The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-12 00:00:00

SINGULAR DETECTION OF A ROBBERY.

In the month of October, 1838, Captain Stephens, master
of the barque Yeoman, which was then lying in the Prince's
Dock, had a valuable silver watch stolen from his box, which
was kept locked in his cabin. The captain found his box
unfastened two days after he had deposited the watch therein,
and as no violence had been done to the lock, the inference
was that it had been picked or opened by a master key. In-
formation was given to the Commissioners of Police, and
bills were circulated, and every offort made to discover some
trace of the thief or the property, but without success. The
Custom-house officer in charge of the Yeoman at the time
was George M'Kenna, but no suspicion alighted upon him
or any of the crew. At length the search died away and it
was believed the thief would never be discovered. In the
month of March last, George M'Kenna was committed to
Kirkdale Gaol to take his trial at the ensuing assizes on a
charge of rape. Soon after his committal, he sent for James
Jones, an acquaintance of his, who was a weigher in the cus-
toms. He directed Jones to apply to a respectable solicitor
of this town, and to ascertain what it would cost to conduct
his defence. Jones did as he was desired, and having ascer-
tained the amount that would be required, he asked M 'Kenna
how the money was to be obtained. M'Kenna, after speak-
ing of some articles which might be turned into cash, said,
I have a ticket of a watch at Mrs. Memmot's, where I lodged.
He wrote an order for the delivery of this ticket, and on Jones
asking him how much money he was to get for the ticket, he
said, you must do the best you can with it : the watch cost
me nine guineas. It was made for me by a man in the Park.
Jones took the order and presented it to Mrs. Memmot, who
delivered him the ticket and some other property belonging
to M'Kenna. It seems that Jones, in his negotiations with
the solicitor„ succeeded in inducing the latter to accept the
ticket as part payment of the expenses of the defence. On
the 24th of March, the watch, which was in pledge at Mr.
Allwood's, in Vauxhall-road, was redeemed by a son of the
solicitor, who subsequently had it repaired and engine-turned.
On the third instant, the youth took the watch to Mr. Med-
der, a pawnbroker of Oldhall-street, and there offered it
again in pledge. The pawnbroker referred to his books, and
discovered that it was the watch that had been stolen from
the captain of the Yeoman, in the month of October, 1838.
Mr. Medder detained the watch, and information was given
to Mr. Dowling.
It will be remembered, that M'Kenna was tried at the last
assizes, for the offence for which he was committed to Kirk-
dale and acquitted. The solicitor informed the authorities
of the manner in which the watch had come into his posses-
sion, and Constable M'Comb was entrusted by Mr. Dowling
with the investigation of the circumstances. Fortunately
Captain Stephenson was in town, and he at once identified
the watch as his property. M'Comb went in search' of
M'Kenna on Friday last, and found him on the Prince's
Dock-quay, when the following dialogue ensued :
M'Comb.—ls your name George M'Kenna ?
M'Kenna.—lt is.

M'Comb.---I am to take you into custody on charge of
having stolen a watch. Were you not a Customhouse officer
in charge of the Yoeman, which lay in the Prince's Dock in
October, 1838 ?

WlCeima.—l was.
M'Comb.—Do you know anything about the watch -that
was then stolen from the captain ?
M`Kenna.—l do not : but I remember the captain saying
that he had lost a watch. '

M'Comb took the prisoner into custody, and conveyed
him before Mr. Rushton, where the little evidence that had
then been got together was heard. M`Kenna on being
asked what he had to say to the charge, no longer pretended
that he knew nothing of the watch. His version of the
matter was then as follows ; The steward of the vessel called
me aside and asked me if 1 could keep a secret. I said, I
could. The steward took a watch from his pocket, and said,
I have this watch to sell, and I will sell it to you. 1 had
just received my quarter's salary, and I bought the watch.
The prisoner was remanded, and the investigation of the
case proceeded under the superintendence of Mr. Dowling.
Yesterday, the whole of the circumstances bearing on the
transaction having been fully brought to light, the prisoner
was again placed before Mr. Rushton. Jones showed in what
manner he had become possessed of the ticket on the pri-
soner's order, delivered to him in Kirkdale Gaol. Mrs.
Memmett proved the ticket to have belonged to the pri-
soner; the solicitor detailed the mode in which the ticket,
and subsequently the watch, came into his hands, as part
payment of the expenses of the prisoner's former defence.
Mr. Allwood, the pawnbroker, from whom the watch was re-
leased, proved that the watch was pledged by the prisoner in
person, in September, 1839, for £2 Os. 4d. On the 17th of
the following month the prisoner had called at Mr. Allwood's
shop, and obtained a further advance of nine shillings on the
same watch.
The depositions of the w
severalas cautioned,witness aesihwavaiislgkebdeewnhtlatkleine
in writing, the prisoner
nhoadthtiongsatyo y
respecting
He was committedctingthtransaction?foHr
teriarel.plied, " I. have

