The Sun. — 1842-05-31 (London, England)

FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)  Yesterday evening, the metropolis was involved in a state of considerable excitement and agitation in consequence of a report that another attempt at the assassination of her Majesty, which was fortunately not attended with the slightest injury to her Royal person, had been perpetrated in the ride known as Constitution Hill, the attempt having been made, at a short distance from the spot which the miscreant Oxford chose for his murderous purpose. The report, upon inquiry; proved to be too true, and, it was also ascertained that the circumstances connected with the atrocious act, were nearly similar to those which were undertaken by the last would-be regicide. From the information obtained by our informant, it appeared that her Majesty, who was in her barouche, accompanied by his Royal highness Prince Albert, was. on her, return to Buckinghain Palace at about a quarter past six o'clock, with outriders. The vehicle was proceeding at the usual pace, when at the spot above alluded to, a person who was on the foot-path on the off side of the carriage, and at the distance of about three yards from it, he being on the same side, discharged a pistol, with which he took a deliberate aim at her Majesty, which, however, fortunately did not take effect, Prince Albert rose from his seat and having made an intimation to one of the outriders immediately resumed his place. The outrider instantly got from his horse and there being a policeman muld a soldier close' at hand, the wretch was taken into custody. He was conveyed to Buckingham Palace, followed by a crowd of gentlemen on horseback, and pedestrians, but he was soon afterwards taken to Gardener's-lane, where he was placed under the surveillance of the police, through whom no information was allowed to be publicly communicated. Information was forwarded to the Home-office, when Sir James Graham, Burt., and Sir Robert, Peel, Bart., had a report of the regicidal act made known to them at the House of Commons, subsequent to which the prisoner underwent an examination, the particulars of which have been as much as possible kept in secrecy. As far as reports of the evidence adduced have transpired, our informant is able to give the following particulars :—As soon as the individual was apprehended, he -was searched by the policeman,. who was assisted by Sergeant Laitgley, A 11, but there was nothing found upon him to lead to his identification. He was asked his name, which he refused to state.  Had he any parent ?—Yes, a father and mother. Where do they live ?-1V ithin two miles of that place. Is there any other of the family ?—Yes, a brother and two sisters.  'What trade do you follow ?-17arious occupations, adding that he would tell what he had to state to others.  He made no attempt to escape, and no objection to the interrogatories, and showed no symptoms of insanity. There was only one pistol on him, and which had not' been discharged. ", A person, Whose name is Mark Russell, who is occasionally employed at Covent-garden Theatre, was in the rice at the time that the attempt was made on her Majesty's life, and who, upon the apprehension of the man, was of opinion that he had a knowledge of him. Russell, and a gentleman who gave the report of what took 'place to our informant, also expressed a belief that the individual was the person in question, whose name was stated to be John Francis, the son of Mr. Francis, foreman of the machinery department of Covent-garden Theatre, which situation he has occupied for about twenty years, being most highly respected in the establishment. In the course of the evening Mr. Francis, • who was at the Theatre, was sent for, to attend at the Home-office, where he saw his unfortunate son, who did not deny, his guilt. He is about 22 years of age, and from his youth, till about a year and a half since, was employed under his father at the Theatre. Shortly after her Majesty's arrival at Buckingham Palace, the Duchess of Kent, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge,: Prince George of Cambridge, the Duke of Wellington, with various of the Nobility, called at the Palace.