Aged about thirty, admitted April 11th, 1818. This unfortunate
gentleman had served as a Lieutenant in the 62d regiment of foot, and
is still on the half-pay establishment. His first overt act of palpable
insanity was his memorable attempt to assassinate Lord Palmerston,
the Secretary at War, above five years since; from which attempt his
Lordship very narrowly escaped with life, but received a severe wound
in his side.
Lieutenant Davis had formerly filled the same rank in the
West-Middlesex militia, and was one of those officers who volunteered
to join Lord Wellington, in 1814; and was then appointed to a
Lieutenancy in the 62d foot, with which regiment he served for some
time in Canada; from whence he returned a short time previous to the
attack on Lord Palmerston, and was placed on half-pay.
Under imaginary notions of professional grievances, he wrote several
letters to Lord Palmerston, recapitulating his important services, and
urgently soliciting a pension. But failing in these solicitations, he
attempted to destroy himself, and inflicted a severe wound in that
attempt. He still persevered in his solicitations to Lord Palmerston;
but his letters were couched in terms not indicative of a sane mind.
Imputing his failure entirely to the noble Secretary at War, he
determined on personal vengeance; and, with that view, proceeded to
the War Office and inquired for his Lordship, who had not then come.
He, however, waited on the stairs until Lord Palmerston was passing up
towards his office, when he drew a loaded pistol from his bosom, fired
at his Lordship, and then ran down stairs, exclaiming in triumph, “I
have done for him!”
He was instantly secured and taken to Queen Square Police Office,
whence he was committed for trial.
Lord Palmerston had his side lacerated by the ball; but his wound was
declared, by Sir Ashley Cooper, not dangerous.
Lieutenant Davis was capitally indicted and tried for this act; but was
found by the Jury to be insane, and sent here on the 11th of April 1818.
He is a native of Wales; his father is a military officer, and his
brother is in the Royal Navy.
He appears to conduct himself rationally, and never displays any
symptoms of frenzy. He seldom converses with any of the other patients,
but maintains towards all the most haughty reserve. He frequently
bursts out in laughter without any obvious cause; but is regular,
cleanly, and harmless. He receives his half-pay, about seventy pounds a
year, which he spends chiefly in trifles, apple-pies, and various kinds
of pastry.