The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-17 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 17, 1863.

tenance of these intrenohments would be in contradiction
with the state of things established in 1858, and the Am-
bassador of the Emperor has received an assurance that the
Commissioner of the Porte shall be furnished with instruc-
tions to order the demolition of these buildings.

The situation of the United States of America is
spoken of with deep regret. The language em-
ployed runs thus :
The sad previsions suggested by the exasperation of the
struggle carried on during three years in the United States
have been but too much realised, Blood has continued to
flow, while the respective situations of the belligerents do
not yet allow us to anticipate a period to this terrible
crisis. In presence of such an accumulation of ruins, and
such a sacrifice of life in a struggle hitherto fruitless, we
have felt profound regret that the proposition which
we made at London and at St. Petersburg, to unite in
provoking an armistice, was not accepted, Compelled to
renounce that project by a double refusal, we have, how-
ever, declared that our desire to contribute to the re-estab-
lishment of peace in any form would not be the less lively
and sincere. We have given proof of this by suggesting the
idea of substituting for the project of an amicable interven-
tion of the maritime Powers the expedient of direct messages
between the Government of the United States and the Con-
federates of the South. This new attempt has not been more
fortunate than the preceding. From that time we have had
I nothing left but to follow out the line of conduct adopted
ever since the beginning of this war by the Government of
the Emperor. This we have striven to do with scrupulous care
under all circumstances, We have remained neutral and
well-disposed, although it has often been difficult for us to
reconcile this part with our duties towards our fellow-coun-
trymen. Independently of the sufferings which, in our de-
partments, are the consequence of the American crisis, hos-
tilities on the territory of the Union itself have occasioned
considerable detriment and loss to French residents. They
have often had occasion to make just complaint of the
abusive proceedings of the civil and military authorities.
Our countrymen must understand that their interests, like
those of other foreigners, cannot claim an exceptional se-
curity in the midst of the tumult of arms, and that in such
cases all ordinary guarantees necessarily lose something of
their efficacy. Moreover, a state of war imposes inevitable
fetters on the commerce of neutrals. If the progress of liberal
doctrines tends to relax them it cannot wholly suppress
them. The Cabinet of Washington has been able to satisfy
itself that we have made, in our reclamations, a large allow-
ance for these difficulties. But the Government of the
Emperor cannot disguise its pain at seeing so many ag-
grieved interests, well deserving of its care, making a vain
appeal for protection.

The object which the French Government aimed
at in Mexico is declared to be very near its final ac-
complishment. The following is the language used :

