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No. XXXIX
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE COLONEL LENNOX.
THIS nobleman was born in Scotland in 1764, and succeeded to the Dukedom
of Richmond and Lennox in 1806. He is best known, however, as “ Colonel
Lennox,” having incurred considerable notoriety as a duellist, by challenging
and fighting with a prince of the blood-royal. At the time this affair of honour
took place, Lennox was Captain of a company in the Coldstream Guards, of
which regiment the late Duke of York was Colonel. The cause of quarrel
originated on the part of the Duke, who reported, that at the club in D’Aubigney’s,
Colonel Lennox had submitted to certain expressions unworthy of a gentleman,
On learning this the Colonel despatched a letter to the Duke, stating, that as
neither he nor any member of the club recollected hearing such words addressed
to him, he thought his Highness “ ought to contradict the report as publicly as
he had asserted it.” The Duke replied that t,he words were spoken in his own
presence, and therefore he could not be subject to mistake : he was only bound
to maintain his own opinion that they ought to have been resented by a
gentleman. The immediate consequence was a message to his Royal Highness
desiring satisfaction. A meeting accordingly took place on Wimbledon Common
on the 26th May li89, Lord Rawdon acting as second to the Duke of
York, and the Earl of Winchilsea (one of the Lords of the Bed-Chamber to the
King), as second to Colonel Lennox. Of this transaction these gentlemen
published the following account :-
“The ground was measured at twelve paces, and both parties were to fire
upon a signal agreed upon. The signal being given, Colonel Lennox fired, and
the ball grazed his Royal Highness’s curl. The Duke of York did not fire.
Lord Rawdon then interfered and said, ‘that he thought enough had been
done.’ Colonel Lennox observed ‘that his Royal Highness had not fired.’
Lord Rawdon said, ‘ It was not the Duke’s intention to fire-his Royal Highness
had come out upon Colonel Lennox’s desire to give him satisfaction, and
had no animosity against him.’ Colonel Lennox pressed that the Duke of York
should fire, which was declined upon a repetition of the reason. Lord Winchilsea
then went up to the Duke of York, and expressed his hope that his
Royal Highness couId have no objection to say he considered Colonel Lennox
as a man of honour and courage 1 His Royal Highness replied that he should
say nothing ; he bad come out to give Colonel Lennox satisfaction, and did not
mean to fire at him ; if Colonel Lennox was not satisfied he might fire again.
Colonel Lennox said he could not possibly fire again at the Duke, as his Royal
Highness did not mean to fire at him. On this both parties left the ground.
