from an Officer of his Majesty’s ship Vengeance, dated English Harbour, Antigua, February 9.

“No doubt you have heard of the death of Lieutenant Peterson, of his Majesty’s ship Perdix, who was shot by Lord Camelford. The circumstances of this new catastrophe in our annals of naval transactions are as follows:

“Lord Camelford has the rank of Master and Commander, and has the command of his Majesty’s sloop of war, the Favourite. The Favourite and Perdirx were lying in English Harbour on Saturday, the 13th of January, at which time Captain Fahie of the Perdix, was sent to St. Kitt’s. Mr. Peterson was first LIeutenant of the Perdix. Lord Camelford as being Commanding officer at that time in English harbour, ordered Lieutenant Peterson to row guard in the harbour for that night; this order Lieutenant Peterson refused to obey, Captain Fahie being Lord Camelford’s Senior Officer, and his Lordship having, therefore, in his opinion no right to give the order. Both ships were hauled alongside the Dock-yards, repairing, and the Companies of each ship collected round the party in the Dock-yard where the altercation began. Many words passed between the LIeutenant and his Lordship, but still Mr. Peterson refused to obey. About twelve of the crew of the Pendrix came to the spot armed, in a few minutes afterwards; and Lord Camelford brought six of his mariners to the place armed also. Mr. Peterson now drew his men in a line and he stood at their head with his sword by his side. Lord Camelford also drew up his six men in a line, fronting the Pendrix people, and distant about four yards. His Lordship then quitted the place for about two minutes, and returned with a pistol in his hand, which he had borrowed of an Officer of the yard. Mr. Peterson was standing at the head of his men, as before, with his sword drawn, the point of it resting on the ground; in this position, Lord Camelford went up to him with his pistol in his hand, and said, ‘Do you still persist in refusing to obey my orders?” To which the LIeutenant answered “Yes, I do refuse.” On which Lord Camelford instantly clapped the pistol to his right breast and fired. Mr. Peterson fell on his back immediately, and never spoke a word more, or moved, as the ball went entirely through his body. His corpse was then carried into the capstan-house, where Lord Camelford attended, and examined the body. The armed part of the crews of both ships quietly went aboard their own ships; and Lord Camelford gave himself up as a prisoner to Captain Matson of the Beaver sloop of war, in which ship he was carried up to the Admiral in Fort Royal Bay, and there tried and acquitted. His Lordship gave a very admirable written defence, containing eighteen pages, very closely written. He is now returned to this place, and is again in command of his ship. Lieutenant Peterson was a native of Nevis, of a very respectable family there, and quite a youth. Two of his brothers are now here, collecting evidence for the purpose of seeing what can be done against Lord Camelford in a Civil Court of Justice. The Coroner’s Inquest on Mr. Peterson brought in their verdict–Lost his life in a Mutiny.

“When the people of St. John’s first heard of this transaction, there was a party preparing themselves to come to English Harbour to kill Lord Camelford, as this fatal affair had filled the minds of the lower sort of people full of revenge against him; but on being informed of the true state of the case, they desisted from their hostile visit. Lord Camelford appears to me to be a new character in his class. His person is not altogether unlike the late Lord George Gordon’s, when he was of the same age; their whimism is somewhat familiar, Lord Camelford provides a table of plenty of good fresh meat every day for the men who are sick in his ship. He is very severe in carrying on duty; seldom ties up a man but he gets six or seven lashes, which is a more severe punishment in this country than what is produced by giving the same number in a northern climate. Although his Lordship is a Master and Commander, he does not set an expensive example in wearing extravagant clothes. He makes use of no swabs (gold shoulder knots), but still appears in a Lieutenant’s uniform. His dress is indeed extremely remarkable: all the hair is shaved off his head, on which he wears a monstrous large gold laced cocked hat, which, by its appearance, one would think had seen service with Sir Walter Raleigh. He is dressed in a Lieutenant’s plain coat, the buttons of which are as green with verdigris as the ship’s bottom; and with this all the rest of his dress corresponds.”

Lord Camelford Flogs an English Gentleman

The Sporting Magazine June 1798 at 151

We are apprehensive that some fatal catastrophe will ultimately happen to this Nobleman. Another act of violence is imputed to his Lordship, and which is related in a letter from Basseterre, St. Kitt’s, dated April 17, viz.

