The Express. — 1862-10-11 (London, England)

THE ATTORNEY-GENERAL AT DURBAN.—Sir W. Atherton, the Attorney-ileueral, appeared before his am stituents in the Town-hall, Durham, on Wednesday, to give an account of his stewardship. There was a goal attend• aims, the chair being occupied by Mr. John Henderson. Sir William, in the course of his speech, referred to the treaty which was agreed to at the early part of last session between this country and the United States for suplieessing the slave trade, in conuection with which he took the opportunity of saying a good word for the Federal government. He afterwards alluded to the Lunacy Bill, the tenour of which he approved, the Trade Marks Bill, the Lancsehii Relief Bill, arid the Poaching Bill, the latter of which he strongly condemned. In reference to the defences of the country, he coosidenxl that it was wise economy to speed the public revenue, within reasonable and necessary limit; in puttiug the country into a state of preparation for war. He n_ciprocated the hope of Mr. Gladstone at Newcastle that, whenever • reform discussion should be brought for. ward such as might precede an accomplished Reform Bill, the devoted and exemplary conduct of the workiog classes would not be forgotten. A vote of confidence in the right how. member brought the lousiness of the meetingtoan end. SUICIDE OF • COLONIAL BRONEIL —Yesterday afternoon • long inquiry wee gone into before Mr. W. Payne, the City coroner, and a jury of merchants, at the Com• mercial Coffee-rooms, /Mincing-Los, touching the death of Mr. Arthur Stortehouse Griffiths, a colonial broker, having offices at No. 9, in the above lane, who committed suicide under the following painful circumstances. The inquest room was crowded by merchants and brokers, friends of the deceased. Mr. Smith, solicitor, attended to watch the proceedings for the relatives. It appeared from the evidence that on Wednesday morning the deceased came to buainees at his usual time, 10 o'clock. He went into his private office, sod told the clerk to say he was engaged if any one called to see him. A Mr. Whistler, who had an appointment with the deceased about some money matters, called, and after waiting a short time the housekeeper of the chambers looked through the fan light of the door of the private room, and saw the unfortnIlea deceased lying back on a chair, in an apparently dying state. The room was entered, and he was found insensible, and in • few minutes he expired. There was a strong odour of essential oil of almonds about the place, mid M ere was a glass neer which contained • few drops of that poison. On the table in the room were several letters which the unhappy man had just written ; one was addressed to Mr. Whistler, and was to the following effect:—" Whistler, forgive ma 'did not intend to rob you. I have been mein. dled.—A. S O." Another letter was addressed to Mr. Parrott, who was a large creditor. It was as follows : Thanks for all your kindness. May God repay you for it and forgive me all my sine. I have tried earnestly to Par everyone, and were it not for one or two who persecute me should have succeeded. May those who have so cruelly robbed me be forgiven, but my trouble is greater than I coo bear.—Yours. A. 8. GRITEITRe. Comfort my poor ot mher. if you can." The other letters were te his mother and to Mr. Whitmore, who was formerly in partnership I with him. The jury returned • verdict that the deceased destroyed himself whilst in • state of temporary inrialtB7.