The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-08-03
From the Boston Courier. 7
THE MlDERN MInAS

most amusing rogue has just been arrested and
committed to Jail in New York. DR.. Hankinson,
dfds DIR. Bland, alias many other names, has for
some time iourished in that great CITY, luxurously
living upon the fools Of the United States A sketch
OF the manner in which his has been brought
to temporary close will well enough show the
general character of his transactions.
Dr. Harrison, dentist of Illinois, some time
since received a circular from DR.. Hankinson eulo-
gizing legion of preparations made by the latter
10 serve various purp oses, prominent among which
preparations, and of especial interest to the dentist
was plan for making gold and silver, or rather
metals, which the directors of the Bank of England
could not distinguish from the real article and
which would answer equally well for every mechan-
zeal, ornamental, or commercial purpose. These
metals, which could be furnished at prices so low as
to defy competition viz: gold for eighteen dollars
pound, and silver for three dollars pound. the
dentist naturally desired to have.
In the same circular which opened this DAZZLING
vision of wealth, he was also told that the secret
OF the production of these metals was in the pos
session of "Metallic Transmitting Order" and
that lew vacancies existed in this order, of
which he, the dentist, migit perhaps fill Dr. Har-
risOn wrote to Dr.. Hankins0n, desiring further in
formation concerning the society for the diffusion
of wealth, and in reply he was told that it contain
ed six members, but that as they did not wish to
''mOnOpolize and keep great a discovery locked
up in their own breasts they would be willing to
admit to their brotherhood few more upon the
terms following; each member was to paw an initi-
alton fee Of ten dollars; if small party desired to
establish themselves in the business at some other
place, they could do so by paving, in addition to
the above fee, five dollars for 'charter;'' this
"charter' would entite them to a knowledge of all
the secrets of the order to the receipts for making
gold and silver, to certificates of membership and
to the privilege of purchasing aset Of tools moulds
in fine, ii the implements of the trade. The NOR
al DR.. Hankinson closes this letter with the hint
that, though there could be possibility of detec-
tiOn, yet coins initiating the currency of the Uni
ted States any other power should not be at
tempted, as that would be unlawful. The dentist
still desiring more light, wrote once more to New
York, and again received reply, this time in the
form of printed letter which appeared to be the
"PrOspectus of the Metallic Transmitting Order
or the Secret Cabala" The "Cabaa" gave the
whole secret of the transmutation OF cheap and
worthless metals into pure gold at triaing eX-
pense; also the great secret of taking correct
impression of any medal note bill, or ANYTHING
else in existence, together with manv other WAYS
of making money in an easy, comfortable and safe
manner. An extract from the constitution Of the
order will be of interest in this connection.
PREAMBLE.
We, the members of the Central Council of the
Metallic Transmitting order, whose names are here
annexed, desrous of forming themselves into an
Association, in order that may the better be
able to guard against the evils that eventually as
sail mankind, make him miserable consume his
time in the vain effort to provide for himself and
for those whom Providence have entrusted to
his care, do ordain and establish this Constitution
and Bylaws, which shall govern all our proceed
ings.
Here follows the Constitution the PRINCIPAL
provisions being the following:7
Every member shall possess one copy of the Sc
cret Cabala, and the secret of transmutation of
metal explained for which he shall pay the sum of
Sl5. This shall constitute him member Of the
order, and enttle him to all the secrets
The above shall be the Constitution of this the
Central Council, Branch Councils may vary the
details to suit their respective localities and as
such we hefeuntO atiX our hand and seal, with the
respective States we represent attached.
Hon. P. X. Burns, President, n. j.
Prof. Jacob 7. Raymond, V. p, Ohio.
Doctor Haukinson, Secretary, \. Y.
Capt j. c. johnson, Treasurer, Del
Rev. II. }. Williams, Conductor, Md
But enough of the order DIR. Harrison, the
Illinois dentist, came to New York, and called on
DR.. Hanknson, who resided in West 18th street;
by him he shown an American dollar, which
was said to be made of the cheap metal the worthy
alchemist evidently having forgotten his warning
against initiating Uncle Sans currency The den
tist at once ordered one hundred and twenty-five
dollars worth OF just such gold, for which he paid
on the spot fifty dollars in good money; being di-
reced to call the next day for his bullion, he did so
He found no HankinsOn. He called many times
with equally unsatisfactory results He then called
on the police, whom he found at home and with
them he visited the luxurious mansion in West 18th
street. In the house they found heaps of trash CON
slsung OF few dies and tools, large number of
medals, reams of the circulars of the ''Order" so
called 'physioogical' books, too abominable to be
mentioned, love potinns love powders, charms anu
let's, sundtY bottles OF water from the fountain Of
Eternal Youth" which flowed into the Doctors
laboratory through his back Kitchen in fine all the
paraphernaha of old-fashioned and newly invented
trckery. Nearly five hundred letters from the mans
dupes were found, showing that people who at home
are by no means considered to b. idiOtc. have well
established their claim to the public charities for
the feeble minded. 1t is said that the Doctor almost
daily received hundred money letters and it is
supposed that at least fifteen thousand green ones
have been deluded into joining the 'Metac Trans
n Wnst
18th street is most gorgeousIy furnished from their
pockets. Of course there was never the semblancc
of any such society that described in the circu-
lar, and the Doctor monOpozed the profits. Furn-
ished with new name, and liberated from the
hands of justice. who in New York seems to wear
her scales her eyes, this successful swindler
will undoubtedly be soon again coming money with
the help of fools