The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-08-23

SwINDLING PRAcTCED UPON EMIGRANTs.-We
have read paragraph under this heading in the
Lirerpool Mercury, and we would like to transfer
it 10 our columns, that the public may be put on
their guard against the unprinciped men who, in
this city and elsewhere, are preyipg upon the poor
emigrants whom they can entrap in their Infamous
tolls. We know nothing of the firm of this city
mentioned in the Mercury; but If there be such
firm in existence, we have no hesitation In saying
that the commissioners of emigration are guilty OF
a gross dereliction OF duty if they do not institute
an enquiry into the matter, and should they find
The facts to be as stated, take immediate mea-
sures to bring the perpetrators of heartless and
infamous piece Of swindling to condign punish
Ilent.
Notwithstanding all the efforts that have been
made of late to prevent imposiilons and frauds upon
the poor emgrants, who seek shelter and home
in this land OF freedom the feel
ing OF Indignation that each case OF this kind has
naturally excited in the public -, nd, frequent in
stances still occur here, and escws re, to show that
emigration agents, crimps, runners, and lodging
house keepers, still continue their infamous traffic
with IMMUNITY. and conrive to evade the laws that
have been enacted against them. There are, of
course, some honorable exceptions in this line of
puslUcsS-IucH WIN Noulu HUI tdNc duN dutdyc VI
the ignorance and lnexperence of poor emigrants;
but the number Of this class Is comparatively few,
while the number of those who are lying in wait
for the " Sam Grays," and have their man-c atchers
proving about in all directions, like tigers, seek
ING whom they may seize upon, is legion.
Mr.. Rushton, of Liverpool, is entitled to the
gratitude of every lover of justice, and of every
man who revos against the oppression of the poor,
for the noble stand he has taken in Liverpool
agains, these heartless swinders. We should like
very much to see the same magisterlal vigilance
and energy used against them here for the I'M
position that is continually being practlced with
| IMMUNITY would seem TO warrant the belief that no
steps had recently been taken to repress this cry
ing evil. We are well aware how difficult it is to
meet the ever varying plans of this organised band
of plunderers- assuming, as they do, every imagl!
nablc guise TO entrap the unwary and unsuspect-
ing but this should be an incentive to the execu.
i've power to proceed against them with addi.
nonal energy, and to redoublc their exertions foI
the protection of these deluded victims
We have much pleasure in bearing testimony &c
the valuable services which the Irish and the Eng
lish emigration societies, in this city, have rem
dered to their respective countrymen. But VIZ
think that more effective steps should have beer
taken by them to give publicity in England and ii
Ireland to the fact of their existence, and Of The
phianthropic objects they have in view. Had THU
been the case-had every Catholic clergyman il
Ireland, for instance, received circular announc
ing the existence and the objects of such societ!
as the Irish emigration society, with request tina
he would have 1t posted up on the doors of hi
church, or have it read to his congress ation-car
any one believe that the many frauds lately prae
ticed upon the poor Irish emigrants, would have oc
cured! How the greater bulk OF the poor Irish, resi-
dent among could think Of sendingmoncy, through
firms of such character, appears incredible to US
unlcss on the presumption TINT they were wholly
ignorant Of the existence Of the Irish Emigration
Society, or OF honest men in the community.
We would, therefore, respectfully urge upon
these benevolent societies. the propnety OF giving
themselves more extended publicity, both here
and in heir re,rfe'ive countries, that the p,achI-