The Express.
London, England, 1849-04-16 00:00:00

SCOTLAND.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.—IRTitgiORS from the
Univer•ity of Edinburgh, the corporation of the city, and its
Royal Society, have been addreated to the British Associa-
tion, eugteeting that the meeting of that body for the year
1850 shall be held in the northern metropolis.

WALES.

EXECUTION OF JAMES GRIFFITHS FOR

MURDER.

- ---
This convict suffered the extreme penalty of the
law, in hunt of Brecon County Gaol, on Wednesday last, at
10 o'clock in the formals, in the presence of an immense
concourse of people, variously estimated at from ten to
twelve thousand individuals, nearly half of whom were
females. The crowd appeased very nearly as large se on
the occasion when Thomas Thomas war executed, about four
years since. The numbers were then estimated at from
twelve to fifteen thou sad The river Tarell flowed between
the spectators and the scaffold, the avenue Wog guarded by
the police. The prisoner walked by the aide of Calmat,
the Newgate exesationer, and mounted the steps to
the plat torte without any Insistence. He was a
Rood looking youth (aged 18 years), and appeared but
little altered, with the exception of being rather pale.
On his way from the condemned cell he had repeatedly urged
Caleraft to be quick, and to lose no time in covering his face
when on the scaffold, and his wish was fully complied with,
for all the dreadful preparations wen over, and the bolt
drawn, In a couple of minutes. He died, apparently, in half
a minute, though there was some slight convulsive move-
ment niche muscles visible for a minute or two after. The
Rev. D. Price, chaplets of the pool, was most persevering in
his attentions to the sonviet. The prisoner made two coca'
reenieatious to Mr. Price, which be afterwards admired es
him to be untrue, and stated that before his essential'
be would make a full statement, which promise he kept.
He told Mr. Lazenby that he was guilty of stealing the
dl. note from a former muter, for which he had been um-
lined in Hereford gaol, though he was discharged from wain'
of evidence. He also informed him that several plans had
been laid, by the prisoner, for trial at the last assizes, to
(overpower the turnkeys and to break out of prison; they
wanted him (Griffiths) to lead, arguing that, as his life was
already in sufficient jeopardy, the danger could be of no
amount to him. With ariew to terrify him into this, as he
'unposed, some of them even advised him to commit suicide,
if he could not escape, in preference to suffering public execu-
tins. One of their number also, who had been in prison
before, wished to persuade tho others that the fire-
anns of the officers were not loaded with bell ; but, on being
asked to lead himself he declined. On Tuesday, at the
request of the convict, Mr. Lay 'shy. governor of the gaol,
took down the following confession, from his dictation, in the
presence of the lord lieutenant of the county (who happened
to visit the gaol at the time), and the chaplain :
Ccndemeed Cell, Brecon County Gaol, April 10, 1849,
2 p.m.—The chaplain having read a note to me, in which it
was imputed that Jane Morgan was the cause of my having
murdered Thomas Edwards, and being desirous of clearing
Jane Morgan, who knew nothing at all of it, I request Mr.
Lazenby, the governor, to say in my behalf, and especially
for the sake of an innueet girl, that the report is entirely
false u regards her, end that myself alone committed the
deed, and that it was wilfully done, and without my having
had any quarrel when I did it, hut solely for the sake of go.-
"mint what he had. I watched my opportunity, and struck
him down with the au, and repeated the blows until I thought
he was dead. I ecenmeneed my attack upon him in the
chaff room, whilst he was stooping, and afterwards dragged
him to the dung-heap, with the intention of hiding his body
under the dung, I believed him to be dead at the time,
but Elistbeth Phillips, coming out of the house to fetch
water, disturbed me, when I threw the pitchfork I had in
my heeds over into the garden. I accompanied Elizabeth
Paillips a lit& way towards the brook, and turned back
twain, and went this the house, upstairs, and gathered up
Thomas Edwards', *Onus, and threw them out of the win-
dow. As soon as I had done this, Elisabeth Phillips called
me to come down stain. as there was something is the yard
by the garden door. I said to her, " What do you think
there is there 1" When she asked me to come along and
eft what was there I went with her to the dangheap, and
said I did not know what was there. when she turned back
with me to fetch a lanthorn to look again. She went into
the house and Ito the back of it, and picked up the clothes,
which I tied .n a bundle and started off for Merthyr. I went
wreathe hills, on the side next the road. I got on to the road,
where there are two public-house, where 1 had victuals and
drink; from thence I went straight to Merthyr. I got there
between 10 and 11 in the morning. I stopped there until
Tuesday evening. I lodged at a public-house anent Mr.
Crawshay's works. I was out on Saturday night in the
market, and on Sunday was oat with two or three young
chaps about the works. I walked about on Monday and
i Tuesday, when I heard it reported what bad happened at
Conagoody. I immediately started off for Swansea, where
I remained one night, end on the following morning went
gm baud a steamer far Bristol. I paid five shillings for the
out of the money I took from Thomas -Edwards.
=I got to Bristol I stopped there a day or two,
Mem went to Bath, then to Salisbury, sod walked
:=6,2e turnpike road to Southampton, where I
about a week. From there I went to Win-
dmills at which plant I stopped but one night; from
tim les started for London, where I stayed two or three
days; then I went to Colchester, from there to Ipswich, and
stopped there from Friday to Wednesday' then went to
' Stovrourket, where I was taken up for g a cake, in
company with an Irish boy, and was committed to Ipswich
county gaol. I heard at Colchester that there was a reward
tiered of 501. by the government, and 501. by Colonel Wat-
kins, M.P., for lay apprehension ; as soon as I heard It I
changed my clothes, as I barlbefue done twd or three times.
The exact money I took from Thomas Edwards was one
sovereign in gold and eight shillings in silver. I took •
frock coat, two waistcoats, one silk huffikerchlef, a pair of
blue striped cloth trousers, and a shirt, the same as
was found upon me, as was likewise one of the wain-
assn. The bloody marks upon the waistcoat was
awed by a bit of liver I had from a bu:cher'e shop.
I first thought of killing Thomas Edwards a week
before I did it. I never had any quarrel of any account with
him: he was always a quiet led, but passionate. I declare
te God that I am sorry for what I have done, and I hope for
mercy and forgiveness through my Redeemer. I have had,
since my imprisonment, the best attention sad treatment;
the governor has been very kind to me, also the chaplain
and the magistrates, who have kindly visited me. I wish to
add that all the witnesses who appeared spinet me spoke
the truth; and what I have now stated to the governor Is
the whole truth, as I wish to be saved. As wins, my muk.
his
JAMES 14 GRIFFITHS.
mark.
N.B. Ism very Pin for what I said before to the chap-
lain. which usenet true ; but the above statement is perfectly