WRITING.—'We have been favoured with some beautiful
specimens of writing, executed by Mr. Stewart, and trans-
ferred on lithographic engravings, which are intended for
copy books and copy slips, for the use of schools and private
families. Each line of the slip contains a concise statement
of some historical fact, such as " America discovered by
Columbus, 1492"—Britain abandoned by the Romans in
426," &c., which, by the process of transcription, becomes
fixed in the memory of the pupil. The plan is one of decided
utility, as every one engaged in the work of tuition must
readily perceive.

DIABOLICAL ATTEMPT
TO ASSASSINATE HER NIAJESTY ANI)

PRINCE ALBERT.

(From the Morning Herald of yesterday.)
Last evening the metropolis was alarmed by a report that
a most daring and diabolical attempt had been made to as-
sassinate her Majesty the Queen and Prince Albert, whilst
-taking their usual evening airing, as they passed through St.
James's to II yde Park. Upon instituting inquiries, the re-
port was ascertained to-be true; and the following are the
particulars, collected from sources which are a sufficient gua-
rantee for their accuracy in every respect :—Her Majesty,
accompanied by his Royal Highness Prince Albert, left
Buckingham Palace last evening at precisely a quarter past
six o'clock, in an open phaeton, with outriders, tbr an airing
in Hyde Park. The cortege proceeded up Constitution-hill,
and on the arrival of the phaeton about 150 yards from the
corner of the palace against which the garden wall abuts,,the
report of fire-arms was heard to proceed from the right-hand
side, near the palings of the Green Park, exactly opposite to
the back of the mansion of Lady Gordon, and immediately
after a second report. Her Majesty, it is stated, uttered a
lOud scream, and held down her head the moment the first
report was heard, but the cortege continued its pace onward
as if nothing had happened. On looking towards the spot
from whence the sound of fire-arms proceeded, a young man,
apparently not more than 18 years of age, -was discovered by
the persons who were standing near with his back placed
against the railings of the Green Park, in a very composed
manner, and a pistol in each hand. He was instantly seized
by a gentleman named Low, residing in Copthall-court,
Throgmorton-street, and another person named Clayton,
residing at 52, Windmill-street, Golden-square, who were
standing to see the royal cortege pass, and Mr. Beckham,
one of the pages of honour to the Queen, who was acciden-
tally passing at the time. Another young man, who was
standing close by, was also seized, upon the supposition that
he was an accomplice. Police-constables Brown, 85, and
Smith, 42 A, instantly came up, who took them both into
custody, and conveyed them to the station-house in Gardi-
ner's-lane.

Her Majesty and Prince Albert pursued their course to-
wards Hyde Park-corner, and then proceeded in the phaeton
to the residence of her Majesty's illustrious and royal mother
the Duchess of Kent, in Belgrave-square. They subsequent-
ly took an airing round Hyde Park. and returned to Buck-
ingham Palace in about three quarters of an hour.
On the arrival of the prisoner, and the young man who had
also been seized, at the station-house, the latter, on the re-
presentation of Mr. Beckham, was released, that gentleman
stating that he saw him about to rush to seize the prisoner
the instant the-report of the first pistol was heard, he stag-
gered back, apparently frightened.
The prisoner, who was most respectably attired, in a dark
surtout coat, light gambroon trowsers, and light waistcoat,
and who gave his name Edward Oxford, was then charged,
before Inspector Partridge, who was on duty at the station-
house, with maliciously, and with intent to destroy life, firing
two pistols at her Majesty the Queen, and his Royal High-
ness Prince Albert, on the road leading to Constitution-hill,
about a quarter or 20 minutes past six o'clock that evening.
On searching Oxford, neither powder nor ball was to be
found on his person. The pistols which were found in his
possession were like duelling-pistols, the barrels being from
seven to eight inches in length, but without any maker's
name thereon. They had percussion caps, and had evidently
been recently discharged. On examining the nipples, the
percussion caps were found on them exploded, and on one
of them, between the cap and the nipple, a piece of thin linen,
which had evidently been placed there to prevent the pistols
exploding in the prisoner's pockets. From the statements of
several witnesses of the occurrence, Oxford was observed
standing with his arms folded against the iron-railings of the
Green Park prior to the approach of the royal cartlye, but as
the phaeton neared the place where he was standing; he was
seen to place his hands behind him under the tails of his
coat, and when it came nearly opposite he deliberately fired
in the direction of her Majesty and Prince Albert. After
the arrival of the prisoner at the station-house, it was ascer-
tained that he had formerly held a situation as barman at the
Hog in the Pound, at the corner of South Molton-street,
Oxford-street, and that he lodged at No. 6, West-street,
West-square, Lambeth, to which latter place Inspector
Hughes was instantly despatched for the purpose of making
a search of the prisoner's lodgings. Oxford, who is not more
than 18 years of age, preserved a sullen, cool, demeanour.
He spoke very guardedly and rationally, and said that the
pistols had been given to him.
_ _

