The Express.
London, England, 1851-10-07 00:00:00

A REVENUE OFFICER POISONED BY

TASTING.

Yesterday Mr. Wtn. Carter held an inquest at the
Gregorian Arms Tavern, Lower-road, Bermondsey, respect-
ing the death of Mr. Frederick Robert Bolton, aged 41
years, an excise officer, who was poisoned under the follow-
ing circumstances :

Mr. It. T. Russell, of No. 12, Thornton.street, Homely-
down, stated that on Thursday evening last, about six
o'clock, two persons brought the deceased into his surgery
in a state of great exhaustion, perfectly sensible, but cold
and pulseless. Witness asked the deceased a few questions
when he replied, that he had been requested by a friend to
taste some aconite, and wished to know if witness knew the
nature of it. Witness replied in the affirmative, and asked
him if he had taken any, when he told witness it was a part
of his duty at the excise office to test such compounds, sad
he believed he had swallowed about a teaspoonful of the
mixture. Witness knowing that aconite was a deadly
poison, then considered the deceased would unquestionably
I die.
Coroner—What effect has aconite upon the system ?
Wituess—lt will muse violent fainting, vertigo, and vo-
miting, with pressed breathing and pulting, but does not
deprive
.perLsons of utterance.
What quantity would produce death ?
Witness—Twenty drops. It is commonly called " wolfs-
bane," and a tea spoonful might hold about 120 drops.
Deceased must have taken sufficient to kill five persona.
Witness cave the deceased ammonia, but he threw it up
immediately. Other remedies were adopted, but the de-
, sassed became exceedingly exhausted and expired shortly
afterwards. Witness had since made apost modem exam.
Nation of the body. The lungs were in a gorged condition
with dark Nuid blood. The heart was in a similar state,
but in structure quite healthy. The whole of the intestival
canal was much congested. The stomach seemed healthy,
but had been acted upon by some violent irritant. The
poison usually destroys life m from three to five hours.
William Bennett, a gauger, employed in the Inland Re-
venue Office, Tower-hill, said that he kucw the deceased,
whose duty was to gauge casks of spirits, as well as medi-
cated preparations, to ascertain their quantity and strength,
the same being subject to a duty. On Thursday last wit-
ness examined a box at St. Katherine's Wharf, which had
been imported from Scotland, the same being accompanied
with a permit, which indicated that the contents consisted of
medicated spirits. Witness took a bottle out containing
one fifth of a gallon. The bottle was wrapped in a paper
covering, and was labelled, bid the label could not be seen.
Witness took the bottle to the office on Tower-hill, and
having drawn the cork, poured out a small quanity in
a glass. Witness put a wooden penholder into the liquid,
and then drew it across his lips. At that time Mr.
Bolton (the deceased) was sitting in the office, looking
towards witness, who asked him his opinion as
to the nature of the liquid. Deceased said he believed it
was a bitter, and took the bottle out of witness's hand, and
afterwards returned it. Witness then conveyed the bottle'
to Mr. Brain, the principal officer of that department, who
directly tore off the paper covering, when witness saw it
MU labelled "Flemings Tincture of Aconite—l'oison,"
in large letters. Witness had no doubt the deceased swal-
lowed a portion, although he said he did not believe that he
had. Deceased seemed very well, but witness went to a
chemist's, and had a burning sensation in the throat all that
evening. The deceased subsequently left the office, and
—as not seen by his friends again until after death.
Coroner—Have you no other means of testing these arti-
es than by tasting them ?
No, sir. It was the character, and not the strength, we
ere looking after.
Mr. Russell, the surgeon, said the wrapper ought to have
- labelled outside.

The Coroner was of a similar opinion, and added that
the permit and the box ought to hear sonic indication of the
contents of such highly dangerous packages.
Mr. Brain said they had no power by act of parliament
to compel them to do so, although it was highly neces-
sary some means of the kind should be adopted. It was
the duty of the deceased to test the strength of ardent
spirits, but not medicatel spirits. The former was tested
by the use of the hydrometer, or water balance. The latter
would come under the notice of witness, who repeatedly
asked the deceased if he had swallowed any of the com-
pound, which was a deadly poison, but the deceased said
he had been very sjpk, but was then much better. Witness
thought the deceased had merely put his lips to the bottle.
The poison, which had been forwarded from a large ,firm
in Scotland, was supposed to bo made in conformity with
the London Pharmacopieia. The unfortunate accident had
arisen through not removing the outer covering of the
bottle. The deceased and the last witness had not been
long employed in that department of the Excise, and woo
not fully acquainted with the various compounds.
The jury returned th 9 following verdict:—" That tho
deceased met his death accidentally, and they (the jury)
would suggest to the Commissioners of Inland Revenue,
that when any article of a poisonous character is imported,
the permit should bear the word poison as well as the
nature of the article itself."
The inquiry then terminated.