The Emperor's Government is on the point of attaining
the object which it proposed to itself when it displayed the
flag of France on the shores of Mexico. The success of
our arms, by rendering the country free to dispose of
itself, has confirmed the hopes which we founded
in the good sense of the Mexican nation. The capture of
Puebla has become a new title of glory for our heroic army;
and the acclamations which greeted it in entering Mexico
have loudly testified that our soldiers were received there as
liberators. The Assembly of Notables has pronounced that
Mexico could only expect regeneration from a monarchical
institution. It also at the same time designated to the
Mexican nation the Prince whom political circumstances
appeared to ourselves to indicate as most preferable. The
expression of these wished inspired by a just confidence in
the high and brilliant qualities of him to whom they were
addressed, has been favourably i eceived, with the sole re-
serve that the whole nation should be called on to ratify
the patriotic and spontaneous impulse which decided the
sending of the mission charged to offer the crown of Mexico
to the Archduke Maximilian. This is how we, on our part,
had understood the bearing of the resolution of the Assent-
lo:y. Whatever might be the authority of the influential
men who composed it, their decisions, in our opinion, to
become definitive, must receive from the populations a more
explicit sanction. We congratulate ourselves on seeing
our ideas shared by the eminent Prince whom Mexico calls
to inaugurate its new destinies. The fortune of France and
the blood of her soldiers belong to France only. An evi-
dent and imperious French interest could therefore alone
determine the Emperor's Government to engage in an un-
dertaking of which it had beforehand weighed the sacrifices
and difficulties. It bad, moreover, foreseen the salvation of
Mexico as a possible consequence of the military expedition
to which it was constrained. The public feeling of the
country and the wisdom of the Archduke Maximilian
justify all our hopes in this matter. In an early future we
expect to receive from the new Government of Mexico the
guarantees which have been wanting to our interests under
all the Governments whfch preceded it. For the moment,
important questions necessarily remain to be settled as con-
cerns ourselves ; for the military result of our expedition
has only prepared the ground for ulterior negotiations. The
Emperor's Government will devote all his attention to them."
The Central States of South America, the late re-
volution at Madagascar, and the rebellion in China,
are very briefly alluded to. The following is the
passage which speaks of Japan, being the termina-
tion of the observations on foreign affairs:—
In Japan oar relations, or rather those of the countries
which have entered into intercourse with it, are at this mo-
ment passing through a critical phase. Several conflicts
have even already occurred with certain princes, who are
almost independent feudatories of the empire. It is just to
acknowledge that the. Central Government does not seem to
have had the power to prevent these collisions, and it has
appeared to regard them with unfeigned displeasure. The
peculiar constitution of Japan explains the frequent appa-
rent contradictions between the language and the acts of the
Cabinet of Yeddo. A powerful feudality opposes to the'ilibe-
ral tendencies a resistance which it has not the force or the
firmness to overcome. Hence arises an attitude, undecided
and equivocal rather than disloyal, which too vigorous exi-
gencies would doubtless fail to modify. The Emperor's Go-
vernment, therefore, will not, without the most manifest
necessity, depart from that spirit of conciliation of which the
Japanese mission received proofs on leaving France.

THE RECENT MURDERS.