Shortly after nine o'clock, inspector Hughes returned from
the lodgings of the prisoner to the station-house, in Gardiner's-
lane, at which time the Earl of Uxbridge, the Hon. Augustus
Murray, the comptroller, and other members of her Majesty's
household were present. He then communicated the follow-
ing important information :—On entering the apartment
which Oxford occupied, he commenced a search, and disco-
vered a sword, and in a drawer a quantity of powder and ball,
the latter exactly corresponding with the size of the barrels of
the pistols taken from the prisoner when seized. On making,
further search, he disetivered a Miele crape cap, having at-
tached to it three satin bows of a blood red colour, and a piece
of paper containing a list of members 'of a secret society,
which, he had no doubt, had plotted the present occurrence.
This list contained from 20 to 30 fictitious names, such as
" Oxonian, Hannibal, Ernest," &c. The prisoner, on being
brought from his cell, and being shown these things, did not
deny that they belonged to him ; and it is stated he even ad-
mitted that he belonged to a society, but refused to give up.
where it was held, or the names of the parties.
At ten o'clock Mr. Fox Maule, the under secretary of
state, accompanied by several other gentlemen from the
Home Department, visited the station-house and saw the
prisoner, who still continued to manifest the greatest sang
froid and composure.
. The 'following is the statement of a gentleman named
Woodstock, residing in Margaret-street, Westminster, rela-
tive to the affair :—About a quarter past six o'clock he was
in St. James's Park, walking towardS the railings of the
Green Park, and hearing a cry of the " Queen," he ran.to
get a place on the road leading to Constitution-hill, and saw
the phaeton coming towards them drawn by four bays.
Prince Albert sat on the left of the Queen. As it passed
him, he saw a little further up the road a young man, as the
cortege approached towards him, step forward about two
paces from the railings and raise his right arm and fire a
pistol. The aim was apparently at the royal pair. He ran
towards the fellow who fired, but before he could reach him
be discharged another in the same direction. The cortege
never slackened its pace, nor did he hear any one scream.
The phaeton was very low, and from the direction in which
the person who fired held the pistols, their contents would
.regicide never attempted to run away, nor did he move from
the spot until taken into custody. A man in the garb of a
bricklayer first seized him, and then two gentlemen. Seve-
ral ladies were standing near the spot. The man was con-
veyed to the station-house.

nn making inquiries as to Oxford's character at the Hog
in the Pound, where he lived as barman, the landlord said
he left his service on the first of May last. He had lived
with him about three months, the only eccentricity he was
possessed of was a knack of continually laughing, in conse-
quence of which he was discharged. His conduct was other-
wise rational. His friends reside at Birmingham, which
place he left at the age of nine years.
Up to a very late hour the prisoner retained his sullen de-
meanour, and was constantly watched. Crowds of persons
in deep and anxious conversation were also to be seen in the
neighbourhood of the palace, and the greatest excitement
prevailed. _

[ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.]
The prisoner, who was genteelly dressed, on being brought
into the station-house by police constable Charles Brown,
No. 85, and Charles Smith, No. 42, of the A division, stated
his name to be Edward Oxford, and that he was 17 years of
age, that he obtained his livelihood as a pot-boy at public-
houses, and that his last place was at the Pig in the Pound,
Oxford-street, facing Marylebone-lane. This was all the in-
formation which could at this period be obtained from him.
The two constables, Brown and Smith, were then examined,
and from their statements it appeared that they were on duty
in the park, near to the palace Shortly after her Majesty
and Prince Albert had left they were alarmed by hearing the
report of a pistol, which was speedily followed by the report
of a second. Police constable Smith instantly jumped over
the palings of St. James's-park, and in so doing cut his
hands, and ran to the spot from whence the sound proceeded,
when he found a female, who was inside of the railings of the
Green-park, holding a young man by the skirts of his coat,
who was standing on the footpath of the carriage-road, and
within eight yards of the spot where her Majesty had passed,
and from whom he took two pistols.
William Clayton, of No. 52, Princes-street, Leicester-
square, stated that he was in the Green-park about a quarter
past six o'clock last night, when his attention was drawn by
hearing the report of a pistol, wnich was instantly succeeded
by a second ; on turning round he saw the prisoner, who ap-
peared to have taken the pistols from the inside of.his coat,
and at the same time he appeared to be perfectly collected.
Albert Low, of Copthall-court, Throgmorton-street, City,
spectacle-maker, stated that l►e was in the park, and upon
hearing the report of the first pistol he turned round and
saw the prisoner take a second one from the inside of his coat
and fire at her Majesty.
The Hon. Augustus Murray, who was in attendance at
the station-house, as well as Mr. Gregorie, the magistrate,
observed that from what he could collect it was evident that
the pistols were aimed at her Majesty's neck, and that it was
only from the Prince altering his speed that the bullets did
not take the desired effect.

The most important statement was that of Pecks. He
was accompanied to the station-house by a constable of the
F division, who had been sent with him by Inspector Mul-
lins. His statement was as follows :—I have been in Lon-
don about a week from Dorsetshire, and having never seen a
queen I was anxious to see one, and acco,dingly I went to
the park, and placed myself near to thejsalace. After being
there for a few minutes, I saw her Maj%sty and Prince Albert
come out of the palace, but not obtaoing a good view, I ran
on to the Green Park, .turning roAnd by the angle to the
westward. I placed myself about 40 yards on the road
towards Hyde Park ; for I had never seen a queen before,
and therefore had a great desire to see her on her coming up.
I wonder there were not more people present. The prisoner
was standing near me. He had his hands folded across and
in his coat. As the carriage came within a few yards of
him, I saw him take his right arm from the left side of his
coat, and pulling out a pistol, he fired it. He held it as if
he was fighting a duel, or point blank. I thought it was an
act of rejoicing ; but, instantly afterwards, he drew a second
pistol out from his breast, he then crossed his arms and
stooped, as if he took aim, and then fired. The instant he
did so Prince Albert looked very flushed in his face, but the
Queen appeared to me not to change countenance, for she
leant forward and spoke to Prince Albert, and he then drove
off rapidly towards Hyde Park. I became alarmed, and not
knowing what was meant, ran away. On my reaching
Covent-garden I told a constable what I had seen,
_who took
me to his inspector, who came with me here. Mr. Pecks
afterwards said, " I had a very good view of the Queen, and
she appeared to me very interesting, and by no means
alarmed when the pistols were fired."

The prisoner, who appeared to be perfectly sane and in-
telligent, was asked by Mr. Superintendent May if he wished
to make any remark, observing that what he said would be
used as evidence against him.

The prisoner, who maintained a considerable degree of
sullenness, inquired if the Queen was injured.
Mr. Superintendent May (to Mr. Pecks)—What did you
feel at the moment the pistols were fired?
Mr. Pecks.—l felt stunned and stupified, for I could not
believe that her Majesty's life was attempted.
The pistols were here produced ; they are rather larger
than those in use by the police, but evidently of Birmingham
manufacture, and made more for show than effect. Between
the pan and hammer a piece of rag had been placed, to pre-
vent the report being heard.
At a late hour last night we again visited the station-house,
when, owing to the courtesy of Mr. May and Inspector Par-
tridge, we ascertained that the assassin is a native of Bir-
mingham, which place he left when only nine years of age;
that he had left his last place during the last month. They
at length ascertained his residence, which was at 6, West-
street, West-square. On searching his room they found a
sword and a black crape cap made to fit the face, besides a
list of names, which may lead to most important results.
`On his person were found half-a-crown, a knife, and a key.
There was also found at his lodging a ball and powder-flask,
the bullet fitting the pistols. From the time of the horrid
attempt until 11 o'clock, about twenty of the police were en-
gaged in sifting the earth befcll-e the wall against which the
bullet is supposed to have rebounded ; but at the above hour
no bullet was found. On the return of the royal party to the
palace, they were accompanied by a numerous train of car-
riages of the nobility, the flush of Prince Albert's face hav-
ing given way to a deadly paleness. During the whole of the
night repeated messages came from the House of Commons,
to ascertain if the assassin had made any statements. He,
however, remained silent, with the exception of inquiring
whether he had shot the Queen ; this question he put several
times during the course of the night.