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

ATTEMPTED MURDER IN PORTSMOUTH  DOCKYARD  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 fir other servants, though not without receiving some severeltuts 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, Beujamin Payne, whom he awoke, and said, " I have cut Louisa Pettis's throat ; I give ac your nrisoner." Rear-admiral Bouverie and  were immediate  larti)ec  ordered Bolton to be given into the custody of the policeman who had been called in. The admiral also despatched mes sengers 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. In the course of 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 he was butler to Admiral Bouverie, and that the prisoner was a footman in the same service ; that between 5 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. iaicilacl Supposed that the prisoner had been out all night and drink\• A. certificate Louisa aeard the prisoner say some time back that the lady's maid owed him a grudge. that at ipsigned by Dr. Henderson was put in, stating that presetnetttis was so much weakened by the loss of blood, that was impossible she could be examined, but there was no immediate danger. The prisoner was then remanded until next Thursday.  tends, on Friday, t and Means, declaratory of