The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-11-08

When this outside wrapper was taken off by Mr..
BENEFITS hands, it disclosed small pasteboard
box resembling those used by shirt dealers for put
ting up collars. The print with which the top of the
box was ornamentsd, appeared to be the represcn-
ta.ion of scene in ale house in one of the Eng
lish seaports. Six figures enjoying themselves
in the tap room with long pipes and tanklrds of
ale, too of them wear three cornered hats, and
seem to be invalid tars-one of them having
bandage over his eye. The scene is lively one; but
its title being somewhat cut away, we can only
make out what looks like ''The Weber, (wsaver)
or Golden Dream" On the side of the box was
affixed, by means of red sealing wax, strip of
foolscap paper, on which printed, in the same
handwriting, but in red ink, these words
SPECIMENS AND PRIVATE DOCUMENTS
FROM THE INTERIOR OF HAVANA
FOR MR. BENNETT (oNLY)
SHOULD HE DE OUT OF TOWN KEEP
FOR HIM ISLAND OF CUBA sEPR 1852
Mr.. Bennett considered there wa. something
queer and extraordinary in this affair, but, never
theless, he made one or two attempts to take
the lid off the box not succeeding, he gave
it to Mr. Hudson, who, with his penknife, made
an incision in the rim of the lid, when a SUBJ
stance fell out which appeared to be species of
black sand. Suspicion being thereby further
aroused, Mr.. Hudson took pinch of the sand and
threw it into the fire, when it exploded, and then
this suspicion to the nature of the box was
frmed. Il was, therefore, carefully locked up till
it might be better examined next morning.
Mr.. Baker, Of the HERALD Office, having lad it
placed in his hands for examination, took the pre-
caution of soaking it in water for few hours, and
them with two detective officers, explored its con
struction. They found that it was a most in.
geniously contrived torpedo, or internal machine,
and that it contained such quantity of powder
that it's explosion would ha been tain death to
all who might happen to be it. A circular
piece Of pine wood, half inch thick, was supported
by four light pegs fastened in the bottom of the box
and about the height of an inch and three quarters
overit About three quarters Of inch above this
piece Of wood was another similar one, but some THAT
less in circumference This was fastened to the bot
tom Of the box by two pieces of strong cord running
through holes in the lower WOOD and was supported
by bunch of decorating matches, resting ON
groove in the upper surface Of the lower Wheel and
forming sort of column in the centre. This groove
YVES covered with sandpaper, and the lid of the box
was fastened to the upper piece of wood 50 that in
attempting to off the csver the friction should
ignite the matches. This being all so ingcniously
constructed, the box was filed with line ride pow.
der by means Of hole made in the centre of the
bottom the powder passing through holes and inches
cut in the lower piece Of wood until the box en-
tirely filled with it. About dozen hard paper pei
lets were found among the powder, which were de.
signed have to acted as bullets. Then the hole was
covered with circular piece of tin, an entirely con-
cealed and secured by quantity of black sealing
~
it most diabolically constructed affair and had
it exploded in Dir. Benefits hands, would have
not only killed him. but Mr. Hudson and probab
another gentleman then in the office. But in.tead
Of twisting round the cover as designed, Mr. Ben.
nett endeavored to pull it up and thus raised the
matches of the sand paper. The escape, however,
was most miraculous and providential one
We have gone thus minutey into the description
CT this internal machine from the idea that probaby
something in what we have said may lead to clue
by which il could be traced to its dastardy inven
tors We also subjoin the afidavits of the cabman,
Who after delivering the parcel drove his passenger
to Fulton ferry, aud who describes pretty minuely,
the personal appearance Of the wretch Of the ferry
master, who remarked and also describes him: of
the clerks in the office; and Of Mr.. Hudson, Mr.
Baker, and the officers, Bowyer and Leonard. The
following are the documents -
Cry COUNTY OF NEW YORK. s.
Patrick Joyce being duly according TO law says-
He resides at No 81 Mulberry street IL grey
horses Of hackney coach No 2S2 WIFI sh he drives for
livelihood Deponen further says that Moaday evening
the 6b day Of October 1862 deponent standing
bis hack the Park stand, between Park place and
Barclay street trimming his lamps between the OF
6tnd clock he azores aid evening" deponent
believes Il must have been all Of half past eight
man stranger TO deponent up TO the coach and
gked Opponent what he would charge TO drive him to
iuiton Ferry words to that effect Deponent replied
nan dollar. The replied he would 20 Ia tho
steee Deponent then said I'll take you for three sh
mas and opened the door Of his coach The man then
~. int9 me coach and after closing the door the
asked deponen the HrRAIp office was not on his y.v
Dponen' sao was lie then told deponent to stop a.
spe hthAlp once as he went along Deponcnt then
aIoYe aong broadway and down Fulton street TO thu
nILp once corner OF Fulton and Nassau streets De.
ponent stopped as directed at the cRap Office left his
seat ana was IN the act Of opening door OF the coach
wren the man inside handed package wrapped I'm
In naIfr Nllcb % deponfnL Lrlt III. rn,nI -