Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-09-21
Aierandria. Sek1t. IS.

lOrdcte.
.dierand,ia. Seftf. IS.
A SWINDLER.
A detection took place in this town on
the 23th ult. in the evening, of Josefh
Douglass Black. who had arrived here
some time before, from Boston, for the
purpose of commencing a very extensive
business, proportioned to his capital, which
was about $50. 900 dollars, in bills, besides
considerable quantity in gold coin. He
had pretty perfect knowledge of every
department OF mercantile business, and
promised supply in every article in that
line. In this extensive business" he "a
Muse'd gentleman of this place who had
some property and friends, with an associa-
ton. During their intercourse, he depo-
sited in his possession tin 6oc, sodde red
in all its joints, and elegantly papered. con-
tanning 1900 guineas, and bills to conside-
rabie amount. Upon which he occasional
ly got some advances to defray his eXpen-
SEES; other bills were also forwarded by
an old established merchant of this place
to his son in Europe, for the purpose of
procuring goods by the fall ausavals & the
gentleman who was to be concerned otICi-
ated with the merchant (who was his &C
quaintance and friendly in getting them
forwarded, and endorsed them to a consi-
derable amount on account of the comf,any
while Bldck was proceeding to make his
preparatory arrangements /; during which
time he passed into good company with
some ectat, and bought of a gentleman
where he lodged $500 worth of bread,
which he shipped for Philadelphia. He
made several propositions for large purcha-
ses. to be paid with bile, or sometimes
sfiecfe, which brought him into notice and
description of his person being ascertain-
ed by house here, they found him to be a
man they had for sofie time had orders
to arrest from their New~York correspon-
dent OF whom he had purchased -four, and
taken French leave! A writ was forth
with procured and served for $500. when
he declared entire ignorance of the gentle
man 20 whom the money was due. He i'm
Inediateiy sent for his friend, who having
full >eenidence in him, went his security.
Oponhis return home. however, his friends
from some suspicious circumstances pressed
him to examine the fionderous 6or,"
winch, after consultation, was done in the
presence OF respectable testimony The
hrst bill OF exchange found therein, proved
to be the " alexandria Gazette" of the 9th
August, and two other similar bills, dated
the 9TH and 9th against which the security
protested, but sought an indemnity of the
precious metals, which by some magic hower
had been converted into forteen pounds of
well packed patent shot. The astonish-
ment of the gentlemen may be easily con-
ceived. He lost no time in going for the
marshal and delivering him up, and he was
lodged in Jail the same night. Informa..
ton was sent to Philadelphia to stop the
bread. and letters sent to Europe relative
| to the bills. which it is hoped will reach
their destination in time to prevent los. or
injury. The said Black, escaped from pri-
son on "Wednesday night last. He is a.
bout 80 years of age, Ito appearanee) a
| native of Scotland, near feet high, vel
made, dark complexion, with black hair &
whiskers and very white teetA-his ap-
pearance plain and neat. progressing in
his manners, of some volubility in company,
and possesses fund ofgenersl information,
and is we'll calculated to impose on unsuspi-
cious persons.
| This escate is no more than might have
been expected from the weak state of our
| jail, and the neglect, somewhere, of not
procuring guard or guards, when it has
so often been demonstrated that it is not a.
dequate to the purposes of confinement.
But we suppose, as usual, the hue e. cry''
Will be raised after the objects of Justice
have been defeated, The escape Of this
man certainly calls for vigilance in his ao-
| prehension. Herald.