Although they were nearly 20 years apart in age, Spaight and Stanly were both successful politicians who, at one time, were both members of the Federalist Party. Over the course of their political careers, they had represented New Bern in the state General Assembly and North Carolina in the U.S. Congress. Spaight also was the first native born North Carolinian to serve as governor of the state.

The cause for the disagreement started in 1798 when Spaight switched his party allegiance over his opposition to the Alien and Sedition Acts and entered Congress as a Democrat-Republican. Spaight’s support of the repeal of the Acts and of Thomas Jefferson’s election in 1800 no doubt earned him the enmity of staunch Federalists everywhere. Spaight, who lost his seat in Congress to Stanly in 1800, ran for the State Senate in 1802. Spaight immediately fell into disfavor with Stanly, who actively tried to foil his opponent’s campaign. Stanly, known for his stinging political attacks, referred to Spaight as a renegade from the Federalist Party and made disparaging remarks about his alliance with the Republicans.

On August 8, 1802, on a New Bern street corner, Stanly started questioning Spaight’s voting record and his Republican convictions. Spaight heard about these remarks and challenged Stanly to a duel. While Stanly argued his way out of the duel temporarily, what ensued was a series of written attacks in the form of letters, newspaper publications and handbills circulated around town. Each vitriolic response served to escalate the situation, bringing both men closer to violence. Finally, on Sunday morning, September 5, by way of his friend, Attorney Edward Graham, Stanly issued his own challenge to Spaight for a duel.

The challenge was accepted and two men’s “seconds,” Edward Graham for Stanly and Dr. Edward Pasteur for Spaight, arranged the duel. It was set for the same day, September 5, 1802, at 5:30 p.m. behind the local Masonic Hall. Duels were frowned upon in 1802, but they were not yet illegal. The duel itself attracted a large number of spectators.

The two men fired a series of four shots at one another. Neither was hit on the first shot, but on the second, Stanly’s coat was ripped by Spaight’s bullet. Neither was hit on the third shot, but on the fourth shot, Spaight was wounded. He was shot in the side and carried off the field. He died the next day, on September 6, 1802, and was buried outside of New Bern in the family sepulcher at his Clermont estate.

Spaight’s influential friends brought a homicide charge against Stanly. Stanly ultimately received a full pardon from Governor Benjamin Williams, absolving him of any responsibility. However, as a result of this public duel between two well-known officials, the North Carolina Assembly passed a law outlawing dueling just two months later on November 5, 1802.

To learn more about this famous duel, be sure to attend the Stanly-Spaight duel re-enactment, held every September on the grounds of the New Bern Academy Museum. Attendance is free. Call (252) 514-4900 for more information.