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    mitted to a great extent ; and on a representation being made to Urquiza , he despatched an order to seize Mancilia , and shoot him immediately ; ^ bat Mancilla managed to escape , and sought protection under the British flag . It is said that the Brazilian diplomatists arid generals , at Buenos Ayres , are beginning to suspect that General TJrqiiiza , having got the upper hand , will turn out'a second Rosas * The English diplomatic agent , however , liad taken a favourable view of his policy , and was of opinion that TJrquiza was honestly bent on obtaining a constitutional government for the Argentine Republic . B

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    LOSS OP THE BIRKENHEAD . A terrible sensation has been caused at Portsmouth by the news of the melancholy loss of the Birkenhead , nearly the whole of the crew having belonged to that port . The dockyard has been the scene of many heartrending exhibitions of grief , and numerous have been the applications for information by widows and orphans . The Port-Admiral and Admiral-Superintendent have evinced the utmost anxiety arid readiness to render all the information in their power , and to alleviate as far

    as in their ability lies the distress occasioned by tins unlooked-for calamity . A special general meeting of the town council was held on Saturday afternoon , at two o ' clock , when it was resolved to hold a public meeting , arid to take other measures to raise funds in aid of the widows and other sufferers by the wreck . The Mayor presided , and headed the subscription list with a donation of 25 / . ; besides which , 90 £ . were subscribed at once by the members present , although not more than half of the corporation attended .

    The following extract from the Portsmouth Times deserves serious consideration : — " Most of our brother journalists have , with more ^ or less precipitancy , placed blame on the master commanding ( Mr . Salmond ) , and attach the cause of the catastrophe to his supposed hugging of the shore to save time and dis tance in the discharge of his important duty . "We do-not believe such to have been his culpability . We know the Birkenhead to have ever been a most dangerous vessel to steer , in consequence of which vital fault Tshe has been very nearly lost on more than one occasion previously . We know from the best of evidence—personal acquaintance—that her compasses would not act under the commonest circumstances , and were always , or nearly always ,

    in error ; we know the Birkenhead has been swung round the entire circle at Spithead three times , and her compasses have never showed the shadow even of a movement ! We know further , that on another occasion , whilst at sea ; so utterly impossible was it for the master to navigate the ship owing to the attraction of the iron upon ^ pe compasses , that the master was compelled for safety to take them up into the mizentop to Endeavour to steer the ship by them ! The Birkenhead was an iron steam-vessel , of 1400 tons , built by Laird , of Birkenhead , for a steamfrigate , but so far from being enabled to carry a battery of guns , she could not carry her coals ! was consequently

    converted into a troop-ship , in which character she never enjoyed a good reputation , as many officers who have sailed and hold appointments in her can testify . She left this port last on the 2 nd of January , on which day she victualled as her own troop service complement 129 persons , her apportioned complement being 131 . As a navigator Mr . Salmond ranked among the most skilful of the masters of the Boyol Navy . His latter services wore in the Retribution steam-frigate , and the Vengeance , 84 , under Captains Lushington and tho Earl of Hardwicke ; then tho Fisgard , 42 , at Woolwich , from which ship he was appointed to the command of tho Birkenhead on the 8 th of February , 1851 . " With such facts as these ( if facts tljey arc , and the writer speaks like one having authority and acquainted with the Bubject both practically and personally ) wo arc inclined to put a very mitigated construction upon tho reports of others as to the want of discretion shown by Mr . Salmond in the matter of the course steered by the steamer whon she struck .

