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Title: Secret Band of Brothers - A Full and True Exposition of All the Various Crimes, Villanies, and Misdeeds of This Powerful Organization in the United States.
Author: Green, Jonathan Harrington, 1812-
Language: English
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SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.
A Full and True Exposition of All the Various Crimes, Villanies,
and Misdeeds of This Powerful Organization in the United States.
By the "Reformed Gambler,"
JONATHAN H. GREEN.
Author of "The Gambler's Life," "Gambling Exposed," "The Reformed
Gambler; Or, Autobiography of J. H. Green," Etc.
With Illustrative Engravings.
* * * * *
"This is a most fearful and startling exposition of crime, and
gives the true and secret history of a daring and powerful secret
association, the members of which, residing in all parts of the
country, have for a long period of years been known to one another
by signs and tokens known only to their order. This association has
been guilty of an almost incredible amount of crime. Beautifully
embellished with Illustrative Engravings, from original designs by
Darley and Croome."--_Courier._
* * * * *
[Illustration]
Philadelphia:
T. B. Peterson and Brothers,
306 Chestnut Street.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858,
by T. B. PETERSON,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and
for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
PREFACE.
The vice of gambling is peculiarly destructive. It spares neither age
nor sex. It visits the domestic hearth with a pestilence more quiet and
stealthy, but not less deadly, than intemperance. It is at once the vice
of the gentleman, and the passion of the blackguard. With deep shame we
are forced to admit that the halls of legislation have not been free
from its influence, nor the judicial bench unstained by its pollution.
It is against this vice, which is now spreading like a subtle poison
through all grades of society, that the present work is directed. The
author is not a mere theorist. He speaks from experience--dark and
bitter experience. The things he has seen he tells; the words he has
heard he speaks again. Some of these scenes curdle the blood in the
veins, even when remembered; some of these words, whenever whispered,
recall incidents of singular atrocity, and thrill the bosom with horror.
The author professes to speak nothing but the plain truth. He does not
aspire to an elegant style of writing, adorned with the ornaments of the
orator and the scholar; but to one quality may lay claim, without being
thought a vain or immodest man. He speaks with an earnest sincerity.
Whatever he says comes from his heart, and is spoken with all the
sympathy of his soul.
This work differs from all the previous works of the author. Indeed, it
is unlike any thing ever published in this country. It is not a mere
exposure of gambling, nor yet an attack on the character of particular
gamblers. It is a revelation of a wide-spread organization--pledged to
gambling, theft, and villany of all kinds. There are at the present time
existing, in our Union, certain organizations, pledged to the
performance of good works, which merit the hearty approbation of every
honest man. These are called secret societies, although their
proceedings, and the names of the officers, with minute particulars, are
published in a thousand shapes. Prominent among these beneficial orders
stand the Odd Fellows and the Sons of Temperance. But the order, whose
history is related in the following pages, differs from all these. Its
proceedings, the names of its members or its officers, and even its very
existence as a body, have hitherto been secret, and sealed from the
whole world. Besides, it is pledged to accomplish all kinds of robbery,
aye, and even worse deeds. It has, in more than one deplorable instance,
concealed its dark deeds with murder.
This order is not confined in its operations to the dark places of life.
It numbers among its members the professional man, the "respectable
citizen," the prominent and wealthy of various towns throughout the
Union; nay, it has sometimes invaded the house of God, and secured the
services of those who are ostensibly his ministers.
There is not a line of fiction in these pages. The solemn truth is told,
in all its strange and horrible interest. To the public, to the candid
of all classes, to the friends of reform, to the honest citizen, and to
the sincere Christian, the author makes his appeal.
Let not his voice of warning be unheeded. Let all be up and doing, so
that the monster may be exterminated from the face of the earth, and the
youth of the present age be saved from destruction.
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER I.
THE SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.
Why this exposure is made at the present time--Who oppose reform--My
lectures--The New-Light minister--How some get rich--My opponents 9
CHAPTER II.
A DARK CONSPIRACY.
