The Express.
London, England, 1859-11-05 00:00:00

AMERICAN SWINDLERS.

Some months back a peculiar system of swindling,
invented in America, and practised in that country on per-
sons in England, was detected and stopped. The plan was
to mod letters to the address of individuals whose deatha ap-
peared in the obituary of the London papers, purporting to
come from some youthful protegi who had Mist thin mks-
sandlot and keen maenad to prison, sod who, la Noma of
the deepest repentance, solicited his old and "Mod hoodoo-
tor to transmit him IW. to some United States post-o Moo.
Many executors upon opening these oommonications were led
to comply with the appeal under the desire to act la wand-
WO with say possible wish of the deceased person; and
then le remit to believe that the trade proved very
lutrative. It woo completely brought to en end,
however, by the publicity given to it. The parties
have, therefore, been driven to new expedients; and
their plan now is to transmit letters to the address of deceased
meats, purporting to come front a woman they have de-
serted, and who claims aid for a dying child. This has pro-
bahly brought more success even than the farmer plan, dace
it has awakened the fears of &wallies sad • desire to avert
modal. About a fortnight back two al these sonununiestiona
reached the hands of mutual friends, sad the imposition
being thus apparent a copy of the production cos Inwood la
a daily journal. Each subsequent mail, however, has brought
a freett supply, all worded in nearly the same manner; and
It la therefore desirable to remove by a further exposure the
pain they may have cocesiousd. Annexed la one recall, '
received. The writing is apparently that of a man who has
assumed a female hand :
" Lockport, Niagara County, New York, United
States, &pt. 19, 1869.
"Dearest, best Frirnd,—Why, wLy have you not sent the
usual remittance? Poor Tom is dying, sad we are in the
extremist went. You requested me not to write, bat after
waiting till I am penniless I am, at this moment of crushing
misery, compelled to do so. Your poor dying woo muds hfil
fondest love; poor dear fellow) he ha never known •
father's an. Ball from a boy I have taught him to pray
far sad love you. Little did I thick when, years ago, I die-
covered all sad fled that you would fall me in this hour of
terrible aMiction. Yes, that you might be free and happy
with those so dearly loved, I left all, and fled with my poor
fatherless boy to this distant and strange land, end daily
since have we preyed for blessings on you and yours.
"Dearest, only friend, unless you send soon, your peer,
afflicted, mtoffanditig son will starve to death. lam now
wails to do more than wait upon him, and cannot much
larger bear' tip against poverty, acknaie, end your unkind-
seas. But you are not unkind ; you must have sent, and
the letter mtroarried. God knows I would not cause you a
moment's pain, or take your attention from those you love.
No, in this world my duty has been to suffer ;
Isnot
tamelyi see my beloved and idolized son die in misery sad
want. Do send me by return mail a 101. Bank of England
note, for I am sow miles away from where I could get
other funds changed. I came here for the benefit of poor
dear Tom, but fear it has dons him no good. We are now
among steamers, and in the most abject treat. Your good,
kind heart will not permit you to let him die in want.
When be is roe I will trouble you no mare.
For Gods make mod without an instant's delay, and pay
the pomace of your letter to me, or I shall not be able to
obtain it, for lam exiling everything to live. On my knees
I beg of you, and for your dylag son's sake, send to me im-
mis&,.tely or I shall go mad. God bless you and yours.
May you be supremely happy, bless you. In mercy send
soon, and so farewell. May God bless you is the fervent
prayer of your unhappy but true

"lIAAT A. lITANZOPR."

DE. SMlrrirtirtar.—lt has been reported within
the lest few Jaya; that en order had bees sent down by the
Sweetary dikes., commuting the ospltal sentence pared
upon this prisoner to one of penal servitude for life, but upon
inquiry being made yesterday of the officials of the prison, it
apposes that there is no foundation for the statement, and
Dr. Smethurst still TeM01.1126 in lionernonger-lane Gaol,
under the respite from the crown, and not the slightest intl.
rostitta appears to have been mode with roped to the inten-
tions of the government as to his final disposal. The mi-
scast still exhibits the atmod cooler,. and composure, sad
it Is rather a remarkable circumstance that since hie convic-
tion be has not been visited by • single person except his
brother sad Mr. Humphrey., the solicitor, who, it will be
recollected. defended Wm at the trial. The prisoner was
erne to Hormenonger.lane Gaol on the 19th of August, so
that three meths have nearly elapsed since that period, and
the extraordinary delay ammo,. gaits uaaeoonntablo to the
offices!' of the'prison, and every one connected with the OMR
The impression upon the mind of the prisoner himself still
11/2 to be that he will receive a free pardon.
77.. AltrtiL DEATH FROM NAPIITRA.—A shocking
spectacle was presented Is Cheetham-street, Rochdale, yester-
day evening. About lire o'clock a audios bliss Is the shop
of Mr. Swift, chemist, attracted • few perms. to the door,
behind which woe wen the shopman (Edward Clayton), sgedl
30, his clothes being literally in a blase. While the
who were about were considering what ahead
L"'"d4 the shop had become filled with flame, and poor
stsitinued helplessly barbing. In a few minutes
Is Wild approached, and dashed unhesitatingly
We abilFinebimistrestg, where,c. theadiratigesCalaboyirt ilsWellthdeeragbeingged hell!
he uttered =CIO exclamation, as though in great
agenygaiguit.b%is esdlerfage, however, were but brief, for be
Mal en the pavement in a very few moments afterwards,
111 s body was subsequently removed to • cellar opposite, a
shirred and blackened corpse, clothed In half-burnt habili-
ments. Meesswhils, the shop burnt, and in a few minute.
MI POW% &Mph, • plentiful 'apply of water. It Is pre-
sumed Plat Maytag was pouring out some naphtha by gas-
Tb• stock if entirely .