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    366 T ^

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    MATRICIDE IN * LAMBETH . Emzabktu WnBEiiKB , a widow , Kvod with her Ron , twonty-eight years of ago , at No . 1 , Durham-place , Konnington-road , immediately facing Bethlehem Hospital for lunatics . In tho same houso resided also a Mi . Toms , a carpot-bag manufacturer , and his family . On Saturday afternoon , about ono o ' clock , Mrs . Toms hoard a loud scream in ono of tlio upper rooms / which was Buccooded by a heavy fall on tho floor . She immediately ran to ascertain tho cause , whon Thomas Whoelor , tho widow | u Bon , rushed passed her out of the house , carrying in his hand & stick and a knife . Mrs . Toms wont up stairs , and was horrorstruck at finding the woman ' s body lying on the floor in a pool of blood , and tho head lying on tho table Mrs . Toms gave tlio alarm , and in a few minutes Whoeler was secured by a policeman in Konnington-road . Ho made no resistance , and at onco admitted that ho had murdered hio mother , and also informed tho officer that ho had not long boon liberated from a lunatic asylum . In tho afternoon ho was examined before Mr . Norton , at tho Lambeth Polico Court . Whon placed at tho bar ho looked wildly around him . Ho is described as a well-made man , with large black oyoa , regular foaturoe , and an intelligent countenance .

    Mr . Norton inquired— " How old are you r prisoner ( carelessly ) , — " Twenty-eight . " Mr . Norton . — " What is your name P " Prisoner , —" Thomas Cathie Wheeler . " Eliza Phillips , in answer to questions from the magistrate , said that she had known Wheeler since he was a baby ; had resided in the same , house with him and his mother since last August * His mother often said there Was something wrong with him . He often used to walk hatchet in his hand

    about the house with a flat-iron or a .. The Prisoner .-i— " My mother did riot fear though , gentlemen . " ; The Magistrate . — " It is my duty to inform you that every word you say will be taken down , and may be used in evidence against you . " - The Prisoner , — « I don t fear anything . " The Witness . — " I have seen him with the iron and the hatchet in his hand , muttering to himself at frequent In-¦

    tervals . " ' *„ - ¦ The Prisoner . — " I have a habit of speaking to myself , as I have no one else to speak to , and my mother was always blackguarding me . " Eliza Phillips then stated , that at 12 o ' clock that same morning she heard a " scuffling noise" upstairs , that she called out for Mrs . Wheeler , and heard no answer . She tapped and knocked repeatedly at the door of the room , which at last was partially opened by Thomas Wheeler , who held something in his right hand . He looked at her for a moment , and then hastil y shut the door in her face . She immediately ran down stairs and told Mrs . Toms that she was afraid something was the matter . In a minute or two Wheeler came down stairs . The women then went upstairs and discovered the murdered woman ' s body . This witness also said that she had noticed Wheeler talking louder to himself than usual that morning , and his mother had been alarmed at his conduct .

    Mr . Norton ( to the prisoner ) . — " Do you wish to ask the witness any question P " The Prisoner . — " The fact is that she has threatened to send me to the workhouse for " great length of time ; and she said she would have me dragged away , and I suppose they cannot drag people away in the most gentle ^ manner ;" Mr . Norton . — " Do you wish to ask the witness any question ?" The prisoner . — " All she has said is true . " Elizabeth Toms , the wife of Charles Toms , carpet-bag maker and landlord of the house , No , 1 * Durham-place , said that she had known Wheeler and his mother for nine or ten months . He did nothing for his living 1 , for he was not able to do anything . His mother supported him , with some assistance from friends . His manner was irregular , arid lately he had been getting worse . When he had his fits on him he looked very pale and ill . The Prisoner .-r- " All without liberty—she was bagged—I was worried . "

    Mrs . Toms then related all that sh ^ had seen on the morning of the murder . The next witness was Mr . T . Hutcbinson , the surgeon , who had been called in by Mr . Toms , about one o ' clock . He said : — " On entering the front room I found tho body lying on the floor , with the head on tho table , separated from the body . There was a knife lying partly underneath the head , and a hatchet near it . The handle of the hatchet was covered with blood ; the edge of it appeared to have been wiped , but there was blood on other parts of it . " ( The hatchet , a small one , was here produced . ) ¦ ' The Prisoner She deserved itand put her head