Goodrich, the gambler--His malicious conduct--Cause of it--The
Browns--Their plan to escape punishment 16
CHAPTER III.
THE CONSPIRACY IN PROGRESS.
The colonel takes medicine to bring on sickness--Ruse will not
take--Character of the administrators of justice in New Orleans--Colonel
Brown deserted by the Brotherhood--Dearborn county, Indiana, delegation
22
CHAPTER IV.
THE CONSPIRACY FURTHER DEVELOPED.
The secret correspondence brought from Canada--The Brotherhood desert
Brown--How I obtained the secret writings--Not suspected--Mrs. Brown and
the landlady---Cunningham suspected of purloining them 27
CHAPTER V.
BRIBERY AND COUNTERFEIT MONEY.
Brown's lawyer attempts to bribe me to testify falsely against
Taylor--Acquaint the deputy-marshal with the fact--Brown's ineffectual
attempts to find bail--Suspected of having removed the hid money--The
colonel's visitors 34
CHAPTER VI.
MYSTERIOUS DISCLOSURES.
His Lawrenceburgh friends--A hypocritical lecture--Further
disclosures--A searching examination--First intimation of the existence
of The Secret Band of Brothers--Colonel Brown's narrative of the
conspiracy against Taylor 42
CHAPTER VII.
DISCLOSURES CONTINUED.
The colonel resumes his narrative--The missing papers.--Fare advice 57
CHAPTER VIII.
DEATH OF COLONEL BROWN.
Conspiracy against my life--Conversation with Cunningham regarding the
mysterious papers--Death of Colonel Brown 62
CHAPTER IX.
THE SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.
Explanatory remarks--The Grand Master of The Secret Band of
Brothers--Vice-grand Masters--Ordinary members--Objects of the
Order--Colonel Brown sacrificed lest he should betray them--Taylorites
and Brownites 66
CHAPTER X.
THE MYSTERIOUS BOX.
Anxiety about the missing papers--Cause of the hostility of the Band to
me--The papers supposed to be deposited in the United States
Court--Clerk's office broken into, and the box containing Taylor's
indictment and the spurious money stolen--Suspected--Placed in prison
for safety--The robber discovered--My release--The mysterious box--The
stranger--Conversation with Wyatt--The box opened 75
CHAPTER XI.
THE PORK TRADE, OR DRIVING THE HOGS TO A WRONG MARKET.
The trading operations of the Band--Lectures at Lawrenceburgh--The
Browns and the hog-drover 84
CHAPTER XII.
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS OF THE SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.
Initiation--Penalties--The Grand Masters--The secret writing--The six
qualities, Huska, Caugh, Naugh, Maugh, Haugh, Gaugh--Vocabulary of flash
words--The post-routes.--The horse-trade explained--Allowances--
Specimens of correspondence--The biter bit--A letter of introduction
with an important note--Subsequent inquiry into the case 90
CHAPTER XIII.
A CHAPTER OF AFFINITIES.
Thieves and thief-catchers--A family of five--Penitence and
Penitentiaries--The chain-driver and his gang--Lawyers' fees and
Lawyers' privileges--Our representatives 139
CHAPTER XIV.
GAMBLING EXPEDITION IN THE CHOCTAW NATION.
Character of the inhabitants on the Texas frontier in 1833--The murder
of Dr ----. Operations at Fort Towson--Edmonds and Scoggins--Robbery--
Journey to Fort Smith--The dumb negro speaks--His character of Scoggins
and Edmonds 147
CHAPTER XV.
CORRESPONDENCE CONNECTED WITH MY VISIT TO THE AUBURN PRISON, AND
CONVERSATION WITH WYATT, THE MURDERER.
1. Chaplain Morrill's letter commendatory of my visit--2. My own
account--3. My second visit--4. Mr. Gary's letter--5. Reply to the
accusations of Mr. Morrill--6. Mr. Merrill's charges--7. Vindication
from these charges--8. Further particulars relative to the life of Wyatt
_alias_ Newell _alias_ North, and a horrid murder committed near
Perrysburgh, Ohio--
Conclusion 184
Debate on Gambling 193
LOTTERIES.