RAILWAYS.

THIS DAY.

Two o'CLoct.

After the late rise the share market shows a little
reaction to-day, prices being in most cases quoted
lower; but the fall is not considerable. Many per-
sons do not hesitate to ascribe the re-action chiefly
to the gloomy state of the weather, which restricts
the attendance and consequently the business, but
still a good deal has been done to-day. The decline
is chiefly observable in the descriptions which hare
experienced most attention lately, includinir Mid-
lands, Lancashire and Yorkshire, South pasterns
and York and North Midlands.
The London and Brighton receipts for the week
ending the 4th, are 14,772!., against 13,8701. the
corresponding week of last year ; and those of the
South Eastern, 19,824/., against 13,3821. in 1850.
Both these returns are extremely good, especially the
latter.

SHAN= AND arocace

les today op
to I p.sa.

MONEY MARKET.

TIIIS DAY.

Two o'CLoct.

Towards the close of business yesterday afternoon
a still further advance was established in Consuls,
which closed with a buoyant appearance, at 97}
to both for money and account, but some reaction
has taken place today, and though the full ad-
vance was this morning at one time ob-
tained, the present quotations show a decline
of I to I. The reaction is very natural,
after the gradual and marked improvement of
the last few weeks, which hits decided the minds
of many persons who were wavering between
holding and selling, inducing them to at once realise.
The tune bargains entered into to-day appear
to be nearly all in an upward sense, and the confi-
dence of the dealers can scarcely be 'said to be
weakened, notwithstanding the present high range
of prices. The government broker has purchased
again, as usual on public transfer days.
Scarcely a day now passes without our beingcalled
upon to chronicle some heavy imports of bullion.
By telegraph wo are this morning advised of the
arrival of the Clyde from the West Indies, with
about 600,0.0 dollars in specie.
Consols opened 97} to and are now quoted 904
to 97 for cash, and 97 to for for the 14th Oct. The
prices of the day's business as officially given arc:
!fliree per Cent. Consuls, 971, 1, 96.1 , ditto fur
account. 07k, ; New Five per Cent. Annui-
ties, 122!,.
The unfunded securities arc steady, and India
Bonds are looking up. Exchequer Bills, of all
classes, have been dealt in at 435. to 465. prem., and
India Bonds, largest size, at 31s. prem.
In the foreign stock market very little business is
going on, and the change in prices is chiefly limited
to the Spanish American securities, though even in
these the variation is not important. Mexican
Bonds were supported at the commencement
of business, but with the receipt of the tele-
graphic despatch from Southampton, announc-
ing the arrival of the Clyde, and that the re-
mittances on account of the dividends amount
to " about 40,000 dollars" only (intelligence'
which first reached the City in the second
edition of the Daily Xeres), much weakness became
apparent, and the general feeling is now decidedly
worse, though full details are impatiently looked for,
and anxiety is expressed to learn what commu-
nications may be coming forwards to the
committee. The adviccs from the republic
by the Niagara arc very scanty, but the
American journals report the rapid extension of
the insurrectionary movement in !Northern Mexico,
to which we have before referred. An item of
interest to the Buenos Ayrcan bondholders is
the confirmation of the accounts which were

exclusively given by us some weeks ago of the
rapid progress southwards of the Entre Rios and
Brazilian forces, and the extensive desertions which
were taking place from the army of Oribe, the ally
and coadjutor of Itosas, whose position appears very
grave. fo-day's husiness list is as follows: Dutch
'lwo-and-a-Half per Cents., 584 ; ditto Four per
Cent. Certificates, 00 ex div. Brazilian Old
Bonds, Five per Cents., small, 861 cx div.
Danish Five per Cent. Bonds, 103. Mexican Bonds,
for account, 27!„ ltussian Bonds, Four-and-a-
Half per Cents., 1011.
The Thomas Arbuthnot arrived on Sunday night
with the first cargo of Australian gold, specimens of
which were during yesterday morning exhibited in
many of the coffee-houses. The largest lump, 4 ilbs.,
is consigned to Mr. Dunbar, the shipowner.
Tho actual arrival of the gold is likely
to give a greater stimulus to transactions with Aus-
tralia, preparations for which arc going on with the
greatest activity. Shipments to the New Holland
markets will at any raw include assorted and ser-
viceable goods, while, as the freight exacted is high,
there is a better chance of returns than in the case
of the unserviceable stock shipped to California, and
there sold to pay the port expenses. The merchants
are most loudly claiming the organisation of a packet
service to Australia. As so much delay must ensue
in organising a contract service, there is no reason
why the government should not ut once place
steamers on the station to perform the service, either
by the Straits route, the Panama, or the Cape of
Good Hope route. As troops have to be sent out to
the Cape of Good Hope, there is a good opportunity
of sending out a government steamer to run from the
Cape to New Holland with mails.

