The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1840-06-16 00:00:00

THE BULLET FOUND.

At about half-past five two poor boys, one of whom is
named James Jennings, found one of the bullets fired at her
Majesty. It was buried in the ground directly under the
wall, which was marked by it. On finding it, the boy put it
in his pocket, and was about to walk away with it, when he
was stopped by Mr. Manning, of 15, Great Portland-street,
Cavendish-square, who was standing near at the time, and
brought to the Palace. The bullet is flattened on one of its
sides, and is marked with red streaks, as though it had struck
against a brick. It is in possession of the inspector, at the
Palace, who also took charge of the boys.

Edward Oxford is the son of a jeweller; his fa'her has
been dead about eight years, and his mother subsequently
kept a coffee-shop in the Waterloo-road, opposite the York
Hotel, which she left about three years since. Oxford has
received a very decent education, and has, up to the time of
this occurrence, borne the character of a respectable, sober,
honest, decent lad. He has never at any time exhibited the
least traces of insanity, but on Monday evening those who
had known him before thought he appeared more thoughtful
and reserved than usual. When his mother left the coffee-
shop in the Waterloo-road, he went to reside with his aunt,
who keeps a tavern at Hounslow, in the capacity of pot-boy.
He has subsequently lived as barman at two different public-
houses in London, and his employers all give him an excel-
lent character. His mother is at present at Birmingham, of
which place the prisoner is a native. She left London about
three weeks since. The prisoner has latterly been out of
place, and has been by no means well provided with money.
It is therefore exceedingly improbable that he purchased the
pistols from his own resources. It seems to be the opinion
of all those who are acquainted with Oxford that he is a mere
tool in the hands of some designing villain. He is a member
of the Church of England, but has never exhibited any symp-
toms of religious enthusiasm.

ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.
(From the TimeB of Friday.)
When her Majesty returned to the palace with her royal
Consort on Wednesday evening, after the traitorous and abo-
minable attempt upon their lives, we understand that she was
so overcome by her feelings, which up to that time had sus-
tained her courage and resolution in a surprising degree,
that on reaching her private apartment she burst into a flood
of tears, which relieved her Majesty so much that she rallied
immediately after, and expressed her determination to join
the dinner party, which she did, and appeared perfectly
recovered from the effects of her recent alarm.

After the prisoner was taken into custody and conveyed to
the station-house in Gardener's-lane, Westminster, he ap-
peared very anxious to ascertain how the Queen and the
Prince sustained the attack he had made upon them, and on
being told that neither appeared at all alarmed, the fellow,
with great coolness, observed, " Oh, I know to the con-
trary ; for when 1 fired the first pistol, Albert was about to
jump from the carriage and put his foot out, but when he
saw me present the second pistol, he immediately drew back.
He then observed, and appeared to relish the joke, that it
was funny to see so many persons seize each other after the
shots were fired, adding—" None of them knew it was I
that did it until I declared that I was the man, upon which
two of them seized me by the collar, two more kept pulling
at the skirts of my coat, and one of them grabbed me be-
hind, which was quite unnecessary, as I had no intention to
run away."
Yesterday morning, when the prisoner was conveyed to
the horne-office, he was placed in a room adjoining that in

whleit Mr, Hail, the nikitotrate, was engeged in taking the
depositions of the witnesses in the ease i erd during title
time ho paced up and dawn the room with self.possesslon.
and an air of consequence and satisfaction, as if he felt
pleased to find himself an object of so much interest.
The Marquis of Normanbv, Mr. Fox Manic, and other
persons connected with the Government were in attendance
yesterday in the room while the witnesses were under exa-
mination. A respectable publican, residing in the neighbour-
hood of Gracechurch-street, came to the 1-tome-office in the

course of the day, and stated that the prisoner was his ne-
phew, and that he was anxious to provide him with profes-
sional assistance. Air. Hobler, the solicitor, was applied to

in order to undertake his defence, but he declined dOing so,

on the ground that he was alrea.dy engaged by the govern-
ment to prosecute in the cases of Gould and Courvoisier,
and that he could not, therefore, consistently with those en-
gagements, defend the prisoner, who had therefore no legal
adviser when brought before the Privy Council.
As every circumstance connected with the late eventful
and atrocious attempt to assassinate our beloved Queen and
her illustrious consort, Prince Albert, will be perused with
the most intense interest by all classes of the community, we

