The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-27
The Defnlcation Mt the Philadelphia Mint.
TO THE EDITOR OF TIE HERALD.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
PHILADELPHIA, May 25, 1854.
Knowing your desire to be correctly informed upon
all Subjects beg leave to give you the particulars in the
of the late theft upon the part of clerk in the
United States Mint here.
j. Engle Negus appointed Receiving Teller in the
Treasurcrs department of the Mint about four years
SINCE and had the custody of the gold dust &c. depo-
sited for melting and refining.
While the gold dust was under his charge, and before
delivering it 10 the METER he in the habit OF alb
stractng from each deposit amount which he took
care should be small enough to escape detection the
loss in melting varies from to 10 per cent. For con-
yenience of sale he gave preference to nuggets and
by his constantly supplying jewellers &c, suspicion
brought TO light in the following manner, viz
The officers of the mint caused impressions to be
taken Of the key of the vault under the charge Of Negu
well as Of key which locked private closet in the
vault; and from these duplicates were made.
Alter the last April arrival of gold dust had been in his
hands about day. it determined to weigh the
deposits This done at night and Of course without
Negus being aware oft, and about 100 found
wanting They then opened his private closet and upon
a shelf found bag containing exactly the wanting
ounces All this was kept quiet, and Negus allowed
When the first of May arrival of deposits weighed
and placed in the vault under the charge of Negus ii
was determined to bring the matter to stand. One OF
the gold nuggets marked privately and at night the
Treasurer of the Mint accompanied by several officers
entered the vault re weighed the deposits, found the
private closet OF Negus,
weight found slowed away, and among 1t the marked
nugget.
The Treasurer then sent for Col Snowdcn Director of
the Mint and disclosed the matter to him showing him
the evidence of Negus's guilt.
The director despatched messenger for Mr. Negus who
jumping from bed, hurried to the Mint little surprising
what be bad to The director asked him explain no
the beg of gold dust and nuggets got into his cose He
locked little surprised and after minute two he
sad"Oh, put it there, and did 1t to show you, Col.
Snowden what might be done by the receiving teller
and you know have several times urged you appoint
officer whore duty II should be to weigh deposits
after leaving the receiving teller and thus be check
tor who knowing Negus to be Sunday school teacher
and treasurer Of DR. Boardmans Presbyterian church
would never think of appointing any to check him
"But said the Treasurer Of the Mint DR.. Sturgeon
g how can You explain, Mr.. Negus the absence Of
the bag of hundred which saw in
Negus, and he subsequently admitted himself guilty
He has returned about SO to the director SAYING
that was the amount he took and also gave list spec
flying the names of parties largest amount
about IS $780, he awards to the American Exchange
Of New York the balance being divided among other
parties.
But Mr. Negus took the nuggets and dust from bags
by pnches like snuff how can he tell how much he took
from each one and judging from the discover
ed on two occasions and from the fact that he has
playing the pinch game for three four years.
Is reasonable to suppose that the amount he repaid
the mint is but small per cent of the amount actually
taken.
The government have not lost any money bnt the de-
positors the sufferers and Mr.. j. Engle Negus,
sailed last Saturday In the steamer Washington for
rope 10 highly probable he proposes pass his time
in elegant leisure among the beau monde; perhaps he
viii lend the Emperor Nicholas 500 900 or SO on good
security while the poor depostors have only to mourn
over their losses. TRUTH.