true.
After he had mentioned the manner in which the murder
was emoted he breams greatly agitated, and did n 4 utter a
word far half an hour.

PROVINCIAL

LANCAs
FIRS.—A cotton warehouseittn inE. Henry-street, Liver-
pool, Will beret to thepound on /Muggy. The damages
are etiolated at 4,0001., all of which is covered by insurance.
A porter employed in an opposite warehouse, teeing. that
bai'ding also catching, endeavoured t 3 escape by the jigger
rope, but tell to the ground, and was killed.

YORKSHIRE.
ROZBIICK.—The Sheffield Zines of Saturday
emeetr " several inaccuracies which appeared in • former
paper relative to Mr. John Arthur Roebuck. Mr. Roebuck
was not born in Canada, but at Madras, where hie father held
an appointment in the eivilservice of the East India Cam-
pany op to the time of his death. Mr. Roebuck came to
England in 1807, and his mother, who maul. el a second
time, went with her husband and family to Caned', whence
Mr. J. A. Roebuck returned in 1524, determined to devote
himself to politics. In 1831, Mr. Tiger, the agent of the
Assembly of Lower Canada, wan desirous of retiring from
his post, and he neon* advised the Assembly to eppoiat
Mr. Roebuck as his eacceesor. The fitness of this appoint-
ment was obvious. Mr. Roebuck was familiar with the
history the laws and the stamen of the Canadians, and
had written with' pea: ability on their grievances. Ho was
therefore appointed, wholly without solicitation either on the
part of Massif or any of his friend/. One more inaccuracy
remains to be noticed. Mr. J. A. Roebuck's mother was
the daughter of Richard Ticket], the direct lizard descendant
of Addison's friend, and author of many very tameable but
ephemeral poems, and • much talked of pamphlet entitled
' Anticipation.' He was a man of fashion, brother-in law of
Richard Musky Sheridan, and a whig, though a friend of
Lord North, by whom he was made • Commissioner of
Bankrupts and alto of Stamps and Taxes."

