‘ .

mom farms BY THE BRITANNIA.

Amman ASSASSINATION or ass. MAJESTY] AND PRINCE ALBERT. LONDON, June 17.

, An atrocious attempt to assassinate the Queen

and Prince Albert, made on the evening of the

10th June, has spread‘consternation and aston- ishment throughout the Metropolis and the whole kingdom. We subjoin the particulars of this daringoutrage, collected from various 'sources :—

A little after six o’clock on Wednesday eyep- ing, the Queen, accompanied by her illustrious consort, left Buckingham Palace in a low-hung open carriage, and not attended by any conSlde- table suite. The Royal equipags took the road to Hyde-park, up Constitution-hill. The per- sons assembled did not happen to be numerous, but the usual respectful and loyal demonstrations were universally manifested. ‘

Her Majesty’s phaeton had not proceeded more than fiftyAyards when a very young man, who had, some time before, been observed lean- ing against the railing which separates<Constitu~ tion-hill from the Green Park, stept forward, and, with deliberate aim, discharged a pistol at the royal pair, whose carriage was at that mo- ment in the act of passing him, at a distance of not more than four yards. On perceiving that the first shot had not taken efi‘ect, he, with the coolness which marked his previous demeanour, exchanged the discharged weapon for a second loaded one, which he held in hisleft hand. This, with the same deliberation, and providentially with the same result as before, he fired after the

, carriage, which had passed the spot on which he stood in the interval between the two shots.

The Prince exhibited the most perfect self- possession, and instantly urged the horses for- ward, which had taken alarm, and showed a mo- mentary hesitation. The Queen, also, mani-

» fested a presence of mind, and an affectionate soli- shade for the safety of the beloved object who ’ ‘fvlr‘er companion. The carriage proceeded

,‘ 't‘ further molestation. ,

‘ all) the mean time the guilty party, whose age ié‘shi‘d not to exceed seventeen, and whose dress and appearance were rather respectable, was ob- served, with a pistol in each hand, leaning with the utmost composure against the railing of the Green Park, to which he had stepped back after the second discharge. ,An alarm was instantly given, and the nearest Spectators seized and dis- armed him almost simultaneOusly. The honour of being the first in this meritorious service is as- signed to various persons. A Mr. Low, of Copt- hall court, City, a Mr. Clayton, of Windmill- street, Golden-square, and Mr. Beckhain,,one of the pages of honour to the Queen, were among the foremost upon the occasion. A gentleman from the country, we believe, of the' name of Pecks, was early and conspicuous in his exer- tions. The last named person, from his prox- imity to the as-assin, was at first suspected to be an accomplice, and was, under that sup- position, taken into custody; but, upon a proper explanation of the fact, he was at once set at liberty. Some police-constables almost imme- diately came up, and the assassin was conveyed to the station-house in Gardener’s-lane, West- minster. On his way to the station-house be, without hesitation, acknowledged that he was the person who fired the pistols at the royal carriage, and that his object was to take away the lives of the Queen and Prince. On being asked if the pistols were loaded with balls, he is' said to have replied, “Yes, both of them; but I fired too high." He declined to assign any reason for his execrable treason.

The following description is given of the prisoner.--He appears eighteen or nineteen. He is of a high colour, and the expression of his countenance is rather favourable, and not defi- cient in intelligence. His eyes are dark; his hair inclines to red; his height about 5ft. 7in. He was dressed in a black frock coat and black stock, cotton waistcoat and grey trousers. On the whole, his appearance is anything but un- favourable.

On the arrival of the prisoner at the station- house, he gave his name EDWARD OXFORD, and was charged before Inspector Partridge, who was on duty, “ with maliciously, and with intent to destroy life, firing two pistols at her Majesty the Queen and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, on the road leading to Constitution-hill, about a quarter or 20 minutes past 60’clock that evening." On searching OXFORD, neither powder nor ball was found on his person. The istols which were found in his possession were he duelling pistols, the barrels being from seven

tooight inches in length, but without any ma-

eker’s name. They had percussion caps, and had evidently been recently discharged. On examining the nipples, the percussion caps were hund on them exploded, and on one of them, between the cap and the nipple, a piece ofthin linen, which had evidently been placed there for tbe‘purpose of preventing the pistols exploding in the prisoner’ipocket. '

It having been ascertained that the prisoner had’ fermerly held a situation as barman at the Hog-in-the-Pound, at the corner of South Molten- street, Oxford-street, and that be lodged at No. 6, West-street, West-square, Lambeth, to the latter place Inspector Hughes was instantly dis- patched. for the purpose ,of making a search of the prisoner’s lodging. Oxford preserved a sullen cool demeanour. He spoke very guard- edly-andfrationally, and in answer to a question put to.him by the inspector on duty. said that the pistols had been given to him. Shortly after nine o’clock Inspector Hughes returned from the lodgings of the prisoner to the station-house in