have endeavoured to obtain the most correct information

possible relative to the life of the intended regicide and the
history of his occupation during the last few years, giving

also the opinions of those who were enabled to come to a
right conclusion with regard to his disposition and character,
from a close and intimate acquaintance with him.
Within the last three years he has been in several situa-
tions. When he left Birmingham, about three years since,
he went to reside with his aunt, Mrs. Powell, who then kept
the King's Head at Hounslow. There he was considered a
very forward boy. From Hounslow he came to London, and
entered the service of Mr. Minton, licensed victualler, and
then proprietor of the Shepherd and flock, High-street,nearly
facing the Police-court, Marylebone, in which house he re-
mained, with some interm►ssion, about a year and a half.
His situation was that of barman ; a young man named Wm.
Hazelwood was also there in the same capacity, but they could

not agree, and the quarrels which frequently took place be-
tween them often assumed a very serious character. Hazel-
wood states, that on more than one occasion Oxford
(the intended regicide) threatened to stab him, and was
once about to put his threat into execution ; they were
both in the kitchen when some words arose between them,
and in the heat of passion Oxford ran towards him with a
knife. Hazelwood, in a very resolute manner, seized hold of
the arm of his assailant, when he succeeded in wresting the
weapon from him, and knocked him down. Much
existed between them, and eventually Mr. Minton, who, how-
ever, is stated to have been partial to Oxford, discharged
him. Subsequently he was in great distress, and was occa-
sionally employed by Mr. Minton ; and Hazelwood leaving
Mr. Minton's service, Oxford was reinstated in his former
situation, and continued therein many months, to the entire
satisfaction of the landlord. Many persons who were in the
frequent habit of being served by him have described him to
be of a sullen temper, and very reserved in his actions. He -
afterwards lived as barman at a public-house at the corner of
Wilderness-row, Goswell-street, St. Luke's, where he con-
tinned between four and five months. Firm that situation
he was engaged by Mr. Robinson, proprietor of the Hog-in-
the-Pound, South Moulton-street, Oxford-street, to which
he was recommended by a gentleman who felt an interest in
his welfare, and who had watched his conduct for several
years. That gentleman states that he has seen many lads
who have been employed by licensed victuallers, and he felt
the utmost confidence in saying that lie never knew one who
behaved himself more correctly and properly. Our informant
saw the gentleman alluded to at Mr. Robinson's, and he
stated that.he was quite convinced that Oxford could not pos-
sibly have conceived the idea of forming a design to take away
the lives of Her Majesty and Prince Albert, and that he must
have been urged to it by some other party. He was not a
lad fond of reading books of romance, nor did he ever exhibit
any symptoms of a disposition to enthusiasm upon any sub-
ject. He seldom talked upon the general topics of the day,
nor ever entered into conversation upon politics. On the
day he left Mr. Robinson's he called at the Shepherd and
Flock, and saw the present barman, George Jay, to whom he
mentioned that he had left Mr. Robinson, and had obtained
an excellent situation in a merchant's house in the city, at
the same time remarking, that before he entered upon his
duties he should take a trip for a few days into the country.
Last Sunday fortnight he called on Mr. Hobbs, the present
proprietor of the Shepherd and Flock ; he had a young man
with him, and they were both very respectably dressed. Oil
Saturday last he called at the White Horse, Knightsbridge,
to see a young woman who had been nurserymaid at Mr.
Minton's, at the period of his tieing barman, and asked her
to come and see him at the Hog-in-the-Pound, observing
that he was still there and likely to remain, which was the
very reverse of the fact, he having quitted the public-house
in question on the Ist ult.
In addition to the above, an intelligent correspondent re-
siding in the neighbourhood where the prisoner lodged has
furnished us with the following additional particulars re-
specting him :
The house in which the prisoner Oxford resided is No. 6,
Little West-place, West-square, Southwark, in the occupa-
tion of Mrs. Packman (not West-street, as stated in the ac-
count of yesterday.) His mother and sister had occupied
apartments there for the last five months, and are still in pos-
session of them. When the prisoner left his last situation,
about five weeks since, he went to live with his mother and
sister, until he could obtain another situation. Though habi-
tuated to move in a very humble sphere of life, he was of a
very haughty disposition, and thought it too great a con-
descension to speak to, or in any way notice, his most inti-
mate acquaintance. Indeed, his manners were so reserved,
as to give offence to those who were in the habit of seeing
him daily. When be first came to live with his mother and
sister, it was observed that he had a pistol in his possession,
but little notice was taken of this, as it was not supposed by
any one that he meditated harm. About a month since,
when the housekeeper of Mrs. Packman opened the door, she
observed the stock of a pistol projecting from his pocket, and
observed to his mother and sister that it was very extraordi-
nary that he should require the use of two pistols. It was ex-
plained to her, that a gentleman of the name of Spring (as
she understood) had called on Oxford, and had promised to
engage him at Is. sd. a-day when he had learned to fire.
The prisoner had been in the habit of leaving his lodging at
about half-past 4 o'clock in the afternoon, and returning,
early in the evening. On Wednesday last, the day of the at-
tempted assassination, he left at the same hour, and an unu-
sual wildness was observed in his countenance. lie had been
for the last week practising pistol-shooting from his bed-
room window, much to the:annoyance and alarm of sonic of
the inhabitants. He had, since he went to lodge with his
mother and sister, shut himself up for a whole week in his
bed-room, and only left it when he required his meals, which
he took with his mother and sister: His mother left town a
short time since for Birmingham, where she now is, and his
sister had the melancholy duty of despatching a letter yester-
day morning, apprising her of the situation in which her
wretched son had placed himself. The prisoner is repre-
sented to have been subject to violent paroxysms of rage, and
upon the most trifling offence given to him by his sister,
would throw anything at her which came in his way.
During the night of Wednesday, and from an early hour
yesterday morning, the avenues leading to the station-house
of the A division, in Gardener's-lane, were crowded with
persons anxious to obtain a view of the prisoner, whose de-
meanour when the charge was entered against him on the
police-sheet exhibited a strange mixture of levity and indif-
ference. He laughed repeatedly, and joked with the con-
stables with reference to his situation, as if he was locked up
for a mere " lark" or street squabble. He occasionally,
however, indulged in some expressions which would tend to
prove that he had imbibed republican notions, and on one
occasion he observed that he did not think it right that a
country like England should be governed by a woman.
We understand that it was stated in evidence before the
Privy Council, that the last time the prisoner was seen at
the house of Mr. Robinson, his late master, was on Monday
week, when he came into the parlour and entered into con-
versation with some customers with whom he was acquainted.
During the conversation he said he had been pistol-shooting
-ii a shooting-gallery.