“Lord Camelford has flogged an English gentleman, Mr. Kittoe, the Master-Attendant of the Dock-yard in English Harbour,, Antigua, who is brother to Captain Kittoe, of the Bittern sloop of war. It seems that Lord Camelford had requested Mr. Kittoe to give him a certain quantity of cordage for the purpose of fitting out the Favourite sloop of war, which his Lordship commands. Mr. Kittoe assured him that there had already been issued out of the stores in the yard for the use of the Favourite, more than the common allotted quantity of that particular courage which his Lordship was desirous to get on board; and that he could not issue, for the use of the Favourite any more of it without an order from the Admiral. Lord Camelford, not satisfied with his answer, contrived to get Mr. Kittoe into the house which his Lordship possesses in the dock-yard. Having Mr. Kittoe in a room, he requested him to issue the stores, which he had required; but Mr. Kittoe excused himself by saying it was more than he dared to do without the Admiral’s order. Lord Camelford then put a loaded pistol to Mr. Kittoe’s breast and assured him that he would instantly shoot him if he did not instantly strip and take a flogging. Mr. Kittoe, to save his life, complied, when Lord Camelford made his own servant give Mr. Kittoe a dozen lashes on his bare back! Mr. Kittoe has been with Admiral Harvey, at Martinico, concerning this extraordinary affair; but what steps will be taken I know not.

Lord Camelford–Duel

The Scot’s Magazine March 1804 at 229-230

March 10

On Wednesday morning, about half past 7 o’clock, Lord Camelford and Mr. Best, attended by their seconds, met, agreeably to appointment, on the road near the White Horse Public-house. The cause of the quarrel arose about Mrs. Simmonds, who has lived some time with his Lordship. On Saturday evening Mr. Best was at the Opera, where he met Mrs. Simmonds. Mrs. S. wished Mr. Best to accompany her home, and, on his refusal, said he would have cause to repent of it, for “she would set Lord Camelford on his back.” She accordingly told Lord Camelford that Mr. Best had spoken disrespectfully of him, and on her remonstrating with him, he said Lord Camelford might be damned. Lord Camelford, in consequence, went on Tuesday in search of Mr. Best, and meeting him in the forenoon, at the Prince of Wales’s Coffee-house, Conduit Street, addressed him in the public Coffee-room in very strong terms, charging him with ungentlemanly conduct, and calling him a Damned Scoundrel. Mr. Best retired and immediately sent a challenge to Lord Camelford. Having taken their station, they fired nearly at the same time, and Lord Camelford fell, on which Mr. B., and the others came up to him, but supposing him expiring, they left him, and made off. The spectators immediately went to the spot and found him stretched on the wet ground, bleeding very much. Lord Camelford, at falling, called his antagonist to him, when he seized him by the hand, and exclaimed–”Best, I am a dead man; you have killed me; but I freely forgive you.” He was carried to the house of Mr. Orty, who immediately sent for medical assistance, and having probed the wound, found that the ball had entered the upper part of the right breast. His Lordship, though in great agony, expressed his forgiveness of Mr. B., and declared himself to be at fault.

March 13.

Lord Camelford–On Saturday evening, at half past eight o’clock, this unfortunate young Nobleman expired; the nature of his wound occasioned so general a paralysis throughout the whole frame, that he suffered but little pain for the last day, though he was perfectly sensible till within three hours of his dissolution. At half past four o’clock yesterday afternoon, his Lordship’s body was opened in the presence of Messrs. Heavistide, Home and Knight. It was then discovered that the ball had entered between the second and third ribs on the right side, very near the shoulder, and passed through the right lobe of the lungs, and lodged in the body of one of the vertebrae of the back, from which it was with difficulty extracted; that, in its passage, the ball had completely divided the spinal marrow, and that a great effusion of blood had taken place in the chest.

The Coroner’s jury sat on Monday morning at the White Horse, Kensington. The witnesses were two gardeners, who came up to the spot on hearing a pistol fired. They saw two gentlemen running away, and called to them to stop, but they got off. They saw Lord Camelford supported by another gentleman. His Lordship said to them, “Why did you wish to stop the gentleman who is gone away? I did not want him to be stopped, I forgive him, and I hope God will forgive him also.” The gentleman who was supporting Lord Camelford said he would go and find a surgeon, and desired the gardeners to take care of his Lordship, but this gentleman never returned. Mr. Nicholson, a surgeon who examined the body, stated that he found the fifth rib broken. The ball had passed through the right lobe of the lungs and lodged in the vertebral canal. Six quarts of extravasated blood were found on the right side of the chest. The Jury returned a verdict of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.

