The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-03
Singular mtrigues and Movements OF the
Aboiitionists I'm Religion, Politics, Trade,
and Every Thing-Astounting Explosion
In Penn Y an, Yates County.


A few days ago, large number of the most re-
spectacle erchants in this yreceived from Penn
Yam, the capital of Yates County, New York, a
singular CIRCULAR, which has caused great deal
of conversation, surprise and wonder, as TO its
causes and consequences The following is q copy,
which has been put into our possession for pubca-
tlon -
To THE MERCHANTS CRY OF NEw YORK =
The undersigned Merchants of the village of Penn
YAM having learned with establishment and regret that
the credit and standing of OF our substantial
hitherto unquestoned business has been asssiled by
whose statements derive all their consequence from
his appointment subagent to Mr. Lewis Tappan, desire
present the merchants of New York few consdera
tons that to legitimatey out of the affair allu
ded to. While recognize the right of creditors to
employ all honorable means to ascertain the business
character and condition of their debtors respectfully
protest against any system of espionage that shall place
credit the disposal of gent who himself near
ly destitute OF credit in the community which he resides
The credit of business men If nature too delicate 10
representations unless made by those who
above the sway OF personal and partzan feelings and
the suspicion of dshonorabe motives designs The
selection OF the particular merchant, whose grievance
draws forth this communication, is evidence amounting
to demonstration in the minds of this community that
feelings dsoredtable to human nature and utterly unfit
TO find place in the bosom of honorable man. have
tated the attempt blast and ruin whose moral
acter and business habits, and capital ente him the
most undoubed confidence OF all with whom he
merclal intercourse. In view of these facts respect
fully advise the withdrawal of your confidence and BUSH
ness patronage from Alvin Wnants who now stands
indicted by the Grand jury Of the county in which he
resides for gross fraud practced upon the Supreme
Co Irt Of this State
the uncertainties that attach in these times selling
in your city of goods upon time country merchants de-
mand for security the appointment of agents report
the standing of your matter of
to ourselves the selection for Penn Yam individual
whose own character would afford of
truth of his statements.
Very respectfully, Yours sc,
Whitney stark, Marsena Messer
Nelson Tunniclif ofthe firm d. B. Bisseli
OF Stewart Tunniclih, J Ellsworth,
Clark sharpe, l.. b. Vaudeville,
r n. Huntington l.. o. Dunning,
Edward J. Fowle, $. g. Ellsworth
James Armstrong of the firm j. H. CANDY of the firm of
OF Morgan x Armstrong, Candy x Lapham.
Bentley streeter, D. 5. Marsh, jr,
James McVey, Benjamin Tyler, of the firm
Penn YAM. Yates Co.. Oct. 20. Isi2
"Lewis Tappan," Lewis Tappan"-" the sub
agent of Lewis Tappan" To those acquainted
with the peculiar occupation of Lewis Tappan in
commercial matters, this circular will be at once I'M
derstoodto the public at large it must be explained
We shall, therefore, proceed in this purpose with
dignity and moderation.
Ii will be recollected that in the course of last
spring, correspondence appeared in the " New
York Express disclosing the existence of a very
extensive system Of commercial police or mercantile
espolnage, the centre of which in New York,
and It's agencies every where, protesting TO collect
accounts and information relative to the reputation
standing, property, politics. religion. family affairs,
and responsibility of every commercial and business
man. IN every town throughout the IT, States 1t APP
peared further, that Mr.. LEWIS TAppAN, well
known abolition gentleman of this city, was the
founder originator of this singular system, and il
has been said that the expenses of this new police
have been betrayed by subscriptions of $40 for each
person wishing information, which would give, for
5000 subscribers, throughout the United States, an
aggregate revenue of 100000 per annum, or $780,
90 Tor 1000 subscribers, 10 remunerate Mr.. Japan
and his agent
The organization OF such system would, of itself
be very profitable financial measure-but when,
TO TINS immense revenue, we add the power pos
sessed, through their agents, Of turning the charac-
terjeaousles fears, rivares of the various busl-
ness men in every part of the country, to profitable
account, il would seem to rise TO a magniicence
equal to any thing that ever was attempted in the
world. As an engine of political or religious power
or OF oppresslon-or of any design it would be
without rival in the annals OF the most depotic 90
vernment that ever existed.
One OF the first fruits Of this secret system, has