Mr. Pierce.
The Times, 1824-02-06T00:00:00

Olu Mondav morniner last the water *vas let out of the harbour, and between 11 and 12 o'clock a body was seen floating upon the %urface which, upon examination, wfen brought on shore, was dis- coveredW by the watch, money, and papers, to be Mr. Pierce ; and no marts of violence about his verson. UWe subjoin the evidence given upon the Coroner's Inqnest, taken on Nonday last, which leaves no doubt that SMr. Pierce met his death bv accident, arising frolm the fogggyx tate of the night of the 3d ofJanuary, when he fell into the Float. The Coroner, Joseph Baker (Grindon,Esq., held an lnquestatthe Rownham Tarern. Upon tle Jury beingswom, they took a viewof the body , and, on their return to the Inquest rooni, declaTed that no external mark of violence appeared tlhereon. (;eorge Prothcrne Esq. swrorn.-Mr. Pierce dined wvith tne on Sa- turnay, the 3d of Janiuary, at 5 o'clock. and left menabout 7 ; he re- turned shortly after 9; he wvas sober when he left me at 7 o'clock, and quite so on his return; he left my house about half-past 12, arnd was then also perfectly sober, he vas in his usual spirits, which were invariably good. It war a fine night, but rather foggy, I went to the door with hiin, and wishe( liimn good night; I have not seen litit since alive. Attn lailev, servaiit to Mr. George Protheroe.-I waited at table when Mr. Pterce dined with my master, on Sathrday, the 3td of January ; I (lidl tiot observe any thing strainge or unusual in his conduct; I met hirn on the stairs abontt half past twelve, when he appeared perfectly sober. ThomaS Charles proved tbat he this day saw a dead body on the water, in the floating lharbour, which was picked up, an(d that he had since assisted in stripping the body, which the jury had viewed. That there was no hat on the deceased. John PowellandJohn Thomasproved that they pickedup thebody. Richard Washer proved the bringing the body on shore. Joseph Pope proved that the following artiCes were found on the deceased :_A diamwond breast..in *gold watch and chain; two seals and kev; a silkhandkerchief; several business papers and letters ; stuff'bnx; gold pencil-case; penhloife; five keys; latch key; sight shillings and two sixzences; three one-pound anid two teh- poundt Bristol ebankess' cash notes; a protissory note for 301.- f omb, anti yocket.book. The lettems *vereaddressed Charles ?Pierce, b29., anid others Mr-erss. Palmer and Pierce. Al articles Were uroditrdt to t- ;,,,.- -i2 -- n T[ v 1lliam rrotmeroe, Jisq., proved that hse dinedt on Saturday, the 3d of JanMary, ut b1 s brother's with Ali. Pictce, who left abolit teven o'clock; shdwed witniss the letter now producedand found on ihe person of the deceased. This witness also identified the gold peucil.case. chain, and seals, to be Mr. Pierce's. Dr. Wallis knew .Mr. Pierce during hjs ife-time, srho had a cut )n the left hand betweeni the thumb and 'fbre-finger, which was now Elso visible, and froni that circumnstance he hiad no doubt 6f the de- tease4 being Air. Cb,arles Pierce-_there was no external appearance *f violence. Richard Edgell and Johii Shorland, Esqrs., sureons, proved that hr.y had also examined the budy, and could not perceive any exter- ial marks of injury Arthur Palmer, Esq._.Mr. Pierce was fly partner. I.e had ransacted busineX5 with me tbe whbole of Saturday morning the 3d f January-he wvas in per&gt sound mind, and his usual cheerful tpirits--his cashi and business tiansactions were quite correct. On hat day Air. Pierce hiad received a cheek for 1661. odd, on account If our partnership, and brought it to me as usual, as I am the ~aslhicr. I have not the slightest reamson no thihk he was embar- Usser, or the least affected in his mind, I have not found any de- hication in the partnership accotants; nor have I the slightest reason o suspect any; I believe him to have been a man possessed of an. onnurahie mnind and; utterly incapable of comnitting any act to ny prejudice. P rancis Jar'man._I saw Illr. Pierce at half-past four o'cloe'( on sturday, tihe 3d January*; lhe was in good spirits, and appointed meet me the following day, at the Commercial.rooms, about one )flonn k'OUdtoot (clerk to Mdr. Pierce).-I saw Nr. Pierce at the office about nine o'clock on the Saturday evening h be was in his usuatl good spirita arid statd of mind: he asked me to give him the papers now produced from the pocket of the dleceased, which I did and he said, "1 r will look them through, and will cal nn Philip n3 George Protheroe wvith them on mv wav into towi on Monday morn. ing;" he was, to all appearance, perfectly sober; he wasalways most punctuid in business. The Coroner recapitlated the evidence, atee vwhich the jurv re- tired, and in a few minutes brouglht in a verdict-"1 Found droned. The sorrowing relativ" and friends of Mlr. Pierce, and also thme public mind, will now be relieved from a painful state of suspense and agitation, as upon the coroner8 Inquest It Is dearly ascertainedl that lie bas not been mntirdered, and tlhe circumstances show tliat.this unfortuniate and laraented gentletmainust,have accidentally fallen into the float. - Tle remains of thedeceas(l were'ye"sterday fiterred in his family vault, at 3ristod. Norawicii, Feb. 4,-The euriosity ixcitcdI by-the.dis- CQ1VOtY of' thie vaults' by Sr.' Gile~- Sit4. se?Us nlo. 'in bVm abated: during the last4-r-Tgljjt gve~rmt.rqters hav ho thlrotugh this subter~ranle9lls- bybirtbi 'snmong whlom wr~ thdmos dirinm1jhed yjmmuiids Ot1ji,~ity afta count. thos gcnle Vial;1 'are f of lm-Tso h:fjn porio o whcha'~'shown Wt the r4q W15 Oi OS MR. PIERCE.