INQUEST ON MRS. HUNT AND THE CHILDREN.
Yesterday afternoon, at 4 o'clock, Dr. Lankester, the coro-
ner for central Middlesex, resumed the adjourned inquest
on the bodies of Mary Anne Hunt and her children Jessie
and Emily, who, it will be remembered, were found dead in
a cab on Saturday night, the 7th of November, in the board-
room of St. Mary's Hospital, Paddington.
Mr. R. Ring, of the firm of Wood and Ring, Coleman-
street-buildings, appeared to watch the proceedings on the
part of the relatives of Samuel William Hunt.
The Coroner commenced the proceedings by reading over
the depositions which were sworn to at the opening of the
inquest on. Monday last.
The first witness called was John Blake, cabdriver, badge
7856, of 124, St. John-street, Smithfield, the father of the
deceased woman. He stated that he had seen the three
bodies of the woman and two children, two of whom he
identified as being those of his daughter Mary Anne Hunt,
and her eldest daughter Jessie. The younger child (Emily)
he could not identify, as he had never seen her alive. The
deceased woman's husband was Samuel William Hunt, by
trade a chemist and druggist. He knew Hunt before he
married his daughter. He was then out of employment,
and had been so for two yaars, He last saw his daughter
alive about nine months ago, and had reason to believe that
they lived together very unhappily.
By Mr. Ring—He had never heard that his daughter had
threatened to make away with herself on account of the un-
happiness that existed between her and her husband.
By a Juror—He had heard his daughter complain of
Hunt's ill-usage, and he had advised her to leave him in
consequence. He had never heard her say that Hunt had
attempted to poison her, but she had told his daughter
Harriet so.
Harriet Blake, the daughter of the last witness, and sister
to the deceased woman, was then examined—She had seen
the bodies lying at the dead house, and recognised them as
being those of her sister Mary Anne Hunt and her two chil-
dren, Jessie and Emily. Her sister's age was 28 years, those
of the children seven and four respectively. She last saw
her sister alive about a month since, when she complained
of a sore on her ancle, which she stated had been caused by
a blow from her husband with a poker that had been bent
by the blow. Her sister had complained of Hunt's ill treat-
ment of her for years. She had seen her several times with
blank eyes, cut head and shoulders, and bruised limbs, from
blows given by Hunt. She had lived with them four years
ago, when Hunt kept a stationer's shop at 1, Warner-road,
Camberwell New-road. She had during her residence with
them seen Hunt cut her head twice ; once with a pomatum
jar, another time with a cup. Last Friday five weeks she
went to see her sister, hire. Hunt, at Ann's Cottage, Wel-
lington-road, Camberwell. She then had a cut on her right
shoulder, caused by Hunt the day before. She also told her
he had tried to poison her by forcing down her throat the
contents of a small bottle containing poison. She (Mrs.
Hunt) was in bed asleep when Hunt came up stairs, woke
her, and endeavoured to force the poison down her throat.
She opened the window and screamed, but no assistance
came. Hunt's general treatment of the children was good,
but lately he had beaten the younger one a great deal. He
had been very kind to them until a few words had arisen
between Hunt and a neighbour next door, to whom the
younger child had been rude, from which time he had
beaten the child cruelly. She had frequently heard Hunt
say, "I will kill the lot of you." Twice he had said ho would
poison them all. For five weeks she had heard nothing of
Mrs. Hunt and her family until last Tuesday evening, when
her father told her of their death. She never saw her sister
the worse for liquor.
By Mr. King—After they had made up their quarrels
they were very affectionate. She did not inform the police,
because her sister wished her not to do so. The quarrels
generally arose about a young lady who was at the ware-
house that Hunt used to attend. After the quarrels were
over Hunt generally procured drink from the publichouse,
of which they all used to partake. She had never heard her
sister threaten suicide. Hunt was always affectionate, ex-
cept when they were quarrelling. Their quarrels were more
frequent lately. lid had tried to pour the poison into his
wife's mouth after he had inflicted the wound on her
shoulder. She (witness) and her family agreed very well
with the Hunts. She had not slept at Hunt's house for six
weeks, in consequence of his having threatened to do for
them one night, on which he slept with a razor under his
pillow. Her sister had told her of it in the morning, and
she was so terrified that she did not like sleeping in the
house again.
By a Juror—Hunt had never lived at Bayswater to her
knowledge, nor had he any relations there.
By the Coroner—Hunt did not always sleep with his wife.
Sometimes they did not sleep together for six weeks at a
time, She never knew him absent from home except for
one night.
The Coroner was here handed a packet of 13 letters,
written by Mrs. Hunt to her father and sister. He said it
would beimpossible to read them all ; he would therefore
examine the sister as to the contents of them.
The witness was then recalled, and questioned touching
what was in the letters. Sho stated that they mainly con-
sisted of complaints of Hunt's illtreatment of her sister.
Chas. Gould was then examined—Ho stated that he was
on the Camberwell-green cab stand with his cab about six
o'clock on Saturday evening, the 7th of November, when
he was hailed by a lady with two children, who were
