Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-05-20
LOCAL sNTEHEEsENCE.
The Alleged Defdlcation Of young Pius-Return
of f. NJ Elliott


Francis M. Elliott, the companion of VIM. r.
Pitts, reached this city yesterday in the morning
hne from Philadelphia. AS we anticipated, no
charge had been made against him-be had com,
mitted no oflence-and his arrest. therefore. had
been wholly unauthorized He was released
from custody shortly after the agent of Messrs.
Maury & Morton reached Philadelphia. Young
Fits was also released and furnished with means
to prosecute his journey by the agent of the
parties who had authorised his arrest.
For the purpose OF placing the whole transac-
ton, properly before the reader, we shall proceed
to state the facts as they have been furnished lis
by one fully conversant with them.
Young Pitts had obtained the promise of a situa-
ton ina commercial house in the Territory of
Minnesota, and had appraised Messrs. Maurv &
Morton OF his intention to embrace the opportuni
ty afforded of seeing something of the Far West.
On Friday last, before he had started on his Jour
ney, he was apprised that his cash account failed
to balance. In company with friend he called
on Messrs. Nj. & M. and told them that he was
aware the cash account did not balance-that he
believed, however, it would balance upon careful
revision, and manifested willingness to await
$1,000
time, that he had not deflauded them ont of q
cent. Under the hope, we suppose, that such
might prove to be the case, his former EMPLOYERS
lnterposed no objection to his leaving the city,
and he accordingly left for the North Friday night
On the following day, however, they determined
to arrest him, and transmitted dispatches North
authorising his detention. Upon reaching Phila-
delphla he was taken into custody and placed I'M
der the surveillance of the police until the arrival
OF Messrs. Maury Il Mortons agent. Tho off
GERS found less than $500 upon his person, whilst
his companion Elliott, had no money whatever in
possession. AS already stated, the agent Of
Messrs. Maury q Morton conferred with youpe
Pitts shortly after reaching Philadelphia. The
result OF this conference was, the release of Pitts
and his companion from custody. Elliot immedi-
atey returned to this city whilst Pitts set out on
his journey westward.
The manner in which young Elliott became
involved in the transaction, may be very briefly
and satisfactorily explained. He is an intelligent
little fellow, about Is years of age; and like most
other lads, easily captvated by an adventurous
prospect. He and young Pitts were on terms of
intimacy; and the latter had duly appraised him of
his intention tovist the Far West, and had persua-
ded Elliott to accompany him, promising not only
to pay his passage the Falls of ST. Anthony butte
obtain employment for him as soon as they reached
their point of destination. He embraced the
offer, more through friendship for young Pitts
than from any othermotive, and left the city with
out taking leave of his friends and relatives He
solemly affirms that up to the moment of arrest
in Philadelphia, he entertained not the slightest
doubt as to the honesty and integrity of Pitts, and
was horror struck upon learning that he and his
friend had been arrested upon the grave charge
ofrobbihg Messrs Maury & Morton. He returns
to the city fully and radically cured of further
desire to 'see the ELEPHANT