Drawing of Lottery Tickets 267
Insuring Numbers, or Policy Dealing 288
Lottery Combinations, etc. 299
THE
SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.
CHAPTER I.
In perusing the following pages, the reader will learn the history of a
class of men, who, for talent, cannot be excelled. He may startle at the
horrid features which naked truth will depict--at deeds of darkness
which, though presented to an enlightened people, may require a stretch
of credulity to believe were ever perpetrated in the glorious nineteenth
century.
It will, no doubt, elicit many a curious thought, especially with honest
men, and the "whys and wherefores" will pass from mouth to mouth in
every hamlet, village, and town, where the following recital may find a
reader or hearer. All will declare it mysterious. It is a mystery to
myself in some particulars, but in others it is not. It is strange,
passing strange, to think that such a black-hearted, treacherous band of
men, as I am about to describe, could have existed so long in a
civilized and Christian country.
With a trembling hand do I attempt to bring to light their ruling
principles, to develop a system of organized and accomplished villany.
My reasons for assuming so daring a position may seem to require an
explanation. It may be asked why I did not make this revelation before,
as far as I had knowledge, or what is the occasion of the present
exposition? To the preceding queries I will briefly reply.
First, There has been no period in my life, prior to 1846, when I could
dare to lay before the world what I contemplate doing at the present
time. It will be long remembered by many, that in August, 1842, I
renounced a profession, in which I had worse than squandered twelve
years, the sweet morning of my life. In doing so, I knew I must, of
necessity, experience deep mortification, in a personal exposure, which
would attend me through life.
Gambling, with all its concomitants, had taken full possession of my
depraved nature. Thus it was that I, like all wicked men, refused to
"come to the light," and I feared to oppose a craft so numerous as the
one of which I was a professed member. Well did I know that I was
carrying out a wrong and wicked principle. Conviction produced
reflection. After a careful deliberation of the whole subject, I
declared with a solemn oath, that, by the assistance of Almighty God, I
would renounce for ever a profession so ruinous in its every feature.
Immediately I felt the band severed, and my misgivings were scattered to
the winds. My former companions laughed at me. They scouted the idea,
that one so base as I should ever think of reformation. It moved me not.
My credit, I found, failed, after it was known that I had quit gambling.
A thousand different conjectures attended so strange a proceeding on the
part of one in my circumstances. Why should I abandon card-playing,
destroy valuable card plates, and lose their still more profitable
proceeds, return moneyed obligations, which would have secured me an
independent fortune? These things were a matter of surprise with the
cool and deliberate patrons of vice, and especially with many, who,
though they were often covered with a garb of outward morality, were
full of rottenness within. Some, who pass for moral and religious
persons, have in this thing exhibited a moral obliquity that has often
astonished me.
From a careful examination, I have learned the lamentable fact, that the
most prominent opposers of moral reforms are composed of two classes,
THE HARDENED SINNER, who makes money his god, and THE EXTREMELY
IGNORANT. Let not the reader understand, however, that I suppose there
are not ignorant rich men as well as poor--the latter have their share
of bad men, and so also have the former--but that vice and ignorance are
common to both.
In the year 1843, I commenced lecturing against the fearful vice of
gambling, for no other reason than to stay the gambler in his ruinous
course, and save the youth of our land from his alluring wiles. For this
I received IN PUBLIC the "God speeds" of ALL classes, and the prayers of
all Christians in secret. I soon learned I had much with which to
contend--opposition from directions I little anticipated. The gambler,
unfortunate man! he carried upon his countenance an expression of open
hate, indicating a deadly hostility to my reformatory movements. The
ignorant man, I found, was disposed to make his avarice the highway to
happiness. He was unwilling to favour any reform that would invade the
territory of his contracted selfishness. His reply, if he had any, would
be that stereotyped one, "such a course will have a tendency to make
more gamblers than it will cure." If his reasons were asked for such a
statement, you could get no satisfactory answer. Perhaps he would say,
"I am satisfied of the fact from my own disposition." He might as well
give a child's reason at once, and say, "CAUSE!" Such persons have
seldom heard a lecture, or read a syllable, and yet are always prating
with a great show of wisdom, but rather, in fact, of blind conceit.