The subjoined calculations show the rate per cent.
per annum yielded by the various securities cited at
the average of the prices which ruled this day.
Where the asterisk (*) is prefixed it is to be under-
stood that the share rate of interest is less the in-
come tax. It will be seen that in every case we take
the rate of interest last declared as the basis of our
calculation. To render the calculation strictly accu-
rate, the proportion of interest which may have
accrued since last dividend period should, in each
case, be taken into account:
Mee per Can. Consols pews S7l pleldper seat. LS 1 9/
Tstree pet Um. Reduced
Nen ituneeutdet-Quarter per Cents (,11,19.

il;;lt,7s -----
-ek „,
(shut)
India Oho* (dm. Itis par ant. wan.) (.hut)
hichsquer BUJ Ont. ltd. per day) eis. pm. “
Great Western* 1:100 M. (dlr. st the _

rate of 4 per cent. per unuw)
anztabire and Yorkshire 1:100

Stocks dlr. nt the r.nc of 2 per cent.
per ■nn.) 57 Pt
lnlon end Ifonth Wot•rn• Stock

"--
(dividend at tbe rate of 3i tJer cent.
per =MOIL B4
London asel North Westerns Stork

(thy. at the rate of 34 per cont. ptr
ann.)
Midland. Stork(dlv. at tha ratted le par
,ent. pet ann.) .
iotrit ra.terr. Stook (dl.. on the
whole Trust the rate of 8 per tent.
per 41.0.,
York, Newcaatle, and Barwlek Stork*

Idi;.—ar theist/ o(3 per per
annum)

1 4 11
4 14 11

3 10 3

1 1 4

4 13 21
3 3 1
4 10 0

a la 111

The refusal of the bills of the Monmouthshire and
Glamorganshire Bank by its London agents, the Com-
mercial Bank, was confirmed yesterday, all prospect
of arrangement having ceased. This bank was ori-
ginally the private bank of Jones and 11Lewitt, the
transactions of which have been continued. It was
constituted as a joint-stock bank in July, P 436, and
gave up its circulation, undertaking to issue Bank of
England notes. The head office is at Newport, and
the branches at Abergavenny, Monmouth, Chepstow,
Pontypool, Tredegar, and Usk, having a considerable
share of the business of South Wales. In several of
the towns named the Monmouthshire and Glamor-
ganshire Company had the only bank. In Newport
its competitors are the West of England and South
Wales District Bank, and Messrs. Williams'; in
Monmouth, Messrs. Bromage and Snead's, and Messrs.
Bailey's ; in Chepstow, Messrs. Bromage and Snead's;
and in Abergavenoy, Messrs. Bailey, Gratrix, and
Co's. The amount of the paid-up capital is returned
at 192,3701., at which it has stood some years, and
the rate of dividend which has been paid is 6 per
cent. There does not appear to be any reserved
fund. The amount paid up per share is 101., and
the number of shareholders about 350. For several
years the London Joint Stock Bank acted as agents,
but latterly the account was transferred to the Com-
mercial Bank of London. The transactions arc very
large, principally in connection with the iron trade.
From the committee of Spanish bondholders we
have received the following:
Mr. Oliveira has had an interview with the President of
the Council, and has asked him to consent to a friend of his
(Mr. Oliveira's) In the chambers bringing forward a propo-
sal, to amend the law for the settlement of the debt, and
that the ministry should not oppose it—this was refused.
The only concession Mr. Oliveira could obtain at that in-
terview was, that if the committee would undertake the
conversion they should be allowed to issue with the 50 per
cent. of stock for the coupons, a certificate for the other 50
par cont., which might hereafter become a claim upon the
Spanish government.
Mr. Oliveira states that be has received all the assistance,
in their power to give, both from Lord Howden end Mr.
Weisweiller.

