Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-06-13
TRIAL OF MONROE EDWARDS.


The trial of Monroe Edwards, commenced at
New York on Tuesday. We copy the following
report of the trial from the New York Courier and
Tribune:
Trial Of NJ Ed,oards alias Cald'Oell alias Hill.
The trial Of this notorious individual, which wa
set down for this day, (ruesday), attracted an I'M
mense throng, TO the Court Room, when h.eo
long before the hour Of meeting. Edwards, who Is
n dandvish looking with very little the appear
ancc OF n gentleman in his air, was the observed
of all observers" but he sat fronting the immense
assemblage with the most perfect cooness ana COM
posure Seventeen Jurors only answered to their
names out Of a panel OF siriy-Whereupon, MIR
Whiting moved that a tales be ordered returnabe
forthwith. Twenty-Five were accordingly ordered
TO be summoned, and the Court took recess until
o'clock It neing then II o'clock.
His distinguished counsel came in at about half
p.st 10 and attracted universal attention. They
are the following gentlemen: Hon. Thomas r. Mar
shall, OF Kentucky; and VIM. EvartS, }. Prescott
Hail w NJ Price and Robert Emmett, Esq's. oi
N.York Cuy For the prosecution appeared JAS
r. Whiting the District Attorney, Hoo. Ogden
Hoffman, JOS C. Hart, Oliver NJ. Lowndes, and u.
+. Allen. Esq's
following Jurors were empaneed, viz: John Sim
mons Levi Chapman, Lorraine freeman, John e..
Coachman, Samuel G Jackson, Samuel Tucker,
Benjamin R. Theall, Spencer Stafford, John w.
Howe, Richard j. Bradford, X. Tinkham, Anthony
charged the trial proceeded.
The case for the prosecution was opened by Geo.
G Allen ESQ.,. who stated this was one OF the most
extraordinary cases ever before any Court IN this
country A series OF forgeres, unparalleled Tor
their magnitude, success and the holiness with
which they were executed. The amounts procured
by the iorgeties were $4,000 on one bill, and the
same sum on another, making the sum OF $4,000
Obtained by the successful forget The iorger,
whoever he was, was shrewd enough TO keep him.
elf cd ~
difficulty TO trace him through his various peregr-
nations This however, the prosecution did not IN
tend follow up, conhning themselves 10 such facts
as would leave the real foTger no longer IN the
shade. MIR Allen then adverted to the successful
forgeres committed in the western part Of the
country, and although he could not nor would not
say that Edwards connected with them, yet 1t
matter OF consideration, that since his arrest
no such orgeres had been perpetrated. In July
last, Mannsel, White & Co., Of New Orleans, re
ceived letter purporting to come from II. 5. Hill,
stating that he had Just come 10 large estate and
wished TO form business acquaintance with them,
and asking the names OF their correspondents in
New York. This letter was answered, and the
name Of Brown, Brothers * Co. and Joshua Gil
born were given, and it these men whose
forged. Nothing further was heard Of
Hill.
On the 23d August last, the head clerk Of Brown
Bros s. Co, found letter for them, purportins TO
come from Mannsell, White s. Co stating that John
p Caldwell had 1911 bales Of Cotton in their hands
that he perfectly good, and that he might draw
on them for a sum not exceeding $50 900. On the
27lh, Messrs. Brown received letter from p
Caldwell, stating that bis brothers illness had de-
t1lned him in the South and referring 10 AannselI,
White & Co.'S ette., requesting their assistance TO
enable him 10 raise from $4,000 10 $4,000, and
IN the letter enclosed an order directing Mann
sell, White & Co., TO hold the cotton IN their
hands, subject 10 Messrs. Browns letter. On the
2Sth, they wrote TO NJ. w. & CO. enclosing the two
Bills OF Exchange which Caldwell had enclosed TO
;hem. And on the same day they wrote TO John p
Caldwell enclosing checks, drafts, &c, TO the amount
OF s24,505, directing it to him at Alexandra. Ga
the 4lh September, Caldwell acknowledged the re-
csipt Of their letter and the money and on tho Sth
they received a letter from Mannsell, White 4 CT
stating the whole affair 10 be an outrageous fraud.
Every possible step was taken to discover the per-
petrator Of this bold forgery, but all they could find
that the checks, sc. had been paid TO Caldwell.
The prosecution would prove the writing Of these
forged leterc. That Jno. Caldwell wrote his
name upon every cheek and draft forwarded by
Brown, Brothers 4 Co., and paid out in Richmond
and Baltimore and they would also prove that Mon
roe Edwards was that man, and that when he was
arrested the proceeds Of these checks and drafts
found IN his possession.
II r Kieekhoefer sworn-l am the confidential
clerk Of Brown, Brothers & Co., who are in the EI-
change, Banking and Commission business, having
branches IN Liverpool and Philsde pha. The letter
now handed me purportng TO come from Mannsei,
White Co, OF New Orleans, was received August
2Sd. The letters are always laid on my table by
the post Office clerk. and open them.
The ,elIer was then read and is as follows:
Nav ORLEANS, iOth August, is4I.
.M,sTs. Brown, Brothers & Go. N Yo,k.
Gentlemen: Our friend Mr. John p. Caldwell
now on a visit 10 Virginia. writes us that he wishes
30 command about % or $4,000.
As the best means OF meeting our friends wishes
we have taken leave to enclose him letter Of IN
PRODUCTION to you, with request that you vii
oford HIM ell the facilities he requires, provIdet
that you can find Il convenient, safe and profitable
10 yourselves. Mr. Caldwell has IN our ha nd
(s1bisct no eharges) 10Il bales Of cotton, weigh
ing 465 O60 pounds, quality Averaging good fair
and worth in this market, AZ present prices, az leas
s5O00O This cotton arrived late IN the city, snc
ny our advice has been held TO sell with the new
crop Just coming in.
Mr. Caldwell nnd his family arc among the very
lev planters Of this State who are entirely FREE
from debt and he IS a solvent and very wealthy
gentleman.
The cotton in our hunds constitutes the last year
crop Of Mr. &. and bis mother. aud the whole OF
IS subject 10 his ORDER; therefore any arrangement
he may make predienled on the cotton in our hand
will be perfectly safe.
n SIC Caldwell can do no better, he is author
ized 10 value on our house for any sum not exceed
ing $4,000 tat not less than 80 days slghO an
his bills shall be 6uly honorcd and protected -
should Mr. g. conclude on this course, We shall fec
greatly obliged 10 you II you will procure the ne
collation. Of any bills drawn on our house by him {
We shall also be thankful for any attention show
10 Our Trend during his stay IN your city.
With much respect We remain
Your obedient servants
lSgntdl MANNSELL, WHITE & co.
Addfessed-Brown, Brothers n Co, Ny.
Ths witness was then desired to stand aside 70
the present
Rooen Shaw, Of Nos Orleans, partner Of IN
firm Of mannsel, White h Co. Commission Me-
chants know no such person AZ n. s. Hill. tb
letter handed 20 me hrs, tav on the 18Th Of Julv
1sil il u dated PHILADELPHIA, OH July, ana siens
u s. Hill; ] know neither the person nor IN
writing. Mr. Selden objected TO this evidence, b,
the Court admitted u under exceptional We AZ
svered the letter, a copy Of which is here.
The Court then took recess until four o'coc
ordering the jurors 10 be kept together
EVENING SESSION.
Robert Shsw's examination fesumed.-Cl dentif
copy Of hu eter in reply The original was a.
dressed 10 Mf Hill, Exchange Hotel, Baltimore. Is
yefal Other letters shown 10 witnets, identified
fatfa ~ - nh