The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-07

swiNpIisa M Recently foreignlgen'
tlen,an, whose name did not Iranspire, applied 70
Mr.. nardwiokle, the sitting magistrate, IN Marioo-
rough street for his advice under the following en-
cumslaBces
The applicant stated, that since the suppression OF
the common gambling houses al the west end oil the
town, system Of enlrappng people inio the meshes
Ut the numerous biack-egs that abound IN certain
localities has been practiscd and he aPpiican was
sorry 10 say that great many foreigners had oeen
the victims Of tins most abomiDabie practice there
we're a sut OF uoprincpled fellows toreigners) em-
ployed NJ toutors" whose business II was TO 90 TO
the different foreign hotels IN he metropolis, IN order
10 ascertain the names o those most recently arrived
from tho Continent, These persons are invariably
drossed in tho first style of fashion, and display
profus,on Of Jcwelry.
The information they require Is readily given, and
an introduction often takes place through an sssum-
cd name invitations are gwen, and desire TO cui-
tivato acquaintance is expressed, vi course re-
isa of the proeod friendship is not, out Of sheer
poll,cness refused. The consequence Is, that with
In day or two carnage appears at the hotel door,
which announced 10 be at the service OF the unsus-
pecting stranger Anxious 10 avail himself OF 20 Ia
yorable opportunity for seeing the sights Of Lon
don, and admring the courtesy Of the new acquain'
lance he most readily accepts seat IN the vehicle,
and enjoys tide Of two or three hours duration -
On subsequent dsy the carriage and lis pretended
owner again appear at the hotel and another drive
is proposed and acceded 10. But this time (Iest the
intended victim should escape) call lis made upon
some pretended friend Here the newly imported
foreigner IS introduced TO Madame la Comtesse So
and So and Barons and Baronesses by the dozen, all
Of course, assumed titles.
The reception is cordial in the extreme, and the
stranger frequently becomes eDamored Of the So
cety he fortunate 10 meet with that to object 10
any proposals would be decided proof of III breed
ing W inc is introduced and afterwards cards, and
Monsieur cannot decline Madame Ia Comtesse for
| a partner, even with Vscount and a Baron opposed
to her. A few hands are lost by Ia Complies, and
her partner for which the fair lady makes many apollo
gies and proters her purse. GaiaDtry forbids Mon
surs acceptance and play proceeds. The result may
easily be imagined the victim generally eased Of all
his disposabe cash. and then return by way
of loan, which his departure is asoelt behind. Be-
fore he leaves however, he is politely reminded OF
the obligation, and, man Of honor, does not he
| state TO leave IOU. visit next day
| takes place at the strangers hotel, to inquire
after his health, and In the course of conversa-
| ton the little acknowledgment" is referred
| to, and, in nine cases out OF ten, promptly set
He'd A proceeding of similar character to
that above stated mentioned by the appll-
cant, wherein the parties lost $4,000, over and
above the cash in their immediate possession -
Fortunately, when the touter called upon the for
egners with the U, waiter Of the hotel at which
they stopping, recognised the pretended gentle
man a notorious swindler, and advised that the
money be not paid him, which advice taken, and
| nothing more was heard of the matter The appli-
cant added, that there many as fifty cases
wihin his cognizance, and he anxious that
something should be done to put stop to such abom
nations.
The magistrate said il was not in his power to
sis the applicant in the affair as il at present stood,
and advised that information, with the addresses Of
the persons should be given to the superntendens Of
police and they would doubt take measures to
bring the parties TO justice and If they should be
brought before HIM, he would promise that they
should not be let off with fine, IT in the pow
er OF magistrate to commit such persons TO prison
with hard labor
The applicant thanked the magistrate, and with
drew.