(From the Times. of Saturday.)
The intense interest excited in the public mind by the late
attempted assassination of Her Majesty and Prince Albert
has been much increased by the private manner in which the
examination has been conducted and the refusal to afford to
the public authentic information on the subject, and yester-
day the crowd of respectable persons congregated near the
scene of the base attempt was, If any thing, more numerous
than on the previous day. At an early hour in the morning
police constable Brown, 85 A., the officer who first took
Edward Oxford into custody, was for some time engagehd
with others in most carefully examining the surface of te
ground in that portion of the Royal gardens towards which
the shots were directed, in the hope of finding some trace 011
their progress ; but we understand, that although the trees!
and even the leaves, have been most minutely examined, no
appearance of such being the case was discovered. It lies
been before stated, that on Thursday evening two boys picket'
up a leaden bullet among the gravel on Constitution-hill'
which is now in the possession of the police, but it is beyond
doubt it has no relation to the atrocious attempt, being W°
large to fit the piitols, and must consequently have been
dropped near the spot by design or accident. During the
forenoon numerous members of the aristocracy and gentry'
called and entered their names on the visitors' hook at the
Palace. About 12 o'clock Messrs. Evans and Wheeltou, the
sheriffs of London, accompanied by the Remembrancer and
other civic officers, arrived at the Palace in four carriages,
for the purpose of ascertaining on what day Her Majesty and
Prince Albert would be pleased to receive the addresses of
congratulation on their most providential escape voted by the,
Courts of Aldermen and Common Council of the city of
London, and soon after their departure the assemblage 01
persons in the park began rapidly to increase, it having been
announced that at 2 o'clock the Queen would hold a court fur
the•purpose of receiving the congratulatory address of both
Houses of Parliament. • A few minutes after one o'clock a
body of police, consisting of three insPtctors, three ser-
geants, and forty constables of the A division, were
stationed in front of the Palace for the purpose of keeping
back the crowd, which by that time amounted to 3,000 or
4,000 respectably dressed persons. At twenty minutes past
one o'clock a guard of honour, consisting of a detachment of
the Grenadier Guards, preceded by their splendid band in
state dresses, marched into the entrance court, over the
marble gateway of which the Royal Standard of England
proudly floated in the breeze. About that time the Cabinet
ministers and officers of state commenced arriving in raPtd
succession, the carriages entering by the south gate, and
leaving by the north ; and at precisely two o'clock the state
carriage of the Speaker of the House of Commons, follow'
by a long continued train of carriages of the hon. members'
entered the court. Never on any previous occasion in ntl,
recollection has such a splendid and brilliant array of td,
Commons of England attended the presentation of an s
dress to the throne; and some idea may be forined of tllO9
extent of the cavalcade when we state that it consisted of I
carriages, &c., and occupied 27 minutes in setting the niernci
hers down. The carriages of the Commons having cleave
out of the court, the lords' procession entered the gates'
the carriages of the barons preceding the others. About the
centre of the cavalcade were eight of the bishops, the carrii
age of the Bishop of Winchester being the first, and that °
the Bishop of London the last. After them came the earls,
then the marquises, and lastly the dukes ; their Royal Hig
nesses the Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex being the hinder-
most, the Lord Chancellor in his state carriage bringing UP
the rear. There were 81 carriages in the Lords' procession!
which took 25 minutes in setting down. The Coo:11n!
were, in their progress through the park allowed to paS
without any notice from the numerous spectators, but on,tni`t
approach of that of the peers every eye was turned towarus
in search of " the Dukew," who throughout the
ress of the cavalcade as most loudly a
and enthusia ostic!tY
cheered. The Dukes of Cambridge and Sussex werealso
received with demonstrations of respect and attachn!eith
nin,l,
particularly the former. While the company was alig7.i
the grand terrace in front of the Palace was crowded $
distinguished individuals in full military costume. 111%,.
quarter past three o'clock the court broke up. On leaav47o
the Duke of Wellington walked across the lawn with n,_,t
step, and entered his carriage at the gate. Among thie ty,
that left the Palace was Viscount Melbourne, who lin bv
ately on his carriage issuing from the gate was received
the assemblage with a round of hisses " loud and deeqvio
Lord Holland and Lord J. Russell, who followed in th
next carriages, had a similar reception, while Sir R•, of
whose carriage closely followed, was cheered until or_
sight.
Her Majesty and her illustrious consort did not
take
accustomed drive last evening. who appears
Mrs. Oxford, the mother of the prisone 1.,
cr
husband, ateri,
oo- road
dreadfully affected, kept a coffee-shop in th usband, who
about three years since. She states that
herccasions during
has been dead twelve years, had on several
and also that
his lifetime exhibited symptoms of insanity their
she has at times herself laboured under nervous
be extraordinary
and she argues that it cannot, thereto re,
delusions ;
that her son's mind should be also affected. She declares

