The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1860-07-12
sketch of q Defaulter-stranze case.

Frederick Hoffman, the defauIting Secretary
of the Pacific Mail Steamship Company, who
was arres ted at Utica, N. Y, Monday, attempt
ed to kill the officer who arrested him, but
failed, and is now in the Tombs at New York
He is charged with the over-issuing of Lib
shares of the Pacific Mail Steamship Compa-
ny's stock, valued at s10,soo, and the forging
or altering Of two or more notes belonging to
said Company. The World says:
Had Hoffman been one of those reckless un.
scrupulous dissipated young men, in which
our city seems so to abound, we could easily
dispose of the question, Why did he thus in
volve himself and we should content our.
selves with chronicing his arrest, his trial and
the result His, however, is a peculiar case
and as such deserves special attention. Hoff-
man had fine education, graduated well at
Columbia College, and gave every promise of
useful and honorable career.
AT an early age he became connected with
the firm of Howland Il Aspinwall, and on the
formation of the Pacific Mail Steamship Com
pany, some ten years since, ne was appointed
10 the very honorable position of Secretary
To all appearance he conducted himself with
great propriety, winning by His industry and
faithfulness. the kind regard of his employers,
until he became in addition, n,4Trausfer Clerk
OF the same company, having, also, entire
charge of the Stock Ledger. For long while
semi annual dividends were declared by this
Company, and the entire amount was deposit
ed by him. reaching twice year the sum of
1896, 600 Besides this great trust he took ex.
elusive charge Of the affairs of MIR. VIM. H
Aspinwall during his absence in Europe,
drawing his dividends, collecting his rem Is and
accounting for the same faithfully and salts
factorily. He also had charge of Mr.. John As
pinwalIs affairs, and in part those of Mr.. Ed
ward Woolsey. We mention these facts to
show what entire and great confidence was re-
posed In him by people who are not generally
supposed TO be careless in disposition of their
property or selection of their agents.
Holman has hQap q f2 ri Wall
street. In person he is tall-certainly six feet
and over-in manner discourteous in couver-
sation, curt brief, assuming and disagreeah,e.
His personal habits were singular. He had d
dislike amounting to aversion for society of
women. He did not like horses, did not keep
them, run them, ride them, or bet on them
He was fond OF reading; had very choice.
unique and costly library, in which he spent
great deal of his time, and of which he was
very proud. Still this was not so expensive,
nor did its well-lined shelves afford evidence
OF great extrayagance and we are at a loss to
account Tor the DISAPPEARANCE of the vast sum
OF money in any other way than to surmise
that he sunk it all in that tempting and de-
ceItful vortex-stock speculation. This is the
general impression. An immense amount of
money has disappeared somewhere, and ordi-
narily its disappearance would create a va
cancy somewhere; but in this pool not only
hundreds and thousands, but millions, can be,
and are, yearly sunk, leaving no trace behind
| causing no ripple on the surface.
| Holman was very irritable and excessively
cross. He used opium, laudanum, and brandy,
| in great quantities, and to these can undoubt-
| edly be traced much OF his unhappy temper
| 1t is said of him that when a meeting of the
| Directors was about to be held he would in
variably fortify himself with a strong dose of
| opium and brandy, to steady his nerves and
strengthen his faculties. His salary was 81, 500
| per annum, and his expenditures. so far was
known, were small and comparatively tri-
| fling. 1t is said that he saved nothing, and
can in no way indemnify the Company,
| whose trust he SO wantonly violated. Great
| efforts are being made, and will be continued,
| TO shield him from public trial and punish
fment. For the sake of his widowed mother
| and family, this would seem desirable; but iu
| this age, when Schuylers, Lanes, and Hoff-
mans, are so numerous-when young men are
| constantly placed in positions OF influence,
| where temptation meets them, the public
safety demands that no such offender should
go unpunished.