The Express. — 1855-02-15 (London, England)

CROSS HOSPITAL.  THE EXPRESS, THURSDAY EVENING, FEBRUARY 15, 1855.  NAVAL AND MILIIARY:  POISONING AT  ADMIRALTY, FEB. 14..—APPoINTYE1 w.—Lionto-1 mate B. Carter (1812) to the lisokin, 50, at Chatham; W. B. J. Browse (1847) to the Bassett, 60, screw steam-duo. at Sheensees ; sad B. B. Purse (11161) to the Pembroke, 60, mew steam-ship, at Portsmouth. Master I. Command F. W. Batemsn (1837) to the Besistalthe, 10, troop ship, for particular envies. Chaplain G. C. Perches (1850), 8.A., to the Molise. 60, screw steam-ship, of 460-horse power, at Portsmouth. Mates G. H. Bernard (1852) to the Nankin, and A. E. Blase (1864) to the Pembroke. Assistant Surgeoas D. G. Peadrith (1850) to the Obetos, 8, iron paddle-wheel steam vessel, of 260-horse power, at Portsmouth; and G. C. Wilson (1858) confirmed to the Majestic, 80, screw steam-ship, of 400-horse power, at Sheerness.  Yesterday the inquiry into the circumstances atMedias the death of Mr. LIR Southgate, of Fmcbley, sou resumed and concluded before Mr. Walley, in the Boardroom of St. Patens burial ground. William Alkali, son-in-law to deemed, and one of the ezecutore, produced the amount books, from which it appeared that there had ham large bill transactions between the deceased and varlets persons, whoe initials alone were given. The cash book showed a balsam of 3401. on the 4ch December last.  --William Clayton, of 66, Waging-street, produced his books to show that he had had considerable hill transactions with deceased. Waimea said, lam a wholesale per tumor, but dooms business in discounting. The last time I saw debased was on Saturday, the 16th December—the day previous to his death. He then wanted to renew a bill, which I declined doing. Oa the 2nd December last, deceased gave me an order for two ounces of hydroyeenie acid and two ounces of essential oil of almonds. Not having the former in stock. I sent an order for it to Messrs. Tates, the druggists, of Thames-street. Mr. Southgate di. reeled that they should be carefully packed, as they were for • friend in Holland. The parcel was marked Private," as requested, and lent t, the private counting-house of Mr. Southgate, in Old Change. I sold him poisons before. He did not name a dishonoured bill to me on the Saturday when he ninth It was about 3 o'clock. The order for the poisons was given in writing. I do not know • person named J. /garden. Some bills were accepted t. W. It. Turner." Alfred Owlet; ledger-keeper at the Commercial Bank of London, Lothbuty, put in a statement showing that on the day previous to deceased's death there was • balance in his favour of 261. 17s. 7d. W. Dodson, one of the executors, recalled. I believe deceased was insured in two offices for about 4,0001. Ido not know if these policies are affected in the case of suicide being committed. I hays not seen the policies. Peter Edwards—l live at 162, Houndaditch, and am a beer shop keeper. Deceased was my landlend. I last saw him about five months ago. Bills were often made payable at my house, for various amounts ; notices of the bills used to be left, and generally a boy used to call for them before 4 o'clock on the day they were left. Mr. finithgate used cot to come himself. Some of the bills were presented again in the evening, and were noted. I do not know any °neatened J. Pardee nor ever beard the name before. Wm. Dodson recoiled—l produce a letter from Mr. T ,in which that gentleman admits having accepted bills to accommodate Mr. Southgate. John Joan sworn, said—l am • waiter at the rinse Hotel, Covent garden. I formerly lived in the same capacity at the Bridge-house Hotel, London-bridge. I remember a Mr. Southgate coming there. • young woman used to come with him; she was a very yaw% woman, and very good-looking. Mr. Southgate might be 60 years of age, or more. I should think the young woman must have been under 20. They were is the habit of coming frequently while I was • waiter at the Bridge-house Hotel. A young woman whom Mr. Southgate used to call Jane came several times, and asked for Mr. Southgate. She frequently came and ordered a private room for Mr. Southgate. This concluded the voluminous evident:o,sta an adjournment was proposed. Mr. Payne said that, as the legal adviser of the family of the deceased, he should claim to may a few words upon the evidence which had been adduced before the jury. He should release Dr. Neill from all blame, so that it would not be necessary for Mr. Coprock to offer any observations. An adjournment here took place, and on the re-assembling of the nun, Mr. Payne addressed the jury, commenting on the conflicting nature of the evidence, and the uncertainty in which the whole matter was involved. He recommended  .-.-...-. the jury either to return an open verdict, or to ask to be discharged without coming to any decision. Attar all the information that had been elicited, the ease was still in a state of the greatest doubt, sordid he believe that all the facts of the case would transpire were the cue to be adjourned ad inSaitum. He therefore suggested the propriety of the j_ury returning an open verdict. The Coroner then summed up, cimmenting on the leadiog facts. He regretted the deplorable state of the law which made It incumbent upon Dormers' juries to go into private affairs in such oases as these. But he hoped the law would soon be altered. The real object of such inquiries as these was to ascertain if there was criminality on the part of any one. He quite agreed with Kr. Payne that verdiete of fele do se were a disgrace to civilised society and to the state of the law of this country. He could not conclude without bearing his testimony to the seed and ability displayed by Brett, the detective °Seer, without whose cautions the most salient points would have remained is obscurity, and he would take ears to report the beta to the City Couansimiones. The court was then cleared, and the jury consulted for about two hours, after which they returned a verdict to the effect that the deceased John Southgate died from the effects of mall* acid, adminiatered by hie own hand while in an unsound state of mind.