Lord Camelford was 29 year of age, and has left a fortune of 20,000l., per annum, principally to his sister, Lady Grenville.

Lord Camelford was convinced of his erroneous opinion of his friend Mr. Best, on Wednesday morning; but a false notion of Honour compelled him to proceed, though Mr. Best said on the ground that the false tale of a base and artful woman had deceived his Lordship; and requested that he would, on that assurance, retract the very harsh expressions with which he had so publicly addressed him. “Camelford,” says he, “we have been friends and I know the unsuspecting generosity of your nature; Upon my honour, you have been imposed upon by a strumpet. Do not persist in expressions under which one of us must fall.” Lord Camelford answered–”Best, this is child’s play–the thing must go on.” And yet we can state from undoubted authority, that the Noble Lord, reflecting on the whole matter, had in his heart acquitted Mr. Best, and had confidentially stated to his second, that he knew he was in the wrong:--that Best was a man of honour–but that he could not bring himself to retract words which he had once used. In going to the ground, which was a field behind Holland House, he repeated to his second that he knew he was the aggressor: that he knew well, that as Mr. Best and he were two of the best shots in England, one of them must fall; but whatever might be the issue of the affair he begged him to bear testimony that he acquitted Mr. Best of all blame.

Lord Camelford sent for his solicitor, Mr. Wilson of Lincoln’s-inn-fields and made his will on the night after the accident; and he maintained the most perfect composure under his sufferings to the last. Lord Camelford has left behind him a paper in his own handwriting, fully acquitting his antagonist from any blame on the late unfortunate transaction.

From the Monthly Mirror March 1804 at 212-213

LORD CAMELFORD.--On Monday, March 11, Mr. Hodgson coroner of Middlesex, and the Jury, having assembled at the White Horse public-house, Kensington, where the inquest was to be held, they repaired immediately to Little Holland House, to take a view of the body, which being done, they returned to hear the evidence produced.

James Sheers, Lord Holland’s gardener, said that he was digging in Holland House Garden, on Wednesday morning last, between the hours of seven and eight o’clock, along with another person, when he heard the report of a pistol. He remarked to his companion, that the noise most probably proceeded from a duel, and they ran down immediately to the pailing at the end of the garden, to see what was the matter. Witness saw from thence some smoke in the second field from Holland House, the distance of about ten yards from the hedge. Not far from thence, he observed the deceased lying on the ground, with his second supporting him. As he was running to the place, he met two gentlemen coming from the deceased, who he found, on reaching the spot, was still supported by the same gentleman he had seen with him at a distance, who desired his assistance in supporting the unfortunate gentleman on the ground; but before the witness complied, he called to the man he left behind him and others, to stop the gentlemen who were making their escape, which they endeavoured to do, but without success. The deceased then begged the witness to support him; the gentleman who had hitherto done so having left him and was running off. The witness then sent one of his people for a surgeon. As soon as the man was gone, the deceased wished to know whom the witness was calling out to have stopped; on his saying it was the gentlemen who were running away from him, the deceased said he did not wish it, for he was the aggressor; that he freely forgave the gentleman and hoped God would also. The witness then asked the deceased if he knew the party who had shot him? He replied he knew nothing, he was a dead man. Sheers obtained assistance as soon as he could and had the gentleman put into a chair and taken to Mr. Otry’s Little Holland House. On stripping the deceased’s neckcloth, and opening his waistcoat, he found a wound between his right shoulder and breast.

George Robinson, also a gardener at Holland House, deposed, that on Wednesday morning, about a quarter of an hour before eight o’clock, he saw four gentlemen walking in the field before described, and soon after heard the report of a pistol, and two or three seconds afterwards, that of another; he then saw the deceased fall, and two of the gentlemen go up to him, who, after remaining with him a short time, came away towards him (the witness), and desired that he would go and assist the gentleman on the ground. When witness came to the spot, he found Sheers supporting the gentleman; he could see the deceased fire first at one of the gentleman who went away.They stood off about thirty paces or twenty-nine yards, as well as he could judge of the distance from the mark of their feet in the dew, and from the place where the deceased lay.

