The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1842-11-29
Astounding Attempt TO Bribo the High
sheriff not to Hang Colt.

The following communication was sent to the
Board of Aldermen last evening by the High Sheriff,
M. b. Hart. For the disposition made of it, see the
report OF proceedings in another column
From the Shsrfto the President of the Board of Aldermen
Of NeU York -
Nov 2sth 1912.
wish to deposit with the Common Council of the City
of New York. the enclosed OF thousand dollars
being in ten bills OF one hundred dollars each of the Phe
nix Bank.
These bills were sent to me. enclosed in the letter
signed w. w. w. which received on the nth instant
the face of the communication. Although suppose that
the legal title TO this money still remains In the person
who transmitted 1t to me- yet IT is scarcely to be antcpa
ted that any enc will make the dangerous attempt oil re
claiming 1t.
no. proper. nor have any desire that this money
should remain in my hands, the only difficulty with me
has been to whom should pay it.
Ihave concluded that it would be the best course to
pay il into the public treasury.
This disposition OF it will afford compensation to
the city for the heavy expenses to which has been sub
ected account of the proceedings against the ndvid
endeavored TO procure by this attempt at bribery.
In case too of any attempt being made to reclaim this
money from me, expect and will doubt find in the
cry under the circumstances under which deposit it,
sufficient and ready indemnity.
1t will perhaps not be improper for to add in con-
temptation Of many attacks that have been made upon
in relation to my official conduct in the of John
Colt, in which am not conscious of any illegal or dis
honest conduct my part; that the fact of my having
received the money enclosed Immediately after its
receipt communicated to the under Sheriff, and very
shortly afterwards to gentleman holding judicial sta
ton in those judgment and dslnterestedness had con-
fdence. He concnrs with me in the disposition OF the
| money which now beg leave to make through your
hands. ! remain,
Your obedient servant,
| NJ. B. HART.
| To the President OF the Board of
Aldermen Of the city Of New York.
| Accompanying this communication, was the fol-
lowing remarkable and mysterious letter of w. w.
W. alluded to in the Sheriff scommunication II was
written half sheet of paper, and covered both
| sides oft from top to bottom. 1t was very mani
festly written in disguised hand the letters being
cut in every variety of form. We are assured that
there was not solitary member OF the Board present
who was not taken with the most unfeigned surprize
at these communications. The public will expect a
most thorough and searching investigation of this
bold and audacous attempt to bribe public officer
from the discharge of his duty, by the committee of
police, watch, and prisons, to whom this subject is
now referred. This committee are Aldermen Gro
Illus, Stewart, and Bonnell.
The following is w. w. WIS letter.
1--WE follow copy nearly as possble.]
Should you do what is herein requested another sum
acty equal to that enclosed shall be sent you
Wednesday IS Nov. 1872
The undersigned has acquaintance with Colt-nor
Pure beneolence humanity have induced
the signed to offer you the enclosed cond.
ton that YOU decline to positively refuse hang Colt
This you conscentiousy do the score Of humanity
that have right to take the life of fellow.crea
ture-on the score that tue of the jury who tried him
at first Of opinion that only ghter-on
tho that the Chancellor ought to have granted
writ of error to the Court of Errors Che Senate
of an improper bias nay violent prejudice having
in the outset been created by the large small papers
in the city against him, the that the repub
doctrine no. to hang but to imprson for life in CAPT.
tai caseson the score that in all human probability the
law enacting hanging for any offence will this winter be
repealedon the score that Gov Bouck WILL he has
declared pardon Colt Gov Bouck's opinion being well
ascertained on this point.
There are many reasons which in the haste of the
ment, the undersigned is unable to write
But Sir come out & likea Genl Jackson take upon
yousrel the the laws and your
duty as you understand them REFUSE to hang Colt
You will thereby lay up for yourself in future life the
pleasing reflection Of having saved from destruction HUI
man being upjustly condemned-and receive the thanks
blessings OF Colts relatives and iendsand meet the
full appreciation entire approval of the whole Of the
oft Vice chancellor and ofthe judges Iyou take the
step recommended you will receive the applause the
people and Of the party and of the whole community Po
pular feeling runs high in favor of the prisoner
w. w. w.