The Sun. — 1857-07-09 (London, England)

SOUTHWARK.—Anthone de Salvi, an Italian, residing at 7, Little James-street, Pall-mall, described on the charge sheet as a merchant, and Jabez Samuel Gower, auctioneer, of 26, Barbican, were charged, the former with stabbing Mr. Robt. H. Robertson, with intent to murder him, in the Queen's Prison, and the latter with inciting him to do the same. Charles Collwell said—l am chief turnkey of the Queen's Prison. There is a gentleman named Robert Henderson Robertson confined in No. 4 in 10 room, and he is now in a dangerous state from wounds inflicted on him with some sharp instrument. About half-past two o'clock this afternoon, in consequence of information I received, I hastened into the yard, where I saw a number of persons collected, and then I heard that Mr. Robertson had been stabbed. There was great excitement in that portion of the prison, and going towards that gentleman's room I met Mr. Salvi, when some of the inmates of the ward called out " Secure him, he has stabbed Mr. Robertson." laccordingly stopped him and told him he must go with me, when he exclaimed, " I'll go, I'll go." I then took him and lett him in the visiting room, and then I weut to Mr. Robertson's room, where I found him lying on the bed with blood flowing from a large wound in the right temple and another in the right cheek. As soon as I entered he said to me, "For God's sake, Mr. Collwell, take down what I have to say in writing, as I believe I am dying." I got writingmaterialg, when Mr. Robertson t old me that Salvi stabbed him and Gower instigated him to do so. Neither of the prisoners were present at that time. A medical gentleman then came, and I went after Mr. Gower and told him he must go before a magistrate with Salvi, as he was charged with instigating him in the attack on Mr. Robertson. He seemed very much flurried, and said, "11l go." After they were both secured I went with the doctor to Mr. Robertson's room and saw him attended to. Mr. Thomson, a solicitor, was there, and he saw all that occurred. When SaLvi was brought forward again and" told what he had done, he said, " It's all true, I did it." Among the persons in the room there was one named Wyld, .and he brought in a knife which he said he had picked up at the door, and handed it to Dennis, one of the prison officers. Mr. Combo—ls that knife in court ? Dennis—l am one of the officers of the Queen's Prison. I received this knife from Mr. Wyld. The knife was here handed to the magistrate. It was a large Spanish knife, quite new, with a handle about six inches long, and had a spring at the back. Two inches of the blade had been broken off, and it was all covered with blood. Mr. Combe--d-Where is the other portion of this knife 1 Dennis—l don't know, sir, at present. Mr. Combo to Mr. Collwell—What did Gower say when you gave him into custody ? Mr. Collwell—He said, " Oh, that's shocking to come here with him, and be charged with such an offence." He was very much exciter]. Mr. Richard Thompson examined—l am a solicitor, at No, 3, Finsbury-chambers. I was present when the unfortunate affair happened. I know all the parties. About one o'clock th s afternoon Mr. Satii came to my chambers, and asked me to accompany him and Mr. Gower to the Queen's Prison. I am attorney for Salvi against Robertson, who is detained there at his suit. We called on Mr. Gower and we all went to the Queen's Prison, and saw Mr. Robertson in his room. They went to have the matter settled. Robertson asked me to take I asked a seat, and Salvi and Gower stood near his chair. Robertson to make some proposition to Salvi, when some angry words took place between them a, bout a b:11 for 2001. Mr. Robertson said to Salvi, I have not the bill," when allusion was an.ade to a Mr. Brown and a Scotch sequestration. Salvi rated Robntson about his dishonesty, and said to him, " You say you did not have the 2001. bill ?" Robertson made some reply about Brown, andthen Gower made an observation to Salvi. The latter then leaned over Robertson's chair, and I saw him beat him rapidly in the face. I called out ‘‘ Don't beat him ;" and I thought he was only striking him ith his hands. Mr. Cornbe—How near was he to Mr. Robertson ? Witness—Close to his chair, leaning over him.