Their silence would be of far more service to the cause of virtue than
their opinions. In many cases, it will be found that such persons are
not only ignorant, but dishonest.
Again, there is the rich, moral, or religious man, who takes another
position. He opposes with the declaration "his sons will not gamble:
they have such good and moral examples," &c. This is sometimes a want of
consideration, that prompts them thus to speak; with others, a secret
villany, driving them to such ultra positions, a mere tattered garment
to cover their own moral deformity. They must oppose the reformation, or
be held up to public disgrace. In nine cases out of ten, the opposer of
this class, is, or has been, a participant in the works of darkness
whose exposition he so much dreads.
Finding many disposed to act thus, and to teach their children to
imitate their own pernicious examples, I have made it a study to
demolish, if possible, the foundation of their positions. The success
attending my efforts to trace them out, assures me, that I am correct
when I affirm that two-thirds of all opposers are influenced in their
conduct by the basest of principles; one-sixth act through ignorance,
united with vice, and one-sixth are wholly ignorant and cannot be
morally accountable, if their want of information is in any way
excusable. But what may be still more startling, about one-fourth of
the whole are members of the various churches, yea, even men of this
class are found in sacerdotal robes. This fact came within my knowledge
long since. I felt it my duty to publish the same, but delayed, till I
should gain experience in defending my position. I was satisfied,
however, that the efforts of a certain New Light minister to traduce my
character and hinder my influence, must have been prompted from some of
the foregoing considerations. Would the world know who this man is? It
will be necessary to go to the very town where he lives to secure the
information. I doubt whether his name would ever have appeared in print,
but for his newspaper controversy, or in case of his death. His
unwarrantable attack put me on my guard, and caused me to search out the
ground of his base and unchristian treatment. One thing is very certain,
he is no gambler. It may not be a want of disposition, but rather a
sufficient amount of sense, to make him a proficient in the business. He
may be an ignorant dupe--a mere tool of the designing, the "cats paw" of
some respectable blackleg, who thinks to cover his own crimes, by
exciting public opinion against me, through an apparently respectable
instrumentality. But I did not wish to bandy words with him, being
impressed with the propriety of a resolution I made while a gambler,
that it is only throwing away time to attempt to account for the
different actions and opinions of weak and prejudiced minds; and
therefore I dropped the whole affair. I would have remained silent, but
for the position taken by other divines from his false and garbled
statements. Many have condemned me unheard, listening willingly to my
accusers, without hearing a word in my own defence. Not satisfied with
such an expression of their EXCESSIVE CHRISTIAN CHARITY, they have even
thrust at me through the public prints, for which, no doubt, they will
have the hearty amens of all gamblers, and it may be several dollars in
their pockets. Certain editors have joined in the same "hue and cry"
with their worthy compeers. The reasons were evident in their case. They
knew I was invading their dearest worldly interests. There were others
who only knew me from hearsay. Why should they become my enemies? It was
because I held in my possession secrets, whose exposition would make
many of them tremble. It would be to them like the interpreted
handwriting upon the wall. Hence they were ready to contribute their
talents and wealth, to sustain certain individuals as honourable men. I
could not have deemed it proper to expose "THE SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS,"
had not duty, and my obligations to society, urged me forward. The
allegiance I owe to God is paramount to all other. The result is yet to
be experienced, by the better part of the community. Heavily was the
oppressive hand of this notable brotherhood laid upon me. My soul was
sorely vexed by their daring villany.
In the county where I was bred, I have numbered, in one day, thirteen
who sustained honourable places in society, nine of whom were rich,
strangely rich in view of their facilities for acquiring wealth in a
newly settled country. Not one is a professional man. Few bear the
callous badge of industry and physical exertion upon their hands.
