New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1843-12-30
Erauds ON the Public.

To the Editor Of The Tribune:
The public mind has of late been attracted to
the numberless frauds practsed upon the trading
public. The various modes OF buying goods under
false pretences have been discussed and the mai
practices of the auctloneers have frequently lrrl
tated the public mind. There is another branch
of fraud, however, to which would call atten-
ton. 1t is classifying the character OF articles OF
fered for sale. The evil is general and has as
sumed serious character. In ILLUSTRATION OF
what refer to, will mention the articles manu-
featured from the precious metals, particularly
gold. This description Of articles, by the process
Of galvanzing, and plating has Of late become 50
much adulteratcd as to contain scarcely l0Oth
part of the gold formerly wrought up into them.
This practice has been fallen into in consequence
of the disuse of the wholesome custom OF re-
curing from the seller warrant that his artl-
Gle is of solid gold or silver. The great con-
6dence reposed by the public IN the standing OF
dealers and the desire to buy cheap, have led to
the gradual reduction of the quantity OF metals
contained in some articles until instead OF beng
solid as formerly, they retain the same form and
fashion although the material is copper with at
most but few cents worth thny scattered upon
the surface. l have seen a female friend make
full pencil case suspended from her graceful neck
by brilliant chain both the gift OF her devoted
gallant, whose horror was extreme when they
were discovered to be copper so thinly yelled IN
gold as scarcely to conceal the baser metal.
So general has this practice become that pro-
baby 7.Sths of all the ornaments worn IN the
City are of copper, although paid for as gold.
Time was when the laws took cognizancc of such
transactions. but "eXtrcmes meet" and as we
nrooress in civilization our ladies are unwlttngly
going back to the copper ornaments OF the abo-
rigines, although their male friends at christ
mas tide'' may think that they are buying gold
for souvenirs. ).
RED R,vER.-'rhe Southern Transcript, at Alex
andria, OF the 9TH inst. says:
"Red River is now within u few feet OF the top OF
;ts banks and fears have been entertained oil IFS
overflow We do not recollect ever TO have eSperl-
enced so isagreeable weather as has prevailed here
for some weeks past. The rams have been heavy
and of long duration.
passengers by the Republic arrived on Saturday
evening report thatthe country appears IN dreadful
CONDITION. great quantity OF land being overlooked,
o sod xcry serious damage having been done to the
crons by the late inclement weather and the high
Up of wafer. NO. Tropic, 18th.
or CoTroN.-The NO. Tropic of the 10Th
:. On "Wednesday evening last, as the tram Of
sass from Clinton 10 Port Hudson were coming H.
,hs sharks from the passing train communicated t.
the the Cotton, and the whole load amonnlns to %
bales together with the cars We're burned 10 aSncS
.tThe iocomotiye was also slightly injured
Mr. Mars, Chief of the Seneca t mt ~ .n ,he
bloodl whose Indian name IS Hay ao-i!oIo =. 'c
Runner, was married at Utica on the list uit. &c
Miss Mary Jane Carroll, the orphan daughter OF
British officer.
s-aeA recen, Rock Island paper states that Judge
Garnery, ex- Receiver Of the Dxson Land Cihce' Is
- defaulter in large sum of money. Prentice says
il need not be wondered at that the man turned Loco
Foco.
s5S The late Earl of Egremont, during the last
s;rty wears Of his life distributed, in acts OF charity
md liberality, the immense sum OF tl,20O,Oo0, or
about 100000 per annum