[ London Times ]
This newspaper, most correctly known simply as The Times, began publication in 1785 and continues to this day.
The April 9, 1803 edition of The Times carried the following notice, a follow up to an article a day earlier about the fatal duel that began because of a couple of Newfoundland dogs. This incident, between Capt. McNamara and Col. Montgomery, is also treated elsewhere, in more detail, here and here at The Cultured Newf.
Because the details here are very similar to those found in the court transcript of this case, which you can find at the second link in the previous sentence, I have included only the part of this article that makes reference to the Newfoundlands.
CORONER'S INQUEST
Mr Stephen Sloane — I was with my brother, in Hyde Park. Colonel M. came up to my brother, whom he knew. We were retiring towards Picadilly from the bridge in the Park. The dogs were then behind. Col. M. looked round, and upon seeing his dog, which was quite a young Newfoundland one, engaged fighting with another of the same kind, but larger and stronger, he got off his horse in order to part them; Colonel M. observing at the same time that he would knock the other dog down if he flew upon his dog. Captain Macnamara then rode up, and said, if Col. M. knocked his dog down he must knock him down also. I have forgotten what was exactly Col. Montgomery's answer, but I think it was, that the Park was too public for the adjustment of a dispute, He then gave Capt. M. his name, not his card. Captain Macnamara then, in a violent passion, told his name, and that he was in the Royal Navy. Capt. M observed it was arrogant to desire him to call off his dog. Col. M. observed, Captain Macnamara could not suppose he intended any insult to him, either by what he had said or done; and he concluded by saying, that if Captain Macnamara's dog did again commit any violence, he would do what was in his power to defend his own dog.
. . . .
Mr James Macnamara — I do not know the deceased. I was riding on horseback on Wednesday afternoon, about four o'clock, in company with Capt. Barry and Capt. Mcnamara. Capt. M. and Col. Montgomery had each a Newfoundland dog following him, which on meeting each other began fighting. Colonel M. got off his horse in a great passion, and swore he would knowck Capt. Macnamara's dog down. Capt. M. called to him and said, "You will please to recollect it is my dog." Col. M. said, "I do not care if it is your dog, I will knock him down." He repeated this several times. Capt. Macnamra then said, "You shall knock me down first." Col. M. replied, "that shall be as it may happen," at the same time observing "why don't you get off your horse and take away your dog?" Captain M. said, he was not accustomed to being spoken to in that way.
As a result of this Coroner's inquest, Captain Macnamara was charged with manslaughter; his trial took place about 2 weeks later.
The Times published a follow-up article, an account of the trial proper, which is available here at The Cultured Newf.