    .- — " , I on the table ; howevor , it is of no consequence . " Tho Witness . —" Tho knife is covered with blood . Tho body was a foot or a foot and a half from the edge of the table . The body was lying in a different direction from the head . The feet were nearest to tho door . I put my hand on tho body and felt it warm . Tho woman who went up with mo screamed and left me alone , and I then went to tho window and called out to the people in the street to fetch a policeman . I don't think she could have been dead more than ten minutes when I got there . I think the woman was first struck with the hatchet , then cut with the knife , and tho vortobroe afterwords seve red with tho hatchot . On the right side of tho head there was a wound from an inch to an inch and a half long , but I do not think

    that was the cause of death . The scalp and the bono were cut through , as it appears to mo , with the hatchet . I think a scuffle must have taken place , as a bundle of dothes which was in tho room was in a confused state . I eaw a flat iron lying close to the clothes . Near the woman ' s body there was a pillow , on the surf ace of which was blood , and impressions as of a man ' s knees . Underneath the pillow thero was a sido-comb , and ono similar to it entangled in tho woman ' s hair and broken , Thero was also a largo comb at the side of tho pillow . There was diluted blood in tho basin in tho prisoner ' s bedroom , and blood on tho wash-hand stand , and also on the towel . " Tho Magistrate . — " Have you anything to ask this gontlomnn P" _ .

    Tho Prisoner . — " I have nothing to ask . I should hko tho window to be left open while tho corpse is in tho room . I didn't think of that boforo . It is tho last requoBt , perhaps , I shall make . " Lockyor , tho policeman who approhendod Whoolor , related tho following conversation which had passed between him and the prisoner on their way to tho station-houBo . Whoolor said , " They havo not lot mo go " far j I have boon tormontod for four or five years by them . " I said , " Do you moan to say that ' you havo killod your mother P' \ and ho said" I havo ; I am sorry for it . " I said , "Howcamo

    , you to < lo itP , " Well , " ho said , ' " I have licon tormontod for four or five years . " I askod him how ho did it , and ho said , " 8 ho was coming in at tho door , and I knocked hor down with tho flat iron , and I found that was not sufficient , and I then took tho carvimj-knifo . Sho woa very tough , and I then struck her hoaa off with tho hatchot . " At tho Btation-houao I found a knifo in his coat ; pocket , arid I askod him what he was going to do with it , and he said , " That was for myself . " I understood that he was going to out hifl own throat . I afterwards went to the houso

    No . 1 , in Durham-place . I eaw the deceased lying on the floor dead , with her head on the table . He said , at the station , " Youwill find a letter on the table , and take particular care of it . " ¦ The Prisoner ^— " 1 spoke more respectfully thanthe man has stated . I did not make a bravado of it . I spoke sorrowfullv , did I not p " The Poficeman , — - " YeSjyou did ?' , The Magistrate ; -- ^ "I havealready more than oiice cautioned ^ ou as to what y % ^ ' , . The Prisoner . — "I am quite' prepared to go to the scaffold * I struck her with the flat iron , and blood must have blood ; but I did not bravado about it . " Mr . Toms , the carpet bag maker ; deposed to all that he

    had seen in the morning . He concluded by saying ,. " His mother was always very kind to the prisoner . The prisoner is well educated . At times he is rational , but at other times he is not . I think he must have listened when his mother was talking about removing him , and I think that was the cause of ft alt . He frequently talked to himself . " The Prisoner . — "I have been in the habit of talking to myself" : ! ^ : " . \ . . - ^ . / J" - ¦ .. The Witness . — " His mother was a beautiful woman , ^^ stood 5 feet 10 mches or 6 feet 11 inches high . She was always very kind to him ; ^ When he has been very bad she has threatened to put him away . He has been in Bedlam 11 months , arid seven months in an asylum at Wandsworth . He has been in Brazil , and had a sun-stroke as he was

    crossing the Line . He had a salary of 300 ? . a year , and he can speak three or four different languages . " Wheeler was then : remanded . A document found in . his desk throws light upon the state of his mind . He attributes * his insanity to his haying been poisoned in Bahia , South America , and declares that there is a regular plot for inveigling young inert out there to be clerks , and then poisoning them . He also gives a long rambline account of his differ-, ences with his father and mother , and alludes repeatedly to poison and madness . ¦ On Tuesday a coroner ' s inquest held at the Stag Tavern . KenningtoriJRpad , brought in a verdict of "Wijful Murder , " ffa-rist Thomas Cathie Wheeler ^