Several are, by an outward profession, Christians,--but invariably
opposed to all the benevolent institutions of the day and works of
reform, unless their views of what is the right course are fully met,
which are generally so extravagant as to preclude all hope of
co-operation. With these I had a severe contest. Well did they know,
there was something behind the screen which, brought to light, would
expose their villanous transactions, open the eyes of honest men, and
greatly endanger, if not destroy, their craft. That I had letters,
written by themselves, they knew--nor dare they deny it--letters which
might lead to a conviction of crime, that would raise them to a position
somewhere between heaven and earth. They may rest assured that I have
documents that place more than one thousand of them in a relative
position to law and society.
CHAPTER II.
In a previous work of mine, called "GAMBLING UNMASKED," an allusion is
made to an evident conspiracy against my life, sometime before I became
a confirmed gambler. Goodrich was the name which I gave, as the chief
actor. This same doubly refined villain, it will be remembered, by all
who have read the above work, was foremost to aid in my arrest when I
made good my escape to the Pine woods, lying back of New Orleans. The
reader will likewise recollect, that I could not, at that time, account
for such manifestations of unprecedented malignity, on the part of one
from whom I might rather expect protection than persecution. But the
secret is out, and I now have the power to give clear and truthful
explanations.
This Goodrich, who resides at the present time in or near New Orleans,
and who holds the rank of gambler-general in that city of Sodom, was an
old and advanced member of the "Secret Band of Brothers." Knowing, as he
did, that I was engaged in assisting the honest part of the community to
convict two brothers who were plotting my downfall, as a sworn member of
the above fraternity, he was solemnly bound to do all in his power to
aid in the consummation of my personal ruin. That the world might know
something of this Goodrich, (though the half cannot be told,) I gave, in
my autobiography, several incidents, in which he acted a prominent part.
What I then said will answer for an introduction.
That he was connected with an organized association of gentlemen
blacklegs will not be denied. The proof is abundant. Nor was he an
apprentice, a mere novitiate; but long schooled in vice and ripening
year by year, he swelled quite beyond the bounds of ordinary meanness,
till he became a full-grown monster of his kind. Not content to gather
riches by common roguery, he sought out the basest instrumentalities as
more congenial to his real disposition. His chief riches were obtained
by dark and murderous transactions; and had he a score of necks, with
hempen necklaces well adjusted, I doubt whether he could pay the full
forfeiture to the law.
From my first acquaintance with him at Louisville, with blood-thirsty
vigilance he sought my destruction. Here began the risings of his
malice, and this was the cause. In the year 1830, I gave information to
the city police in relation to Hyman, who, at that time, was the keeper
of a hotel. It was while at this house, that Goodrich became my
determined and implacable foe. I had been duped by two brothers, Daniel
and James Brown, who were then confined in the calaboose for passing
counterfeit money. Large quantities were also found in their possession.
I was their confidant, so far as prudence would allow them to make any
revelations. That they were guilty of the crime with which they had been
charged, no honest man could doubt, after being made acquainted with the
circumstances. Yet they would swear most stoutly, even in my presence,
that they were innocent, and that they had been deceived. I could not
but believe they were guilty, after having witnessed so many of their
iniquitous actions. Often have I been told by the wife of one of them,
that they could call to their assistance, if necessary, a thousand men.
Who they were and where they were, so ready to uphold these abandoned
men, I had, at that time, no knowledge.
At length their situation became desperate. Already had they passed one
year within the walls of a gloomy prison, without the privilege of a
trial. They were required to give bail in the sum of twenty thousand
dollars each. No satisfactory bonds could be procured. The whole
community were incensed against them. They had for a long time trampled
upon private rights and warred against the best interests of the people.
They had set at defiance all laws instituted for purposes of justice and
protection, and they could not but expect a stern rebuke from all the
friends of morality and good order. The only prospect before them, upon
a fair trial, was a sentence of twenty years to the penitentiary. This
was by no means cheering, especially to those who had lived in ease and
affluence, whose bodies were enervated by voluptuousness and hands made
tender by years of idle pleasures. Crowds were gathering to witness
their trial, and waiting in anxious suspense the issue. Disgrace, public
disgrace and lasting infamy stared them in the face. They were put upon
their last resources, and necessity became the mother of invention. They
fixed upon the following plan to extricate themselves.
