The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-12-11


BUFFALO, N. Y, Dec. A. 1872.
Indictment of a pau of Fimnciers Crime and In
torioation- Morality Of Bennett the anti Mormon
Trade.
DEAR BENNETT
You cannot have learned by our papers,-ordna-
rily SO promp, to display the detail of police and
court cases, that scarcely petty larceny or assault
and battery escapes their notice that Orlando Allen
and John R. Lee, the late president and cashier of
the Bank of Buffalo, have been indicted and held to
bail vet such is the fact AT the recent session of
the Oyer and Termner held here, the grand jury,
at the instance of the bank commissioner, found
true bills against both these distinguished financial
characters, for penury,n atesng false returns and
they were arrested and held TO bail in the sum Of
ten thousand dollars each, to take their trial at the
next term of the court The gross and criminal mis-
management of the Bank Of Buffalo, by which the
Safety Fund has sustained so great loss, could
not, Of course, have been kept concealed from the
bank commissioner but by deliberate perjury, and
other extra official financial acts, such as false en-
tries, omissions and false returns Just return for
which will be penltentlary punishment. Mr.: Allen
is somewhat notorious Tor his talent at negotiation,
as shown in the congressional and other reports,
upon the subjects OF the Seneca Treaty, which he
was actively instrumental in procuring by means al
ready before the public. Mr. Lee is one OF the flrm
of the firm of II. r. Seymour " Co, bankers, and
is an agreeable, smooth spoken, unassumlng and
very gentlemanly young man, who went into the
Bank of Buffalo, few years ago, worth COMPARE
lively nothing and is tnow reputed to be very well
off, as the phrase is. He was much IN the comb
dence of Mr.. Hiram Pratt, deceased, OF whom you
though not exactly fortunate specuator and hnan-
cier who has the credit, now that he is dead, of
having caused the over.issue complained OF by the
comptroller. How Mr.. Lee avoided sharing the ruin
of his patron, Mr. Pratt who died bankrupt for
MANY thousands, is more than l can tell, nor do
believe that the suppression OF any obligations to the
bank of his own, has increased the loss OF the
to his solvency or responsibility. He is "very
nice Young man." and will, / sincerely hope, find
no difficulty in extrcating himself from the very
unpleasant predicament into which he has been
thrown
sad example of the evil effects OF intemperance
is shown in the tate OF man by the name OF Prltz,
saddler by trade, who was asst week sentenced to
the state prison. for burglary, fifteen years and SIX
months Nine or ten years ago, this PrltZ was con-
sidered one of the finest young men IN Buffalo he
was in good business, partner of Col Vosburgh ::
had the entree of the first circles here, and was
very generally esteemed and respected IN an evll
hour he gave himself up to the use of intoxicating
liquors. and for the last three or four years. has been
scarcely day sober Still, unto the present season,
he managed TO keep clear of crime, and was pitied
rather than despised But his evil appetite brougt him
into contact with evil associates, and brief career
of crime has been the consequence three lndIct-
ments for burglary and larceny were found against
him last summer, upon TWO OF which he was tried
in one of these cases he acquitted tor want OF
direct evidence, and in the other the jury could not
agree. He was shortly after admitted to bail, and
it was hoped his narrow escape from State Prison
would have such effect upon him as to work his
reformation, or at least to deter HIM from offences
against the laws; but two or three months, how.
ever had elapsed when he was engaged with others
in the commission of a most foolish and fragrant
burglary and robbery, which he has now to expiate
by more than fifteen years in State Prison. It IS
sad case-may il prove warning. lie is now, In the
when again he looks forth upon it, should his life be
spared to the end of his term of sentence, the wrin,
kles and grey hairs of age and suffering will stand
upon his brow, and blasted name and reputation
mock the last hope of human happiness.
Business and politics are somewhat dull at pre-
sent, and we have no public amusements worth the
nolice. General John G. Bennett passed through
here on his way to the West, week or two since,
and gave a lecture on Mormonism. He said he was
going, at the request of Gov Carlin, to arrest Joe
Smith, and that in all human probability the plains
of Illinois would within three weeks be deluged with
blood! Your namesake seems to be very lere-
cious sort of chap, and quite determined to
make mince-meat of the whole Mormon calabash.
We look to YOU for the earliest and fullest accounts
of the war, and hope you have made arrangements
to be informed of every particular. The Herald is
almost the only paper read here, and Is our sole re-
| lance fornews from everyquarter.
The weather is now and has be- tor several days,
quite moderate 1t is highly probable that canal ma
vigaton may yet be far practicable as to allow the
large quantities of Western produce, ice-bound an
fransitu to reach their destination east The lake
navigation continues, and trelghs constantly
pour In upon But must close. My next letter
shall have the merit of more variety and trust more
interest Pointedy yours,
FIsH-HooK.