As considerable interest is felt by the Coupon
holders on this subject, we have appended extracts

from M. Oliveira's letter, which are of importance,
as showing the grounds of hope which exist :
In the conversations I have hail with several men of emi-
nence belonging to both Chambers (some of whom pat
upon the committee for the regulation of the debt), 1 find
no indisposition to "re-open " or " re-argue " the ques-
tion, nor to propose nor to grant better terms. The real
difficulty of my ease is that which has been calmed by your-
selves--excuse the freedom with which I express myself—
the resolutions you passed at the last public meeting, and but
for Mr. Tasker's subsequent remonstrances, and there being
a dissentient majority in the committee itself, this would bo
fatal. In some circles this is placed before me as an insu-
perable barrier to my having a locus standi.

Speaking of the interview with Mr. Bravo Murillo,
Mr. Oliveira says:
The utmo,t concession I could obtain from him was, that
if the committee iwould undertake the conversion, they
might issue in exchange for the coupons half stock, and fur
the remaining half u certificate representing o claim, which
might be hereafter admitted by a future government when-
ever the financial condition of the atato would admit. •

Taking the whole proceeding together we consider
that a result very advantageous for Pss coupon-
holders has been obtained. If an ilea:lee title be
issued for the coupons, not admitted at present to
conversion, the opportunity will be afforded of saving
this capital from confiscation, and whenever a moro
honourable system of dealing or a better state of
revenue may prevail in Spain, the small amount
requisite to pay an interest on this debt may be
pressed for and obtained. Perhaps it may at an
early period be recognised by the legislature; but at
any rate, the protection of the coupons is one object
for which the committee ought to be kept together,
and in which it may hope to succeed.

ENOLISII TUN D24.—TRu. PAT.
Hook Kock. shut r„,,, Annu'o34,
3 per Ct. Iteduued. hut Jolla 53.-ck,%3 2
3 per C. Cog $34346,7.44i 7 Ditto 1tua.1x.1,0001.3424. Al 4.
33 per et. C 0020114. chat Eschcluer 11.124, I.UW/.. 434.4 j,
tU/13....713 for Amt.. U 7 I

. _
TORSION VtINPS.
44 per Ct. IklelAn, 63 5 51. r C 4. SI exleran. :74 6
5 tro.ertiew/irttnit7 ez dir 6 per Ct. Perm lAst 82 3
111.4.4 De el to.l. '1 2
6 per et HIM I. k• A> .re. 46:0 5 per C.. Portegue.c. 7is
6 per Ct. Chiller lot 4 64Ar et Ktp..em. 111 116
3 per Ct. WI. ot 614 360262 v 44 per lA. to an. 101 I
3 for et. Den...h. 77 9 5 per 4.1.64.519.9, Antes. 713 I
I, per 1 t. Dutch. 566 9 1 per CI. t4peoleh. 7I In
4 per C 4. D. 4.-44, 91.1 1 ex dly Do. PaSee. 5) 6
kquAler, :14 7 per et Veneruel6. 36 31
1 per C.. (Irenwit 11 16 Do. Deierml. 104 11$

COMMERCIAL AND MARKETS.

MINCING LANE.-THIS DAY.

St nAlt.—The public sales are progressing heavily and
importers are buyitut in largely to sustain the market.
eIIFFEE.—The public sales are going oti steadily. Good
ordinary native Ceylon partly sold at 40s. 13a1., and a part
bought in at 405., which were yesterday's priers.
kit:E.-3,000 bags Bengal were otkred in public sale,
and chiefly sold nt Tully previous rates, Os. to 10s. Gil.
l'imEsTo.-500 bags sold in public sale at sd. to
per lb. .

INDIOO.—Tho quarterly sales commenced to-day. There
was a great want of spirit in the bidding, and prices may
be considered par to 3d. discount on the last quarterly sale.
SPICES remain without alteration.
Corrom continues dull of sale.
In other articles no material alteration.

TALLOW MARKET.—THIS DAY.
The market is very quiet, and prices remain without
alt,ration. Town Tallow, 38s. to 3d. ; Peteniburgh Y. C.,
ou the spot, new 38s. 9d. ; old, 38s. 3d. to 6d.; last three
months, Us. 61. ; January and March, 395. 3d.

SIIITHFIELD HAY MARKET.—THIS DAY.
Meows. Cooper and Davis report the trade hoary, at
the following quotations,. Prime Meadow Hay, 70s. to • So. ;
inferior, 6.51. to (ida ; Rowen, 60s. to 6.34.; Cloven 70s. to
B.ls. ; Straw, Vs. to 265.