bar belief that frdball6 were in the pistols when discharged,
and that the vole was a mere boyish frolic, She also stated
that her son brought the pistols home only a few weeks ago,
and dreadfully frightened her by holding one of them to her
head ; and that some nights since he was locked out, and on
being afterwards admitted exhibited great irritability of tem-
per, and a remarkable strangeness was observed in his man-
ner. In addition, she likewise stated that he once cut up
the sheets and blankets of his bed into shreds, and at ano-
ther time rode into the parlour on horseback.
It has not yet been stated that among the articles found at
the prisoner's lodging was a mould for casting bullets, which
is nearly new. It has also been ascertained that Oxford a
few days since purchased twelve bullets at Green's Shooting-
gallery in Leicester-square, which he has for the last four or
five weeks been in the habit of frequenting. When there,
however, he has, we understand, not been at all noticed by
the other frequenters, and at each visit he only spent Is.,—
viz., six shots, three with pistols and three with a rifle, at
the latter of which he is most proficient.
Since Oxford's incarceration in Newgate a decided altera-
tion has been noticed in his conduct. He has become low,
and his spirits much depressed, and more than once has been
found in tears, although he occasionally exhibits a degree of
levity unsuited to the serious offence with which he is
charged. The governor and chaplain are indefatigable in
their attentions to him ; and we understand that in the
course of some serious conversation with them he has stated
that he felt his own life was gone, but that he cared little
about it, only he feared he had also sacrificed that of his
mother.