Mr. Nicholson, of Saville-street, surgeon, stated that he was called, on Wednesday last, to a gentleman at Mr. Orty’s, who had been wounded by a shot from a pistol. The deceased complained of severe pain shooting through his chest to his back, and also a pain in his lower extremities, from which circumstance witness supposed that the pistol ball had passed through the lungs and lodged in the spine. The deceased never recovered the use of his lower extremities; he languished till eight o’clock on Saturday morning when he died. On opening the body, Mr. Nicholson said, he found that the ball had fractured the fifth rib and passed through the right lobe of the lungs, and had lodged in the passage of the spinal marrow, through the sixth vertebrae of the back which had occasioned the death of the deceased. The jury, after a short deliberation returned a verdict of “Wilful murder against persons unknown.”

Lord Camelford’s antagonist was a Mr Best, a near relation to the gentleman, who, some time back, had the misfortune to shoot his friend Lieutenant Jones at Ibbetson’s Hotel. The quarrel originated from some words which Lord Camelford supposed Mr. Best had uttered, reflecting to some degree upon his Lordship. The honourable Mr. Devereux was second to Lord C., and Mr. Nibell to Mr. Best.

The following are the precise words of that part of Lord Camelford’s will which relates to his unfortunate duel with Mr. Best.

“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 whatever description they may, from instituting any vexatious proceedings against my antagonist; and should, notwithstanding, the above declaration 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.

Account of Lord Camelford’s Duel from the Farington Diary Vol. 2 Chapter LV

March 7–[Dr.] Hayes came to tea. He had seen Mr. West this afternoon who told him that Lord Camelford was this morning killed in a duel with a Mr. Best, a West Indian.--He was afterwards informed of it by another person.--Hayes spoke of the danger of such men as Lord Camelford and Captain. Macnamara who killed off Col. Montgomery being in Society. No man’s life is safe where such men are.--A friend of Hayes who is acquainted with Macnamara said that he had killed 3 or 4 men,--that on board a ship, he amuses himself in having fowls that are to be killed placed before him on hen coops & he shoots off their heads with pistol balls.--To that person, Macnamara said “I am one of the best natured fellows in the world, & yet I do knot know how it is, I am always getting into scrapes.”--Such are among the characters which are produced in Society.

March 8.--The papers today confirm’d the acct. Of the duel between [the second] Lord Camelford and Captn. Best [in the meadows to the west of Holland House, close by where Melbury Road now runs]. His Lordship was shot in the side but was alive last night. [He died at half-past eight on the evening of the 10th.]

March 10.--Westmacott [the sculptor] called. He mentioned that Lord Camelford is little regretted. At Lord Darnley’s he heard some gentlemen say “that it was dangerous to sit in company with such a man.”--Mr. Best was very desirous to have made up the quarrel saying “that any apology for the words Lord Camelford had spoken he wd. accept.”--Lord Camelford had used gross language to him [in a coffee house]. Westmacott thinks Lord Camelford was about 5 feet 10 inches high, a well looking man, but with rather a slang manner.--

He lodged in Bond-street, & Mrs. Simmonds, who he kept, had a house elsewhere. She is a very pretty little woman, abt. 5 or six & twenty years old. She for some time was called Mrs. Loveden but some time ago, not long, a young West Indian of the name of Simmonds coming over became acquainted with her, & she had fascination enough to induce him to marry her. She was to have gone with him to the West Indies, but when on ship board, was so unmanageable that the Captain put her into a boat and sent her on shore, and she returned to Lord Camelford who she had before been with. She is sd. To have caused the duel by irritating Lord Camelford against Mr. Best. [She told Camelford that Best had spoken of him disparagingly).

He [Sir George Beaumont] told me that Mr. Best who killed Lord Camelford, immediately rode down to Dunmow to a Mr. Wade’s who married his relation and dined there & had just quitted the place when the Bow street officials arrived in pursuit of him. He had been up all night and the morning having been wet his Cloathes were very much so but he sat in them. He is a slim person in figure & not of a strong constitution [but he was an expert shot]. He told Mr. Wade that he had assured Lord Camelford upon his word of honour that he never uttered the words charged to him. When they went to the ground Lord Camelford removed from the place they first stopped at to a second & third objecting to each, at last he fixed upon one & directed his second to measure the ground.

