The Sun.
London, England, 1824-02-06 00:00:00

MR. PIERCE.

On Monday morning last the water was lee
out of the harbour, and between eleven and
twelve o'clock a body was seen floating upon the.
surface, which, upon examination, when brought
on shore, was discovered, by the watch) money,
and papers, to be Mr. PIERCE, and no marksi of
violence about his person. We subjoin the evi•
deuce given upon the Coroner's Inquest, taken'
on Monday last, which leaves no doubt that Mr.
PIERCE met his death by accident, arising from
the foggy state of the night of the 3d of January,
when he fell into the Float.
The Coroner, JOSEPIL BAKER GRINEMDT, Esq., held an
Inquest at the Rownham Tavern. Upon the Jury being
sworn, they took a view of the body ; and, op their return to
the Inquest-room, declared that no evernal mark of violence
appeared thereon.

George Protheroe, Esq. sworn.—Mr. Pierce dined with me
on Saturday, the 3d of January, at five o'clock, and left me
about seven ; he returned shortly after nine; he was sober
when he left me at seven o'clock, and quite so on his return
he left my house about half-past twelve, and was then also'
perfectly sober ; he was in his usual spirits, which were inva-.
riably good. It was a fine night, but rather foggy ; I went to•
the door with him, and wished him good night; I have not
seen him since alive.

Ann Bailey, servant to Mr. George Protheroe.-_I waited at
table when Mr. Pierce dined with my master, on Saturday, the
3d of January ; I did not observe any thing strange or unusual:
in his conduct; I met him on the stairs about half-past twelve,
when he appeared perfectly sober.
Thomas Charles proved that he this day saw a dead body on
the water in the floating harbour, which was picked up, and:
that he had since assisted in stripping the body, which the
Jury had viewed. That there was no hat on the deceased.
John Powell and John Thomas proved that they picked up'
the body.
Richard Washer proved the bringing the body on shore.
Joseph Pope proved that the following articles were found ors
the deceased i—A diamond breast-pin; gold watch and chain;
two seals and key ; a silk handkerchief; several business papa
and letters • a snuff' box ; gold pencil-case ; pen-knife ; fives
and
; latch ' key ; eight shillings and two sixpences; threcr
One-pound and two ten-pound Bristol bankers' cash notes ;
a.
promissory note for 301. ; comb, and pocket-book. The letter*
Were addressed Charles Pierce, Esq., and others Messrs. Palmer and Pierce. All these articles were produced to the Jury.--'
His linen was marked C. P.
William Protheroe, Esq., proved that he dined on Saturday,'
the 3d'of January, at his brother's with Mr. Perce, who left
about seven o'clock ; shelved witness the letter now produced,
and found the person of the deceased. This witness also•
identified the gold pencil-case, chain, and seals, to be Mre•
Pierce's.
Dr. Wallis knew Mr. Pierce during his life-time, who had fA
cut on the left hand between the thumb and fore-finger, which
was now also visible, and from that circumstance he had no
doubt of the deceased being Mr. Charles Pierce—there was nv
external appearance of violence.
Richard Edgell and John Shorland, Esqrs., surgeons, proves
that they had so examined the body, and could not perceiVe
any external marks of injury.
Arthur Palmer, Esq.—Mr. Pierce was my partner. He had
transacted business with me the whole of Saturday morning
the 3d of January—he was in perfect sound mind, and hist
usual cheeful spirits—his cash and business transactions were
quite correct. On that day Mr. Pierce had received a check
for 1561. odd, on account of our partnership, and brought it to
me as usual, as lam the cashier. I have not the slightest
reason to think he was embarrassed, or the least affected in his'
mind ; I have not found any defalcation in the partnership
accounts, nor have I the slightest reason to suspect any ; I be"
lieve him to have been a man possessed of an honourable
mind, and utterly incapable of committing any act to my pre' judice.
Francis Jarman.-1 saw Mr. Pierce at half-past four o'clock
pointed to meet me the following day, at the Commercial'
; he was in good spirits, and aP,'
rooms, about one o'clock.
e
; hseaew.yekAineiinP;eiehtroec av 3 56:
on Saturday,
ugdot hfou
udne
itsn3:de,ci
r.
lO
state tPhoiefe Saturdayrme
the ejhooi
sffih nucsruabout nine ? clock On the Saturday evening, he wa
in his usua °1
him the papers now produced from the pocket of the deceased;
which I did, and he said, " I will look them through, and
call on Philip and George Protheroe with them on my way int°
town on Monday morning ; he was, to all appearance, per'
fectly sober; he was always most punctual in business.
The Coroner recaptulated the evidence, after which the Jury'
retired, and in a few minutes brought in a verdict—." Fount' drowned."
The sorrowing relatives and friends of Mr. Pierce, And elso.
the public mind, will now be relieved from a painful state of
suspense and agitation, as upon the Coroner's Inquest it is
clearly ascertained that he has not been murdered, and the dr'
curnstances show that this unfortunate and lamented gentleman
must have accidentally fallen into the Float.
The remains of the deceased were on 'Wednesday interred la
his family vault at Bristol.
Irj°e:traesknl
aoutneoadkr

DREADFUL ACClDENT.—Yesterday forenoon 11
-
fine little girl, seven years of age, the only child
of a poor widow named Summers, was burnt to,'
death by her clothes catching fire. She had beau
left at home by herself during the absence of her
mother, and standing on a chair to look for a
needle on the mantle-piece, her clothes caught
fire, and she was instantly enveloped in flames,
in which state she ran down stairs and into the
street : her screams brought the neighbours ttY
her assistance, some of whom threw wattr over
her, but too late to render her any service, as all
her clothes were reduced to tinder, and she 1915
burnt from head to foot. She was carried to St.
Bartholomew's Hospital in the most excruciating
agony, where death put an end to her suffering
in less than two hours after.

B] RTHS.
At Ickwell Bury, near Biggleswade; on the Ist inst., La cif
Johnstone, of a son.
On the 4th inst., Mrs. d'Emden, Southgate, of a son.