Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1829-08-26
From tie albany Daily Advertiser.
A SINGULAR IMPOSTOR.

q
calling his name Jackson, made his appearance
in this city. He was plain in his dress, unas-
Stunning in his manners, and interesting III his
conversation lie stated that he had about y
thous dollars in ready cash, which he was
DESTROYS TO invest, and was zea!ous in inquiries
where he might advanlageousy place IT. One
gentleman applied TO him for loan, and Jack
son went with him, some miles inro the country
10 examine 9arm which the gentleman owned,
and which he proposed 10 mortgage ior securi-
~. The aolf gentleman also offered him some
good notes, and so great was his confidence IN
Jackson, that although he told him he had rot
the money ready, he proposed thar he should
take the notes in advance; but ,his proposal
Jackson declined, stating that he would ROT ttkt
the notes ill lie had the money 10 give IN eX-
change.
Jackson proposed 10 loan to the vesiry OF ST.
paul's Episcopal church. two thousand dollars,
10 enable them 10 complete their building; how
ever, as they did not want So much, he promis'
ed 10 lei them have few hundreds 'ill they
should realize enough to pay him, by the sale
OF their pews.
Beinp Informed ,ha, he trustees Of S.. Mary's
Catholic church, wished TO borrow money for
erecting new church, he made Known TO them
that he would make them loan. He accord
inrly attended a meeting OF the trustees on
Nonday evering last, which meeting was called
exc es.iy for the purpose OF making the nego-
,iaiion He urged them 20 take eight thousand
dollars, as he said he had IA, sum unemployed,
and he considered the iayes'men' very safe, Tor
he knew that an Irish J Qh,s congrega'io" is
composed principally ofaati +es OF Erin) would
part with his coat sooner than his church should
come 10 the hammer. His remarks generally
while with the trustees showed him 10 be man
Of observation and intelligence.
The trustees however, resolved 10 take only
six thousand dollars, believing thar sum 10 be
sufficient, with tina, they already had, Tor their
purpose. The necessary papers were given 10
him in ordes To be taken 10 an attorney, To have
the business finally completed, when, he said,
ne would give his check for the money! on The
Mechanics and Farmers bank OF This city,
where ne represented he had twelve thousand
dollars deposited.
After the trustees had dissolved their meeting
Jackson stated that he had immr diale need for
fourteen dollars, which sum he had not abou,
him, as he did not like to draw checks for
small sums, and that tomorrow, when he drew
for the six thousand, he would include in the
same check, money for bis own Use, when he
would nav The fourteen dollars One oil The
trus1ees told him as he went down street, ne
would stop in his Office, and give him the sum
asked for Jackson did not appear qui'e sails
fed with this. when another OF tho trustees took
fourteen dollars from his poke; book, ant. gav'
i 10 him. upon which Jackson hedup blank
check (Which he had displayed in his HANDY
with that amount, and gave it in return. BcfUre
lac left the house, however, he returned the mo.
new, and took back ,be check, observing that
he had never borrowed money in his life. and
he would not begin now. Notwithstanding
this, on his way down street with the gerle-
man above mem Toned, he stopped al his Office,
and borrowed f,urteen dollars, for which he
did not give check. He then gave The papers,
mortgage, sc. to this gentleman and desired
him 10 send Them Immediately to Mr. Dough
erty, the attorney, and request him TO prepare
then, forthwith, rs he was anxious 10 complete
the arrangements, tor he wished 10 leave town
as soon as posSib!e.
The papers were accordingly sent, and a, six
O'Clock next morning, Jackson called on Mr..
Doueherty, and urged him to hasten, for it was
importan, n, should depart that day. lie then
wen, to The Office where he borrowed the four
g,een- dollars, and agsin u,gedT thai despatch
should be used. from that time 10 his he has not
been seen nor heard of
d.. inquiry a, the bank, IL was ascertaiEed
tia, be had no money there, though the cashier
siaed that Jackson had been negotiating for
The deposit Df some.
We have been particular in detailing all these
circumstances, as it is one of the mos, singu-
lar and uuaccounta5le impostures we have ever
heard Of I, IS difficult to cor e> ture what mo-
tive could have governed the man. II would
seem that money could not have been his OBJ
iect, for be contenued himself with The small
sum Of fourteen dollars, when here Is no dpub,
he might easily have obtained much more
Nor would il appear that mis- course was with
the object which influences most o. The impos.
tors, the Baron Won Hotfmans and the Lord
Nor,imers, and the MIR. Venables, who have vi
silrd us, and who shine happily for day, as
the ceutripetal around which the admirers OF
titles and the worshppvrs Of wealth revolyt,
pleased ,o.ca,ohs smile from the great mon
for he was retired in ms mode of lie, and
upob rusivs in his demearor.