The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-04-06
Extraordinary Forgeries.-Th Albany Ev,

/ Extraordinary Forgeries Albany Eve
ming Journal of Wednesday notices the presenI
tation AT the counter Of the State Bank in that
lefty of four forged drafts, of 81 $50 each, pur.
porting 10 have been drawn hy the cashier OF
In Bank Of Orleans We learn from the New
York papers OF yesterday that they were forged
|by Charles II. Mitchell, recently member OF
Congress from the Niagara district, who has
hitherto sustained an honorable reputation, and
|who has this week left the country. The Jour
nal OF Commerce says:
Mitchell had been staying at the Astor House for
some days, but left "Wednesday morning for Phila
|delphla. On Tuesday he in Wall street and
having procured himself be introduced to several
brokers' passed upon them sundry checks, purpoting
ITO be drawn by the Bank OF Orleans at Albion on
The State Bank at Albany. They were all made
payable to the Hon. Chas F. MITCHELL or order, and
10y him endorsed The amount was, as far as has
been ascertained y 400 The checks, having BEEN
|sent up TO Albany, back yesterday morning as
|forgeres. AT the same time there came from Phila
|dephia sundy checks Of the Bank Of Orleans ON the
Mechanics Bank Of this city, endorsed by Mitchel
which on being presented at the Bank, we've declared
TO be forgeries. The amount presented so tar, is
IT,, 800. The checks have been sold to vari
|ous brokers in Philadelphia ON "Wednesday. The
whole affair be the result ofa thoroughly diges
tied plan ..and to have been carried out without ex
citing the least suspicion the part OF any ndivid
|uas defrauded. Indeed we do not see how conf
|dence is to be placed in men al ALL such negotiaons
|are 10 excite suspicion. The checks on the Mechan
lies Bank had piece of unnecessary labor expended
upon them which increased the hazards ofthe opera
|tion They endorsed as good, and the endorse
|ment signed with the name Of the Cashier, Mr.. Ed]
|monds who is however now in Europe Sundry lett
tiers and papers were found in the Honorable gentle
|man's chamber in condition indicating that his de
|parure hurried. The police of course in, hot
pursuit.
1t appears to be generally believed that Mitchell left
~. y m. nptni ~
|ex pressed in of the gazetes that he went South
ward. The New York Courier and Enquirer OF yes
terday contains the following letter, received through
THE post office.
New YoRK, March 30, 1871.
To J, Watson Webb, Editor Of the Courier q. En-
quirer:
Sr-As the circumstances connected with my name
together with the public station have held will give
|rise to good deal of COMMENT deem ii not impro-
per to make brief statement OF facts-leaving each
one to form such opinion respecting them as he shall
CHOOSE.
1t always has been the case will it be again. that
Jas public reproach attaches to the name OF an
individual who has been deemed respectable before,
instances are sought and fabulousy pointed out in his
previous history, TO show that he always has been an
unworthy member of society. cannot hope to be an
exception to this pervading rule; and dare to say
that there will be found plenty Of persons ready to
swear that had always been very considerable rds-
lcai. Now, own that up to this day, never in the
whole course of my life have | done an act with the
intention of injuring any human being or OF wrong
ling any ont of one cent. have committed some
livery great errors-party my own, partly through
|others-but never, neper before to-day crime How
many pei have been benefited by my good offices
iii is not for to say. But might appeal to the
whole population of the County of my late residence,
Ito bear testimony to my fair and honorable dealing, 10
my lberalily and to my uniform kindness 10 all who
was brought into contact with | went to Lockpori
twelve years ago; when | arrived there | did not
know human soul in the County was ju out OF
Imy minority; carved out my own path; was success
full IN business; made money rapidly; had regiments
of friends-that is when was making money sery
fast to distinction among my fellow men, and
about eight years after my arrival in the district,
was elected Representative to Congress- and under
circumstances peculiarly gratifying to my personal
vanity; for whilst received in the district majority
Of over one hundred not another person the same
ticket received any rejoicngs at all-including both
counties.
am willing to admit that there is shocking sight
of humbug in this world, and especially at this day
and datebut whether the people of the 23d Congress
sional humbugged into electing me to Congress
W hen not worthy, is for them TO decide have
been accused by my enemies OF being great nrguer
of being great schemer in politics, and suppose
now that have schemed in other matters they will
take upon themselves doubt great credit for their
sag acty, in thus early characterizing me.
might tell tale that would be very interesting II
Ia great many people, but hav'nt time now to do it
am going To hat region wneTc eA pect 10 nnd many
7 Just as good as myself and quite good them
4 leave behind me.
| write this calmly, early in the morning, after a
sleepless night. What my feelings no one can
3imagine. have before me path environed with I'M
mnent peril shall be murderer all the days of
my life in an unknown land, leaving behind me friends
and kindred that and dearer TO me than my
own hearts blood who must all share in the disgrace
which attaches to me. leave behind me my wife and
childIen May God throw his protecting arm around
them is all that can say. Am not punished sufli
GENTLY severe for all that have done Why, death
to me were absolute relief, but cannot embrace it,
have canvassed the whole ground over carefully
There were three alternatives presented to me.
To remain and meet my fate in the eyes of all whd
know me, to commit suicide, OF to fes the country.
have decided upon the latter and for the single
that may possibly yet live to rescue my name from
every stigma which rests or shall rest upon it,
c. F. MITCHELL.
N b. | shall be pursued, no doubt, but it will b,
useless. shall not be brought back; for II | were
TO be oyertaken have provided myself with two con-
ingent friends either OF which will spare me the NOR
tifcation OF being brought back like felon. Death
were under any circumstances preferable to that
The following account of the success Of the
Baron Van Halberg's matrimonial advertisement
has appeared in most of the German journals:
g Ii will no doubt be recolected that, two
months ago this bold Baron Van Haberg dc
Brooch, Captain Colonel of the Rhine and
Mouse, applied through the European press, for
wife, giving inlively terms description OF HIM
self. and enumerating with great delicacy the
yraces. and virtues with which she whom he
sought must be endowed. This step OF the ra
Their eccentric Baron has led TO the most happy
results. He has, without joke, met with per
feet woman With his conscientious punctual