“The invention spoken of was for the raising of sunken ships; and for the purpose of having it patented, specifications were deposited in the names of Henry Brion, geographer, and Henry Thompson, gentleman.
“Becoming bold over their invention, they offered to the Admiralty to raise the ‘Eurydice’ and ‘Vanguard,’ and a similar proposal was made to the German Government in regard to the ‘Grosser Kurfurst.’ Peace was told by the Admiralty that outside assistance was unnecessary, and that the naval authorities could do their own work.
“Brion’s connection with Peace ended in an estrangement.
“One day Brion had fetched from Peace’s house one of the fittings which they had decided to use in their plan of operations, as he required it in order to satisfy a gentleman who was ready to advance £500 to carry out the experiment.
“While doing this Peace came into the house, and was very angry at what Brion had done, and on his going away said that he would settle the matter in a way that Brion did not dream of.
“Mrs. Thompson told Brion afterwards that, as he had put him out so, the wonder was that Peace had not shot him, and added that if Brion had come round to Peace’s house, as he asked him to do, Peace told her that he would have shot him.
“The convict had also told her that he could get into Brion’s house and despatch the whole of them.
“Brion saw nothing more of Peace until he received a letter from Newgate, which was couched in the following terms:—
“‘From John Ward, 1 D for trial, H.M. Prison.
Newgate, Nov. 2, 1878.
“My dear Sir.—Mr. Brion,—I do not know how to write to you or what to say to you, for my heart is near broken, for I am nearly mad to think that I have got into this fearful mess, all with giving myself up to drinking; but O, Mr. Brion, do you have pity on me, do not you despise me, as my hone famery has don, for I do not know ware they are, for they have broken up there home and gon I do not know where. So O, my dear Sir, I must beg of you to have mercy upon me and come to see me.