In March 1809 George Canning (1770–1827) told the prime minister William Portland that he would resign if Secretary for War Castlereagh, who he held responsible for military blunders, was not removed from office. Lord Camden and the duke of Portland dithered and failed to inform Castlereagh, and when the latter discovered the wide knowledge of this plan, he interpreted this as evidence of Canning's duplicity and challenged him to a duel. The duel was fought on Putney heath and Canning was wounded in the thigh. Neither man was part of the next cabinet under Spencer Perceval.

See DNB.