, Gardener’s-lane, at which time the Earl of: Ur:- bridge, the Hon. Charles Augustus Murray, the

Comptroller, and other members of her Majesty’s

household, were present. The Inspector then

communicated the following important informa- tion :_—On entering the apartment which Oxford occupied, he commenced a search and discover-

r,

' 1

ed a sword, and in a drawer a quantity of powder and ball, the latter exactly correspondig With the size of the barrels’of the pistolstaken from the prisoner when seized. On making further search, he discovered a black crape cap, havmg attached to it three satin bows ofa blood-red co- lour, and a piece of paper containing a list of memberS'ofa secret Society, which, he had no doubt, plotted the present occurrence. This list contains from 20 to 30 fictitious names, such as Oxonian,‘ Hannibal, Ernest, &c. 61.6. The prisoner, on being brought from his cell and shewn these things, did not deny that they were his property, and even admitted that he belonged to a Society, but refused to give up wheye it was held, or the names ofthe persons who composed It. _

The Hon. C. A. Murray, who was in attend- ance at the station-house, as well as Mr. Grego- rie, the magistrate, observed that, from Iwhat he had collected, it was evident that the pistols were aimed at her Majesty’s head, and that it was Only from the Prince altering his speed that the bullets did not take the desii'edvefi'ect.

Mr. M‘Caiin, of Parliament-street, was sent for to the station-house, for the purpose of ex- amining the state ofthe prisoner’s mind. and that gentleman having closely Questioned _the_“pr150- ner, expressed his unqualified belief of his per- fect sanity. In the course of the examination, Oxford stated that he had never been ill a day in his life, excepting When he was “blown up by gunpowder.” Upon being asked his object .for committing the act, he turned round, and pomt— ing to the police, replied, “These gentlemen will tell you my object.” Mr. M‘Canii rejomed that he should like it from the prisoner himself, and the latter coolly observed, “ Oh, there are thousands by this time know my object; the .act shows it.” In answer to further interrogatories, the prisoner said he had drunk only a pint and a halfof beer during yesterday, and it appears on investigation he was not an intemperate young man. His mother, with whom «heresided, for. merly kept a coffee-shop in the Waterloo-road, but has latterly resided in VVest-street, in private lodgings, having a small but competent income. The prisoner for some time lived as pot-boy at the Hog-in-the-Pound public-house, in Oxford street, nearly opposite Maryleboue-lane," but‘he quilted that service about a month ago, and 'has since been out of employment. On Tuesday evening, he called upon Mr. Linton,‘a butcher, in the Waterloo-road, with whose son he was ac- quainted, and remained there for two hours, but neither upon that nor any other occasion has he betrayed any appearance of incoherency. The assassin up to this time bore a good character. He has a sister, but no brother or father living.

After the prisoner was taken into custody and conveyed to the station-house in Gardener’s-lane,- Westminster, he appeared very anxious to ascer- tain how the Queen and the Prince ‘sustained the attack he had made upon them ; and on be- ing told that neither appeared at all affirmed, the fellow, with great coolness, observes, . “ Oh, I know to the contrary ; for when I fiféd the first pistol, Albert was about to jump from the carri- age, and put his foot out; but when he saw me present the second pistol, he immediately drew back.” He then observed, and appeared to rel- ish the joke, that it was funny to see so many persons seize each other after the shots were fired, adding—“ None of them knew it was I that did it, until I declared that I was the man, upon which two of them seized me by the col- lar, two more kept pulling at the skirts of my coat, and one of them grabbed me behind, which was quite unnecessary, as I had no intention to run away."

On making inquiries as to Oxford's character at the Hog-in-the-Pound, where he lived as bar— man, the landlo‘rd said he left his service on the lst of May last. He had lived with him about three months. The only eccentricity he exhibit- ed was a knack of continual laughing, in conse- quence of which he was discharged. His con. duct was otherwise rational. His friends reside at Birmingham, which place he left at the age of nine years.

Up to a very late hour the prisoner retained his sullen demeanour, and was constantly watch- ed. Crowds of persons, in deep and anxious conversation, were also to be seen in the neighbourhood of the Palace, and the greatest excitement prevailed.

Soon after the House of Lords met on Thurs- day, Lord Melbourne, apparently much agitated, and in a faltering tone of voice, announced to their Lordships that a desperate attack on the Queen’s 'life had been made on Wednesday evening, as her Majesty was proceeding from the Palace to Hyde Park. Two pistols were fired at her in the most determined and despe- rate manner, at no great distance from her person ; and it was only wonderful that‘nothing more unfortunate or melancholy had occurred. He proposed that the House should adopt the course which it had been usual to folloiv under similar circumstances.

