The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1823-08-25
From Freycmet's Voyage Round the World
ANECDOTE OF MORAUD,
II Feio1 at Botany Bcy.

7vtnd by means Of forgery, on the bank OF
England, under the pretence of promot,
ing the cause of reform. The following
anecdote from recent French voyager.
relates to another patriot, and will show
that the English refotmer is not entitled
to the merit of originality for his notable
scheme.1 Pors Folio.
al cannot resist the inclination of civ.
ing you an account OF Frenchman of
the name of Moraud, whose son, q per-
fec'iy honest man, is now the possessor
OF magnificent establishment at Sidney,
botany Bay,) and who cuitivates in
the interior an immense tract of land,
acquired by the labor and economy OF his
father. This Moraud did not reproach
himself with any crime he was desi.
rous, he says. Of becoming hdrtner in
the bank Of England zvithouf advanring
any money he took pleasure in boast
ing of his courage and address to all who
went to see him. cannot better make
you acquainted with this original story,
than by using his own language, which l
extract from Peron's voyages
"'War had broken out, said Moraud,
between Great Britain and France the
forces of the two nations were pitted "a
gainst each other but it appeared to me
easier to destroy our rival by attacking
IFS finances, than by force Of arms. /
resolved, therefore, ike a good fatrior
otake upon myself this ruin, and accom-
plish it in the heart Of London itself. lF
| had succeeded, France would have e.
rected affairs to my memory 81 on how
little did it depend that was not pro.
claimed the avenger Of my country, Id.
stead of being treated as felon
"Scarcely had l arrived in England,
when i began my iab0urs, and they sue
ceeded beyond all expectation. Secon
ded in particular by en- lrishman, not less
able than myself, and who's hromfted
like me. by a noble Patriotism, displayed
still more eagerness for the ruin of Eng.
land-l was soon enabled to counterfeit
bank notes with such perfection, that we
found il very difficult ourselves 70 dis.
tinguish those that issued from our pres
scs, from the genuine notes. Already
exulted all my arrangements were
made for inundating England with the
produce Of our mandatory / wanted
only some particular information relative
to the numbering, when my companion,
whom had hitherto regarded as an no.
nest man, took it into his head to steal
from our store few ofthese notes, which
still wanted some formslities, triiling il is
true, but indispensable. He was taken
up Immediately (; and, as he had not hest,
tated in one instance, to oct dishonoura-
bly,, on this occasion, he did not scruple
to behave Ike a holltroon. He made a
full confession; Twas taken up, and car
ried to prison with him. All our impIe-
meDts, all the produce of our manuGac-
tory was seized and Great Britain was
saved from the ruin had prepared for
| her.
Evident as the proof of our troject
were, | did not despair (tbaDks to the ma
ture ofthe criminal laws of EDgland,) Of
escaping death but such was the terror
Of my cursed FARMER, that l could not
doubt OF our mutual destFuction,if were
to be confronted With this pusillanimous
fellow, before a court OF justice. To
prevent my own fate, which would not
have retarded his, resolved to prevail on
him to rid me Of himself. Besides, as
the author Of our misfortune, it was but
Just that he should suffer the punishment
Of it. Accordingly, | endeavored to con
vince him in very pathetic address, that,
our death being inevitable, we had moth
ing TO think Of but the means of escaping
the pain Of ignominy that, setting one
mode Of death against another, it was
better to die like men Of honor, than to
/ l.. ~ r.