The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-08-23
ST.. LOUIS, August Is, lS49.

The late astounding and objectionable dcfalca
ton in the Bank of Missouri still continues the topic
Of conversation with all classes of society The ac
cused is judged and acquitted, condemned, in
every family circle, the of all the streets,
and in all the public places of resort throughout the
city. Each succeeding hour brings with il some
| new development and some fresh rumor, until he
who, week since, regarded the most exem-
pary Christian, and one of the brightest ornaments
of the ministerial profession, is now held up one
in whom there is neither the sembance of virtue,
nor the first attribute of pety or honesty Hun
dreds, now, are tanning the embers of excitement
and prejudice, by retailing from door door what
they pretend they have for months, if not years,
before known; who, up to Saturday last, were
among the most sickening of Mr.. Child's admirers,
and the loudest in proclaiming his deeds of benevo
lence and philanthropy Others, who rejoice at any
thing tending TO bring disgrace upon the calling
of Clergyman, and doubt upon the truths and re-
aties of Christianity, hope that guilt may be fixed
upon the accused thinking thereby, that, to GER
tain extent, they will have gained much in what
they so heartily long for. mention these facts, TO
show how unstable is public opinion and how tickle
Is friendship, where the object upon whom both is
concentrated is in the midst of apparent affluence
and power, overtaken by adversely and misfortune.
But a few days ago the praise of Nathaniel Chds,
Jr., was upon every tongue-now, there none
80 poor TO do him reverence.
His examination is set for to-day, and will be
conducted with great deal of zeal, ability, and
feeling on both sides The bank feels the necessi-
ty of relieving itself from the public odium that
rests upon it, for having made these statements for
months past, that this large in its vaults,
when from their own showing and disclosure 1t is
now admitted TO have been abstracted for long
period of time. What adds to the gross negligence
and cupability of the officers other than the direct
DRY is, that two defalcations have previously been
discovered Of a similar kind, which should have
made them more cautious and particular in making
personal examinations Of the specie at the time these
statements were published to the world, and their
correctness TO by of the officers Of the
| bank. The first defalcation was between four and
Efnn in ttxr. ~ nta
transmitted by the Bank of Missouri TO the Bank of
America, New York. Ii conceded that the seals
on the packages had not been broken during their
| transit from this city TO New York, yet, upon a
count being made at the Bank of America, deficit
in the gold was discovered equal TO, exceeding,
| twenty-five thousand dollars. The Bank of Mis-
souri, instituted suit against the Bank Of America,
but failed in recovering judgment, and the stock
holders had TO pocket the loss. The second circum
stance OF similar nature occurred in lo47, in some
packages OF money sent out TO pay the troops in New
| Mexico by Major Singer, payimaster in the army
| Here, too, II conceded that the seals placed
| upon the packages in the Bank of Missouri had not
| been removed or broken, from the time they were
placed upon them in the bank, until they arrived at
their place of destinations yet in of the packages
there was a deficiency of several thousand dollars.
| How this settled | not sufficiently advised
to speak with confidence, but presume the loss fell
| upon the bank, the testimony conclusive
that the packages were the same when delivered az
| when received. These two defalcatons OF large
| sums in specie packages within two years of each
! other, would, should have supposed, been enough
TO have justified careful and frequent inspection
| OF the boxes and kegs containing gold and silver;
but il seems 20 have no other effect than to have
lulled the officers of the bank into perfect state of
security, Judging from the amount of this last de-
| falcation.
Ii Is said, and 50 stated in the Republican Of
tins morning, doubtless by authority Of the officers
OF the bank, that they design, the inyes-
ugation OF Mr. Childs is concluded, 10 make pub
Inc expose oil the manner in which they have con-
Quoted the affairs Of the institution. This is Ger
tainly most advisable, since gross negligence
| soneiDhsTe in the bank has been the means of its
being robbed three different times, of nearly hum
| dred and sixty thousand dollars, by some Of its
subordinates, which loss the stockholders must
| stand No doubt good, plausible reason will be
given for each Of the three defalcatons for when
| was there fraud or pecuaton committed by a
Locoioco concern that did not find excuse for
the iniamy of the Transaction. | do not care my.
self how rigidly the prosecution is carried ON
against Childs. II he IL the person upon whom
guilt rests, he should not only be exposed, but pun
shed 10 the very extent Of the law. His profess
sions and calling should have proved n shield
against temptation, if he had not the moral firm
and principle 10 keep himself within the bounds
of rcctitude and propriety. But there have some
things been carried 10 excess, supposed 10 be by
some persons connected with the bank, that admits
Of mo- palliation excuse One Of these transsc.
tions transpred last night, and the disclosure Of
which has given renewed cause for excitement and
elimination throughout the city Il seems, among
/
Childs, and relied upon a corroborating circum-
stance Of bis guilt was a charge that, although a
married man and clergyman, he kept mistress,
who member Of the same church with him,
and that she supposed % have i'm her possession
| portion Of the distracted funds from the bank
A report last night industriously circulated,
doubtless 10 create prejudice against Childs, that
this females house had been searched, by virtue OF
a warrant issued for that purpose, and some forty.
two hundred dollars found with her Two Of our
most respectable citizens, (and one Of them one OF
, the most extensive and wealthy merchants in ST
Louisa Edward J. Gay and John Hogan, hear
ing this report, and both being members Of the
Methodist church, concluded they would walk
down about nine O'Clock last evening 10 the resi-
dence Of the mother Of the lady implicated, and
certain whether there was any truth in the rtimor
| Of the search Of her daughters premises and the
discovery Of the sum above named. This they felt
justified in doing from the long and intimate ac.
quaintance existing between them and the mother
On approximating the residence where the mother
supposed 10 reside, they knocked at the door
but before receiving any reply accostcd by two
police officers and arrested. Upon questioning the
officers for what offence they arrested, and by
what authority they were deprived OF their liberty
they received no other reply than the exhibition OF
an immense club carried by one Of the policemen.
| These gentlemen were "sdns ceemonie marched
of 10 the caaboosc, and after being detained there
until ten O'Clock ut night were permitted 10 depart
The directors Of the bank, properly alarmed at the
cnormty Of the outrage, and correctly Judging that
such conduct this would be tolerated IN com
munity having any regard for the supremacy Of the
law, or where the least security given To the
person liberty Of it, citizens, have authorized a
denial in of the city papers, that the arrest of
Messrs. Gay and Hogan was by their knowledge
or direction This, however, will not stop thorough
investigation of the matter by the gentlemen whose
feelings and whose rights have been outraged, as
they are determined sin the matter 10 the bottom.
Suspicion very naturally rested upon the officers OF
the bank from the fact, that after Mr. Childs was
arrested ON Saturday last and had given bail in the
sum of thirty thousand dollars for his appearance
to-day, his house was surrounded by gang OF po-
licenen with instructions 10 note all persons who
e might enter there, and to watch that nothing was
taken in or out This, il is not denied, was the work
Of the bank officers, and was disreputahe piece
of conduct the of Messrs. Hogan and Gay,
without the shadow Of right authority Tor 40 do
G ing This ovcrweanng anxiety 20 make Chds ue
scapegoat for all these declarations leads many TO
believe that, IL he is the principal peculator
there others who have participated In the frauds
e upon the bank.
y Mcssrs. A. p. Field, Trial Wright, and Trusten
Polk csqrs are the counsel for Chds, and If he is
4 blamecss in the transactions alleged against him
thev will I'M he annear The hank will