Up to a late hour last night the officers engaged in the case
were actively employed in endeavouring to ascertain the
meaning of the list of names found in the prisoner's room,
and also the place of meeting of the society of which the
rules have been discovered, but, we believe, with no satisfac-
tory result. The rules are stated to be twelve in number,
and to be writi:en in a neat hand on two sheets of foolscap
paper.
His Grace the Duke of Wellington, who looked remark-
ably well, upon his return along Constitution-hill yesterday,
after leaving the palace, stopped his carriage and • minutely
examined the wall, to ascertain where the ball struck, and
inquired with great interest the exact spot and position of
the assassin, which were pointed out to his grace by a veteran
officer, who happened to be present at the time. The noble
duke upon leaving the spot was loudly cheered by the assem-
bled multitude, which he acknowledged by frequently bowing
to them. Several other peers who had accompanied the duke
to present the address from the House of Lords also in-
spected the spot.
ADDITIONAL PARTICULARS.

On Thursday night the mother of the prisoner, who arrived
by the train from Birmingham in the course of the afternoon,
applied at the station-house, Gardiner's-lane, for the purpose
of obtaining an interview with her guilty and misguided son,
she having learned the serious nature of the crime with which
he stands charged. She was informed by the inspector on
duty that her son had been committed to Newgate that even-
ing by the Secretary of State for high treason, and that if
she wished to see him thei4, she must apply at the home-
office for an order to that effect. She appeared, as might
well be expected, in a very distressed state of mind, but
seemed impressed with the notion that he must have been
induced to commit the dreadful act through the instigation
of more designing persons than himself. She declared that
he had always acted towards her in a dutiful manner, but
admitted that he occasionally exhibited proofs of a sullen and
dogged disposition. She then expressed her determination
to apply on the following morning for the necessary
order to see her son in Newgate, adding that she was sure,
if she could obtain a private interview with him, she had so
much reliance upon her influence over him as to induce him
to confess who his accomplices were, and the motive which
induced them to put him forward as the agent for the com-
mission of the traitorous and bloodthirsty dsign. She then
left the station-horse, and renewed her application yesterday
both to the authorities at the Home office and the Commis-
sioners of Police for the order of admission to Newgate,
which she procured towards the close of the day, and arrived
at the prison at about six o'clock yesterday evening. The
governor of Newgate, however, was not at the prison when
she called ; and as the order was worded in the usual man-
ner, namely, that the applicant might be admitted to see the
prisdner at the hours prescribed by the visiting magistrates,
and according to the ordinary regulations of the prison, the
turnkey on duty informed Mrs. Oxford that it was then too
late to see her son, but that she might bring the order in
the morning, and be then admitted.
The following is a copy of the commitment of the prisoner
under the hand and seal of the Home Secretary of State :

" The Right Hon. Henry Constantine, Marquis of Nor-
manby, one of her Majesty's Most lion. Privy Council, and
Principal Secretary of State for the Home Department, &c.
" These are, in her Majesty's name, to authorise and re-
quire you to receive the body of Edward Oxford, sent you
for high treason, and you are to keep him sate and close
until he shall be delivered by due course of law, and for so
doing this shall be your warrant.
" Given under my hand and seal at Whitehall this 11th
day of June, in the year of our Lord 1810.
" NORMANBY.

" To the Keeper of her Majesty's Gaol of Newgate."
It is generally supposed that the prisoner will not undergo
any further examination at the Home-office, from the fact
that when persons are finally committed for trial by the
magistrates they are always sent direct to Newgatc, and this
rule would hold good in ordinary cases of felony ; and we
be'ieve that the Governor of Newgate would not in general
feel himself justified in parting with the custody of a prisoner
once committed to his charge without a habeas corpus. In
charges of high treason, however, the case is different, as the
Governor would be bound to deliver up a prisoner so charged
at any time that the Secretary of State might think fit to
order his removal for the purpose of being re-examined before
his trial, so that it is not at all improbable that Oxford may
be again examined at the Home-office, should any fresh facts
arise to warrant that step being taken.
The Privy Council assembled at two o'clock, when the ex-
amination of the above witnesses commenced, and was not
concluded until half-past four. The witnesses were in wait-
ing in a private room adjoining the Council-chamber, and
were examined separately, and after being strictly charged
not to communicate with any person, were ordered to with-
draw, in order that one might not hear the testimony of the
other. After the whole of the evidence had been taken, the
witnesses were then separately introduced to the Council,
and bound over in their own recognizances in £2OO by the
Marquis of Nor►nanby to appear and give evidence against
the prisoner on his trial for high treason at the Old Bailey.
It is, however, expected that the Privy Council will be again.
summoned at the beginning of the week, in order that the
prisoner may undergo another examination previous to his
trial, as it is very probable other very important evidence will
transpire.

