The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-10-18 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE BRITISH PRESS.

Oct. 17, 1R.6.

Ste—A statement having appeared in your yesterday's payer,
purporting to be the evidence taken before Richard Carter, Esq.
Coroner for Surrey, touching the death of Thomas -Burnside, in
which our names are introduced in a waroalculated to produce an
unfavourable impression as to the modem which actnated ns in the.
proceedings we adopted on the occasion of Ale. liurnsides death,
we therefore transmit enclosed • statement of what took place
so far as we were personally concerned, and which we beg the fa-
vour of your inserting in your widely circulating paper. We trust
that it will prove that we only acted in the way any disinterested in- I
dirlduals would proceed in order to protect the property fix those
who may be entitled legally to receive the same.
We only wish to add, that we could have no personal nor in.
terested motive whatever, Dot being executors, nor in any way hag-
irg any claim to the property,
We are, Sir, your obedient Servants,
MICHAEL 01/111,
R. N. Titonare ow, 174. High-etreet, Southwark.
". The late Mr. Thomas (not Richard) Burnside Bred alone in
a house situated in Pahnee's-rents, Snow's Fields; he had lately
come Into possession of a considerable income, id consequnice of
the death in May last of his heather, the late Reverend and Learned
Robert Burnside, well known as the author of several able and ex-
cellent works ; in addition to a considerable sur•l of money which he
had saved himself ; hie late brother was Weil known to, and inti-
-1 mate with, Mr. Gibbs and Mr. Thornton, .room he intended to
appoint as Ina executors, but dying belthe his will was executed,
that appointment did not take place.
"The late Mr. Thotnas Burnside administered to his brother's
effects and inherited all his property ; he expressed a wish to carry
the provisions of hie brother's intemled will into effect, which he
had partly done, and declared his intention to dispose of the residue
of the'property, thus devolving upon him conformably to it, in
favour of the descendants of his father's eldest brother at 014sgow ;
also to appoint Mr. Gibbs.and Mr. Thornton trustees to miry the
I same into effect, but no deed had yet been prepared.
" A few days ago Mr. Gibbs ow him, when he complained of
haying had a cold and sore throat, but was better again ; he had
not been confined to the lonise, andon Tuesday last was seen several
thneefn the course of the day, as Mr. Gibbs was icionned, by the
neghteurs.
" On Wednesday Stephen Wilson, who resided in one of the
houses in Palmer's-rents, whose wife was accustomed to attend Mr.
Burnside occasionally, observed that the house was not opened ; he
had knocked two or three times in the day, but received no answer,
and towards the evening he went to Mr. Gibbs, whom Ice knew to
be well acquainted with Mr. B. and informed him of the circum-
stance. Mr. OWN went over accompanied by William iluckaby,
and finding the house in the same state, he requested Wilson and
Iluckaby to get admission, which they did through the house of a
neighbour, by the back door of thepremises. They immediately
went to his best-rooms at the top of the house, and shortly let Ale.
Gibbs in at the trout door, and informed him that they found Mr.
Burnable in bed, but that lie was a corpse and stiff, which Mr.
ilibbs communicated to several person. standing round the street
door. . .

" Mr. Gibbs conceiving it proper to have a witness with him,
left the two men in charge, telling them not to admit any person
until his return. and to take care of the premises; went to Mr.
Thornton ; and they both together proceeded to the house in about
a quarter of an hour, in order to consult what would be best to be
done, and to secure the property, which they suspected might be in
the house, for the relations. The wife of Stephen %Vilson, who is a
very worthy woman, and had obtained the confidence of the de.
ceased had been informed by . him that his money was kept in a
closet in the first floor room, which she made known to Mr. Gibbs,
who with Mr. Thornton proceeded to the room, together with
Stephen Wilson, who took out all the articles found in the closet,
arnong.shich were mecca ,parcels and_bowea. containing money,
which after they had carefully examined they counted, and desired
also Stephen Wilsoo to
and signed b-
that ni -
tot kco'
had