The New York herald., 1867-02-26
THE BURNETT FALSE PRETENCE CASE.

Another Extensive SwindIc OF New York
Merchants-$JO,OOO Worth Of Goods OBJ
tnined-A Bogus Firm and Worthless Refer
ences.
An examination in the case Of George Burnett whose
arrest published the HERALD few days ago. was
commenced yesterday, before Justice Hogan, at the
Tombs Mr. Lewis Fitzgerald, Of the firm Of Messrs
Fepton Fitzgerald Tracy, Of IS Whitehall strect, s
the complainant In his aidav which the warrant
issued Mr. Fitzgerald sets forth that the 18th of
October Burnett called at his place Of business and
expressed desire purchase quantity Of butter at
the same time representing that he responsible and
amply able pay for all goods that he bought that he
was of . the firm or Alexander, Lewis Co.,
doing business at IS West street; that his Arm
did large business in supplying Southern
and Eastern markets. Mr. Fitzgerald, believing
the representations thus made, sold Burnett twelve r
kjns Of butter fer s544 which amount the accused pro-
missed to nav on presentation Of the bill Mr. Fitzgerald
delivered the goods subsequent 10 the sale and de
livery the ainant called on Burnett 10 collect the
amount when the latter promised TO send him check
at his Office twelve O'Clock On the goth Of October the
check not coming according agreement, Mr. Fitzgerald
returned to the prisoners Office which he found closed
and there learned that he had absconded.
The complainant therefore charges that all the repro
senations made by the prisoner false ana untrue
and 50 made LOT the ap
coroboratd the facts set forth in his original complaint
Charles D. Crawford Of No SO West street, dcposed
that lst of August last he hired the prisoner an
Office Second floor back roon at No. S5 West street,
until the following May rent payable monthly in ad-
vance, Burnett left the 1t OF November last tho wit.
ness never saw any of the firm of Alexander Lewis
Co. except the prisoner.
Charles H. Anderson OF wimantic Coun., was
called and sworn He testified that last summer no
clerk for Henry Chamberlain, No. SO Water street;
acquainted with the prisoner, and knew HIM by tn
name OF Lewis; havo been at his Office seyeras times TO
carry letters directed Alexander Lewis which were
received and opened BY he prsoner on the 10th Of Oc
store and was asked by him whero thoy had got
butter then IN the store; the witness replied
Burnett asked the witness II that nru had any more
butter and told that they had Tan or nteen ipbs
as.,, " n SDs SSr.s him A:S Se
succeessd IN buying the bYtt; subsequently Burnets
tla Me .i.psss b. h.. sOs tho butter and gave An.
witness s @ ss The osss aa : sa "s:
could buy fifty hundred tubs Of butter; ne also
asked the witness 70 evo him good reference per-
| sons should call to inquire relative TO him.
In his cross-examnaon by ex.Judgo Stuart counsel
for Burnett the witness testified that he came 10 the
count Of Burnetts arrest in The HEaALp; he came 10
testify against Burnett because he was In the swndlng
business, and he wanted 70 get = square with him. ..
large number OF merchants allege that they have
been swndled by Burnett aud among them the fol-
| iowmr:-Messrs Brce, Hannah Co. rs Pearl street,
5000 Messrs Schultz Taller, 81 Ccdar street. 81 $50;
that the prisoner aud bis coufederates who acted
references for him. have succeeded in obtaining a least
| $50, 900 worth OF goods.
now or ever has been firm Of Alexander Lewis Co.,
that Il is bogus concern and that Burnett has been 10
standing that the persons thus referred should
certain share Of the goods which they In falsely GER
tying 10 Burne.s financial aolty 10 pay had aided 10
District Attorneys ONCE against Burnett for smia
fraud perpetrated some years ago.
many others October last The prisoner went TO France
l and remained there till few weeks since. +