The Express. — 1863-03-23 (London, England)

THZ MURDER •T CHATHAM.  The ease of the lad Robert Alexander Burton, who was convicted at Maidstone, on Wednesday, of marder under very peculiar circumstances, appears to create a I groat deal of public interest, but no step have yet been taken by any parties to procure any commutation of the sactenoe. The miserable culprit still exhibits the nine recklessness and hardihood of demeanour that have characterised him ever sines the commission of the crime. It bee been already stated that he actually laughed in the fees of the learned judge, who was himself deeply effected, when he passed judgment of death upon him, and after he had been taken back to the gaol, be very coolly asked to be allowed to have an additional allowance of food and also some beer, which he said he bed understood was always given to prisoners under sentence of death from the period of their conviction to the sentinel being carried out. He added that he believed that they were also entitled to have tobacco, and he said if that was the cue, he should like to have some. The culprit was in' formed that he was quite wrong in hi supposition, and that he would only receive the usual allowance, unless the medical officer thought fit to order any addition to it. The prisoner was very angry when this was told him, and he was not pacified until - he was informed that his application should be laid before the visiting justices of the prison, who had the power to grant his request if they thought proper to do so. The culprit does not appear to entertain the slightest fear of death, bet on the contrary he actually seems to exult in the prospect that awaits him. He stated to Mr. Everest, the superintendent of police by whom be was taken into custody, that it was of no use talking to him about what he had done, and the consequences that would result to him. He mid he knew all about it, and had made up his mind, and if the officer came to see him executed he would find him just the same at the last moment, and he might rely that he should not flinch. The prisoner, who was born at Chobbam and who had heed there all his life, was of Douse well known not only to most of the inhabibiota but also to the police, and there never seems to have been the slightest idea entertained by any one that his mind was deranged. He was, however, always considered to be a very violent bad-tempered lad, and he has on several miesaions committed serious wealth upon persons who have given him offence. He was formerly employed as a sort of waiter or potman at different public-houses, but he seemed latterly not to have been able to procure any regular em. ployment. He was for a short time in the sande* of Ifs. Clark, but be detected him in pilfering, and he was taken ' before the magistrates at Rochester and summarily convicted end sentenced to two months' imprisonment. He I openly avowed his intention to be revenged upon his master for causing him to be punished ; and if he had not fortucately removed from the neighbourhood during the period the prisoner was in confinement, there appears to be ground for supposing that the •prisoner would have selected him for has victim ; iodised he has repeatedly made use of expressions to that effect, not only to Superintendent Everest, but also to other persons. The usual custom with regard to the carrying out of capital sentences in the county of Kent is that they shall take place on the third market day after the conviction, so that in the ordinary course the execution of the prisoner will take place on Thursday, the 9th of April, at 12 o'clock. He has been visited by his sister and one or two other relatives since he has been in confinement ; but he never exhibits the least appearance of feeling. and in the letters be has written to his relatives the only complaint he appoint to make is that he is not allowed to have beer and tobacco while he is in prison.