New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1862-03-20
WHOLESALE ROBBERY OF THE GOVERN
MINT
,prysr or ARrcEWEF, AND SEIZURE or PLUS-
DIR.

/ ,grysr or 4 RECEIVER, AND SEIZURE or PLUM
DR.
! Scarcely had the war between the United Staies
Government and the RebelIious States been nsugur-
ated. when system Of impudtnt wholesale plum
dsrry wa sisrted and established in tbe vicinity Of
mi, cty. by which the country WIS deprived Of
arms. equipments, and provisions to an enosiacrH
amount.
From tie tine that the fret military encawpments
were settled on Staten Island and at other points in
the n4ighborlood OF New-Eork, large cases Of erms
sud squipmsnts and barres 81 beef, pork and hams
have al various times been seized by he United
States Marshal under circumstances vailed in mysts
rv but leading to the suspicion that an Illicit basl-
na.s on a very large scale in Government stores aud
eauipraents was being conducted somewhere, by
some person or persons.
The frequency Of such seizures and the extl.or-
dia.ry absrnce of claimants led Msr,hl Murray 10
insttue an investigation rs how the goods belong
ING 10 the United States Government 20 be found
At various pisces uncared for by any responsible
nerson and Detectives Devoe and Sampson were
Instructed TO attend 10 that business After COO
siderable lase Of time they succeeded la tracing 10
the abode of John q. Giles quantity o. articles
belonging to the army Of She United states, ana on
TUESDAY they went down to Staten Island To ls
place for tie purpose of srrestins him. Before enter
inc the place they found cases in front Of he
door containing goods such as haze been named.
II appears that Giles has lived on Staten lsiani ut
. e,nyenien. distance from tue ferry and from lie
vs,on, .nc,momeuts which have been tueie since
the commencement of the war Till the present time
l. /. IL afv...r q
thieves ;.ho managed 10 enlist III the regiments FOX
the sake OF plumber, and with drunken soldiers VINO
we,e directed 10 Us place for purposes OF trade with
view to provide themseIysf with the means col pug
chasing run.
He was io the abit Of purchasing fTom tboss thieves
swo.s Cnield rifles pistols, and clothing ~ fabi-
onsly low prices. Oyercoats which must have cost
the Government at least 50, have been purchased by
hn for 81 each; and toe camp thieves nave received
as much IN ESQ 1t one time for lots OF clothing, ne
property Of the United States. A, the time when
mnuy vi our soldiers We're gong iIom the c! 10 the
seut of war destitute OF arms, because OF their scc-
nv. secondhand shops all over she city were expo.
ipg for .ae he excellent rcs which haa been stolen
rom tho ys,ou, camps but no person coud tell no."
If was Tint Enfield rifles were so numerous under
,uch circumstances. IL is bnownthat Giles has iaael
soldier stripped him OF his uniform, given him d
comparatively worthless covering Of rag, and paid
him a dollar with which to buy liquor
/ GILES has been ostensbly tobacco pediIer, bat
according 10 testimony now in the hands OF the Gov
ernmoni, he has been usng that Professions ~ cove
for his neiaricus and Ir,torous traffic. He has, il sp
pears. been in the habit Of coming mp TO the cry
having on bis wagon some tobacco bat large quan
,lv OF the punder referred to, anu lnetead Of ped
dling his weed, has driven lively tradc VII
secondhand dealers. 1t H. estimated tbA. Sine
the commencement Of the war, tLls mau nuSt nav
alaessed heavy fortune. The goods seized by 'h
United States Marshal, ndsayhdto the Gose nn'oh'
are said TO he worth a, least slJ0,OOO.
From the facts in the case IL is believed Ina s"N'
Of desperate men have bee q engaged IN ths
and witnesses now beg'A to pour in, VINO 'iA'e -,
that il would have beer. hazard OF lie anu p'Vf
10 venture upon giving Information P'0'.O" ~
time. The arrest o. Giles has been the S's'A' '''
general influx Of such witnesses. -
Ye,tsiisy Toe accused WAS I'@'a '''''' -