The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-04-03
BY THE MAILS.
From The Mercantile .dpverliser.
FRAUD.

FRAUD.
Several instances of fraud have recently
been discovered in this city by the importers
OF French goods and yesterday a Circum-
stance was developed which caused consld
cradle alarm amongst that class Of Merchants
On opening the first of an invoice of six boxes
OF rich Shawls received by the brig Alfred
from Havre, il was found that the upper paper
case which contained one half the quantity
originally put ia the box was taken out aud
lis place filed Up with bricks, straw, old rope
&C. Alarmed Al this discovery the merchant
immediately called in the proper authority 10
witness The opening Of the residue Of the box.
es. The result was that two other Of them
were robbed IN the same manner Of one half,
one entirely robbed, and filled up with the
same substance, and tvs remaining as orgin-
ally packed. The cases or boxes had no APP
Pearance Of having been opened, being as
perfectly baEed as when they left Paris, and
great ingenuity must have been employed in
committing the robbery.-We hear of other
frauds Of the same kind in packages received
by the two preceding arrivals from France
One case OF al invoice received by the Syren
IS found to be entirely destitute Of its original
contents, the remainder have not yet been ex-
amined, but will be opened at The public
store. Some OF the bricks &c. put into the
boxes were IN wet Or damp state and have
nearly ruined the goods that remaned-From
all the circumstances, il is apparent that these
rUbbeTles must have been committed after the
goods had passed The custom house inspection
al Paris before they reached the vessel
The cases are found to agree 10 weight with
the marks at Paris, and we understand mer.
chandize OF this description forwarded from
the interior, undergoes no other examination
al the sea ports Of France than to ascertain
whether the weight be correct. From The
fact that cases received by the three last ar
rivals have been robbed in this manner. i
would seem that system is organized in that
country which would deter our merchants
from sending further orders. But is belie,-
ed the government will on learning these cir
cumstances, hnd means TO put an end TO
practice which will operate 50 much against
lis commerce.
The Philadelphia Democratic Press n
March IL, observes, Yesterday was one Of
those delightful DAYS OF which Sir William
Temple speaks, when he says, fine day IS
a sensual pleasure The whole animal and
vegetable world must have enjoyed pleasure
anu proht from yesterday; yet, within an
hour alter sunset, the wind began to whistle.
hoaI>e nIurmurIngs OF thunder We're heard, and
all Inc usual indications were given of an ap-
preaching gust. AT length We had smart
storm OF thunder and lightning, wind and rain.
his morning the wind blows smarly it IS
70 degrees colder than yesterday, and our
streets ale Covered Nth thin bed of snow"
We regret 10 learn that the Legislature of
New York, refuses 10 enact any law for the
dlminuton OF the evils VI intemperance
10 the Cily and County of New York, are
Il places Of public religious worship-iive
only are vacant 90 ministers have indepen.
dent or associate charges 10 or 2 reside 10
the city, without parochial charges Besides
these, there are several local Methodist preach
eTs.
The Sabbath Schools in The city, comprise
about 1000 pupils, and 1000 Superinlend4uis
and teachers.
The Apprentices Library contains more
than 5000 vOlunes-lOOO different Appren-
tees improve it.
The amount expended for public and pr-
'ate schools 40 the city, comprising 6600 schol-
airs, is stated al Sl4,759 aud al cenis-com.
pare this with the amount expended Tor spirit.
uous liquors, S1,893,OIl!
The Rev. Mr. Ward, has collected $4,000
IN The V. States, for the support of the Mis-
sionary College at Serampore.