“Your own, Sue.”
A letter was sent by Mrs. Thompson’s solicitor, to the Home Secretary, on 13th Feb., which after stating the result of Mrs. Thompson’s application to the Leeds Justices, states certain particulars as a reason why Mrs. Thompson should be allowed an interview with the convict. It is understood that the request had been refused by Mr. Cross.
PEACE AND HIS INVENTION.
The “Central News” special reporter at Leeds said the convict pointedly denied, that Mr. Brion ever knew or learned anything in respect of the invention for raising sunken vessels, except what he (Peace) imparted to him. He charged Mr. Brion with ingratitude in the matter, and said that when that individual first received a hint of the plan, he did not rest content until he had got possession of all the details of the invention. Peace’s method for raising sunken ships was to close their hatchways, ports, and any large leaks, and to force air into the hold, a simple trap or valve allowing the water to escape as the air was forced in. He purchased a small model steamer, and having taken out the engines and boilers, altered her to suit his purpose, and attached one of his valves and India-rubber tubing connnected wiih an air pump to the deck. A wooden tank about 7 feet long, 3 or 4 feet wide, and the same in depth was made, and this was filled with water in order to enable Peace to carry on his experiments. The model boat was also on several occasions sunk to the bottom of the Thames, and raised again by Peace’s apparatus, a select party of his own and Mr. Brion’s friends being present to witness these experiments.
VISIT OF MR. BRION TO THE CONVICT.
The “Central News” special reporter at Leeds telegraphed on Thursday: Mr. Brion, of 22, Philip-road, Peckham Rye, arrived in Leeds to-day about two o’clock. He went to the Town Hall, where he was at once provided with a pass admitting him to see Peace. He immediately took a cab and drove to the gaol, which he reached about half past two o’clock. On entering, he saw Mr. Keene, the governor, who took him to Peace’s cell. The greeting between the two men was not over-cordial. Mr. Brion told him the object of his visit was to get a renewal of the statement that he (Brion knew nothing about Peace, the convict’s past career, or that he was other than what he represented himself to be, namely, a retired gentleman.) Peace said that such was the case, and he called those present to witness that Mr. Brion knew nothing about his doings; and the sole cause of the frequent visits to his house was in connection with the invention of raising sunken ships. Peace then asked a number of questions in respect to the Evelina-road house, and what disposition had been made of the effects therein. Mr. Brion told him that so far as he knew everything had been carried off and disposed of, Mrs. Thompson and Hannah having divided the proceeds. He also expressed himself as willing to turn over to anyone whom Peace should name all the plans and papers belonging to him in his possession. This appeared to please Peace, and he became more communicative. He said he was prepared to meet his fate, and that he should send letters from the scaffold to many of his relatives and friends. He professed the greatest esteem for Mr. Brion, and bade him good bye with a considerable show of feeling, saying that the latter should hear from him again. Mr. Brion returned to London by the ten o’clock train.
LETTER TO MR. GOODLAD.
Peace was a staunch friend as well as an implacable enemy. Two of his oldest friends were Mr. George Goodlad and Mr. Cragg, and he was much disappointed when he was informed that they could not be permitted to see him at Armley. He promised to write to them both, and he kept his word, Amongst the batch of letters handed to the chaplain on Tuesday morning was the following:—
“From Charles Peace H.M. prison. Leeds, Tuesday,
25th February, 1879.