The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser. — 1826-07-08 (London, England)

VAN DIEMEN'S LAND.  Hobart Town Papers, to the 17th of February, were received yesterday. The following account of the apprehension of Jeffries, the notorious bush-ranger, is the only interesting feat ure : " I shall now conclude the history of the monster Jeffries. A few days ago the wretch, with one companion, came up to a barkhut, where a party that was in pursuit of him, consisting of two soldiers, a stockman, and three volunteers (two of them currency lads), were resting themselves. Soon after one of the soldiers came upon Hopkins (an accomplice of Jeffries), and found him asleep and without arms ; he surrendered, and was brought in. " Yesterday morning a party of twelve men wene_ resting in a hut, when a man was observed by a black aboriginal native boy at a short distance, behind a gum tree. The alarm was given, and he was instantly surrounded ;it proved to be Jeffries. Ile begged for quarter, threw down his orals (is musket and pistol), and was taken prisoner. He was seized by a prisoner for life, named William Parsons, who will of course receive the promised rewards. Ile was brought into town about seven o'clock last night. It is quite impossible fur me to express in adequate terms, or to do common justice to the feelings that were shown by all descriptions of people, on the approach of the monster to the town. No one, I believe, ever witnessed such a scene. It clearly shows that Jeffries stand: alone. unequalled, unparalleled. among the human race. Men, women, and child en, free and prisoners. joined in their personal execrations against this monster. The town was literally gutted cf its inhabitants ; there must have been upwards of 500 persons crowding round the cart that brought this inhuman wretch to the gaol. Their shouting reached the remotest parts of the town. It was with the greatest difficulty imagirable the people were prevented from tearing him to pieces. Prisoners of all descriptions joined in the execrations expressed by others. " I Mould tell you, that when Hopkins was escorted through the streets on Saturday, Mrs. Feutril, the grandmother of the murdered infant, mistook • constable that was with him for Jeffries, arid rushing from her house in a paroxysm of rage, stabbed him with. fork; but, fortunately for her. he was only slightly wounded. " Since Jeffries hes beessaket. hr hasAmeity confessed ail the murders laid to his charge, with many horribly aggravating circumstances ; the worst of which Is (with the exception of the in. fanticide) that being rather pressed for food, lots were cast which of his two companions should die ; it fell on Russell, but as the man was armed, he could not effect his purpose until the poor wretch fell asleep from fatigue, when he was murdered, and his flesh served the survivors for food for a few days, until they stole a sheep. On being asked what he then did with the remainder of R.'s corpse, he replied that it was cut into steaks, and fried with the mutton. " The list of the monster's murders stands thus :—lst. TM's man. 2d. The infant. 3d. Mr. Sutherland's man. 4th. One of his companions. sth. Baker. a constable. Gth. Russell. 7th. Wounded Tibbs. Bth. Wounded • soldier. All within twenty. one days I! " There were several prisoners for life at the apprehension of Jeffries, and it is hoped that those who were instrumental in taking him will receive a pardon, as an inducement to others to venture their lives in bringing such inhuman wretches to condign punishment. • " The Judges kft this a few hours only before this monster was brought in. It is to be Wiped that he will not remain here for a year before he is disposed of. He is a man of immense strength. " Jefferies declares theonly thing he is sorry for is trurdenitg the infant."  -