Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-04-30

In Cincinnati do'ouu
In Philadelphia 2I,uUo
In New York $4,000
$4,000
Refunded in Philadelphia 2l,ooo
SOL 900
The first movement made in this matter was at the
close of last month, when Mr. Gwathney, the Casher
of the Bank Of Kentucky, received letter purporu
to he from Geo. c. Hall, Cashier OF the Commerc'ai
Bank of New Orleans enclosing the hall OF cef'cae
of depose from that Bank, in favor OF NIr. lawson
for Sl5 900. About the same time, Mr.. Gsno OF the
Lafayette Bank Of Cincinnati, received similar elter
from Mr. Hail. enclosing the halt or similar cer,ih-
cate for $4,000 in favor of Mr.. W. NJ. Parker Thus
matters stood until the Both of March. Mr. Gwatl!-
new took no notice of the affair in his letters to the
Commercial Bank ofNew Orleans, but Mr. Gano, IN 4
letter to Mr. Hall, dated March 3Oth said, "MF. far-
k,r has not vet appeared when he does shall hand nun
nalf the certificate sent for his use. These words
caused an explosion OF the whole matter much sooner
than was expected by the forger.
On the 3lst of March, man calling himself Robert
Dawson, presented himself TO MIR. Gwathney at Louis
Vile with the other half Of certificate OF depose re-
ceved $4,000, pocketed it, and walked on; On the
Sd of April the same man, calling himself w. Nj. Far
ker, presented hmselfto MIR. Gano, at Cincinnati with
another half oa certificate of deposte, received Sl30O0
and walked off with it.
About the same time letter also received by MI
Bush, Cashier of the Branch of the N. Bank of Ken
lucky at Covington purporting be from Mr.. Copand
Cashier of the Merchants Bank New Orleans, dated
March IT, enclosing forged certificate OF that Bank
for Sll 900 SPECIE to Mr. Bush, to be delivered 10 W.
NJ Parker which letter bears the ~ Orleans post mark
but having been first sent to some wrong office, did
not reach Mr. Bush until the 18th inst. This certlf-
cate was never called for few days after all this the
Cashier of the Union Bank of Maryland, received a
letter purportng TO come from Mr. Hall, OF New Or-
leans (precsely similar in character to the letters re-
ceiyed By Messrs Gwathney and Gano) enclosing the
half of certificate of deposte for $4,000 in favor OF
David OTIS ESQ., of London. On the 10th OF April, the
same swndler that had visited Louisville and Cncln
natl called the Union Bank of Maryland, presented
the other half of certificate of depose for Si3OOO,
and would have received the money; but in accordance
with his WISH the Cashier there enclosed the half
certificate in letter to Mr.. Camman, Cashier Of the
Merchants Bank of this city, with very strong let
ter stating that he had received it from Geo. 0. Hall
Cashier of the Commercial Bank of New Orleans and at
Mr.. Otis request he forwarded it TO Mr. Camman, and
he begged the latter gentleman to assist Mr. Otis IN get
ting the certificate negotiated whenever he should call
for it. This half called for, and now lies IN
the Merchants Bank here.
In the mean time, Mr. Thompson, cashier of the
Bank of Amerca received letter, purporting 10 be
from Mr. Hail. OF which the following is copy:
COMMERCIAL BAN. OF NEw oslEAs',
Cashier Bank Of America, New York
Dear Sir. conformity with the request Nathaniel Brion
ESQ., Of London hand you enclosed half my certificate Of depo
his favor for s GOO specie which please deliver to him
presentation of the first half
Mr. Btton unaeqnain,ed city and has adopted this
course for safety and identity.
l recommend him 10 yo1r favor.
h0u'' 'e'peS GEo. o. HALL Cashier
And very soon after all this, the Globe Bank o.
Boston received similar letter also purPorting to be
from George o. Hail. enclosing the half of certih
cate OF depose for $2l 1000 in favor OF Mr. Butler
And at the same time the Grard Bank of Phlladel
pha received letter of similar character, and pur
porting to be from George o. Hall, enclosing the bal
of certificate of depose for $2l 900 in favor MIR
Draper.
Thus matters stood until Friday, April 10th, wher
the same swindlcr called at the Bank of America, or
MIR. Thompson, and presented the other halt OF hi
certificate the latter went with him to Mr. Jacob Little
ms we stated yesterday; and seeing the swinder with
Mr. Thompson, Mr.. Little negotiated the paper, ane
gave his check on the Union Bank for the amount
The teller there hestated TO cash the check for stran
GER until the swindler went away and brought bacl
Mr. Thompson certify to the correctness of the trans
action when they paid him in $1,000 bills. This wa,
about noon. In the afternoon, accomplish of thi:
swndler called at Mr. Titles and changed ten $1,000
of the Union Bank for sovereigns, and went away
But the little fright that he got at the Union Bank
alarmed him, and he never went near the Merchants
Bank but started for Philadelphia, and put up at San
derson's Hotel.
On Saturday, April 18th, the same called at the
Gard Bank, presented the half ola certificate OF de-
posite for S2l O0O received the money and placed II
in the Bank deposite The same day, how
ever he drew out $4,000 fit. In the course of that
day his accomplish took this $4,000 to a brokers' and
bought Treasury Notes with it from the mans man.
ner. and conduct, the broker suspected something
wrong and communicated with the officers of the Bank
they employed Bayney, the high constable, who track
ed the men out, made them disgorge the Sl5O00 and
then they were let GO. And this was the last of then
transactions so far as known The principal scoundre
successfully called himself, Robt. Dawson, w. Nj Par
ker, David Otis, Nathaniel Britton Mr. Draper, and Mr.
Butler. He intended to swindle seven banks, or bro
kers out of Sll7 0OO did swndle four out of 1000
aud finally got off with $5l ,000 leaving the Covlngton
Bank, the Globe Bank Of Boston, and the Merchants
Bank Of this city untouched.
Next comes the question who is he? Blayney was
in this city last night and says that he is an old thet
who has been imprisoned before, and is an American,
about forty years Of age He is about feet inches
high rather thick set has light thin hair, with large
forehead, defective front tooth, sallow face in
tense and shrewd expression Of countenance and a
slight stoop in the shoulders. His accomplish is an
Enplishman, TALL dark complexion pale, gaunt face,
and has loose style Of dress Bayney says that they
are both in this city at present. and he expected catch
them soon letter from Boston, received by as last
night, says that they did not 60 out in the last steam
ship, as every passenger on hoard of her was known
and identified.
But the most remarkable feature in this affair is, that
all these certificates impressions from the genuine
plate, engraved by Rawdon, Wright & Hatch Of this
city We compared the one now left with the Mer-
chants Bank here with the original proofin Rawdon 8
possession and that gentleman is satisfied it is from
the genuine plate The question then is, how did the
scoundre get seven or more certificates OF deposte
without the connivance Of of the officers Of the
r. AZ. n.1n Aro, he md