MORD= OP A MI247IYI7treSON.—A murder ham
been discovered to have been committed upon a poor old
pensioner, named Job Deasy. The crime was committed u
far bock es December last, end the body of the natorranate
men was hand on New Year's Eve, in a brook clots by the
Viotoriebridge, Glossop. The circumstances connected with
the case were at the time considered to be very mysterious,
but no evidence mild be procured to implicate any party,
though rumour was busy, end pointed to members of the
deceased's own family, who were known frequently to quer-
rel with and ill use the old man. On Good Friday, how-
ever, a man named John Clough disclosed that he saw the
man murdered and thrown over the Victoria-bridge. Infor-
matioa having reached. Mr. Clayton, the chief wadable, he
last week 'pretended Thomas Hooey, the etCol4lolra son,
end W. Dawson, his son-in-law. They were, on Wednesday
last, taken before the magistrates, when John Clough, on
being swore, stated that en the 30th et last December,
about 10 o'clock at night, be saw the primmer, Thomas
Dov along with another men, whom he believed to
be William Dawson, oe the Victoria-bridge. The deceased
was at that time welkin, in treat of wham. The prisoner,
Deng. evaght hold of 3tis father, and said, "Yon old rogue,
I'll strike you." He then gave hints blow on his head, ea
knocked hint down, when the other man kicked him over
the head. His son then cried out, We will finish him
now." After which he kicked his faller twice on the breast.
Witness and his wife went up and inquired what they were
doing, when they cried out, " If they did cot go back they
would serve them the same." They then went away, and
as they were going they saw the prisoner Dotey, and the
other mane throw the deceased over the bridge. Witness
had known the prig en Doxey abut two years, and was
quite certain that he was one of the men he saw murdering
the deceased ,bat he did not now believe Dawson was the
other one. That patty was somewhat stouter. The reason
he did not mention the matter till Good Friday was, be-
cause he thought the murderers wool I do him some harm.
The prisoner Dem had cautioned him not to say anything
about is, and told him if he did he should lose his life. The
prisoner Dorey was fully committed for wilful murder; but
Dawson was discharged, his family proving that he wee at
home when the murder etas committed.

---
MEETING OE FARMERS.—On Saturday there was
a numerous meeting at the Three Cups Inn, Colchester,
" for the purpose of considering the best means to be adopted
for removing the unprecedented depression sad alarm under
which the agricultural and ell other industrial classes are
now suffering." Mr. Robert Baker, the chairman of the
County Protection Society, presided, and resolutions were
moved and seconded by the Mayor, Mr. C. H. Hawkins,
timber-merchant, Mr. Written, wholesale grocer, George
Round. Esq., and John Baer-tree, Bsq , bankers, the Rev.
John Con, the Rev. J. M. Smythees, Mr. John Ambrose,
tenant-fanner, The burden of the speeches and re-
solutions was the visionary hope of a return to
protection; but there were come few allusions to
relief measures of • more tangible character, such
as the removal of specific burdens and • reduction in the
national expenditure.—The Chairman said, • secondary part
of the question before them was as to the repeal of the malt
tax and an abrogation of taxation. If the government
refused to give them a protective duty, they had a right to
demand the liberty of dealing as they liked with their own
produce, es as to enable them to make malt as they pleased,
and to use it in any way they liked, without the interferer. ce
of the excise or the imposition of a tsz upon an article of such
general conenspeioz.—Mr. John Taylor (proprietor of the
Essen Standard) wished to propose a resolution calling for
a national poor rate and the alteration of the present law of
parochial settlement, which he submitted would afford a
great relief to the farmer; but the Chairman
thought the subject was not sufficiently connected
with the object for which the meeting had been
called, and, on a show of hands being taken, the
majority was against its being put.—Mr. Gordon liehow
(the gentleman who contested the last county election in the
wr ig interest) said he was aware there were different views
to be taken of the malt tax, but he would advocate its being
got rid of, in order that the poor might not be deprived of a
wholesome beverage, and the farmers relieved of a very
serious burden. But there was another subject still more
important, and which he regretted had not been touched
upon is the petition—viz., the exercise of greater economy
in the public expenditure of the country. If present prices
were to prevail, persons connected with the land must suffer
great privations—or, at any rate, • great curtailment of the
luxuries and comforts of life he therefore main-
tained that if the landed and agricultural interest must
descend in the scale of society, others ought to go
down with them, or at any rate that those who were re-
ceiving handsome incomes from the public money ought to
have those incomes proportionately reduced. (Hear, hear.)
Entertaining that view, and which he believed to be shared
by very many of those present, he should take the liberty of
moving an addition to the petition proposed to be adopted,
which he would read, viz , " And your petitioners also
humbly pray that the pay of all persons receiving the public
money, whose militias or pensions are not determined by act
of parliament, may be reduced to the standard of the year,
1793." That was the period before the war; and as the
subsequent increase of public salaries was on account of the
greatly enbeaced price of the necessaries of life, now that
that state of things no longer existed, he submitted that it
was only fair they should be reduced to their former level.
, The proupition was seconded by Mr. Taylor, and carried
by 'reclamation. The meeting wee afterwards addressed by
Sir John Tyrell and Major Bertsford, the members for the
division, and Sir 0. H. Smyth, But., M.P. for Colchester.
It was then resolved that the petition should be signed by
the chairman in behalf of the meeting, and • complimentary
vote having been passed to that gentleman, the proceedings
terminated.

