The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-07-08 00:00:00

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.

Hobart Town Papers, to the 17th of February, were re-
ceived yesterday. The following account of the apprehen-
sion of Jeffries, the notorious bush-ranger, is the only
interesting feat ure :
" I shall now conclude the history of the monster Jeffries. A
few days ago the wretch, with one companion, came up to a bark-
hut, where a party that was in pursuit of him, consisting of two
soldiers, a stockman, and three volunteers (two of them currency
lads), were resting themselves. Soon after one of the soldiers came
upon Hopkins (an accomplice of Jeffries), and found him asleep
and without arms ; he surrendered, and was brought in.
" Yesterday morning a party of twelve men wene_ resting in a
hut, when a man was observed by a black aboriginal native boy at
a short distance, behind a gum tree. The alarm was given, and he
was instantly surrounded ;it proved to be Jeffries. Ile begged for
quarter, threw down his orals (is musket and pistol), and was taken
prisoner. He was seized by a prisoner for life, named William
Parsons, who will of course receive the promised rewards. Ile was
brought into town about seven o'clock last night. It is quite im-
possible fur me to express in adequate terms, or to do common jus-
tice to the feelings that were shown by all descriptions of people, on
the approach of the monster to the town. No one, I believe, ever
witnessed such a scene. It clearly shows that Jeffries stand: alone.
unequalled, unparalleled. among the human race. Men, women,
and child en, free and prisoners. joined in their personal execrations
against this monster. The town was literally gutted cf its inha-
bitants ; there must have been upwards of 500 persons crowding
round the cart that brought this inhuman wretch to the gaol. Their
shouting reached the remotest parts of the town. It was with the
greatest difficulty imagirable the people were prevented from tear-
ing him to pieces. Prisoners of all descriptions joined in the exe-
crations expressed by others.
" I Mould tell you, that when Hopkins was escorted through the
streets on Saturday, Mrs. Feutril, the grandmother of the murdered
infant, mistook • constable that was with him for Jeffries, arid
rushing from her house in a paroxysm of rage, stabbed him with.
fork; but, fortunately for her. he was only slightly wounded.
" Since Jeffries hes beessaket. hr hasAmeity confessed ail the
murders laid to his charge, with many horribly aggravating cir-
cumstances ; the worst of which Is (with the exception of the in.
fanticide) that being rather pressed for food, lots were cast which
of his two companions should die ; it fell on Russell, but as the
man was armed, he could not effect his purpose until the poor
wretch fell asleep from fatigue, when he was murdered, and his
flesh served the survivors for food for a few days, until they stole
a sheep. On being asked what he then did with the remainder of
R.'s corpse, he replied that it was cut into steaks, and fried with
the mutton.
" The list of the monster's murders stands thus :—lst. TM's
man. 2d. The infant. 3d. Mr. Sutherland's man. 4th. One
of his companions. sth. Baker. a constable. Gth. Russell. 7th.
Wounded Tibbs. Bth. Wounded • soldier. All within twenty.
one days I!
" There were several prisoners for life at the apprehension of
Jeffries, and it is hoped that those who were instrumental in taking
him will receive a pardon, as an inducement to others to venture
their lives in bringing such inhuman wretches to condign punish-
ment. •
" The Judges kft this a few hours only before this monster
was brought in. It is to be Wiped that he will not remain here
for a year before he is disposed of. He is a man of immense
strength.
" Jefferies declares theonly thing he is sorry for is trurdenitg the
infant."

- -
DREADFUL C•LAMITY.-.—Ai four or five o'clock in the
evening of the Ist inst. a very violent storm destroyed all
hopes of harvest in three communes of the department of
the Yonne. The inhabitants, on the point of gathering the
fruits of their labours, have been themselves reduced to
the most frightful misery. A creditable person assures
us that in many parts of one of these communes the earth
was covered with a layer of hail eighteen inches thick,
which resisted the heat of the atmosphere, in some parts
more than fifteen hours. This misfortune is the more de-
plorable, because it falls upon poor farmers, who had
scarcely recovered from this effects of a similar calamity
in 1819.

THE A AMY.
The order that was issued for the march of the 6th Dragoon
Guards (Carabineers) to Canterbury, has been countermanded.
The regiment Is to remain in the neighbourhood of Leicester.
The order that was issued for the march of the Ist battalion of
the 3d regiment of Foot Guards' to London, has been counter-
manded. The battalion is directed to remain in the neighbourhood
of Manchester.
The right wing of the 32d (Cornwall) regiment of Infantry was
to leave Plymouth yesterday, and is ordered to follow the route of
the left wing of the same corps. for the northern district.
The Depot of the Ist battalion of the Itoyals is ordered to
Perth.
The Depot of the 49th regiment of Ltfantry has arrived at Glas-
gow, from Liverpool, and is ordered to proceed to Stirling.
Detschmenta of recruits arrived in town yesterday morning,
front Norwich and Coventry, on route to juin their respective corps
and depots.