    Thomas Cathie Wheeler was brought before Mr . Norton on Wednesday afternoon for final examination . On entering the court Wheeler gazed anxiously around , and nbfc discovering any friends or acquaintances assumeda thoughtful appearance . During the reading of the depositions by the Chief Clerk he wept bitterly , arid particularlyat that part where the witnesses described the appearance of the head on the tabled the hatchet and knife covered with blood . He is described as being much altered since bis first examination , arid tobc evidently siuTeringfrorirseveremenfeil affliction . The only additional witness examined was Mr . John Cathie , proprietor of the Lee Arms public house ,

    Dalston , brother to the murdered woman , and uncle to Thomas Cathie Wheeler . Mr . Cathie deposed to having long been aware of his nephew ' s insanity , and to-having himself taken him to the lunatic asylum on two occasions . He was discharged at the earnest solicitation of his mother , and they always appeared . to be on the most affectionate terms . On Tuesday week Thomas Wheeler had called at his uncle ' s house and behaved in a very extraordinary manner . His uncle gave him a coat , and seeing that Wheeler had a black bag under his arm advised him to put tho coat in it . He positively refused , and soon after became furiously excited . .

    Mr . Norton . — " Were you aware that the prisoner had been in the habit of carrying a knife and a pistol about him in this black bag P " Mr . Cathie . — "No , Sir , I was not ; and if this was tbo case it would account for his objection to put tho coat into it . " Prisoner . — "Oh , no ; I carried tho bag for a weight , and felt a pleosuro in swinging it about by my side like a pendulum . " This having concluded the evidence , the prisoner was asked if he wished to put anv Questions to his uncle or to

    say anything to the charge , and he replied , " Nothing . The witnesses were then bound over in the usual recognizancos v to appear and give evidence against the prisoner at the ensuing session at tho Central Criminal Court on a charge of wilful murder , and tho unfortunate man was fully committed and then removed from the court . in . the course of tho proceedings Mr . Norton road tho following communication , which ho had received relative to tho accused from Captain Robertson , chief constable ot the Hertfordshire constabulary : — Hertford , April 13 th , 1852 .

    " Sir , —I think it right to inform you that in August last Thomas Wheolor , now in custody for causing the death of his mother , was brought to mo by Inspector Dunn , of tho Hertfordshire county constabulary , ho having threatened to shoot a person in tho hig h road , two miles from this town . I at onco perceived Whoelor was ineano , and after taking away tho p istol with which ho was armoa , I sent him to hie mother in Lamboth , and tho n < 33 ^ tho accompanying lottor waa received by Inspector Piffljlt partly written , aa you will perceive , by the man hinaBOH . and partly by his unfortunate mother . Whooler protested that tho man ho had threatened was about to rob him . " I am , Sir , your most obedient servant , "A . Robbrtson , Chief Constable of Herts . " Hon . Or . 0 . Norton , &o . " . \

    • The following was tho lottor roforrcd to : — " Mr . Superintendent Dunn . —I am happy to '"*'"" you I havo arrived eafo homo . My mother Bends « er rospoots and thanka , an I do . AIbo to Mr . Dunn , jun ., aua ladies . " Your obedient sorvant , Thomab 0 . Wkebieb In tho satno lottor tho following appoars in tho handwriting of tho docoascd : — - " Sir , —I fool truly grateful for your kind attention to my eon , for whom I was very anxious . J ' . J EMZABBTH WDBBIB » - " Durham-place , Lambeth-road , August 14 / . "

• Citation
  • Leader (1850-1860), April 17, 1852, page 366, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1931/page/10/