The Express.
London, England, 1853-03-26 00:00:00

THE CONVICT SAUNDERS.

CHELMSFORD, FRlDAY.—Yesterday the Acting-
deputy Sheriff, T. M. Gepp, Esq., received in-
formation that the grandfather of this culprit died
while labouring under insanity. It has already
been stated that the convict's mother di, d a lunatic,
and from the indefatigable exertions of Mr. Gepp, a mass
lof information has been collected and forwarded to the Home-
office authorities, since the reprieve signed by the Duke of
Newcastle, in the absence of Lord Palmerston, and which
expires on Tuesday next. The result of these inquiries has
induced Lord Palmerston to authorise two eminent physi-
cians, experienced in cases of lunacy, to proceed to Spring-
I field gaol, and yesterday they arrived, and made a minute
examination of the state of the prisoner's mind, but of
course their opinions were not publicly expressed. They
will make a special report forthwith to the Home Seen-
, tary of State, and upon that document the ultimate fate of
the criminal will depend on Wednesday next. Among other
information obtained by Mr. Gepp, is some from the market
gardeners of Mortlake, where it seems the prisoner Was
known as " Silly Charley Saunders," and at times vim
flippant and idiotic in his conduct,although at o,hen he was
• steady workman. He appears to have a great aversion to
llrishmen, and labours under the delusion that they enter-
tain feelings of revenge towards hint for having posted some
placards concerning Cardinal Wiseman. The culprit him-
self, since his oondemnation, has related to the chaplain sad
surgeon of the gaol several acts of violence which he says he
has committed. While at work for Mr. Hoare, the brewer,
he states that he struck at an Irishman with a sickle in the
night under the impression that the latter would murder
him. He also says that he attacked two costermongers and
a policeman, on Woolwich Common, with a knife, but none
of these assertions can be traced to any truthful foundation.
The opinion of Mr. Gibson, the surgeon of the gaol, that
he is insane on these points. He has also expensed his
belief that he is entitled to 1,0001., which he wishes to be
shay d between his sister and the widow of the unfortunate
Mr. Toiler, who he still maintains he killed in self-defence.
In addition to following the occupation of market garden-
ing, the convict has bola to Africa as cook in a trading
vessel, and employed is Mega@ and fishing smacks.

SHOCKING LOSS OP LIFE.—DEAL, THURSDAY
NIQRT.—A most melancholy occurrence was made known
here this evening, which has created much regret. Three
brave and hardy men, who have often distinguished them-
selves by saving human life from wrecks on the Goodwin,
having met with a lamentable death by their craft capsiz-
ing in a snow squall in the Oul stream. Their boat was
the novelling lugger, the Victoria, and the names of the
men were Thomas Bowbegres,i George Thompson, and an-
other, with Thomas Thompson (father of George Thompson,
about 60 years ot age, and an experienced boatman), and
Edward Greigs. They pushed off in the lugger from the
beach about nine o'clock in the morning. About eleven
o'clock they were cruising in the Gull stream, when a brig
was (observed to heave to and hoist her colours. At the
moment, another boat, belonging to Deal, happened to be
close on Thompson's boat, and the Fawn requiring a baud
Edward Greigs jumped in, and the Fawn immediately bore
up for the brig. Oa approaching within h.iii of the brig
the captain beckoned to something that bad befell the Vic-
toria, and on looking astern they saw that the logger was
foundering. They bore round and made all haste to the
spot, but only arrived in time to save the elder Thompson,
who was swimming; the others hail disappeared, with
their logger, and had perished. Thompson was found to
be in a very exhausted state when picked up. He was
taken to Ramsgate. The sufferers were al! married men,
and have left large families. It is sincerely hoped that
these who have the means will attempt in some measure to
provide for the helpless widows and orphans.
DISAPPEARANCE OP COPENHAGEN-HOUSE.—The
Copenhagen-house Tavern, which fur many centuries was •
popular London resort, has this week been disposed of,
with the race-ground attached, to the Corporation of the
City of London, for the new cattle market.
SUDDEN DEATH AT TILE PORTSMOUTH TER-
IIINU/3.—On Thursday night last Mr. William Smith
malinger of the Portsmouth Gas Works, and well known
in the northern coal districts, whilst on the platform of
the Portsmouth Railway Terminus, was suddenly seised
with a fit of apiaries?, and in the courie of a few minutes
was a corpse. Deceased was a councillor of the borough,
and highly respec!ed.
PEOPLING TUE PACIFIC.—The New York Herald
says, "nearly fifteeen hundred men, women and children
left this city on Saturday for California. Twice a month
a like number leave our shores fur those of the Pacific.
The places left vacant by them are immediately filled by
others crowding in from Europe. They are only a drop
from the stream of human beings running into this me-
tropoiis."

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