The New York herald., 1873-12-30
The Evidence Against the Great BOs.
ton Importing House.
THEIR CONFIDENTIAL CLERK A SPY,
How They We're Able to Undersell HoneSb
New York Importers.
SPECIFICATIONS OF THEIR FRAUDS


the chief topic OF conversation in Boston. The
shock OF indignation which was at first aroused
IN the community by the sudden seizure Of the
books and papers Of the firm has somewha13
abated, and there Is growing belief that theses
prominent importers and jobDers have not beeM
SO badly prosecuted after all.
1T Is BITTER PILL
for their friends to swallow, particularly so on ac>
count OF their proverbal lberallty and public,
enterprise in everything that has ever pertainede
to the interest and glory OF Boston. Their onlytl
known association with frauds OF any kind, preS
vous to these now charged, was their promnensl
connection with the Peace Jubilee humbugs.l
Otherwise they have always been conspicuousiY,
identified with Christians and Christianity OF tho
most sanctimonious quality, and as traders theY
have for years been reckoned as the most extent
sive east OF New York. They went through tho
panic without even trembling but their downfalQ
at that time would have been far preferable to the
impending fate which now seems to threaten themj
TIE CASE FOR THE GOVERNMENT.
The Treasury officials, UAo were Instrumental
and participated in the seizure, haDe become more
communicative during the progress OF the examt-j
nation Of the books, and their representations
that they have an abundance OF evidence to prove
that the frm has been wifully guilty OF long
series OF swindles OF enormous magnitude are be-
ginning to be believed This belief is strengthened by
a timely statement from the Treasury Department.
at Washington that the Supervisors have been al
work for q couple OF years obtaining the proof,
and that the Supervising Special Agent himself
spent some time in this city recently investigating
the case. and his conclusion that the evidence in
favor OF the government is overwhelming and tnat
the firm can be mucted dor almost any amoune
they may be sued for.
THE STORY OF THE INFORMATION
which led to the seizure, and the means ems
mir und n hnr in n
chapter In the history OF the secret service OF th
Treasury Department. couple OF years ago
discovered that Jordan. Marsh 4 Co. were sehng}
o certain class OF goods at Is per cent lower than
Imported into tins county. This TACT was reported
to the proper Officers, and close watch was kept
up on their operations az TINS port Al a. about the
young man named +. s. Jackson, who was TINS
mediately installed as Custom House clerk OF alA
portaton department were placed entirely UNDER
his control He, and he alone, has had custody Of
relating 70 the purchase and transmission OF mer-
chandise from foreign countries. To his exclusives
keeping has been conlded all the accounts, ana to
him has been entrusted the duty OF see,
ing that the business with the Customs
authorities has been transacted faithfully ana
promptly. All duties have been paid by him.
The exchange OF greenbacks into gold necessary
Tor discharging the firms obligations with thG
Short acted in the premises as one OF the nrms
except in one important particular. That relates
be made to the invoices, and which, in the case Of
this firm, has always been personally made and
subscribed to by either Mr. Marsh or Mr.. Brown.
DOING DOUBLE DUTY.
In an interview with Mr. Jackson, the HERALD
reporter has ascertained that during the two
years which he has been employed by the firm
he has at the same time drawn a handsome salary
from the government as a secret service officer
OF the Treasury Department, as Wen as from
Jordan, Marsh Co. In seven cases, Mr.. Jackson
asserts there is indispuiable evidence OF the guilt
OF the firm and the fines imposed upon con nviction
< Sl.1O
this amount may be increased in consequence OF
developments from the investigation now In prog
ress.
The fact that M. Jackson acted in the double
capacity OF an employe OF Jordan, Marsh d Co. and
from both, is explained by the fact that "he has
brother,n and this brother was once employed by
prominent New York importing house as a Gus
tom house clerk, but is now special agent OF Mr..
Jayne. secret service agent Of the Treasury De-
partment of the district OF New York Through
this brother in Mr.. Jayne's employ the Boston
Jackson was worked upon far as TO become the
informer in the present allegation Of frauds
NATURE OF THE FRAUDS
The afhdaVit upon which the warrant for seizure
was granted deposes that the alleged frauds are
OF different classes, and in respect to different inn
lrauds consisted OF under and over charges In the
invoices to affect the classification Of the lmporte1
merchandise, and consequently the rates and
amounts OF duty to be charged thereon; that he
had been called upon to examine the invoice IN
the Custom House, and entries and other Ofrciat
documents; also certain invoices bills and letters
from the possession OF foreign houses from which
& Co., and also certain letters passing between
such foreign houses and Jordan, Marsh Co.,
concerning the purcnase srs ss,e ana pces
and other documents, which he has
reason TO believe are genuine, and show the true
prices and cost OF the goods; and that he fnds EVIL
uence thereirom showing that goods have been
fraudulentiy imported. He also declares he has
seen letter OF the foreign house of Messrs N. 5.
Longee, Grandage & Co. TO Messrs. Jordan Marsh
4 Co., and an account OF Messrs. Longee Blair,
the successors OF the foreign house OF Longee,
Grandage & Co., with Jordan, Marsh 4 Co. and
also a memorandum OF particulars OF under and
over charges, furnished BY Longee 4 Blair, and .
certain other memorandum from the foreign house
OF Longee, Grandage Co.. dated August 5, 1873, in
which under charge clearly appears; and also a
1873. from the foreign house OF A. Van Bergen &C.
Co., in whicn under ;harges clearly appeared.
The alleged frauds IN class TWO, the special agent
states, relate to cases in which the costs OF car
toons we're not added to the invoices, and in some
instances were deducted rom the invoices.
The alleged fraud in class three, as indicated in
invoices aud letters from the foreign houses OF
Messrs. 5. Allan Co. and Q. Wichemann Co.,
relates to the expectation OF merchandise i'll bond
and It's remportation without change OF owner
ship, and entries by invoices by which the cost OF
the goods was stated at less than actual cost and
The alleged frauds in class four, as indicated by
Allan Co., Chckali. jaw & Marshall ana Mel
grove and letter from ). Allan h Co.. brought
over by Mr.. Joraan as passenger relate to goods
contained In his trunks, 1t appearing from the in
voices and other sources that the value stated in
them was largely in excess OF the appraised value
upon which duty was assessed.
In relation 10 the frauds alleged In class six, ff
is stated that all the goods therein named were
dutiabe goous, and were entered by means OF in
voices in which the cost was declared 10 De muchs
below the actual cost, as appears by the originaE
invoices and letters.
As TO the frauds alleged In class seven, it iS
claimed that by the original invoices presented az
the Custom House and by other Invoices speciallyt
furnished to Jordan, Marsh Co., which have DeeI8
compared with the originals. and from letters from
the shippers false and fictitious discounts clearly
appear. ..
knowingly by Jordan, Marsh Co. The aifidavlt ia
supplemented by another subscribed to by II. NJ.
KmbalL J. w. DAVIS, j. t. Moreh0use and Cyrus E.'
Graves TO the eject that they have aided Mr.
Bingham In his examination. and that they believ0
that the invoices, books and papers OF Jordan.
Marsh Co. will show false In voices, practices and
appliances ON the part Of that firm. The gentle-
men who signed the aridavit last alluded to-, to-