standing at the corner of Camberwell New-road. He drove
over to them, and they got into his cab, the lady directing
him to drive to the Great Eastern Railway. He hed since
identified the bodies of the woman and children lying
at St. Mary's Hospital as those belonging to the persons
he had driven, The lady told bins to take the check-
string in his hand, as she might want to stop him.
When they had proceeded about 300 yards a man in the
pathway stopped him and said he was going to the Eastern
Counties Railway, and he knew the lady in the cab, and he
gut in, Ile (witness) gut off his box to see if such was the
case, when the lady said " All right," and he drove on as
far as Nortonfolgate, when the man stopped him at a che-
mist's shop. The woman got out, went into the chemist's
shop, and returned to the cab. She then went once more
into the shop, returned, and got into the cab, telling witness
to put them down at the gate of the station, which he did,
the man paying him 3s. He saw no luggage with them be-
yond a parcel. He could not swear they had no hat-box
with them, He had since seen the man who got into the
cab on Saturday night week lying dead at Ann's Cottage,
Camberwell,
By Mr. Ring—He did not observe Hunt speak to the lady
in the cab. He was positive that Hunt was the man. He
took particular notice of Hunt in consequence of his getting
into the cab in so strange a way. He had a moustache on
at the time. He heard no conversation whatever between
the party. They all seemed perfectly good friends. He did
not notice what the woman brought out of the chemist's
shop. He could not swear whether the woman handed
anything to the man in the cab.
The cabman who drove the party from Shoreditch was re-
examined. He said he had seen Hunt's body, and identified
it as belonging to the man he had driven to Furnival's -inn.
Mr. Cyrus Fane, chemist, Nortonfolgate, at whose shop
the cab pulled up on the Saturday evening, was then exa-
mined, and stated the facts he had already sworn to at the
inquest at Camberwell, but he could not in any way iden-
tify the woman who had bought the medicine and glass.
The draught he had supplied only contained bicarbonate of
potash, sal volatile, compound tincture of cardamoms, and
cinnamon water. She afterwards changed the medicine glass
she had at first purchased, and which had a foot, for a small
tumbler in a case,
Mr. Wm. Imrie, wigmaker and hairdresser, was called,
sad stated that ho had identified Hunt as the man who
called at his shop on Wednesday or Thursday, and pur-
chased a false moustache. He identified him by his upper
lip, which was particularly large, and by his general appear-
ance.
The joint report of the chemical analysts, Dr. J. Randall,
Professor of Medical Jurisprudence at St. Mary's Hospital,
Paddington, and of Dr. Matthiessen, F.R.S., lecturer on
chemistry at the same institution, was then handed to Dr.
Lankester, and afterwards read by Dr. Randall. The report
stated that four glass jars, one cork, four pewter pint mea-
sures, and a paper containing biscuits and figs had been re-
ceived from the house surgeon of St. Mary's Hospital for
the purpose of chemical analysis and investigation. All the
jars were stoppered, tied down with string, and sealed. No.
1 contained the stomach and intestines of Mrs. Hunt, No. 2
the brain of Mrs. Hunt, No. 3 the stomach of the elder child,
and No. 4, the stomach, heart, and lungs of the younger
child. On opening jar No. 1 there was a taint smell of prus-
sic acid, and the:stomach externally smelt of the same poison
and had an acid reaction. On the exterior were three small
patches of dark plum-coloured extravasation. Internally, it
presented a bright and congested' appearance, and contained
11 ounce of thick brown fluid of the consistence o f treacle,
which smelt strongly of beer. The fluid was mixed with
water and distilled in a water-bath. The distillate was tested
for prussic acid by three different tests, all of which gave de-
cided evidence of prussic acid. A small quantity of alcohol
was also found in the distillate. The other intestines gave
slight traces of prussic acid, and on distillation produced an
oily substance, which was given to a kitten without any
harmful result, proving it not to be essential oil of almonds.
Jar No. 2, centaining Mrs. Hunt's brain, was then examined
with negative results. The third jar, containing the stomach
of the elder child, gave no evidence of prussic acid to the
sense of smell on being opened. The vessels on the surface
were congested, and internally it had a healthy appeara
nce.
It contained 31 ounces of a dark brownish fluid in
which were several pieces of apple and cheese. There was
a smell of beer and cheese, but none of prussic acid. The
contents on being subjected to the same treatment as those
in No. 1 jar gave similar indications of prussic acid; they
also yielded a similar oily fluid, which gave the same nega-
tive results on being tested for prussic acid. A small quan-
tity of alcohol was also detected. On epening No. 4 the
smell of prussic acid was doubtful. A small patch of venous
extravasation appeared on the exterior. Internally there
was a slight venous congestion, and it contained two ounces
of a thick light-coloured pulpy mass, consisting of biscuit,
cheese, and currants. There was no smell of beer or prussic
acid, but the odour of cheese and rancid butter was very
perceptible. After distillation prussic aeid was detected in
distillate. A copious oily substance was produced and tested
for prussic acid, with similar result. No alcohol was pro-
duced in this case. Two ounces of fluid blood from the same
jar gave a negative remit. Prussic acid was, however, de-

