Litchfield enquirer., 1849-11-01
A Conscience Man and Mr. Cav.

CONFIDENCE Man and MIR Clay.
The Cincinnati Dispatch, of the 5,h
inst, speaking oft the way in which con-
| fdence man imposed upon the Hon. Hen
ry Clay, on his return from the North,
says He made Mr.. Clay's acquaintance
on the steamboat coming from Buffalo to
Sandusky and introduced himself as
younger BROTHER Of Mr.. Winthrop, of
Mass, speaker of the last Congress. As
MIR. Clay's boy Levi had accidentally
been left behind at Buffalo, and as the
venerable sage Of Ashland was in feeble
health. the many little attentions he be-
slowed upon him in the absence of his
regular travelling companion, taking care
of baggage at the various changes, and
other little attentions of the kind, were
gratefully received, aad won the old mans
confidence. Such a thing as the fellow
being an imposter, never crossed lis mind.
Upon Mr.. Clay's arrival at the Broad
way Hotel, in this city, he introduced
his travelling companion to his friends,
and from the Difference which Mr.. Claws
recommendation inspired, he at once had
the entree to the best society--he lived
at the top of the heap at the Broadway
invited friends to dine with him-or-
dered expensive wines, and had all his
little bills, even down to his washing.
paid at the hotel Office. He borrowed
money Of several gentleman, upon whom
he imposed trumped up story of hay
ing his pockets picked of all his money.
His baggage not making very bulky
show, he also spoke of having lost his
trunks in travelling. After living at the
Broadway, where he Jared "sum ptuous-
ly every day." for some ten days, always
neglectlng to settle for board and wash
ing, he concluded to accept the invita-
ton of the venerable Statesman, to visit
Ashland, made in the presence of a large
crowd assembled to witness his depart.
ure for home.
1t so happened that the baggage Of
Gov. Letcher, Minister to Mexico, and
the Hon. Orlando Brown, Indian agent,
whose acquaintance h. had also. made
during their stay at the Broadway, had
been by some accident left behind, aud
was to be forwarded after them. AZ
this imposter was going by the stage to
Lexington, the trunks Of those gentle
man, containing important matters, were,
by friend of theirs, entrusted to this
young scamp, who took them in charge
in his own name, promising to deliver
them to the owners. He had not left
the city long, before his imposture was
discovered. Upon the expose, friend
Of Mr.. Clay's in this city telegraphed the
fact to Lexington, as well as to Gov.
Letcher and Mr.. Brown. At the time
the despatch reached Lexington, he had
installed himself regularly into the hos
pitalities of Mr.. Clay, and others to whom
he had had letters from gentleman here.
or had been presented by Mr.. Clay him.
self. He was received into the first So
ciety Of the Kentucky metropolis, and
was fourishing extensively, as he did
here, when this telegraphic despatch
sheared off his laurels. We have been
kindly permitted by gentleman of this
city, who was instrumental in exposing
the base viilainy, to use the following ex-
tract from letter received from Mr.. Clay
in answer to his telegraphic despatch:
ASHLAND, Sept. 80:
DEAR FR1ENb-I have been deceived
as to the young maA who called himself
Winthrop, and am sorry for it. l be-
came acquainted with him on the VOYAGE
from Buffalo to Sandusky, and without
any formal introduction. He represen-
ted himself as the brother Of Speaker
Winthrop, and of course believed him.
During that voyage, and during the run
from Sandusky to Cincinnati, nothing
could exceed his kind attentions to me,
taking care of my baggage, and perform
ing other little friendly Offices for me
Having left nay servant at Buffalo, these
kind acts were very useful and accepta-
BILE, and felt very grateful to the young
man for them. A suspicion never crossed
nv mind as to the genuineness Of his
name. or as to his being an impostor, I'm.
til I received Mr.. CromwelPs telegraph
ic despatch. After that, l telegraphel
Speaker Winthrop, from whom ! learned
that he had no brother out of Massa-
chusetts.
The young man got into good society
here, was invited out several times to
dinner, &c. He made several attempts
to borrow money without much success.
and suddenly departed yesterday eve
ming. Il is remarkable that he did not
apply to me for money. | am truly con-
cerned that young man 30 capable
should be SO unworthy, and that | may
have been the innocent cause of mislead-
ing others as to his real character.
Your friend II. CLAY.
A Printers' School Meeting came of
lakAlxw 50 N;un;rnat; uonU the other