ith having met at Wimbledon Common, and attempted to
commit a breach of the peace, by fighting a duel with swords and
pistols.

Lieut.-Col. Jeremiah Ratcliffe, 6th Dragoons, as second to the last
defendant, and Col. Charles Parquin, second to the Prince, together
with Count D'Orsay, and a servant, named Mertial Kien, with aiding
and assisting the principals in the intended combat.

Previous to the evidence being taken, two brace of pistols, with
powder flasks, and a pair of rapiers, were laid on the table for the
inspection of the magistrate.

Inspector Pearce, being sworn, said, about 2 o'clock this morning he
received information from Superintendent Baker, that certain parties
had an intention of meeting in a hostile manner on Wimbledon Common,
some of whom were to start from Fenton's Hotel and the others from
Carlton Gardens; in consequence of which I went into St. James's
Street, where I saw a post-chaise drive up to the door of the hotel,
about 7 o'clock, but I could not ascertain if any person had got into
it. After delaying a short time, it moved slowly on in the direction
of Piccadilly, followed by Col. Ratcliffe, and stopped again at
Tattersall's, where another person followed towards Hyde Park Corner.
The chaise was then driven westward, and I followed it on horseback;
but, previous to arriving at Hyde Park Corner, the defendant
Ratcliffe passed, on horseback, in Piccadilly.

Mr. Jardine: What hour might it be then?

Witness: It was then nearly 7 o'clock. On arriving at the Common, I
saw the entire party collected near to the Windmill, and the
post-chaise proceeding in that direction. Having dismounted, and
left the horse in the care of a countryman, I proceeded to where the
chaises were standing, and then I saw the defendants walking away,
from them, some yards down, to a hollow part of the ground, each
party apparently making arrangements about the duel. They then
stopped, and as I approached Col. Parquin, seeing two letters in one
hand, and the two swords produced, in the other, I took them from
him. At that time, the pistols produced, in a case, were lying on
the ground, near to another brace, which were wrapped up in paper.
Some conversation passed between Count D'Orsay and Col. Parquin,
which appeared to be whether the combat was to be fought with pistol