He moved “ that an humble sented to her Majesty, to express our horror and indignation at the late atrocious and treasonable attempt against her Majesty’s sacred person, and our heartfelt congratulations to her Majesty and the country on her Majesty’s happy preservation from so great a danger; to .express our deep concern at there having been found Within her Majesty’s dominions a person capable of so fiagitious an act; and that we make it our car- nest prayer to Almighty God, that as he has preserved to us the blessings that we enjoy under her Majesty’s just and mild government, he will continue to watch over a life so justly dear to us.”

The proposal _ was cordially received with cheers: and it was resolved to communicate the address to the House of Commons in conference The Duke of Sussex, the Duke of Cambridge,

Address be pre-

the Duke of Wellington,vthétBishop of Durham,

f ‘Lansdowne‘, the-Earl odehafts- Lord Melbourne, were name .mana- zgfd’bf’iidie conference. On the conclusmn of the cénference, ' Lord 'John Russell appeared at; the bar of the House of Commons, and state that the Lords desired the concurrence of the House in their address to the Queen on the late most atrocious and treasonable attack upon her sacred person. The address haVing been read, Lord John Russell rose and addressed the house.

SirRobert Peel also spoke. .

Mr. James hoped Lord John Russell would be able to assure the house and the country that her Majesty’s health had not sufi'ered materially by the excitement and agitation which must have been created, more or less, by the treasonable and diabolical attempt at assassmation; and perhaps Lord John Would also satisfy. the public mind onl another point, whether evidence had been adduced to criminate others be5ides the. person in custody.

Lord John Russell was happy to state, that tw’o hours ago he had received from the Queen 5 own lips the assurance that. her healthhad not suffered. The second question, Mr. James himself must see, could not be answered With propriety. , , .

The Colonial Gazette says: the culprit was immediately secured; and although at first _it was generally assumed that he intended #to kill the Queen, an impression gains ground that there were no bullets in the pistols; none were found ; and that the ill conditioned youth only gratified a distempered longing for notoriety, by an _act for which he will certainly suffer severe punish- ment, though not perhaps that of a traitor.

the Marquis o

PUBLIC THANKSGIVINc.—-—-The Gazette of Tuesday contains the following order in Coun- cil 2—- '

“That his Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury do prepare a form ofprayer and thanksgiving to Almighty God, for his late merciful preservation of the.Queen from the atrocious and treasonnlile attempt against her sacred person, on Wednesday the IO'th of June} and that such form ofprnyer and thanksgivmg be used _ll'r all churches and chapels in England and Wales, and in the town ofBerwick—upon-Tweed, upon Sunday, the Qist ofthis instant June, (or so soon as the ministers thereof shall receive the same,) and to be continued for thirty days afterwards.”

. The following form was, on Wednesday last, issued to churchwardens in the various parishes

included in the above order :-—- “A FORM or PRAYER AND THANKSGIVING 'ro ALMIGHTV GOD.

“ Almighty and everlasting God, Creator and Gover- nor of the world, who by thy gracious Providence hast oftentimes preserved Thy chosen servants, the Sove- reigns whom Thou hast set over us, from the malice of wicked men, we offer unto Thee all praise and thanks- giving for Thy late mercy vouchsafed to us in frustrating the traitorous attempt on the life ofour Sovereign Lady Queen Victoria. ,

“ Continue, we beseech Thee, Tliywatchful care over her. Be Thou her shield and defence against all the devices ofsecret treason and the assaults ofopen violence. Let the light of Thy countenance shine upon her and her Royal consort, and bless them with all happiness. Direct and prosper her counsels; and so guide and support her by Thy holy spirit, that, putting her whole confidence in Thee,_she may faithfully rule Thy people committed to her charge, to their good and to the glory of’I‘Iiy holy name.

“ And to us, and all her subjects, 0 Lord, impart such a measure of Thy grace, that,under a deep and lasting sense of Thy mercy at this time vouchsafed to us, we may always show forth our thankfiilness unto Thee by dutiful loyalty to our Sovereign, and constant obedience to Thy commandments.

“ Give ear, we beseech Thee, O merciful Father, to these our supplications and prayers, which we humbly ofier before Thee, in'the name and through the medi- ation ofJesus Christ, our only Saviour and Redeemer.— Amen."

Then shall follow the prayer for unity :— i

“O God, the Father of Our.L’ord Jesus Christ, our only Saviour, the Prince ofPeace, give us grace seriously to lay to heart the great danger We aFe in by our unhappy divisions. Take away all hatred and prejudice, and whatsoever else. may hinder us from Godly union and concord ; and as there is but one body, and one spirit, and_one hope ofour calling, one Lord, one faith, orie baptism, one God and Father of us all, so we may henceforth be all of one heart, and ofoue soul, united in one holy bond oftruth and peace, offaith and charity, and may with one mind and one mouth glorify Thee through Jesus Christ our Lord—Amen.” ,

CENTRAL CRIMINAL COURT, LONDON, JUNE22.