THE CONTICT SARAH HARRIET THOMAS, who was
convicted at the late Gloucester-hire assizes of the wilful
murder of her mistreat, Miss Jefferies, at Bristol, now lies in
the gaol of the last named city, awaiting the execution of
the extreme sentence et the law, which is fired to take place
at 10 o'clock on the morning of Friday next. Her MI1112(111
remain much the same es immediately after conviction,
although somewhat more restless end anxious. The chaplain
of the gaol visit:slier theism daily for the purpose of assisting her
to prepare her mind for the change which awaitaber. Several
of the clergy, the Society of Friends, and others, are using
efforts with the Home Secretary, to induce him to recom-
mend her Is ejesty to exercise the royal prerogative of mercy
by commuting the extreme 'outface of death to one of true-
portetion, bat up to the present time there Gams to be too
little reason to hope for any favourable result. A report has
been circulated in Bristol that the wretched girl had made a
full confession of her guilt to the chaplain (Dr. Swete), but
it is altogether destitute of truth. The &Waring is the
memorial adopted by the Society of Friends :—" The memo-
rialists have learned with sorrow that Sarah Thomas cow
lies in the gaol of this city under sentence of death for
murder. That, without calling in question the justice of the
verdict (although founded only on circumstantial evidence),
they submit that there are circumstances in this case which
at least warrant, if they do not rather cell for, the extensim
of the royal mercy. Thee are, first, her youth, she bring little
more Urea 18 years of age ; the deobt whether the act was a
premeditated mu, and whether it might not have been com-
mitted under eirmusstaness of strong provocation from a
woman of violent tamper ; also, the unanimous rec'm-
mendation to mercy by the jury who found her guilty. The
memorialists', in thus respectfully submitting the present as a
fit subject for the extension of the royal mercy, do not wish
it to be understood that they admit the lawfulness or policy
of publicereattions in say cue." Two members of the body
(Mr. 8. Capper and Mr. S. Bowden) waited en the Earl
Fitshardinge, as Lord Lieutenant of the county of Glouces-
ter and city of Bristol, and besought his lordship's interest
with the Home Secretary in behalf of the wretched girl.
Lord Fitzbudinge, however, stated to the deputation that
he could not concur in the prayer of the memorial, although
be was willing to transmit it to the Home-office, for which
purpose it was left in his lordship's hands.
CHANNEL ISLANDS.
THE UNSTAMPED NEWSPAPERS.—A correspondent
from Guernsey says:—The order from the Poet Office to
charge Guernsey gad Jersey papers with postage, which ar-
rived
here on Thursday, engird astonishment. It took parties
by eurprise,beo ins. no one ever dreamt *atm& en order would
be issued. The Guernsey Sear says that it will prove a
serious grievance to the inhabitants of Jersey and Guernsey,
and a fatal injury to the proprietors of every journal pub-
lished in the islands. The order wasevideutly put in force
in Jersey, for not a paper arrived here fat England. In
this island the post-office authorities allowed the papers to go
free by this mail (Friday's) for the last time. The etteensey
Sear had calculated on a great sale, on account of having a
full report of the court-martial on Captain Douglas. The
trial lasted 11 days. The judgment of the court is not known
yet. Mr. Warren, the author of " Ten Thousand a year,"
assisted Captain Douglas in his defence. The trial excited
much interest, and the defence was ingenious. The English
mail will be excessively heavy from Guernsey—the largest
ever known.

