725 lashes

Attempt to Assassinate the Deputy Chairman of the East India Company. - This day an attrocious attempt was made at the East India-house to assassinate Mr. Loch, the deputy chairman of the East India Company, by a man named Kearney, who was lately employed in India as a conductor of ordnance. Having obtained admission to Mr. Loch's room, Kearney attacked that gentleman, and with a knife resembling those used by the Malays inflicted two wounds, one at the back of the head, and the other on the cheek. He was immediately secured, and brought before the lord mayor for examination. He is a person of good address, and respectable appearance.

Reported in March this was then followed up later in the month with:

East India House. - At a very full meeting of the proprietors this day the case of Kearney, who committed suicide last week in Giltspur-street compter, where he was confined for the attempted assassination of Mr. Loch, the Deputy-chairman, was brought before the court. The chairman, Sir J. Carnac, submitted a statement of facts descriptive of Kearney's connexion with the company, from which it appeared, that Kearney had been made a sergeant by Colonel Cunliffe, the commissary-general, for general good conduct; that he usurped upon this, but had been allowed to remain at Calcutta, instead of returning to Rangoon after leave of absence, and was put into the petty store department; that here he behaved with great insolence, because he was refused promotion in that office, though he knew there were fourteen above him: his conduct was violent in the extreme. The whole statement read by the chairman tended to show, that Kearney had not the slightest pretensions to the claims made upon the directors and that Mr. Loch, so far from having injured him, had ever treated him in the most kind and forbearing manner.

It was added, that he had, when in India, in 1816, been sentenced to 300 lashes for insolence to his superior officer, but which was remitted; and in 1818 to a similar sentence for making a false statement against the same officer, which was inflicted: that the next month, he was again sentenced to 200 lashes, for asserting that he could prove perjury against that officer, but which had emanated from his own vicious temper; and in two other instances nad been sentenced to receive 800 and 300; making in the whole five convictions to receive 1,900 lashes, of which 725 were inflicted.

The chairman read a certificate from Mr. Loch's medical attendants, which stated, that he was going on very favourably, and that a speedy recovery was anticipated.

A resolution proposed by Mr. Laurie, wns then unanimously agreed to, to the effect that the court congratulated Mr. Loch on his escape from assassination, and expressing a hope, that his recovery from the attack would be a speedy one. After the transaction of other business the court adjourned.

An inquest was held on the body of Kearney, on Saturday, and after hearing evidence, the jury returned a verdict, that "The deceased had destroyed himself by poison, being at the time in a state of temporary mental derangement."

About an hour after the termination of the inquest, his relatives removed the body from the compter in a hearse. Every exertion has been made to discover the means by which he became possessed of the poison which terminated his mortal career, but hitherto without success.

The son, for whom he solicited a provision from the East India Company, is fourteen years of age, and a youth of exceedingly good promise. We are glad to hear, that the East India Company have expressed, through Mr. Lawford, their solicitor, an intention of providing for the poor boy.

Mr. Loch is recovering from the injuries inflicted upon him.