The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1844-02-02
Important Arrest-Thc Van Buren, Urea
sury Notes Traced TO . Broker In west
Hera

has INST bren brought 10 light, which may Lead 10
the discovcrv Of more Than mere treasury notes
A murder is suueosed TO be connected with The
transaction. and as il is being unravelled, give
the particulars so far as they have rranspired. In
last Asri. Mr.. Campbell, Of Van Buren,, Arkan-
sas, mailed S2lOO, principally in treasury notes to
several mercantile firms in this city, which did moi
reach their destination, and some strange mystery
seemed connected with them disappearance, as on
the evening of the day on which Mr.. Campbell had
mailed them he was shot dead, while passing
through the street, but by whom, or for what OBJ
ject, none could tell-,he murderer and his object
remained concealed from human ken II was as
certained that the mail had been robbed a. Fayete-
vile, Ark, and the partner ofthe unfortunate Camp
bell Instantly issued notices, with the numbers OF
the notes, to every bank, and printed slips were
circulated among the brokers' but no tidngs were
heard of the missing notes, until about six weeks
ago, broker named Baker, corner Of Broadway
and Fulton street, sent three $50 notes by another
broker named Peck, TO the office Of Smith n Co,
Wall street, where it was ascertaned that the num-
bers had been altered, and the notes were sent to
the Merchants Bank, where they were instantly
pronounced forgeries Mr. Lowndss was sent tor
by the bank, and information given to him OF the
affair. Meantime the notes were sent back to
Peck, and by him handed to Baker, who could not
tell the person he got them FROM Justice Matseli,
Of the Lower Police, called upon Baker, who gave
up the notes. The matter was then placed In the
hands OF officers Stokey and Cockefalr, and one
of the notes having been sent on to the Depart
ment at Washington, it was discovered TO be one
of the missing Van Buren, Treasury notes, which
had been altered by the cunning Transforming OF
an into a g. Mr.. Ogden, the mail agent, from
information derived from some source, directed the
officers to trace out two men named Samuel Bolts
ford and George alias Preserved Gage, who
were somewhere in the city. Gage was
soon traced TO his exchange Office in West Broad
wav. and as there was nothing to warrant his COM
initial except mere suspicion, plan was laid to
arrest him. A lottery policy was purchased by
stool pigeon, and for this he brought before the
police, but though closely questioned, nothing could
be obtained from him relative TO the treasury notes;
he was permitted to so large, the police officers
keeping t. strict watch upon his movements and
this led to the detection of Bottsford, who was
several times seen in his company In the mean
time watch was kept upon Baker also, and he
having acknowledged that he purchased some trca-
sury notes from Gage, who denied being able to
recognise the notes he had passed to him, it was
resolved to "pull' both Gage and Bottsford, land
about ten o'clock on "Wednesday night, the Off
secured their prisoners. 1t appears that Bolts
ford was the acting deputy Postmaster at Fayette-
vile on the day of the robbery, and suspicion was
fastened on him in consequence of his removal
shortly after from that place. His story is that he
came to this country from New Brunswick, North
America, about twelve years ago, and for eight
years resided in this city and at Philadelphia that
while boarding in Canal street he became acquain-
led with Gage, and lent him at times various sums
of money and on leaving to settle in Van Buren,,
Arkansas, where he resided for six months, he took
the promssory note of Gage for the balance due.
From Arkansas he removed TO Fayetteville, where
he resided for two years and half, and became
a practising lawyer and magistrate-hav his
Office in wing of the building in which was
the post office. He was accustomed OCCASION
ally to deliver letters and papers, during the abb
sence OF the deputy Postmaster, Mr.. John Stir
man, and in return, he had his Office rent free.
He denies that he ever opened or unlocked a mail
or mail bag, having authority to do so--this be-
ing always done by Strman in small room ad-
Joining the Office. His wife becoming very I'M
wen. rayrttcsmc s'ePt-'uoer, afIiveu
here in October last, determining to return in the
s;rng, az soon as the health of his wife would
permit. On his arrival here, he called on Gage to
pay, and received 500 from him on account
Gage observing that he had drawn prize Of $3.50
in the lottery. So soon he heard that suspicion
rested on him about the Treasury notes, he called
on Gage, and was told by him that he had won the
Treasury notes he had passed to the brokers froma
stranger al gambling table, and described the
man as either an Englishman or Southerner, with
round red face, red whiskers, and rather heavy
built. He wore a cap and cloak, and mentioned
tina, he was from Philadelphia. Gage further Of
fered that if the prosecuting officer would keep the
matter quiet, he would be able to meet the man
again, and then he would give him up Such is
the story Of Dottsford. From the testimony given
before Commissioner Rapelye yesterday, it appears
hat among the notes was one for $500, and this
3age changed at Bakers Office, who received the
money Tor it upon presentation at the counter Of
he Bank of America, and this gave him conf
lence in Gage, and he subsequently purchased
hree other notes-one for 800 and two for $50.
The numbers of the following notes were altered
,ery skilfully:-
Letter b. $50, No. s64lO to 364l9.
Letter G.. $50, 364ll to 364l7.
Letter A. 500 a" 2l406 to 2l496
Inc EXAMINATION OF IdSc VIII DE IOunu Ill announcer
column. The Commissioner continued TO exam
ne witnesses up to Z o'clock yesterday evening.
Mr.. Barrett appearing for the prosecution and Mr..
Alderman Scoles tor Gage. Botsford has retained
Mr.. Price. The material portion of the testimony
s yet to come-thai of yesterday being principally
relating to the changing ofthe notes by Gage at the
several exchange offices.
The public may look for more astounding revela-
lions in day or two, in which certain men of
honor are interested AT present cannot say more.
PRoeREss OF THE NEW RELiGIoN.-Mr. Philoso-
phcr Greeley, whilst administering traternal advice
and discipline to Christian Webb, not forgetful of
the seeds which he has dibbled on the borders of
sSkeneatees Lake and on the banks of the Ohio
In yesterdays Tribune we have nearly three CO.
lumns devoted to account of the progress of the
various "phalanxes," or barracks Of the "gand
L