I heard nothing at all of the affair, till Mr Morley came to my
bed-side in the morning, and told me he was afraid my nephew was
going to fight, as he had been overheard talking very loud and
vehement with Wilson at the young man's lodgings the night
before, and afterwards went and bought powder and ball at a shop
in the neighbourhood. I got up immediately, and upon inquiry
found he was just going out. I begged Morley to knock up the
mayor, that he might interpose as a magistrate, and in the mean
time I hobbled after the squire, whom I saw at a distance walking
at a great pace towards the city gate -- in spite of all my
efforts, I could not come up till our two combatants had taken
their ground, and were priming their pistols. An old house
luckily screened me from their view; so that I rushed upon them
at once, before I was perceived. They were both confounded, and
attempted to make their escape different ways; but Morley coming
up with constables, at that instant, took Wilson into custody,
and Jery followed him quietly to the mayor's house. All this time
I was ignorant of what had passed the preceding day; and neither
of the parties would discover a tittle of the matter. The mayor
observed that it was great presumption in Wilson, who was a
stroller, to proceed to such extremities with a gentleman of
family and fortune; and threatened to commit him on the vagrant
act. -- The young fellow bustled up with great spirit, declaring
he was a gentleman, and would be treated as such; but he refused
to explain himself further. The master of the company being sent
for, and examined, touching the said Wilson, said the young man
had engaged with him at Birmingham about six months ago; but
never would take his salary; that he had behaved so well in his
private character, as to acquire the respect and good-will of all
his acquaintance, and that the public owned his merit as an actor