The Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle. — 1865-08-12 (Stourbridge, West Midlands, England)

THE TALE OF A PARDONED CONVICT.  At Norwich Assizes Cornelius Bradnam has been charged with being at large without lawful excuse before the expiration of his term of transportation. From the statement of the counsel for the prosecution it appeared that the prisoner had been sentenced to transportation or life in the year 1847 for a burglary committed at Mendham, in Norfolk, and at the close of the case the following curious statement, made by the prisoner when before the magistrates on the present charge, wa. read in court : I was transported from here, and went from here to Mill. bank, and from Millbank to Portsmouth dockyard, from Portsmouth to Gibraltar. After I had been about four years in Gibraltar I worked ill the Windmill-hill New Works. I heard four prisoners agree to take the lives of two officers. Three of these men I knew—Conolly, Smith, WO Clarke. I don't remember the other's name. I told the gangsman of it. Ile took me to Mr. Struguall, the quartermaster, and told Min their intentions, anti he bad a tile of soldiers to take them to the Governor. When I went in the evening the Governor called Inc before him and I gave him the Information, slut when they were tried, Wilk!' was OM the Kock, I went and gave evidence against them. I believe two were sent back and two were lagged. About two months after that the Governor called me on deck. I was on board a hulk called the Et, rya la, Governor Armstrong told me that in consequence of my good conduct towards the two officers my sentence was mitigated to lb years. About one or two years after that I was sent to Western Australia, Swan River. When I landed there I went to the Governor's office,—Governor Kennedy. Ile gave me my ticket of leave when I arrived there. I served my ticket ot leave several years, when I was called into Banbury Courthouse, I was onlerol by Mr. Elliott to give up my ticket of leave to him, and I received from him my free pardon, which was sent up from Fremantle. I left the colony and went to Callao, In Pent. I got a place of work there on shore. One evening when standing on shore I was taken by sonic fellows and put on board an American ship, the Swallow. I told the captain when I got on board that I was no sailor, and that my clothes and everything were on shore. Ile said I must obey his orders; lie had paid to dollars for my head. I was brutally used, and crippled on my passage. We put in at Hamburg. I was carried out of the vessel, and put in the hospital. When I got in bed I wrote a letter to the British Consul. I stated to him how I wax put on board that chip, and brutally used on my passage. t told him that my bed PIO my chest of clothes were at Callao at my master's, Mr. O'Connor, I think I told him and I stated in the letter that I was thrown into the hold of the ship and broke my leg, and asked him to obtain justice against the captain and mate of the ship The English Con. nut told me that he could not do that, unless he put the nation to a great expense. On the voyage there was a man murdered on board that ship, and the mate was sent to New York ant hung for it. The English Consul told me it wee best for me to leave the matter to him, and after I eon!" removed from the hospital he sent me home and pal,. my fare In a steamer. I came to England. My pardon was in my chest, and was left with my things at Callao.  _ The prisoner also informed the Court that a letter was written by him to the authorities at Western Australia, but there has not been time to receive an answer. As this statement was part of the case for the prosecution, his Lordship told the jury that it was evidence for the prisoner, on which, if uncontradicted by the prosecution, they might act accordingly; ant the jury acquitted him.