Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1841-10-21
THE GREAT FORCER.

We subjoin variety Of curious particulars re-
speeding this finished villain, who recently COM
United the heavy fOrgeries under the name of
John II. Caldwell, but whose real name is teliev-
ed to be Monroe Ed,oards.
The arrest of the rogue was effected, we learn
from the N. Y. Tribune, by Oliver Nj. Lowndes,
Esq. formerly Police Justice and sheriff of New
York, and now law agent Of the Banks i, that
city, who went to Boston, some DAYS since, in
pursuit Of a man named Powell, who was sus-
pected ofhaving been concerned, in some way, in
the iorgeries. lie succeeded in finding him, and
was induced, by his representations to proceed to
Philadelphia, in search of one Col. Monroe Ed
wards, who has figured more or less conspicu-
ousiy Tor several years past, in fashionable socie
~ at W ashington, as well as in Mississippi and
Louisiana.
Soon after his arrival in Philadelphia, Mr..
iowndes received letter, sent by express by
Mr.. Lewis Tappan, of N. ork, enclosing anoth-
er which he had received some fifteen months a.
go, from this same Col. Edwards, the hand wri-
ng G ey WaS@ rs f uoI Before
trate, by whom he was committed for further ex-
animation. Awarrant was then procured, and the
trunks oil the prisoner examined at his lodings
In then Were found Bank notes and gold to the
amount OF $4,000 An active pursuit is on foot
LOT man supposed to have been an accomplice
VINO lett Philadelphia very hastily upon hearing
of the arrest
Inc n. \. American states that this Col. Mon
roe Edwards come to that city some years ago,
Introduced by the President of the u. S. Branch
Bank at Mobile. He desired to be introduced to
MT. Lewis Tappan, 10 whom he told story Of
having liberated 200 slaves and that he was then
| going to England, to apprisc the British Govern
inent OF nefarious scheme of introducing slaves
into Texas. Shortly before embarking, he appli-
| ed TO lhis gentleman for loan of SIS 900; but
before this was granted, Mr.. Tappan took means
10 ascertain the truth of the emancipation story,
l l.. A.
money was forthcoming. On being appraised of
tnis TACT by MIR. Tappan, he wrote most abu-
siVe letter to that gentleman, and went of to
London. This was the identical letter which f.
nally secured his arrest
MS same Col. Monroe Edwards figured very
| extensively In Texas about three wears since as
the proprietor OF large landed estate, with some
TWO or three hundred negroes, and reputed 10 be
| one OF the wealthlest men in that country, until
unfortunately Tor him one day ii was discovered
that he had been exercising some of the shrewd
and adroit ingenuity which has characterised his
Pubic me In this country, by celebrating with
chemical process the body ofsome letters he had
received from wealthy planter preserving the
signature, and afterwards filing them I'm with
various notes and articles of agreement, which
piaced In his power the greater part of the pro-
| perty of the planter alluded to- For this offence
ne was arrested, and would undoubtedly have
suffered the penalty ofthe law (Which We believe,
Is death In that country,) strong was the proof
against him, but fortunately for him, and unfor-
tunateiy Tor the public, he contrvod to escape the
country. The next that was heard of him. he
had turned abolitionist, and most generously c.
hhla MAJ an ms siape'-those, we presume he
had been concerned in introducing into Texas
from the coast of Afrca, in direct violation of the
laws OF Texas, which declare such acts to be nj
racy and punishable with death.
While In England, it appears that Edwards
swlndied Earl Spencer out of R25O sterling,
| through ali
Introduction, purportng to be from the Hon. Dan.
lei webster. Edwards is said to be son of Mai
Amos Edwards, formerly of RusselvilIe, XIV
lie has been taken on to New York for trial.