The Sun. — 1844-04-20 (London, England)

SUICIDE OF AN AMERICAN MERCHANT. Last evening a long inquiry took place at the Horse and Groom, Castle-street, Leicester-square, before Mr. Higgs, concerning the death of. Joseph Simiani, aged twenty-six, , an American merchant. William Nind, proprietor of Pagliano's Hotel, No. 30, Leicester-square, said that the deceased had lodged in his house for the last six weeks. He represented himself as an American Merchant, lately arrived from Italy, and about to proceed to New York. Not being able to liquidate the demand witness had upon him, deceased made an engagement to meet him that morning (Friday) with his friend Mr. Rosselli, who, he stated; would become guarantee for the amount. Witness found that, at the appointed time, deceased had not risen from bed, and he waited a short time expecting him to make his appearance ; but shortly after twelve o'clock sent one of the waiters up to call him. The door was locked, and upon forcing it open, the deceased was seen lying upon the floor alive, but bleeding from a large wound in the throat. He died in about an hour. On the previous day witness told him that he could not remain any longer in the house, upon which deceased asked to be allowed to get some letters from his desk, which he stated were were of great importance ; and he then took from the drawer a packet of letters, addressed to Mr. Roselli, Mincing-lane, City. The day of his death (Friday) witness received the following letter, which deceased had evidently written the previous day—it was written in French : " I pray you to send to Mr. Rosselli, Mincing-lane, my writing-desk, and the two parcels addressed to him. I kill myself, because lam tired of living. I have prayed to God and the most. holy mother that they might take from me those thoughts, but my prayers have had no effect. It seems that that should be my destiny. Before dying I have repented with all my heart of all my faults, and I hope in the mercy of God that my soul may be saved.. Pra SI y for me.— I am, &c. " Witness found a note addressed to him, in which deceased stated " that he owed him something ; that he (witness) was master of all his effects ; but that he was sorry there was not sufficient recompense for his trouble." From a peculiar wildness of the eye witness had observed in deceased, he considered that his mind was affected. He (deceased) was in the habit of uttering the most ridiculous falsehoods, indeed, such as no person could believe. From his habits, witness had no doubt that deceased was a gentleman of education. He was latterly in pecuniary difficulties ; but when he had money he was very improvident. Mr. •A. Roselli, jun., merchant, of Mincing-lane, City, said that he had for a long time past transacted business with the deceased and his father. • He had heard deceased say several times lately that he was mad; and, in witness's opinion, his mind was not in a perfectly sound state. His skull was severely fractured by a fall from his horse about nine years ago. The following is a translation of the letter he wrote to witness 6, You will be astonished to hear the resolution I have taken, but lam tired of living. I have known this world long enough; but I hope to enjoy mirth and tranquillity in the next. As I have not in London a better friend than you, I beg you to send the inclosed letters to their addresses. Send my desk to Leghorn. No ; upon second thoughts, you had better keep it. "