CLERICAL. •
PRIPERMIDTTL—Rev. T. T. Cmcavosr, tothe the pthreaehofsr-
ship in Roams:suet church, by dea the
Rev. T. Briscoe.
Rev. R. Gostoose, to Moreton V.,Oxford, dio. Oaf.; 1951. :
pat., Rev. T. R. Whorwood.
Rev. H, F. BARNES,
the late
P C.,
1401. : pat., Trustee of the late Rev. C. Simeon. dio. York ;
VAcANct44.—Linton V., Rent, dio. Cont. ; 2571. ; vacant
by the death of the Rev. J. Ashbarner : pat., Earl Corn-
wallis.
Shapwiek V. Somerset, dio. E .th and Wells; 2151.:
vacant by the de.,
of the Rev. G. li. Temples (the patron).

NAVAL

Can. URQUHART who, 011/ reader will remember WAS
lately dimakeed from the BA* !daring a for having addressed
• diniespectful memorial to the Queen, is, it is said, about to be
restored to the service. A board of Admiralty, run Pining of
the first lord, Sir F. Baring: Admiral Deeds., Sir Baldwin
Walker, Capt. Milne, and Col. Irvine visited Chartism on
Saturday leer. The principal object of this official visit is
understood to have been the further investigation of Capt.
Urquhart's ease, with a view to his being pardoned and
i reinstated. It is generally thought dist the punishment in-
flicted on this offioer was disptoportionate to the offenoe com-
mitted by bins, considering his standing in the service, end a
general hang of gratification seems to prevail at ctiorstep
which ia said to be oontensolated.
. _ _

Poarsitourn, Aram 16.—Penelope, st. fg , will bs paid
off to morrow; aid Sc. Vincent, 120, on Tundsy, at 'this
port.—Polyphennw, et., was paid off on Wednesday.-i-Arro-
gent, at. fg., wont out of 'tabour on Thursday to WI her
rate of steaming, which, under very favourable eircumateness
reached between 8 and 9 knots. She came into harbour on
the same day, and Was dukedom Friday, to bare some waste
water•cocks and pipe, fixed. She will proceed in a di" or
two for Cork, returning again to th's port before sailing for
foreign unice.—Grecian, 16, Commander Tindal, is on her
passage home from South America.
WOOLWICH, Aram 16.—The Black Bogle st.-yacha re-
turned to Woolwich hut night with Sir F. Smug, First
Lord of the Admiralty, Rear-Adm. Dander, Capt. Milne,
Sir B. Walker, and Col. Irving, their lordships having com-
pleted their visit to Chatham and Sheerness dukyarde.—
Elfin, it. despatch l oat, did not proceed into Chatham, as
was anticipated. but returned to Woolwich on Friday even-
ing. Her speed was 121 knots an hour, or rather MIT 14
miles, which is not so much as was expected from her, con-
sidering that she is rather smaller than one of the Woolwich
steamers, and has consequently more power. She is en light
that the weight of a single man alters her bearings. Though
nominally intended as a despatch boat between Guapore and.
Cowes, it is stated that she is really intended as a pleasure
yacht for the young Prince of Wales. She will leave Wool-
wich. on Wednesday for Chatham, where she will be fitted
for sea.—Lightning, st.-v., Master Commander J. Petley,
left on Friday evening (as announced a day or two sines), to
form one of the saluting squadron at the opening of the
Grimsby Docks by Prime Albert on Tuesday next.
BRIM/NEM Aram 13.—The Lords of the Adeninity paid
their annual visit of inspection to the dockyard at thisport
today at noon. They proceeded to inspect the differ,at de-
partments, and a general muster wu afterwards held.
PIMPROILE, APIIIL 12.—Tik• Magicienne, lately launched
at this yard, having been jury tinged, left to-day for Wool-
wich, where she is to be furnished with enginea.—The Bur-
gird, also recently launched at this yard, is in deck being
jury-rigged, and will shortly be navigated le the same port
for her steam apparatus.
Movemetus.—The Janus was at Gibraltar April 6, and
the Harlequin at Lisbon April 9. The latter was to sail
about the Ist May for Madeira.