West Port murders, or an authentic account of the atrocious murders committed by Burke and his associates; containing a full account of all the extraordinary circumstances connected with them. Also, a report of the trial of Burke and M'Dougal. With a description of the execution of Burke, his confessions, and memoirs of his accomplices, including the proceedings against Hare, &c.

  • Burke, William, 1792-1829.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: West Port murders, or an authentic account of the atrocious murders committed by Burke and his associates; containing a full account of all the extraordinary circumstances connected with them. Also, a report of the trial of Burke and M'Dougal. With a description of the execution of Burke, his confessions, and memoirs of his accomplices, including the proceedings against Hare, &c. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    387/392
    The following correspondence has taken place, between the publisher and Mr. Johnson, law agent for Mr. Swauston, who conceives himxdj aggrieved by a passage in Janet Brown's statement, contained in No. 6. As the best way of giving Mr. S.'s justification, we print tit* letters entire. Edinburgh, 1th February, 1829. 4, Grove Street. &ir—Mr. William Swanston spirit-dealer in the Canongate, feels him- self much aggrieved by the unwarrantable falsehood mnder which he is re- presented in the sixth number, page 126, in the account which you choose to publish of the West Port Murders. Mr. Swanston knowing the statement to be entirely false, must necessari- ly think, that in associating his name in such a manner with the late wretched Burke, and singling him out individually in this way, must have been done with a malicious intention of doing an injury, not only to his character, but to bis trade. You must have been aware when you publish- ed this account, that every person in Edinburgh would have shuddered at the very thoughts of having, however innocently, exchanged words with Burke in his life - time; but what must have been your feeling when you have represented Mr. Swanston as his companion at five o'clock in the morning, and given it again to the public as truth. You were bound as a publisher, in justice to every individual, to have inquired into the truth or falsehood of the statement, and to have asked permission to publish it, supposing the statement to have been correct: because, whether true or false, must have been a great annoyance to any person possessed of any degree of moral feel ing- Mr. Swanston has therefore instructed me to institute an action of da- mages against you, for reparation for the injury which he must sustain in his own feelings and in his business, as well as in the eye of the public, who must have an inveterate grudge at him, and consequently must shun him in all civil intercourse, resulting from such false, injurious, malicious and calumnious statement, represented by you as an authentic and faithful hi«story published by you for your lucre.—I am, Sir, your most obedient servant, (Signed) JOHN JOHNSON. Mr. Thomas Ireland, Bookseller and Publisher, 57, South Bridge Street. Edinburgh, 10th February, 1829. Sir,—In consequence of your having taken no notice of my letter to you of the 7th instant, on the subject of your late libellous publication on Mr. Swanston, I presume you mean to justify the fact. I have therefore to intimate to you that the case will be forthwith put into a shape of a sum- mons of damages against you—I am, Sir, your most obedient servant. (Signed) JOHN JOHNSON. Mr. Thomas Ireland, Jun. Publisher and Bookseller, 57, South Bridge Street. Edinburgh, 57, South Bridge Street. February 11, 1S29. Sir,—I have to apologise to you for not answering sooner your letter of the 7th current, complaining of the notice taken of Mr. Swanston in the Trial of Burke at present publishing by me. In answer to it, and your second of yesterday, I have to state, that I am very sorry that Mr. Swanston should feel at all injured by what has beem said of him, and though my information as to what is stated of him was from the best authority,* still I would not wish in the smallest degree, even * T*ne statement regarding Mr. Swanston, was given bv Janet Brewn, who was along wivh Wary Paterson. \