Earl Pawlet received
a visit from Lord Mohun, who told him that the Duke of Marlborough was
anxious to come to an explanation with him relative to some expressions he
had made use of in that day's debate, and therefore prayed him to "go and
take a little air in the country." Earl Pawlet did not affect to
misunderstand the hint, but asked him in plain terms whether he brought a
challenge from the duke. Lord Mohun said his message needed no
explanation, and that he [Lord Mohun] would accompany the Duke of
Marlborough. He then took his leave, and Earl Pawlet returned home and
told his lady that he was going out to fight a duel with the Duke of
Marlborough. His lady, alarmed for her lord's safety, gave notice of his
intention to the Earl of Dartmouth, who immediately, in the queen's name,
sent to the Duke of Marlborough, and commanded him not to stir abroad. He
also caused Earl Pawlet's house to be guarded by two sentinels; and having
taken these precautions, informed the queen of the whole affair. Her
Majesty sent at once for the duke, expressed her abhorrence of the custom
of duelling, and required his word of honour that he would proceed no
further. The duke pledged his word accordingly, and the affair terminated.

The lamentable duel between the Duke of Hamilton and Lord Mohun took place
in November 1712, and sprang from the following circumstances. A lawsuit
had been pending for eleven years between these two noblemen, and they
looked upon each other in consequence with a certain degree of coldness.
They met together on the 13th of November in the chambers of Mr. Orlebar,
a master in Chancery, when, in the course of conversation, the Duke of
Hamilton reflected upon the conduct of one of the witnesses in the cause,
saying that he was a person who had neither truth nor justice in him. Lord
Mohun, somewhat nettled at this remark applied to a witness favourable to
his side, made answer hastily, that Mr. Whiteworth, the person alluded to,
had quite as much truth and justice in him as the Duke of Hamilton. The
duke made no reply, and no one present imagined that he took offence at
what was said; and when he went out of the room he made a low and
courteous salute to the Lord Mohun. In the evening, General Macartney
called twice upon the duke with a challenge from Lord Mohun, and failing
in seeing him, sought him a third time at a tavern, where he found him,
and delivered his message. The duke accepted the challenge, and the day