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

POLICE.

the parish (three little children, line litrla girls, were prod:lced
at the office). It appeared, that during this period of his
desertion, he was in good clrcilmstancess, and that within the
last six montfts he received a leviey of nearly 3001., whieh he
has been spending in the most dissolute manner, not appropti.
ating one shilling of it to the use of his family. The prisoder
heard the statement, and viewed his children twith the mos•
callous indifference; and made no oblerveilon, but tnat of
refusing to give any remuneration to the parish.—The Niactis.
trate observed to Mr. Carr, that if he cmmtiitted him to prison
under the Vagrant Act, at the expiration of three months he
would be relieved from all °bile atiuits, whereas, by co:nm:t.
ting him to the Sessions (should he still refuse to came t,
terms), the period of his imprisonment uiteht be proloi,ged—
Mr. Carr thanked the Magistrate fur his advice, and the pet
sonar was accordingly committed to the Sessions.

MR. PIERCE, OF BRISTOL.
CORONER'S INQUEST.

Joseph Baker G &Won, Esq. held an Inithat at the Rawl:,
ham Tavern. . .

George Protheroe—Mr. Pierce dined with me on Saturday,
3dJanuary, at five o'clock, and left me shout seven ; lie re:
turned 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 then in his usual spirits, which were invariably pad._
It was a tine night, but rather foggy ; I went to the door
with him, and wisied him good night : I have not seen law
since alive.

Ann Bailey, servant to Mr. George Protheroe—l waited at
table when Mr. Pierce dined with my master, on Saturday, 34
January; I did not observe any thing strange or unusual in
his conduct; I met him on the stairs about half pest 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 be had since assisted in stripping the body, which the Jury
.bad viewed ; that there was no hat on the deceased.
'John Powell and John Thomas proved that they picked up
to bldy.
Rich. Washer proved the bringing the body on shore.
Jcseph Popetproved that the following articles were fount
on the deceased :—a diamond breast pin, gold watch and chats,
two seals and a key, a silk handkerchief, several business lat.
tern and papers, a snuff box, gold pencil case, pen knife, five
keys, latch key, eight shillings, and two sixpences. three owe
pound, and two ten pound Bristol bankers' cash notes, a pro.
missory note for 301., comb, and pocket book. The letters
were addressed " Charles Pierce, Esq." and others " Messrs.
Palmer and Pierce." All these articles %ere produced to the
Jury. His linen was marked C. P.
William Protheroe, EN. proved that he dined on Saturday,
the Sd of of January, at his brother's, with Mr. Pierce, who
left about seven o'clock. Showed witness the letter now pro-
duced, and found on the person of the deceased. Tale witness
also identified the gold pencil case, chain, and seals, to be Mr.
Pierce's.
Dr. Wallis knew Mr. Pierce during his life time, who had a
eat on the left hand between the thumb and forefinger, which
was now also visible, and from that circumstance he had no
doubt of the deceased being Mr. Charles Pierce; there wasuo
external appearance of violence. •
Richard Edgell and Johu Shuriend, Esqrs., surgeons, proved
that they had also examined the body, and could nut perceive
any external marks of injury.
Arthur Palmer, Esq.-11r. Pi-rce was my partner. He
had transacted business with use tl:e a hole of Saturday
morning, the 3d of January. He was in perfect sonni
mind and his usual cheerful spirits. His cash and bun.
I ness transActiens were quite correct. On that day Mr.
Pierce had received a cheque for 1561. odd, on account of
our partnership, and brought it to me as usual, as I am
the cashier. I have not the slightest reason to think be
was embarrassed, or the least affected in his mind; I
have not found any defalcation in the partnership accounts,
nor bare 1 the slightest reason to anapect any. I believe
him to have been a man possessed of an honourable
mind, and utterly incapable of cosuluiling any act to my
prejudice.
Francis Jarman.—l saw Mr. Pierce at half-past four
o'clock on Saturday, the 3 t of January ; he was in goo I
spirits, and appointed to meet me the following day at 1W
Commercial Rooms, about one 0% lock.
John Proudfoot (clerk to Mr. Pierce).--IAW Mr.
Pierce at the office about nine o'clock on the Saturday
evening ; he was in Isis usual good spirits and state of
mind ; lie asked me to give him the papers now produced
from the pocket of the deceased, which I did. and he said
will look them through, and will call on Phillip and Geo.
Protheroe with them on my way to town on Monday taunt-
ing. He was to all appearance perfectly sober. He was
always most punctual in business.
The Coroner recapitulated the evidence, after witch the
Jury retired. and in a few minutes brought in a vt edict—
" Found Drowned."
• The relatives and friends of Mr. Pierce will now he re-
lieved from a painfnl state of suspense ; as upon true Coro-
ner's Inquest it is clearly ascertained that lie has not Bern
murdered, and the circumstances allow that this nutsurtu
nate gentleman must have accidentally fallen into the
Float.
The remains of the deceased were on Wednesday inter-
red in his family vault, at Bristol.

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