The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-10-23

One of the New York SwindIes.-There
are but few of our readers who have not
heard of the systematic swindles carried OH
by New York sharpers through the mails,
in the shape of lotteries and gift enter
prises. A friend of ours taking 4 fancy to
purchase ticket in Gold Watch enter
prise, for the purpose of testing their vii
lainy, received a few days since the follow
ing letter.
Office of J. NJ. Blake & Co., Importers, and
Wholesale Dealers in Diamonds & Fine
Gold Watches, No. 694 Broadway. Fac
tory at Geneva, Switzerland.
NEW YORK, Oct, II, 1869.
SIR:-About IA months since, Messrs.
Read & Co., paid us $500 for fine, solid,
Gold Geneva Watch, which they stated
your ticket, No. 421052, had drawn, re-
questing us to send it to you as soon as the
10 percentage was received. We have since
that time paid out So taxes ON the watch,
making the charges on it now SIS. Let us
know by what express to send the watch,
SO you can call and get it and pay the
charges, $13, to the Express Agent.
We are, sir, most respectfully,
J. NJ. Blake & Co.
This letter was answered, and the proper
directions given to send the "Fine, solid,
Gold Geneva Watch" so that the lucky
drawer might get his prize. In day or
two after the following letter was received
from the same parties:
SIR:-Your letter has been received, and
in compliance with your request, we this
day forward by express c. o. d., $13
charges, the Gold Watch drawn by you in
the Riverside Enterprise of the Washington
Library Co.
We are, sir, most respectfully,
]. M. Blake & Co.
The Express Agent produced the sealed
package I" said to contain a gold watch"
marked &C. o. D."-collect on delivery
s13. Our friend who was to receive a solid
gold watch for the nominal sum of $13, in
sisted on opening the package in the
presence of the Express Agent, and if the
solid gold watch was found enclosed, to
pay the charges, but if not as the way bill
set forth, to be returned. This, however,
was contrary to the "rules of the Ex-
press Company, and the drawer being a
practical man, refused to pay even $13 for
gold watch before seeing it.
Of course the package contained
some article entirely valueless, but the Ex-
press Companies who carry these packages
all over the country, knowing full-well, or
having every reason to know, that they arc
aiding the swindlers by furnishing them
with the means of communication with
their intended victims, are voluntary par
ties to these swindling transactions. They
forbid their agents to allow such packages
to be opened before the charges arc pait
by the parties to whom they are consigned
and if paid into their agents hands, al
though the swindle be Immediately detect
ed, the money would be forwarded to tn
rogues, the Express Companies taking car
to deduct their share of the spoils, unlcs
stopped by process of law, when the Com
pany would doubtless be compelled by til
courts to refund. Public opinion and til
courts should be directed 10 this partner
ship between the Express Companies an
the species of rogues here mentioned. wllic
would soon result in the gift enterprise b,
siness being broken up. No carrying Con
pany, established for the benefit of til
public, should be permitted 10 aid, and b.
come the partners of such notorious swine
lers as 81. M. Blake & Co.." WHO ma
turl up as John Smith, or Tom Jones
Co., next week and the week after