The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser. — 1842-05-31 (Liverpool, Merseyside, England)

PORTSMOUTH, SUNDAY.—At an early hour yesterday morning the family of Rear-Admiral the Honourable D. P. Bouverie, the Admiral Superintendent, residing in this dockyard, were considerably alarmed by the information that Joseph Bolton, a footman in the service of the admiral, had attempted to take the life of the lady's maid, Louisa Pettis, by cutting her throat. It appears that Bolton, who, it is supposed, had been out all night, and had been drinking, went on his return home, between five and six o'clock, into the bedroom of his intended victim, with a knife in his hand, with which, while she was sleeping, he cut her throat. The incision, however, was not sufficiently deep to deprive her of life. Upon being wounded she awoke, and, after struggling desperately with the assassin, succeeded in reaching the room of some of the other servants, though not without receiving some severe cuts under her chin and upon her shoulder and breast. After having made this attempt upon the poor woman's life, Bolton immediately proceeded to the room of the butler, Benjamin Payne, whom he awoke, and said, " I have cut Louisa Pettis's throat ; I give myself up as your prisoner." Rear-admiral Bouverie and the household were immediately alarmed, and the admiral ordered Bolton to be given into the custody of the policeman who had been called in. The admiral also despatched messengers to the nearest medical gentleman, so that no time might be lost in procuring proper assistance for the unfortunate sufferer. Dr. Henderson shortly arrived, and rendered such immediate aid as the case required. It is not at present anticipated that the wounds will prove fatal. No reason has yet been assigned by the prisoner for making this atrocious attempt. He told the butler it was because she was always aggravating him.  We know of no person so competent to meet Judge Preble as the Honourable the Chief Justice Chipman, who is, we  In-the-Cjourse or the day the prisoner (Joseph Bolton) was examined before the magistrate, upon the charge of having attempted to murder Louisa Pettis, lady's maid to Lady Bouverie.  Benjamin Payne stated that be was butler to Admiral Bouverie, and that the prisoner was a footman in the same service ; that between o and 6 o'clock this morning (Saturday) the prisoner came into the room and awoke him, and said, " I give myself up to you a prisoner. I have cut Louisa Pettis's throat." He immediately dressed himself and went down into the pantry, accompanied by the prisoner. The prisoner went out the previous evening, and said he should be back again by half-past 10 to attend on the ladies. He looked for the prisoner at that hour, but was not able to find him. Did not see him again until the morning, when he came into the room and gave himself up. Supposed that the prisoner had been out, all night and drinking. Had beard the prisoner say some time back that the lady's maid owed him a grudge.  A certificate signed by Dr. Henderson was put in, stating that Louisa Pettis was so much weakened by the loss of blood, that it was impossible she could be examined, but that at present there was no immediate danger. The prisoner was then remanded until next Thursday.