tected in the lungs, which were congested and of a darkish
red. The phial cork only gave indications of oil of cinna-
mon, and the pewter pots afforded no evidence of prussic
acid. The figs and cakes were given to a dog without any
harmful effects. Having found prussic acid in the contents
of all three stomachs and certain other portions of the bodies
the conclusion was arrived at that the mother and two chil-
dren died from the administration of that poison. From
finding so small an amount of potash in the contents of the
stomach on incineration it seems clear that cyanide of
potassium was not used, and the characteristic smell of
prussic acid being strongly perceptible at the post mortem
examination, and weak when the stomachs were chemically
examined, proved that essential oil of bitter almonds had
not been administered, the odour of that substance being
very persistent, besides which no trace of essential oil could
be detected. Another prcof that the poison was given in
the form of prussic acid is that in making the experiment
that acid was found to mix easily with porter. Having
added two drachms (120 drops) of prussic acid of pharma-
copoeia' strength—viz., 2 per cent, of real acid—to a pint of
porter, it was found that its presence could not be detected
either by the taste or smell.
Drs. Randall and Matthiessen were then examined by
the Coroner as to various points contained in the report.
The appearances presented by the bodies are those always
seen in poisoning by prussic acid, and although the evi-
dence of alcohol being present in the stomach of the younger
child was negative, still the porter might have been ad-
ministered in so small a quantity as not to leave perceptible
indications of alcohol. From experiments witness had made
he did not think cyanide of potassium was used, an opinion
confirmed by the fact of only a minute quantity of potash
being found in the stomachs. As far as the odour is con•
cerned, and the power of dissolving, it would be just as
difficult to poison a person with cyanide of potassium as
with prussic acid. He had mixed a sufficient quantity of
prussic acid to poison three people with a pint of porter,
and neither smell nor taste could be discovered by those
who did not know the nature of the mixture. The oily
matter found in the stomachs gave no indications of con-
taining essential oil of almonds.
By Mr. Ring—lt depended entirely on the quantity
taken whether the effects of prussic acid would manifest
themselves in a long or a short time. Persons poisoned
with prussic acid generally died quietly, becoming insen-
sible and going off into convulsions. The time it took for
bodies to become cold was different in different subjects.
Two drachms or 120 drops of prussic acid, of pharmaco-
pcepial strength, would be sufficient to kill three people.
The three persons could have all taken the prussic acid
before its effects would have been perceptible on any one of
them. •

