The New York herald., 1869-04-21
ANOTHER SWINDLING OPERATION.
A Vessel Clearing from Port with False
Papers-Attcmpt to Dcfraud Insurance

Vessel Clearing from Port with False
Papers-Attcmpt to Dcfraud Insurance
Companies.
telegram from New Orleans printed in yester
days HERALD states that the parties implicated in
the aforementioned fraud had all absconded. The
cargo had been discharged by the United States
Marshal, and only 200 bales OF trashy cotton were
found TO represent $50 bales, for which bills Of
lading had been signed. The New Orleans Picsytae
OF the 10th gives the following particulars Of tho
case:-
Tue Collector OF the Port, Colonel Casey, acting
upon information received from his oIiccrs yester
day morning, directed Special Deputy Surveyor
Charles d. Keith 10 seize the American brig o. c.
CosoD, Captain Pratt, lying at post Id, foot of ST.
Joseph street. attempted violation of the revenue
laws and because it was reported she had on board
arms for the revolutionistS in Cuba
In investig eating this affair we have unravelled one
of those ingenious and daring schemes OF robbery
which are occasionally brought to light, but whlcn
are not unirequenty successfully accomplished. 1t
800 2jl00 tons arrived here In February last from
Messina, and was In March purchased by Francis ii.
Page, q citizen OF New Orleans, for the sum CT
$4,000, Mr.. Wad1y Thompson holding mortgage
upon her for the sum of o0o The brig was then adj
passed post l6 there was nothing suspicious about
the craft; she was apparently loading for Liverpool
with ordinary frelght-cotton, slaves, moss. cotton
seed, &c. All things worked along very smoothly
until president OF one OF our insurance companies
was called upon By Captain George Baker, wao
informed him that he had been approached
by parties interested in the brig with the propo.
sition to take command OF her and to destroy
her at sea, for which service they proposed to give
by 30 outrageous proposition, but determining
upon the course he should pursue, said he
would consider the matter. The President,
after consulting With numerous insurance friends,
advised the captain TO leai tue parties on,
and, without absolutely committing himself, 70
Induce them to believe that he would take
command OF the vessel. This he fid. and 1t was
not oug before he was approached by the same
parties with tine request tnst he would sign bills
OF lading for $50 bales OF cotton, which had
not been placed on the brig tins ne destined To do,
Captain Julius A. Pratt, WHO was placed temporarily
In charge, and VINO signe1 the Dils OF ladng, upon
change. Tningj were now brought very rapidly to
q CRISIS; the detectives oil the insurance COM
panics reported that but few bales OF cot
toa a.,a had one on Soa and aS;e we
"moats." Wednesday the ship was regularly
cleared by Captain fratt ana the following feiaht
appears upon the inaiiiest;-3,s0j slaves, shlppei
BY {. Fassy " baes OF cotton, by James Seymour.
and 50 bales cotton, go BAGS cotton seed and
% bales OF moss by j. q. Forbes. The slaves
shipped by Mr.. Fassy were 1t Is asserted, the only
6o,,t Hde Shipment ana all the rest ol the cargo,
which actually consists OF some sixty Da.es of moss
and 20) 800 bales rubbish, ma e up or the ex
press purpose OF ieraud1g the insurance o.ces and
banks, for II ~ believed tiat exchange for the inll
amount OF the supposed value OF TIE cargo come
siI5,OvJ, has been alrealy negotiated. Inc papers
being obtained thcy were handed over 10 captain
George BAKER, wno, was understood, was 10 take
command oil the brig "Wednesday nigae Just
previous TO her departure. Everything was
In readiness that night and tle arrival
was all that was waited for. A STE ,nier was secl to
back down near the brig but soon leit her, all as
Capt. Baker du not appear, shc Was unavOlAbiy de-
talned and iinally SEIZED as stated above.
The Colsoh's cargo, we learn. was insured In New
YORK and English Olces. one company In New
York ha1 a iull line OF about $4,000. We have as
yet been unable % ascertain Ia what Institutions the