The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1870-01-01

VIM. B. Reed, e1-Minister to China, ex-
consul to Jefferson Davis, and a leading
aristocraic Democrat Of Philadelphia, is a
defaulter in a sum estimated at not less
than 5000, 900, and, it is believed, has alb
seconded. He is a grandson of Joseph
Reed, Adjutant General of the Continental
Army, whose traitorous record during the
Revolutionary war is 80 well known that
though Mr.. VIM. B. Reed has never been
regarded as man entirely above distrust,
yet he was deemed incapable even by his
most bitter foe of pcrpetrating the mon
strous frauds of which he is accused Re-
siding in a palatial mansion on Chestnut
Hill the father of numerous family, sur
rounded by every luxury and comfort that
wealth could command, man of much
taste and cultivation, clever lawyer, the
! favorite of the late President James Bu-
chanan, Mr.. Reed has passed his life to the
| age Of IS without other attacks upon his
| public reputation than those incident to his
extreme political partisanship.
THE CURTAIN RISES.
The immediate cause of Mr.. Reed down
fall will probably never be known, but
enough has been ascertained to enable 4
pretty accurate conjecture. The first init
nation which the public of Philadelphia
received of Mr.. Reeds troubles was about
two weeks since, when Sheriff Lyle caused
bills to be posted all over the city, an
nouncing that he would sell under the
hammer, at Mr.. Reeds residence ON Chest
nut Hill, all the latter's household furni-
ture, valuable plate, and other personal
property, not exempt by law from execu-
ton. This intelligence, SO unexpected,
naturally caused much surprise, and set in
motion the thousand idle tongues of that
gossipping town. No little curiosity was
manifested to ascertain all the particulars
connected with the case. Within compar-
atively short period it began to be whisper
ed about that Mr.. Reed was a defaulter,
and had embezzled large sums of money,
and had fled the city. In the hotels, on
| the street corners, at che dinner table, and
everywhere, nothing else was talked Of
The friends of Mr.. Reed when approached
upon the subject were exceedingly reticent,
and declined to furnish any information
The Sheriff. officers knew nothing about
| the affair. The newspapers knew less
This was strange, especially in Philadel-
phia, where everybody takes particular
pains to know his neighbours business, no
matter at what cost or sacrifice. But it
requires smarter people than our Philadel-
phia friends to hide any important news
from the Sun, and this article will doubt
less convince them on this point.
AN ENGLIsHMAN BREAKS THE ICE.
The Sheriff's sale was to satisfy judg-
ment obtained by Mr.. Charles Potter, an
Englishman residing in London, against
Mr.. William B. Reed, for 500, 265. The
circumstances of this transaction arc unu-
sually interesting. Mr.. Reed was during
| the war the Philadelphia correspondent of
the London Times, and as such, being a
strong sympathizer with tho Confederates,
| he advocated their cause and employed his
pen against the Union. His articles tend
ed to give him some sort ofreputation with
the enemies of our flag abroad. Mr.. Chas.
| Potter about that time was DESTROYS of in
vesting some money in tho United States,
and asked some Southerners Of his acquain-
lance, resident in England, if they could
refer him to some Trustworthy person in
when he could confide such important trust.
They warmly recommended their friend
Mr.. Reed. Mr.. Potter, like all shrewd
Englishmen, pursued his inquiries still
further, and finally became perfectly salts
fed that Mr.. Reed was in every respect
most suitable person to undertake the task.
He accordingly RENTED to him $50, 265 for
investment.
WHAT TO DO WITH MONEY WHEN YOU GET 1T.
| What Mr.. Reed did with the money does
not appear, but it is not unreasonable to
suppose that he put it into his own pocket.
He was considerate enough, however, to
remit the interest to Mr.. Potter or his
agents punctually on its becoming due
Mr.. Potter, however, unfortunately for Mr..
Reed, demanded the principal sum about
a year ago, but Mr.. Reed answered that he
could not comply with the demand, as he
did not have the money to give. Mr.. Pot
ter, not particularly relishlng Mr.. Reeds
way of doing business caused legal pro-
cesdings to be instituted against him forth
with by his attorney in Philadelphia, Mr.. Nc
Murtrie. The latter, owing to Mr.. Reed
eminent position at the Philadelphia bar,
did not resort Immediately to extreme
measures, particularly as Mr.. Reed agreed
to confess judgment for the full amount
claimed, at any time Mr.. McMurtrie would
designate. A few months elapsed, and
still no prospect of payment from Mr.. Reed.
Potter became clamorous, and said he
could wait no longer. He urged the lawyer
to tighten the screws on Reed. This was
done last August, as appears from tho fol-
lowing entry in the judgment docket of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania for tho
Eastern District, in the Office of the Proth-
onotary at Philadelphia.
Charles Potter rs. William B. Reed.-D
|