The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-08


Believing il may be essentially beneficial to an
unw9ry public for to be specific in stating bar.
ticuia's respecting the late attempt in this state
10 counterfeit the notes of the Virginia bank, we
nave taken some pains TO ascertain the truth.
ana expect the following statement may he relied
upon: Nearly twelve months ago, Alexander
henderson, young man of genius and respec "a.
PIE ismiiy' in augusta county Virginia, and who
mas iateiy become the proprietor of the iron
works on the Caney Fork Cary Bbb, an e,,-
giant PensmRn and likewise Of resectable ia
miiy' lately from Amherst county IN Virgins
Armst ad Stubble field from North Carolina with
little genius and less who was ten var
ago worth nothing, and now is said to have. nd
tnat paid tor, thirty thousand acres ofIand :
William Philips, late sheriff # White county, &
lohg Known as an Inkeeper on the road from
Nashville to Knoxville John Loony, esq. rich
aru heretofore Magis!rate of Smith county 10.
shus Badger, an old man from New-England up
WARDS OF seventy years old, and very CREST ee.
nus VINO lad been suspected of counterfeitine
uciisrs Deiore this attempt at making bank notes
II IS sad formed partnership. Henderson to
40 tne engraving of similar plates to the Yrgi,
ma Bank Notes. Badger to take the impression
otf the plates, and Cary Bib the writing. & the
rest ne passing &c of the notes. In a short time
tney round they could not carry on their business
safely and extensively wthou, a paper maker. 4
accoraing'y IN April, James Lyon was initiated
INTO the society, and on his Recommendation hi,
Trend Isaac Roberts was shortly after also made
partner Other persons are judged to be con
Cei"eu, Out thelr names are withheld until a
more favorable moment.
Lyons object from the time ofhis becoming
member OF The club, appears TO have been to de-.
'uiBe tnelP acts 10 the proper authority, as he
wrote the next day to the President of the Virgil
MA Bank, apprislDg the existence of an attempt
TO counterfeit the notes ofthat bank, and in indu.
eng Roberts TO become member, L. seems to
nave mao the same object in view as Roberts
tes'iinony would support his own. which, might
heeo that aid when opposed to the fair charac c.
ters OF the counierfeiters But 10 return
Lyon found they had plates for striking s, 20,
3O' iVo dollar bills as we have understood, but
mac no paper tit for it, he gave necessary direc.
uohs ior making paper and to show his zeal in
Inc prosecution of the business he took his shirt
10 maze me first paper, which not pleasing the
gentleman II was immersed in cream to remove
tue objection, and of course part Of the notes
have rather greasy appearance. Lvons' direo.
uons we're put INTO execution by Badger, who in.
semousiy contrved to make a hand engine 60
gnnd'the pulp & horse hair moulds were con-
structed with the utmost nicely and not as we TN.
derstood before without attending to the water
marks IN the genuine notes. In chasm in a
spur OF Cumberland mountain between large
rocSs tne works were carried on for making tue
paper, in house of Badgers the printing ,vss
finishing.
htraclng the proceedings ofthose who were
70 Pass OH the notes, we have heard Of man, suE
'erers' as the notes were generally paid by per-
sons without property who trans Ssfred the pro-
perry purchased and Immediately went out off
me country. The particulars are dissgreeable-
suffice 1t to say several thousand dollars are sun
posed 70 De III circulation, and it is said agents
are gone 70 the south and the north with the
'oles TO pass them
The public are cautioned to be O, their GUARD
line ony difterenca between the counterfeit y |
S"od notes " in the paper-the plates are neatly
n6rTeo' tic printing we'll dons, and the sign.