The New York herald., 1868-04-22
The Murder Trials at the Old Bailey and
Anti-Fenian Testimony.
Reports from General Napier
in Abyssinia.
The Elections in the South
ern States.
ENGLAND.

Great Alarm in Buckingham Pulace-Feninn
Attempt to Fire the Royal Mansion.
LONDON, April 22-2 A. M.
An alarming report has just been received at the
newspaper offices in this city.
1t is said that two men, supposed to be Fenians
were arrested at late hour tonight near the ser.
wants door of Buckingham Palace. They were carry
ing a hamper which, ON being opened was found to
contain a gallon of liquid phosphorus, or "Greek
hre.n
The parties made desperate resistance, and were
with difficulty secured.
A third person, who was in company with those
bearing the basket, fed as soon as the latter were
seized and escaped all pursuit.
Parliament in SessiOn-Criminal Punishments
Law.
LONDON April N-Mldnight
In the House OF Commons tonight bill requiring
all executions of criminals by hanging to be con-
Quoted in private was considered in Committee Of
the Whole.
Mr.. Charles Gilpin, member for the borough Of
Northampton moved an amendment aboiishng cap.
ital punishment.
Mr.. Gregory and Mr.. Mill opposed the motion.
amendment, said he was sorry to place himself in
opposition to those who desired to modify
criminal law but by their efforts the application
OF the death penalty confined to cases of
murder At this point he thought they should stop,
and allow the punishment OF death to remain as the
penalty for the commission of the highest crime
known to the law. He deprecated the change which
was proposed from capital punishment to imprison-
ment for life; the latter punishment he declared was
torture OF the most fearful character.
The amendment moved by Mr.. Gilpn was lost,
and the original bill was agreed to by the committee.
The Feninn Murder Trials-ImpOrtant Testi-
mOny.
LONDON, April 21-Evening.
The trial OF the Fenan prisoners charged with
causing the Clerkenwe explosion was resumed at
ten O'Clock this morning.
Mullaney, the iniormer entered the witness box
and was cross-eXamined by the counsel for the de-
fence.
lie testified that he had acted q Fenian centre;
boarded with Murphy and met at his house W. Des-
mond ono OF the prisoners at the bar; meetings OF
the conspirators held at Murphy's house tho
2d ard 18th OF December, at which he was present;
he was asked on both occasions by English and the
two Desmonds to go TO the explosion.
The Judge, interrupting questioned the witness as
follows:-was the word explosion used
Wness-I don't know.
Judge-You must answer yes or no.
Wtness-No
Witness on further examination stated that
he had resolved TO turn informer because he feared
English would offer himself as Queens evidence, the
latter having threatened 20 do
The cross-eXamination OF this witness was very
long and protracted
Vaughn, the other informer was then called by the
counsel for the Crown, and was examined by the
Solicitor General. lie testified that he joined
the Fenian organization in 1866; that he
sworn into the order by 4. Desmond, one OF the
prisoners on trial; saw the same Desmond about
noon ON the day Of the explosion, when Desmond in
formed him OF the plot for the release Of Burke by
blowing up the prison wall. Witness swore posi-
lively that the prisoners Barrett English and the
two Desmonds were engaged In the conspiracy.
on cross-examinatiOn witness said he was a tailor
| by trade had been In the army would not say
whether he was a deserter; acknowledged that he
was given to drink and might have been out of his
mind at times contrsdicted his direct testimony by
stating that he had been into the Fenian
order stated that his support had been provided for
by the police authorities since his offer to give esti-
| mony, and that he expected to get the reward
offered for revealing the conspiracy.
| clerk and a carnan in the employ OF the Messrs
| Deaois powder dealers, were severally sworn and
| testified to the sale aud delivery OF the powder to
| one Of the conspirators.
The court then adjourned until tomorrow morning.