Alexandria advertiser and commercial intelligencer. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1800-1803, 1803-04-26


On Tuefday, the Sth of March, 1903
before The fupreme judicial court fitting IN
this town, commenced the trial OF Robert
Pierpont, late owner, and Abel Ruddock
Stoery, late mater, of the bfigantine
Hannah, for combining and confpiring to-
gethcr 10 fink ard detroy faid veael, with
an intent TO cheat and defraud many of
our underwriters, 10 the amount of 10000
and GOO dolls. and afterwards e&eeting the
fame.
TIE cafe was argued by the honorable
lanes Sullivan, the attorney general, IN
behalf Of the commonwealth, and The no.
norable Theophilus Parlons, as council for
the priioners. 1t appeared by the evl-
dence Of John Southack, who, tho origi
nally an accomPlice, was admitted as
witness that in the month of October,
1901, Piefpont and himielf meditated this
fraud, that in ccniequcnce, be Thy the adj
rice of Pierpont undertook a journey to
New York for the parpofe of procuring
mater who would undertake tae bufncfs
that he there engaged cne by the name OF
William Harris, who came to Bottom to
execute the plan. While, however,
Southack was on this errand, PierPont
agreed with Storey. On the arrival of
Harris, lodgings were procured for HIM
by Pierpont in the upper part OF Cha'lel-
town, at the houfe of one james Rullell,
being ALTO the lodgings of Southack. A
few DAYS after, he was made acquainted
with Pierpon,'s arrangements during
Southask's sb(ence, and defred to fate
the compensation which ihould be made
him tor his time, trouble and expences In
coming from & returning to New York.
Harris at 6rlt copfentsd 10 take one hun
bred dollars but as Pierpont and South
ack did not readily anent, he encrealed his
demand to two, and afterwards to three
hundred dollars, threatening to make full
difclofure of their plans, if not fpeedily
iettled with. They had therefore to pay
him this lat. demand, and thus be rid of
him. 1t is not alcertainsd what has free
become of Harris: but i, is hoped the
merchants and underwriters of New York
will be on their guard sgainf his machi-
nations.
The brig Hannah was fhortly after pur-
ehafed by Pierport, the command given
10 Storey, ard being loaded with a cargo
alledged to csnftt OF beef, -four, bacor,
fih, butter, candles, fosp, thoes, boots,
&c. on the 9th Of November dropped down
into Nantaiket Roads, in our outer har-
bonr, where fhe lay nearly ten days, dur
ing which time Pierpont and Storey were
employed IN effeaicg infurance at the Of
fees of Msats. Joieph Taylor and Peter
c. Brooks. having obtained $4,000 and
zoo dois. on the velel and cargo, for
Pierpont, and 1000 on an adventure add
commiaions for Storey, making together
a fun of 10000 and 500 dollars; the
Hannah left The Roads en- the roth Nov.
and proceeded on her pretended voyage,
in company with the brigansine Sally,
captain Tirrell, having fair and moderate
bfeszcs.
George Henry freeman, the mate, was
slfo admitted an evidence, and fwore, that
about s O'Clock Of the evening of the ie.
cond night afte- the Hannah left Nataket
Roads, captain Storey called him into the
cabin, and directing the Boy TO go up and
continue on deck he lhut the cabin door
and then told the witncis thar he had
thing of importance to communicate, bu'
OIL promife that in all events he would
keep il an ioyiolabie fecret, ah;ya being