ARRAIGNMENT 0F EDWARD OXFORD, son HIGH TREASON, AND POSTPONEMENT on THE TRIAL. This morning, at nine o’clock, Mr. Serjeant

Arabin and Mr. Alderman Lainson took their

seats upon the bench, and in afew minutes the

court was filled in every part by a highly respec- table auditory. At a quarter past nine o'clock the prisoner was placed at the bar, to be arraign-

ed on the indictment. He advanced with: a

smile to the front of the dock, and manifested

great firmness and self-possession. He was res- pectably dressed in a suit of blue, and his gene- ral appearance was youthful and prepossessino.

At this time Mr. Sydney Taylor and Mr. Bodkiii,

who were retainedll as Counsel for the prisoner,

were in court' an o t ' '

at the bar, 7 , , n he prisoner being placed

. Mr. Sydney Taylor rose to make an applica- tion for the postponement of the trial, but

Mr. Sergeant Arabin declined to entertain the application, which, he said, must be made to the judges, when they and the counsel for the prose- cution had arrived.

The prisoner was then removed from the bar. In the interval which elapsed from this moment until the arrival of the judges, several distinguish- ed personages were introduced by the Sheriffs to seats upon the bench. Mrs. Oxford, the mother of the unhappy prisoner, sat in a box usually allotted to jurors in waiting. She is a good look- ing woman, apparently about 40 years ofage, and was respectably attired in black.

Precisely at 10 minutes before 10 o’clock the Altorney~General, Sir Frederick Pollock, Mr. Adolphus, and Mr. Wiglitinan, the counsel for the prosecution, entered the Court and took their piaces at the counsel’s table.

At five minutes past 10. the Lord ChiefJustice E

Tindal and the Right Hon. Mr. Baron Parke were ushered to their seats on the bench.

_.: .Mr. Clark, the Clerk ofArraigns, in obedience

to the order of the Court, directedg Mn. place Edward Oxford at the bar. A d silence prevailed, and every eye was t the dock. _ . The prisoner in a few seconds again-a and advanced with a light step and a a his countenance to the front of the bar. Lord Chief Justice-mLet the prisoner-bi ed upon to plead. _ _ V , Mr. S. Taylor applied to have the trial . poned on afiidavit , a, Lord Chief Justice Tindal-«You can - motion until the prisoner has pleaded. ’ The Clerk of the Arraigns then reg; dictnient, which charged the prisoner. ' ving traitorously made an attempt aga ,, life of our Lady the Queen, by dischar " " her a pistol loaded with powder ands le‘ bullet, with his right hand, and afterwa' charging another pistol at her Majesty, vm left hand, which was also loaded with and ball. ' The prisoner pleaded “ not guilty, ” in" tone. V ’ ' Mr. S. Taylor then renewed his up" for the postponement ofthe trial, and pit affidavit of Hannah Oxford, the mother; Jabez Pelham, the solicitor for theprisoner Pelham set forth that he had been en defend the prisoner on the 16th of uric, that he had experienced considerable (ii in seeing the prisoner; that he had I ' believe the prisoner not to be'ofsou _ and that various witnesses, who were abs, necessary for the prisoner’s defence, livedat a distance that it would be impossible to them in court. He also stated that from t 'e‘ cited state of mind of the prisoner’s moth could not get such instructions from her a ; should be able to have if she had time to e "g‘ lect her thoughts. It is also set forth that public papers had be u publishing stateme which were untrue, an ,which were calcula to create a prejudice against the prisoner ,-,mo particularly aletter which had been. publish late last week in the public papers, from Dan O’Connell, Esq., MP. for Dublin, in which prisoner was charged {as being the instrument a traitorous conspiracy. The affidavit the dad tolhe leading article of the Observer ofy, * terday, all which the deponent Pelham said ' be calculated to influence the minds of the J The Attorney-General said he had such .fidence in an English Jury, that heivas sure prisoner would hare a fair and impartial t ’ they were nowto proceed with this impo‘i' investigation. They would pay no attentio what they had read or heard,.but would at solely to the evidence. But when he heard important evidencewas to be‘brought forw for the defence, God forbid that he should op , any application for postponement upon th" ground; without any hesitation. he yielded tot application. The next session would take pla speedily, and he hoped in the meantime there would be no publication of anysortrelating ' this trial in any of the public prints, that thé would be no more publication of letters fromt prisoner to the Secretary of State, but that, by} tacit consent, all sides would abstain from an publication relating to the trial. I _ ‘ Lord Chief Justice Tindal said the Atlantic General had taken the high and proper gr ' and he hoped the public press would meantime observe a profound silence on subject. '