The Sun.
London, England, 1847-07-24 00:00:00

FRENCH LUNATICS.

The following correspondence, between the chairman
of the committee of justices, and the Secretary of State
for the Home department, relative to a French criminal
lunatic who had attempted the life of the King of the
French was read:—

" House of Correction, Tothill-fields,
" June 15, 1847.
" Sir—l am requested by the visiting justices of this
prison to call your attention to the following case:—
" Peter Tesside was convicted of an assault, at the
April Middlesex Sessions, and sentenced to two months'
imprisonment, then to be discharged on entering into his
own recognisances. Since his confinement in this prison
he has evinced strong symptoms of insanity, and I now
forward to you a certificate declaring him a_dangerous
lunatic.

"The visiting justices have instituted inquiries, and
find that Peter Tesside is a native of France; and learn
from M. Voullon, of Stratford-place, the director of a
charitable institution in this country for the relief of
Frenchmen in distress, and under the immediate patron-
age of the French government, that Peter Tesside not
long ago threatened to take the life of M. Voullon, be-
cause that gentleman declined to grant him a settled an-
nuity, instead of affording him occasional relief, and upon
examination a loaded pistol was found upon his person.
M. Voullon states, that after this occurrence he applied
to the French Amdassador to send Tesside to France,
but owing to his possessing no French passport to this
country, the application was refused. Tesside's having
no passport is thus accounted for:—About the period a
the last attempt upon the King of the French, Tesside
' was found in the Chateau d'Eu scarcely covered with
clothing, but armed with a loaded pistol. After exa-
mination before the French authorities, he was sent in
charge of an officer to Calais, and thence transported
to England, and left without a passport. It is believed
that Tesside has been more than once an inmate of a
lunatic asylum in France. The visiting justices consider
this case, especially with reference to Tesside's transpor-
tation to England under such circumstances, of sufficient
importance to call your attention to it. The visiting
justices are aware that it is not usual for her Majesty's
Government to send criminal lunatics, unless convicted
of some high crime or misdemeanour, to Bethlehem
Hospital, but they are also aware that exceptions to the
general rule have occurred, and submit that Peter Tes-
side's case might reasonably be admitted among them,
instead of fixing the burden of his maintenance on the
county of Middlesex.
"I have the honour, &c.,
(Signed) "F. P. WALESBY."
" The Right Hon. Sir Geo. Grey, Bdxt., M.P."
To this letter a reply was received on June 21:—
" Whitehall.

"Sir,—With respect to your letter of the 15th inst.
respecting Peter Tesside, an insane prisoner in the House
of Correction at Westminster, I am directed by Secre-
tary Sir George Grey to inform you that an arrange-
ment has received the sanction of the British Govern
went, and has been proposed to the French Government
for maintaining at the expense of the countries to which
they belong, French pauper lunatics in England, and
English pauper lunatics in France; and in anticipation
that such arrangement will be carried into effect, Sir G.
Grey has taken measures for communicating with the
French ambassador at this court with a view of a provi•
sion being made by the French government for the
maintenance of Peter Tesside in the lunatic asylum fur
the county of Middlesex, to which asylum Sir George
Grey will issue a warrant for the removal of the pri-
soner, as soon as the arrangements connected with his
maintenance can be completed.
" I am, &c. " S. M. PHILLIPS."
Considerable delay took place, during which time the
excitement of the unfortunate man disturbed the whole
gaol, and the chances of his restoration were lessened by
want of proper treatment, and the crowded state of the
prison. A representation upon this subject was made to
the Home-office, after which, on the 10th July, a com-
munication was received directing the removal of the
lunatic to the county lunatic asylum.
Mr. WALESBt cautioned the visiting justices of that
asylum against permitting the escape of the unfortunate
man, as he would most certainly commit murder. He
was active and quick in his movements to an extraor-
dinary degree, and required to be most carefully watched.
He was decidedly a murderous monomaniac, having been
confined in six or seven lunatic asylums, and having
attempted to take away the lives of several persons.
The report was received. A county rate of one half-
penny in the pound Was agreed to.
Mr. WALESBY brought before the court the want of
accommodation felt by all parties frequenting the Ses-
sions-house, and gave notice of a motion urob the
subject, with a view to bring it formally under the con-
sideration of the next meeting of magistrates.
After transacting some routine business, the Court
adjourned.

BRITISH MUSEUM COMMISSION,
COPY OF A COMMISSION FOR INQUIRING INTO THE
CONSTITUTION AND GOVERNMENT OF THE BRITISH