Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1821-10-30
MAIL ROBBERY.

MAIL ROBBERY.
PETERSBURG, October 23.-We are promis-
ed Tor our next paper, an account of most
successful experiment made by the Post Mas
ter of this place, last week, TO detect the rob
Der, who has been concerned in puruning the
mail between Charleston and Petersburg. MIR.
Shore succeeded in his scheme, and traced
the robbery to Louis5urs, n. G.. The ind,i-
dual, whose name will be given on Friday,
with all the circumstances, has left Lousburg
suddenly, and it is expected is gone 10 Alaba-
ma or Pensacola. Rep.
Oct. s6.-The following is the plan which
was laid by Mr.. SHORE, for the detection OF
the robberies to the sou,h, aud the crcum-
stances which grew out of it:
Eight or ten pieces of silk paper, the size of
Bank Note, together with 50 n. Carolina
Note (marked) were enclosed i'm letter ad-
dressed TO Merchants in Ralci I'll, Mess. r.
w. HarrisOn) and mailed with letters for
"arrenton, and inciosed in bill for that Office,
as 1t by mistake. The precaution uf sealing
1t with sealing wax was observed. The letter
being thus improperly mailed, afforded lne
opportunity to those SD disposed, to effect
robbery with impunity; for as soop as it was
ascertained that the letter did not reach RAJ
leigh, suspicion would have attached of course
to Petersburg and Raleigh. This plan was
attempt WAS at Louisburg, n. C.. which size
cceded beyond Mr.. Shores most sanguine ex-
pectations.
The letter was sent on the 9th inst. and Mr..
Shore went OF III person to Lousburg on the
nth. AS soon as he arrived in Lousburg he
sent messenger miles for Mr.. Fox, Mail
Contractor, and got the favor of that gentle
man To accompany him to the Post Office
The business having been communicated To
MIR. King, the Post Master, aud TO Mr. Has
wen, ms deputy-Mr. Shore asked for the
way Bills, account ofmails received and sent
away-his Bill was found, and from the ac-
count of mails sent, the postage to Raleigh
was only twenty cents-NIr Uaswcn offered
to account for this, by alleging that he had sent
the letter down To Iisborough, n. G.. Mr..
Shore, not satisfied with the excuse, com
mcnccd AN examination of his trunks and pri-
waite papers-wheu a scene of villany was
lad open. The following letters were secreted,
together with Il Bill from Fayetteville to War
| renton, N. L. dated 18th August I821-let-
ters destroycd-S230, u. S. and $3.50 N. C..
| Notes--vH One to Philadelphia, broken
open, one TO Baltimore, and two to Chapel
Hill. From all the circumstances of tn. case
no doubt is entertained by Mr.. Shore, Mr..
King, and Mr.. Fox, that this man has been
engaged in robbing the mail for some time
we are happy to say, that HaswrIl is commit
ted To Jail in Raleigh, n. c. to await his trial
he was overiaken in Fayetteville, N. c. by
Mr.. Fox.
1t is due to Mr.. Smith, Post Master at Ra-
leigh to say, that he approved of Mr.. Shores
plan, and rendered him services-and had il
not been for his peculiar situation. he would
have assisted him in the examination
we consider it entirely unnecessary to
detail the minute of the examination.
Mr.. Hasweli took leave of Mr. King to go
down to Hilisboroush, to brin up Mr.. Shores
ietter-such were Mr.. Kings feelings that he
hoped, To the very last, that something favor
able 10 iaswell might turn up-but heartily CON
Cured in the proposition TO pursue him. Mr..
King is well known, both in Louisburg and
this place, as man of strict honesty and
acute sensibility. Tint