Inspector Meloy, of the P division, was examined, and
said that, in consequence of information he had received, he
went, accompanied by Inspector Smith, to Ann's •cottage,
Wellington-road, on Monday, November 9, about 10 o'clock
in the evening. Inspector Smith knocked at the door and
received no answer. He then thought he heard some one
vomiting in the passage. They knocked again, and they
were admitted by a man in his shirt, who said, "The
police I What do you want ?" The man said he would go
and fetch a light, but Smith prevented him, and they all
went up to the bedroom. The man sat on the bed and
vomited into the chamber utensil, which already contained
vomited matter. Meloy asked him if he had read the ac-
counts of the murder in the newspapers. He said he had.
They cautioned him as to what he intended to say, for they
had reason to believe he was the man who was concerned in
the murder, and that he must dress and come with them to
the station. The man, in answer to their questions, stated
that his wife and two children were at Southampton, and
that they were not dressed in mourning, but in light clothes.
They took him to the station, and called in Dr. Puckle. who
administered emetics and used the stomach-pump. Hunt
said previous to his,death, " I know how my wife died, she
took prussic acid, which I had in the house." The doctor
asked him what he had taken, to which he replied, " I think
there was aconite in the bottle. I believe i have taken
aconite." They then went back to Hunt's house and found
a small bottle, containing a tow drops of a fluid which ou
analysis was proved to be aconite. The coroner's jury who
sat on Hunt's body returned a verdict of felo de se, and he
was interred in Tooting Cemetery on Friday night without
Christian burial. He should say that Hunt took the poison
before they arrived at his house, and had they been there an
hour later they would have found him dead. He had come
to this opinion from seeing that the chamber utensil con-
tained vomited matter voided before they entered the room.
By Mr. Ring—Before Hunt spoke of prussic acid there
had been no mention of it made in the room. On his way
to the station he said he had led a very unhappy life with
his wife. Ile made no remark as to the disgrace of being
taken from his house to the police-station,
By the Jury—As far as he knew, Hunt could not have
known that they were coming to apprehend him. They
immediately placed constables in charge of the house.
Adolphus Orlando Riche, Hunt's fellow-servant in the
employment of Messrs. Butler and M'Cullouh, herbalists,
seedsmen, and druggists, said last Monday he saw Hunt from
half-past 1 to 7 in the evening. About halfpast 3 Hunt asked
him to procure for him from the warehouse oil of rosemary,
oil of juniper, essential oil of almonds, and tincture of
aconite. They do not sell or keep any form of prussic
acid. The first two, articles were sent to a customer, the
essential oil of almonds and tincture of aconite were left on
the counter for a gentleman, who Hunt said would call for
them. No one called for them, and he believed Hunt took
them away. No conversation had ever passed between him
and Hunt as to his unhappiness with his wife. He had
observed nothing particular iu Hunt's manner on Monday,
He was always very reserve in his manner.
Mr. Cherles M'Culloch then gave evidence as to Hunt's
conduct while in his employment, He was generally morose
and reserved. He had had to make complaints of his surly
manner to his customers. Hunt had been out from half-
past 8 on Monday morning travelling for orders, and ac-
counted for his want of success in obtaininir them by saying
that all his customers wore talking about the murder, and
would pay no attention to anything else.
The Coroner then summed up. He said the evidence
that the deceased persons died from the effects of prussic
acid was quite conclusive. The next question was in what
form this acid was administered. The jury had heard the
evidence of the analysts as to the want of proof that either
cyanide of potassium or essential oil of almonds had been
used. It was elear, therefore, that the poison had been given
in the form of prussic acid. The coroner then reviewed the
evidence of the cabman who drove the party from Shore-
ditch. He did not think that any stress need be laid on the
facts deposed to by the chymist, Mr. Fane, as he could not
swear to the woman who purchased the draught. The two
cabmen had both identified Hunt as the man whom they
had taken up and set down on the Saturday evening. The
difficulty about the moustache had been explained by the
evidence of Mr. Imrie, who was most positive as to Hunt's
identity. There was no possible doubt that Hunt knew
the whole of the circumstances of the murder. Had he,
therefore, been innocent, would he not have been the first
person to come forward to identify the bodies of his wife
and children ? Added to all these facts was the opinion of
the police that he had taken poison before they arrived at
his house, which made it a strong probability that he de-
sired to escape from the penalty of the law.

_ .
The jury then consulted for about half an hour, and on
the public being re-admitted to the room, the Coroner an-
nounced their verdict to the effect, " That Mary Anne
Hunt was found dead in a cab on Saturday night from the
effects of prussic acid, and that the prussic acid was ad•
ministered to her maliciously and with intent to take away
her life by Samuel William Hunt.'

The same verdict was returned in the case of the two
children.

On the part of the police, Mr. Superintendent Payne, of
the P division, and Mr. Superintendent Tiddy of the D
division. attended. Inspector Tanner, of the detective
police, Scotland-yard, was also present, by the direction of
Sir Richard Mayne.