't is of late become the unhappiness of our Nation , that it 's Natives too frequently transported with passion , rashly and unadvisedly dip their Hands in Blood , upon such little and frivolous occasions , that they instead of Vindicating their Honour and Reputation render themselves contemptable , nor can a plainer demonstration be exposed as example , to deterr Men from such madness for the future , than the sad Relation of what I here propose , which take as followeth .

On Fryday the 14th of Novemb . instant , in the Evening Sir William Hescot , a Wilt shire Gentleman of known worth and reputation , going to the Devil Tavern near Temple-Bar , to drink with divers Persons , after having stayed there for some time , one of the Company desired him to go to the Globe Tavern near Shooe-lane , telling him , and the rest of the Company , that he could Command there a Glass of good Wine ; which offer , after some difficulty being embraced by the deceased , and those that were present , they came thither about Ten at Night , and being shewed up one pair of stairs , after some Bottles drinking , and a general recommendation of the Wine , it growing late and the Company increasing , Sir William was not over desirous to stay , yet upon some importunity became so unfortunate , as not to follow his own inclinations , till at length disputes arose about Racing and Setting , or who had the best Horses or Dogs capable of imploy on that occasion , the principal discourse , being between Sir William Hescot , and Henry St. Johns Esq ; who came with him from the first mentioned Ta●ern to the latter , and some Wagers were proposed in order to a Tryal of Racing , but it came to no result , for Colonel We●… , another of the Company backing or taking Mr. St. Johns part , and the whole Company which consisted of Nine Persons , being divided in opinions , as to the Wager hot words arose between the deceased , and Mr. St. Johns the latter telling the former he was an Ass , and that he had no Horse capable running an Hundred pound Wager , which was the Wager that had been proposed , to which Sir William as roughly replying , and returning the word Fool , threatning Language on both sides insued , so that by flinging of Bottles and Pipes the House was Alarumed , and the scufle growing hot , the Drawer run up , where he found Mr. St. Johns with his Sword drawn , as likewise div●rs other Swords , and that Sir William Hescot was relieved in much disorder towards the Window , supposed to be Wounded , which afterwards appeared no less ; whereupon the Watch being called , came into the Room , where the Constable of the Night commanded the Kings Peace , and thereupon the Swords were put up and delivered into his Hands , the Parties surrendering themselves , at what time order was taken to search Sir William , who after some staggering and reeling against the Chaires , was fallen on the flore , when upon opening his Cloaths the Blood in abundance issued forth , so that the Chirurgeons that were sent for , in vain used their endeavours to save his Life ; for having declared himself a dead Man , and intimated as well as he could by what hand he fell , as likewise , with his Eyes lifted up , desired as it were mercy for his Soul , he fainted away , and although he breathed for the space of an hour or more , yet he could not be brought to speak or give any other Signs of Life .

Upon search of the Body by the Coroners inquest , which for that purpose were Impanell'd on the 15th , it was found that a Wound of Six Inches , was given him near the Navel , and three others in the Groine , or rather the bottom of his Belly , his right hand likewise was slit between his Fore-finger and Thumb , as likewise his Middle-finger almost cut off , in all probability by putting by a pass or having the Sword drawn through his hand , when upon Examination of the Witnesses , it no ways appearing his Sword was drawn , but that he had received the Wounds , or some of them from Mr. St. Johns , and that Colonel Web , was active in abetting the said Mr. St. Johns , the Jury found it Murther ; in Mr. St. Johns as Principal , and in Colonel Web as Accessary : Whereupon they were committed to Newgate , and the rest of the Company viz. Mr. Brown , Mr. Grub , Mr. Maschaline , Mr. Stoaks , Mr. York , &c. bound over in considerable penalties , to appear the next Session to be holden in the Old Baily for London and Middlesex .