Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-09-19

a STRANGE AfFAIR.-About two
weeks since, Mr.. John 7. Darg, Of
New Orleans, arrived in this city on a
visit, bringing with him very large
sum Of money, and valuable muIatto
slave, named Thomas Hughes, in
whom he had always heretofore placed
implicit confidence. Some few days
after he arrived here, Tom was missed
and on examining Mr.. ID. found that
with bin disappeared upwards ofSs000
He at once advertised his loss, and
offered reward ofSl000 for Tom and
the recovery of the money.
la day or two Mr.. Darg received
visit from Mr.. Barney Corse, a
gentlemen Of this city, who informed
him that if he would sign paper
which he then had, he thought he
would recover the money, or the grea-
ter part Of it. The paper was to the
! effect that in consideration of his re.
celylng his lost money, or the greater
part thereof, he was to iorbear all cri-
ninal prosecution against Tom, or any
other person who might have been
concerned with him, in the removal oil
the money. This was to be indepcn-
dent of the $1,000.
Mr.. Drag said he would consider u.
pom this, and give his answer the next
day, which he did aiIirmatively. He
signed the above mentioned paper and
received $1025. This first paper was
only an agreement to sign another pa
per confirming the first and the above
circumstances Mr.. ID. at once commu-
nlcated to the police officers on Mon.
day evening early. While Mr.. d.
was at the police Office making hi:
statement, and the affidavit agains
Mr.. Corse, the latter gentlemen called
at Mr.. Darg's house, and left $I50C
more, and second paper for the sigma.
ture of Mr.. Darg, saying that he would
call about 0 O'Clock. The last paper
was a confirmation Of the first, and i
signed would have freed Tom, and cx-
onerated him and all others concerned
from any criminal prosecution, and il
would also have exonerated any per-
son who might have harbored or shell
tered him. This was, however, going
too far, and officers Merit and Peck,
who were entrusted with the manage
ment ofthe business, proceeded at once
to the residence Of Mr.. ID. in Varick
street, where they watched until they
saw Mr.. c. go in, in company with q
friend. He was shown into the pagloI
where Mr.. ID. was waiting for them.
MERIT went into the house by a
back way, and went cautiously to the
door of the room where the parties
were seated. Mr.. G.. then took out
$ $3.50, which he laid upon char, and
handing the second paper to Mr.. Darg,
told hun to sign that, and he thought
he knew where he could lay hold OF
another batch of the money. Mr..
Mcrri. then walked cautiously in, I'M
perceived by Mr.. Corse, and laying
his hands on the money, remarked
No signing in my presence, | will
take charge oflhe money, and you are
my prisoner Mr.. Corse.', Mr.. Mer.
rt asked if be had any more ofthe mo-
ney about him, and he replied he had
NOT, but while on the road to the ma.
gistfate's, it some how slipped out that
he had had 1000 more. This the Off
Ger at once demanded, and was given
up, making the amount recovered So
908. Mr.. Corse was allowed to de.
part condltionally, and will be cxamin-
ed this day, at l p. NJ.
No traces have as yet been discov.
cred Of the negro, who is doubtless
concealed somewhere in the city.-N.
York Com.
The Baltimore Patriot Of the 10Th
inst. says I'VE learn from the Amer
not