The Sun.
London, England, 1838-11-22 00:00:00

EXT RAORDINARY STATEMENT.

Late on Tuesday evening last an inquest was held be-
fore Mr. PAYNE, at the Blue Anchor, St. Mary-at-Hill, on
the body of Robert Watson, aged 88, who put a period to
his existence in the following novel and determined manner:—
Ebenezer Brown, jun., son of the landlord of the above
house, deposed that he had known deceased for about eight
months, a portiod of which time he had lodged in his father's
house. In March last deceased left his lodgings for the pur-
pose, he said, of visiting a relation at Bath. Nothing more
was heard of deceased until about six weeks ago, when wit-
ness's father received a note from deceased, dated Guy's Hos-
pital, in which he was confined in consequence of having been
found in a fit in King William-street, City. On deceased's
recovery he again came to lodge at the Blue Anchor, and up
to the time of the fatal occurrence he appeared to enjoy good
health. At times, however, deceased seemed very absent
in his manner. On Sunday evening last deceased retired
to his bedroom at about half-past eleven o'clock, and told
witness to call him by ten next morning, as he wanted to go
early into Portland-street to receive some money. At the
hour appointed witness went up to deceased's bedroom, and
on approaching the bed he found deceased in it, having his
nightcap drawn over his face and neck, and fastened round
the latter by a silk handkerchief. Through a loop-knot in
the handkerchief deceased bad inserted the poker, which he
had twisted tightly round, and which he still held firmly
clenched in both hands. He had made use of the poker
in the way a smith does the handle of a vice. Witness
called his father, who instantly came and undid the hand-
kerchief ; but deceased appeared dead, and was very black
in the face. A surgeon was sent for, who endeavoured to
restore animation, but without effect.
Evan Brown, the landlord of the house, corroborated his
son's evidence, and in addition made the following curious
statement :—He said he did not know who deceased was
until Sunday evening last, when the latter related to him the
principal particulars of his life. Deceased said that he had
been deeply implicated in the riots of 1780, and that at that
period he was private Secretary to Lord George • Gordon.
He afterwards became President for a time of the London
Corresponding Society. Having resigned that situation be
suffered various vicissitudes in foreign parts, and being in
Rome in the year l 8l it he became acquainted with a party
who had in his possession several important documents re-
lative to the Stuart family and to the secret history of the
Papal Government, particularly in reference to its connexion
with the exiled Royal Family. Deceased said that having
made this discovery he communicated it to
Lord Castle-
reagh, then Chief Secretary for the Foreign Department,
who authorized him (deceased) to procure the docu-
ments in question at any price. d Deceased, after much
difficulty, succeeded in obtaining them, and a frigate
was sent out by the English Government to bring de-

ceased,tile documents. to this country. In the mean
time te Pa
pal government, being apprised of the exist-
_
wfth
exist-
ence of the documents, seized and set its seal upon them.
After much negotiation, ti,t; Papal Government consented
to give up those portion of the documents that related to
the Stuart family and this country; on condition that it
should be allowed to retain those papers which referred to
its own acts in behalf of the Stuarts, Lord Brougham
(then Mr. Henry Brougham) was the chief negotiator in
the transaction between the English and Papal Govern-
ments, and from him deceased had received several gams
of money, though not all that had been originally pro-
mised to him. Witness in conclusion said, that at the lat-
ter part of the recital deceased appeared very much ex-
cited, and in that state retired to his bed-room. Deceased/
owed witness between OW. and 401., and was to pay him a
portion of it on the day he was found dead.
The Jury consulted a coasiderable time, and returned
the following verdict :—" That deceased destroyed himself
whilst in a state of temporary mental derangement."
It was stated that Lord Brougham had been written to
on the subject.

THE LATE MILITARY OUTRAGE

AT CHATHAM.

CHATHAM, WEDNESDAY.—Yesterday morning the Chat-
ham division of marines formed into a square, under the
direction of Colonel Murton, in the open space of the Royal
Marine Barracks. At ten o'clock the whole of the offi-
cers, non-commissioned officers, and privates being present,
Colonel Murton read the following letter which had been
received from the Horse Guards :

" Horse Guards, 15th November, 1838.
" Sir—Having had the honour to submit to the General
Commanding-in-Chief your letter of yesterday, notifying the
result of the Coroner's inquest in the case of private Robert
Ross, of the Royal Marines, whose death is supposed to
have been occasioned by wounds received in an affray with
certain men belonging to the depot of the 67th Regiment
at Chatham, on the evening of the 2101.0 f October, 1838—
" I have it it in command from his Lordship to as-
sure you that this unfortunate occurrence Ems given Lord
Hill the utmost concern and regret, because All the ac-
counts that have hitherto reaehed his Lordship concur
in describing the assault committed upon the deceased and
his comrades upon that occasion as cruel, wanton, end
unprovoked.' Whilst the investigation of this case was
under the consideration of the Civil Authorities, Lord
Hill abstained from passing any opinion upon the con-
duct of the men by whom the Ro3al Marines were bru-
tally assaulted ; but his Lordship now feels justified, by
the verdict of the jury, in forming a decided opinioa
against these men, and expressing his most anxious hope
that they will be punished with the utmost rigour of the law.
" Lord Hill cannot help repeating the expression of his
deep regret and concern upon this melancholy occasion,.
important,' most important,' in every point of view, as
he has ever considered that the best understanding
should exist between these two important branches of the
public services, and that every officer in the army in autho-
rity should, by every means in his power, when in garrison
with the Royal Marines, show his regard and due respect
for that most gallant and most exemplary corps, whose
officers and men have uniformly evinced the kindest feel-
ings towards the army, whenever and wherever they have
been employed together.—l have the honour to be, &c.
(Signed) " JOHN M'DONNELL, Adj.-Gen."