The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-06-03
gegas Proelamallon--A Precedent sag
ma Ease of Hewaed,


Howard. the Brooklyn Reporter, is
not the first one who issued a bogus
rnissive in war time in order to affect
the stock market A remarkable pre-
cedent is found in the history Of English
Criminal Proceedings; and as il may at
once interest and afford guide for the
course of our authorities toward the
present offender, il may be worth while
10 refer to il.
The case occurred IN 1919, during
the great war between France and Eng
land Charles Random Gle .Berenge,
Sir Thomas Cochrance, Andrew Coch-
rane tombstone. Richard Claiborne Butt,
Ralph Sandom. Alexander MeRae. John
Peter Holloway, and Henry Lyle, sub
iecis Of Great Britain, were operators
in tho funds. It occurred to them that
by forging q document announcing de-
cisvc results on the Continent, stocks
would suddenly 60 up, they might sell
at large advance, and make their for
tunes. Accordingly, the first named Of
their number wrote a letter purpoFting
to have been addressed by high off
cial TO the British Admiral commanding
at Deal, announcing the defeat of the
French, the death Of Napoleon, dc. DC.
The document is so curious that we
copy il il full
''75 the Honorable J. FoIcg, P5rt admiral,
Deaf, dc, dc.
Dover, I o'clock a N, Feb IA, 1914.
SIR-I have the honor to acquaint
you that the / Aigle from Calais, Pier
re Duquin, Master has this moment
landed me near Dover, to proceed to
the Capitol with dispatches Of the hap
pest nature. I have pledged my honor
that no harm shall come to the crew Of
the L Aigle; even with flag Of truce
they Immediately stood for sea-
Should they be taken, have to entreat
you Immediately to liberate them Ny
anxiety will not allow me to say more
for your qualification, than that the Al
lies obtained finale victory; that Bo-
naparte was overtaken by a party Of
Sachen Cossacks, who Immediately
slew him, and his body between them.
General Platof, saved Paris from being
reduced to ashes. The Allied Sever
eigns are there, and the white cockade
is universal; and immediate peace IS
certain. III the utmost haste, l entreat
your consideration, and have the honor
to be
Sir your obedient servant,
r. DUDoURG,
Lieut. Colonel and Aid-de-Camp to
Lord Cathcart.
The news was believed, the Funds
took a sudden start, and the cunning
forgers reaped a golden harvest
They were subsequently arrested On
the charge Of conspiracy against the
public welfare end the interests Of the
realm, and tried in the Court of Kings
Bench. The trial was fully reported,
and may be found in the State Library.
1t lasted two days, and was sharply con
Quoted on both sides. Some Of the eyi
dence is very amusing, while the speech
e. Of the counsel were most elaborate
and exhaustive. The forgery was prov
ed, and the defendants found guilty
CochIane and Butt were sentenced TO
pay a fine Of one thousand pounds each |
Holloway to pay fine Of five hundred |
pounds all six to be "seyerally impris-
oned in the custody of the Marshal of |
Marshelsea Of our Lord and King for |
the twelve calender months; ;" and Be |
ranger, Cochrane and Butt to be "set |
in and upon the pillory opposite the |
Royal Exchange, in the city of London,
for one hour, between the hours of |
twelve at noon and two in the after |
noon;' and that they ODE severally |
to the custody of the Mar
shall, and seyerally imprisoned until |
these fines be paid.
We have spoken of the two cases rs |
parallel They are not So strictly /
speaking. The offence in the case of |
Howard Is the greater The English |
forgers sought to put money in their |
pockets by stimulating the public con-
fidencei the American forger aimed ut |
a similar result by making it appear that |
the country was on the verge of ruin |
The former played upon the hopes-the |
latter upon the despair of the people. |
The one endeavored TO compass no |
public mischief beyond the narrow
circle of the stock jobbers the other
an act that might have for
its effect, if it did not have for its design, |
the destruction of the National credit, |
and the overthrow of the Government |
II Cochrane and his confreres were put |
in the piliory, what punishment should |
be meted out to Howard al any Jour,