His Lordship’s second, Mr. Devereux, proposed 8 paces; on which Mr. Best’s second sd that he wd. Not agree to it, that he did not come there to see them murder each other & unless they stood at the usual distance viz., 12 paces, he wd. Quit the ground, on which 12 paces were measured. It was then agreed that Mr. Devereux shd. Give the word to fire. He did not say fire, but said “Be quick” which Best not understanding to signify to fire, did not instantly but Lord Camelford did, and his ball passed so near Mr. Best’s head that he heard it on which he instantly fired and his Lordship fell.--He said farther, that on their first presenting their pistols He directed his wide of Lord Camelford, who seeing that he did so said “That won’t do, meaning we are to be in earnest”--on which Best took an aim, that was fatal. Mr.Wade took notice that during dinner time a tear started in the eye of Mr. Best. He declared that his conscience was perfectly clear as he did all he could to avoid the duel & had he submitted to have put up with the words used by Lord Camelford he was convinced his Lordship would have him insulted in any Coffee House.

Carlyle, the Surgeon, told us he was much acquainted with the late Lord Camelford. He said he was a man of superior abilities but of singular character. That his prevailing feeling was ambition.--That he had declared to him (Carlyle) that he had no animal courage and laboured by any means to get the better of a weakness of nerves in this respect, by attending cock-fightings–pugilism &c &c. That in him courage was a struggle of sentiment against Constitution.--He was industrious to acquire knowledge of many things, he was a good Chemist, –a most excellent geographer–a good seaman–could do the business of a Turner & work in fineering as a cabinet-maker. He was very desirous of being reckoned much upon as a man independent of his title & wished his friends to lay that aside and to address him familiarly.--But he desired to be at the head notwithstanding–to have the best horses,--in points of dress, and in other things to be first.

When in a passion it was a kind of phrenzy it disordered him in so great a degree.--But otherwise his mind was gentle and easy. His generosity was great and his charity very extensive. One person known to Carlyle had paid on charitable accounts more than 11,000l., for him and that to persons who did not know from whence it came.--In political matters he was democratic. He hated all the Royal Family except the Prince of Wales who he thought had good qualities.--He disliked Mr. William PItt, His Cousin, & the whole family of the Grenvilles though his relations.--There had been a grudge, some ill will subsisting between him & Mr. Best for a month or 6 weeks before the duel & Captain Barrie, his most intimate friend apprehensive of it producing mischief had urged Lord Camelford to give him a promise that he wd not fight Best, which he sd. Upon His Honour he would not.--When on his death bed he reminded Captain. Barrie (Barry) of his having broken his word blaming himself for it.--after it had been settled that he was to fight Mr. Best, he did all in his power to find Capt. Barrie who was traced to the Play House but unluckily had gone from thence with a Companion & not to his lodgings.

By some means however, he was traced and apprized that Lord Camelford was to fight Best in the morning but he could not learn where they were. At 6 o’clock he went to Carlyle’s who at that early hour was up, writing. Barrie told him what was going on, and regretted that he could not discover where they were, saying that he was certain if present he could prevent the duel. It appeared that in the night Lord Camelford wrote his Will, appointing his sister, Lady Grenville, his Executrix and leaving to her disposal 150,000l., He also directed that his body be buried in an Island in the Lake of Vevay in Switzerland between 2 trees which he specified adding “that there Nature might smile on his bones after the world had forgotten him”

Captain Barrie reached him very soon after he was carried into the house where he died. He asked Barrie to tell him truly his situation. Barrie sd, “Tom you must die,” which he heard with great fortitude. He suffered great pain at the first & the last & expressed a hope that his sufferings & what good he might have done in the world in the midst of his ill, might operate with providence in his favour. He urged Barrie to alter his manner of living & quit London. He directed that Barrie’s debts amounting to 9000l., should be paid and he settled 200l., a year upon him.--Lord Grenville was with him much of the time till his death & their intercourse was kind.--He requested Lord Grenville as a gentleman to provide for his servants. Captain Barrie was very well satisfied with Lord Grenville’s behavior.

He told Carlyle that on leaving Lord Camelford’s room his Lordship said to him “That he was entirely unacquainted with Lord Camelford’s will and intentions. That he possessed such abilities that could he have survived 10 years longer till the heat of youth should have passed away & the mind have settled, He could have been the first man of the age.” He left 1000l, to purchase a right to a burying ground upon the island mentioned.--After having wrote his will & quitted his lodgings, he walked many times round Soho square in the night in company with a Nr. Nicholson. Captn. Barrie sd. They stood at the distance of 29 [Best’s second said 12] paces from each other when they fired. He had measured the ground.