(From Me Morning Herald of Yesterday.)
Since the apprehension of Oxford, every means have been
tried for the purpose of ascertaining when or from whom it
was likely he had procured the powdr and bullets with which
the pistols were loaded, which he fired at the Queen and
Prince Albert on the day of the attempted assassination.
Within the last twenty-four hours a discovery has been made
which is likely to lead to some important information with
respect to the prisoner and as to the parties from whom he
purchased the powder and balls. About a week ago, Oxford
entered the shop of Mr.. William Gray, an oil and colourman
in the Westminster-road, between five and six o'clock in the
afternoon. At that time Mr. Gray was not in the shop, but
his son, a young man of between 18 and 19 years of age, was
serving behind the counter, and the moment Oxford entered,
he immediately recognised him as having been a schoolfellow
of his, between five and six years ago, both of them being
under the tuition of Mr. Robinson, who kept a school near
the Marsh-gate in the Westminster-road. John Gray (the
young man's name,) however, did not at first pretend to
know Oxford, when the latter, on advancing to the counter,
said, in a tone of surprise, " What, don't you know me,
your old schoolfellow ?" Gray then said that he recollected
him, upon which Oxford said that he had just come up from
Birmingham, and producing a pistol, said that he wanted to
purchase some powder and balls for it. Mr. Gray, in reply,
said that they sold powder but not bullets, and exhibited a
canister of powder, which Oxford, on seeing, said contained
more than he required. Oxford then inquired if they had
any percussion caps which were adapted for the pistol
which he had previously produced, and the answer
being in the affirmative, the article he required was
exhibited, and he tried the percussion caps and pur-
chased half a hundred of them. While he was in the
shop, Mr. Gray particularly noticed the pistol he drew
from his pocket, and remarked that it appeared to be a
very good one; upon which Oxford said, " I have another
at home; but it is a much better one than the one I have
brought out with me." He then inquired of Mr. Gray where
he would recommend him to purchase powder and bullets,
adding that his reason for not buying the powder of him,
was in consequence of his not selling less than a canister, a
quantity that he did not want. Mr. Gray mentioned the
name of one or two persons in the Strand who sold articles
of this description in any quantity, and Oxford, having
thanked him, then quitted the shop. Mr. Gray, it appears,
although he heard of the atrocious attempt on the lives of the
Queen and Prince Albert on the day following that on which
it occurred, yet he was not made acquainted with the name
of the assassin until Friday evening, owing to his being so
much engaged in his business. When, however, he heard
the name of Oxford mentioned, together with a description
of his person, and that he was a native of Birmingham, it at
once occurred to him that it must be the person with whom
he went to school, and who produced a pistol in his shop, for
which he purchased half a hundred percussion-caps, under
the circumstances above detailed. Mr. Gray communicated
all the facts within his knowledge of what transpired be-
tween him and Oxford on the subject to a policeman who
happened to be pacing up and down the Westminster-road,
and yesterdajaafternoon a messenger was sent to require Mr.
Gray's attendance at the office of commissioners of police,
for the purpose of his giving a minute statement of all that
occurred on the above occasion, with a view that he might he
enabled to identify one of the pistols found in Oxford's pos-
session at the time of his apprehension on Constitution-hill,
as well as to give other testimony which will be likely to lead
to the discovery of the shop where the pistol and ball were
purchased.
Since the examination and committal of the prisoner Ox-
ford, on Thursday last, before the privy council, the deadly
weapons with which the assassin attempted the atrocious
act have remained in the custody of Mr. May, the super-
intendent, and one of the inspectors (Mr. Pearce) of the A
division, to whom they were given by the policeman who first
received them from the hands of Mr. Albert Low, the per-
son who secured the prisoner and wrenched the pistols from
him. Upon the breaking up of the council, strict orders
were given to the police that no person should be allowed to
inspect the pistols without first applying for and receiving an
order from the Homa-office. In the course of Friday and
yesterday great numbers of persons, many of distinction, ap-
plied to Mr. May, at the chief police station in Scotland-yard,
for permission to examine the pistols ; but in consequence of
the peremptory order issued by the council, they were in
every instance referred to the Home-office, and in many
cases obtained the required order. Amongst the number
were several individuals who had been recently robbed of pis-
tols similar to those described as having been taken from the
prisoner in the various accounts which have appeared in the
papers. About half-past four o'clock yesterday afternoon,
r. Lawson, a pawnbroker and salesman, residing at No. 258,
in the Blackfriars-road, having obtained the Horne-office or-
der through inspector Pearce, was allowed to see the pistols,
when he at once identified them as his property. Mr. Law-
son was then introduced to Mr. Mayne and Col. Rowan, the
commissioners of police, before whom he underwent along
and very strict examination as to the identification, and fully
satisfied the commissioners, from his having, previously to
his seeing the pistols, most accurately and minutely described
them, that they were the same as were stolen from his shop
door, where they were exposed for sale on Tuesday last, by
a young man, whom he had every reason to suppose was the
prisoner Oxford, from the description given of him in the
newspapers. Great interest is attached to this discovery,
from the fact of the pistols being so recently stolen as on
Tuesday last. The prisoner, it is presumed could not have
been in connection with other designing parties, as in that
• event there would have been no occasion for a robbery to be
committed in order to obtain the weapons with which the
lives of her majesty and her royal consort had been attempted.
Sergeant Otway was again despatched late on Friday night
to Birmingham, to prosecute further inquiries relative to the
connections of the prisoner, and to endeavour to ascertain
from whom the prisoner had obtained the pistols, as they
were proved to be of Birmingham manufacture. The latter
part of his mission, by the above discovery, is now however,
cleared up.
We have heard that the prisoner was practising pistol-
shooting at the shooting gallery in Waterloo-road until a late
hour on Tuesday (the evening before the attack on her Ma-
jesty), and that he was applauded for the excellence of his
shots, having more than once passed a ball through the eye
of the target.
We understand that the trial of Oxford will not take place

