The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-05-20
A SINGULAR CASE.
A BRITISH FINANCIAL AGENT IN TRoUBLE-AN
UNPAID DRAFT AND WHAT CAME OF 1T.

A BRITISH FINANCIAL AGENT IN TRoUBLE-AN
UNPAID DRAFT AND WHAT CAME OF 1T.
RICHMOND, Va. May II, 1878.
The readers OF the HERALD win Iecollect that an
agent OF che American Bond funding Association
OF London ttmitedl, Mr.. J. j. Macknnon by name,
arrived IN this country late last winter, for the
purpose. as lie stated, OF inducing tine several
Southern States TO iund their respective debts
under scheme and subject to certain legal con-
dltions which he proposed. Mr.. Mackin-
non came to this city with abun-
dant recommendations and testimonials from
q number or the leading nnanciers OF London.
and he was cordially received by Governor
James l.. Kemper who entered warmly into the
measures set forth for the recapializatlon OF the
debt Besides recommending something similar
to Mackinnon's scheme, the Governor introduced
that gentleman to various members or the Legls-
lature and to the proprietor OF the Exchange
and Ballard House OF this city. IL was
at this establishment Macklnnon sojourned
while prosecuting his mission in Virginia, which
occupied the greater portion or the winter and
spring, resulting ultimately in signal failure 30
induce the Legislature to accede to his financial
proposals. During this time, however. ne made
trip to the States or Arkansas and louisiana IN
both OF which he claims TO have been partially
successful So much for the object OF his Visit.
Agent though Macklnnon was for o financial
association with such a hgn-soundng title, he
nevertheless fell short OF funds while here, and he
was compelled to draw upon his employers in Lon
don for The wherewith to delray his hotel bills and
travelling expenses. Accordingly, alfer duly ex-
planning TO tue cashier oil the Exchange Hotel
that he mad authority 10 draw upon Mr.. Maxi
milan Lowe, of London, from time TO time Tor
funds he required them, ana alter satisfying
that gentleman OF his rlgnt by documents which
he exh TIED TO him, ne made two drafts at differ
eat dates Tor fl0J sterling eacn which were paid
by me accommodating cashier. These drafts ere
Tor safded 70 London olt before tney roala De
leaving his wife az the hote. Mr. Macklnnon ala
not return TO Richmond, out went direct rom
Little Rock to New YORK to see gentlemen VINO
was about to sail Ior Europe HIS vile renamed
here, however, sufficiently long to be Informed
that Dotn OF ner husbands
DRAFTS WE'RE RETURNED UNPAID,
and that Mr.. |. l.. Carrngton. OF the Exchange,
hrs. Mackinnon promptly refunded 500 OF the
amount, all she had IN her possession, ana soon
Where he resided resi- near place called courtand,
upon farm owned BY him. The drafts
bore upon Them respective the ioilow,
20 servant wn) said Mr.. Lowe was
OUT OF town and had not provided for this h.n
The second: presented To a clerk, who stated
Mr.. Lowe was out Of town, and had not provided
for the DILL" Under THESE circumstances Mr.
ana f2Iling 10 ascertain the Whereabouts OF hr.
MacKnnon, iould /! necessary TO resort 10 legal
remedies IN order TO ooialn MS money. Ine
usual prelImingries III suca case were speedily
arranged, and the matter was placed ia tue hands
o W. +.
No. fuat officer soon uneartned hacklnnon at
Courtian1, H.. and, alter obtaining a requlslton
from the Governor OF Virginia unon the, Governor
oil the former Stale. he arrested MacKlnnon, ana,
without loss o time, hurried aim
''oS 70 RiCHHoNDn
The oficer ana his charge arrived here on FRI
day last, and TO-DAY hearing was had before
the Police Justice. VINO continued the case IN tue
absence ~ witnesses until the 21th Insf. In the
meantime Mackinnoo IS ANONYMOUSLY incarcer-
ated in the city jail mere, an establishment Dy no
means coml0rl able as the Exchange Hotel
where he was formerly quartereo. Besides
entire country through the medium OF the Assoc
c1ated Press as a 'cOnhdence man, swlndler and
a British Dummer.r lie has employed counsel
change Hotel, for damages Tor false imprisonment
as well as various aud sundry newspapers Tor
libel. Hts statement Of tae case gives II an aspect
altogether different from mat whlcn has previously
appeared. tie SUBS antiaAI
CONTRADICrS EVERY ALLEG ALTON
OF Mr.. Carrlngfon IN detail After giving orie1
lundIng Association VI London (lImiteol. together
with the character tor financial integrity and
ability OF tnat BODY he states ana prod ices tele-
gram OF Messrs. duncan. sherman Co., OF New
lorS, 10 prove H. that previous drafts OF his upon
Maxmital Lowe, oil London, Tor similar
amounts were aiwags nonored; that ne nad q
specified contract win the association authorize
ing him 10 draw Tor funds as ne needed them;
that nad Mr.. Lowe been 10 London at the time ms
Richmond drafts were presented be would nave
paid t0em, and tnat Until ne was arrested ~ ne.
tective Knox ne was not aware his drafts bad
been returned unpaid. he lurtner states that
ne has not seen ms wife since nc leit
case which Is not onN very plausible,
but one OF great PROBABILITY. Mackinnon
Gated. OF brilliant legal and nnlncial attain.
menfs; has travelled over the entire civilized
world, and mas earned a reputation IN London Tor
great skili and AGILITY Ia large number o. DIM
cult cases With winch he has Deen Entrusted In
this and other countries. The affair creates great
interest and wafinest discussion, pro and con.