The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-03-16
From the Uttca Observer, M.rch IL. !

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From the Utica Observer, Nurcd IL
REMARKABLE CoUNTERFEIrING DEVELOPMENTS
The arrest and examination of several counter
letters OF gold and silver con in Essex county, bv
Deputy United States Marshal SCHUYLER Hnbbard
has revealed some curious facts.
Upon the person of James II. Farnsworth, one
OF the persons arrested, was found certificate of
which the following is a copy:
No 1896 March = 1870
Magical New York Ivagic.1
emblem coat of arms emblem, I
This is to certify that James II. FornScorh has been
admitted a member, in full communion of the Mystic
Circle of Alchemy NJ NJ VoLKENsTEIN, Grand Magi.
There was also found in the possession of Farms
worth book of some 300 pages, containing the
rules and regulations of the "Mvstic Circle of AL
chemy, but principally devoted to full explana-
ton of the processes of galvansm and electrotvn-
ing, applied to gold and sill yer plating and the
making of dies and moulds. 1t also gives numer-
Gus receipts for mixing metals so as 20 produce
cheap compounds resembling gold and silver. As
the publisher of the book is now in custodv for
counterfeting and the sale of the book is arrested
there is no danger to the public in making these
facts known.
1t appears from the book, (Which has been ex-
tehsIveiy advertised in quiet way,) that any
person paying 50 was instructed in the secrets re-
celved certificate of membership in the "Mvstic
Circle OF Alchemy" and copy of this book con-
tanning full instructions for initiating coin and for
plating base metals by the most approved scientific
"Mystc Circle" extends, but as success in crcula-
ing counterfeit coins requires the concert of
number OF persons, it cannot be doubted that the
operators have made large of the fraternity
and secrecy which such an association would afford
In several districts in Northern New York partic-
uiarly in Essex county, large numbers of persons
have been seduced from honest occupations bv the
tempting opportunity seemingly afforded for get
ting rich without labor and have entered the ne
arious business of manufacturing counterfeit coin
The business is carried to a large extent in the
deserted iron mines of that region. Although but
few persons have been arrested, general sus nj
clon rests upon hundreds Of others who pursue no
regular business and have apparent means of
gaining livelihood. In other parts of the State
the officers are closely watching the movements of
individuals who are suspected of the same crimes
HANCOCK House AND HosPITALIrY-The State of
Massachusetts has recently purchased the house in
which John Hancock lived Some "reminiscences
of him are furnished in the following from the New
York Tribune:
The Hancock House the scene of much hos
pitality in John Hancock time He was in en-
barrassed circumstances in the latter part of his
life, and venerable gentleman whose society 7
sometimes enjoy has told me that he had often
heard, on the first day of the term, when the dock
ct was called, the crier exclam, ''John Hancock.
John Hancock, come into court and answer unto
John Doe, or your default will be recorded" And
this when he was governor Of the State But in
those blessed days for lawyers nobody minded to
be sued, and nobody bothered himself about paw
ing ms debts, except upon compulsion, unless it
suited his convenience. Still he found means to
exercise most abundant hospitality. The gentle
man have quoted, who is probably the last survi-
wing guest of the multitudes Hancock entertained
since he died slxty-hve years ago-described to
me dinner party he particularly remembered
There We're no less than fifty sixty at table, but
the host did not sit at meat with them. He ate at
little side table, and on little wheel chair in
which he wheeled himself about the general table
to speak with his guests. This was because of his
pOut, which q m a dp a ual
excuse for doing as he pleased. On the occas on in
question, when the guests were in the height of
animated conversation, and just as the cloth was
drawn, they were interrupted by a tremendous
crash. servant, on removing a cut glass epergne
which formed the central ornament of the table
let 1t fall. and it was dashed in a thousand pieces
An awkward silence fell upon the company who
hardly knew how to treat the accident, when Han
cock relieved their embarrassment by cheerfulIv
exclaiming, "James, break as much as you like
but don't make such a confounded noise about itp
And, under cover Of the laugh this excited, the
fragments were removed, and the talk went on as
If nothing had happened. This, it strikes me- was
the presence of mind of true good breeding
ARMY NEws.-A correspondent at Beknap in
forms us that the order for the abandonment of
Fort Belknap had been received at that post. and
| that preparations for the removal of the troops
would commence in the course OF week or ten
days. Several companies of the 2nd cavalry are
| ordered to Camp Cooper. post will be establish
ed either there in the neighborhood. The selec-
tion OF tne site OF tne new post mas Deen 1ntrusted
to Ma Or Thomas, now in command of Fort Belk-
nap. The buildings at Fort Belknap are to be
turned ever to the owners, Throckmorton a. Co.
The abandonment of Fort Beknap, and the
removal of the troops to the Clear Fork of the
Brazos, is in pursuance of an understanding between
Lieut.. Gen. Scott and Gen. Twiggs, at their late
conference at New Orleans. We should not be sur
prised if it were soon followed up by the breaking
up of the lower and the removal of the In
dians outside of the line of posts, and perhaps be-
yond Red river. This movement will tell on the
pecuniary interests of the adjoining counties.
/ NAvAL.-The Navy Department is in receipt of
intelligence from the steam soop- ot-war Brook
lsn, dated at Port au-Prince, Hayt, February 24th
The brooklyn arrived there in five days from Beau
tort, N. e., and was to sail for Aux Caves on the
18th. All on board were well, and good report
is made OF the working of the vessel
The new side-wheel steamer building at Mare
Island Navy Yard, California, was so far advanced
at last advices that her launch was to take place on
the LIST OF the current month, and it was expected
to have her ready for sea by the 1st of July
1t is estimated that at least four thousand per-
sons in the United States Navy annually are tat
tooed with figures costing from seventy-five cents
to fifteen dollars, and showing the annual expendi
ture in the aggregate of hcenty thousand dollars!
single "artist' has been known to pocket over a
thousand dollars in cruise of frigate in these In
dian ink pictures