at the ensuing giUgiail of the Central Criminal Court, but
that a spacial commission will be appointed, and that Lord
Denman will try him, assisted by Lord Chief Justice Tindal,
and Lord Abinger. If the statute is to be complied with, it
would be impossible to try him next week, as ten days'
notice is to be given, with a list of the witnesses and jury;
consequently three weeks must elapse before the country at
large is put in full possession of the evidence which has been
adduced before the privy council and the home-office.
On Saturday the mother of Oxford was permitted to have
an interview with him. As may be anticipated, her feelings
were completely overcome when she was ushered into the
presence of the prisoner. He, however, evinced no great
emotion, nor did he express to her any regret at his situation.
During the morning several attempts were made to elicit
from him whether he had and confederates in the rash affair,
but he refused to communicate on the subject. Once, and
only once, he observed to a gedtleman, " Do you think they
will transport me for what I have done, if I render some in-
formation in the matter?" To this question a reply was
made, that in the present state of the case it would be im-
possible to say what course the law would take. Oxford was
then asked whether he was not aware of the very serious
nature of the crime for which he was committed ; happily his
intention bad been frustrated : but had his murderous aim
taken effect, the death of a sovereign would have been in-
volved. He was not effected by the remark, but coolly ob-
served, " Well, if the Queen had died, another person would
have been placed on the throne."
Yesterday he attended Divine service in the chapel, and
exhibited nothing particular in his demeanour ; but his youth-
ful appearance excited considerable interest. There were
several strangers present. Sir Peter Laurie, Alderman Car-
roll, the Sheriffs of London, and several riends, all privi-
leged persons, were among the number. Courvoisier was
also present, as well as Gould and Bailey : the two latter
appeared in irons. The service was read and the sermon
delivered in a most impressive manner, and at the conclusion
Oxford left the chapel apparently as much composed as if he
was leaving any place of worship at which he had been in the
habit of attending.
Courvoisier, Gould, and others also left the church as
usual, and during the service the two former were observed
to look towards frequently. and apparently closely scrutinise,
their fellow-prisoner Oxford.
A doubt is now beginning to be raised with many of the
public, as to whether the pistols were loaded with ball when
tired; and the balls not being found seems to strengthen that
doubt. Many experienced persons, who have examined the
wall in the Park, are of opinion that the marks which are
upon it are not those made by a bullet fired from a pistol,
and many persons express surprise that an experiment was
not made by firing a pistol at the wall, to ascertain whether
the marks would be similar.