Public opinion must be propitiated. An interest in their behalf must be
awakened by some manifestation that would touch the chord of sympathy. A
double part must be played. They would affect to change their
sentiments. In this they acted according to the laws of the secret
brotherhood. With them, any thing was honesty that would effect their
purposes. But to consummate their design, another object must be
secured--some innocent person must be implicated and made a scape-goat
for, at least, a part of their crimes. This game they understood well,
for they had been furnished with abundant means and instructions. It
required also deep-seated iniquity of heart, and in this there was no
lack, for they were the sublimation of depravity. They must also have
time and capital. These were easily provided, as will be seen in the
sequel. There was an individual with whom they had become acquainted in
Cleaveland, and upon whom suspicion had rested for some time. He was the
man fixed upon as their victim. Of course he was not a member of their
organized band. "Honour among thieves" forbids the selection of such a
one. It was necessary, however, that he should be somewhat of a villain.
Here also they exhibited much sagacity in the selection. It now only
remained to slip his neck into the noose that was in preparation for
themselves. All the instrumentalities being prepared to their liking,
they immediately set the infernal machinery in active operation.
The first thing to be done was to change the direction of public opinion
as to the real perpetrator. It must be called off from the persons who
were now so hotly pursued, and put upon a different scent. The agents
were at hand--The Secret Band of Brothers. These "dogs of war" were let
loose, and simultaneously the whole pack set up their hideous yell after
the poor fellow previously mentioned. Many of them being merchants and
holding a respectable relation to society, and most of them being
connected with the different honourable professions, their fell purpose
was the more easily accomplished. A continual excitement was thus kept
up, by breathing forth calumny and denunciation against one who,
however guilty of other things, was innocent of the thing laid to his
charge. At the same time, the ears of the principal bank-officers were
filled with words of extenuation and sympathy toward the two brothers.
Their former high respectability was adduced. That they were guilty was
not denied, but they had been misled and seduced. Intimations were given
that the name of the real villain who had caused their ruin would be
given, provided they would ease off in their prosecution already in
progress. And then it would be such a glorious thing to secure the
prime-mover.
By these fair and seemingly sincere pretensions, they soon kindled
relentings in the hearts of the prosecutors. How could it be otherwise?
for "they were all honourable men." Several of the individuals who
assisted in maturing the plan were men of commanding influence, in the
very town where I was bred. I had abundant opportunities to know them. A
proposition was finally made through them by the instructions of the
officers, that, as the brothers knew their guilt was fully established,
it would have a tendency to mitigate their sentence, if they would
expose the head man, by whose knavery many extensive property-holders
were threatened with total bankruptcy. This was the precise position at
which the secret band of brothers had been aiming. The next step was to
secure, if possible, the younger brother as "state's evidence" against
the appointed victim of Cleaveland notoriety, whom, for the sake of
convenience, I will designate by his name, Taylor.
He was a man of extraordinary abilities and gentlemanly deportment. He
and the two brothers were mutual acquaintances. They had been
accomplices, no doubt, in many a deed of darkness. But as "the devil
should have his due," I am bound to exculpate him from any participation
in the alleged crime. That he was innocent in this affair I have the
fullest evidence. I was solicited by the pettifogger, (I will not say
lawyer,) for the brothers, to take a bribe for perjury, and swear poor
Taylor guilty of giving me five hundred dollars of counterfeit money,
which money he would place in my hands. Of this fellow, I will speak in
another chapter. The younger brother was now to declare himself and
brother as having been seduced by Taylor. It was to be done without the
apparent knowledge of the elder brother, whom we will hereafter call
Colonel Brown. It was to be communicated to one of the officers, with a
solicitation to keep it a secret from the colonel. He also had an
appointed part to play. The character he was to sustain in this drama of
well-concocted treachery, I will next present.
CHAPTER III.
The colonel's physician advised him to take medicine, to reduce his
system, and give him the appearance of one rapidly sinking under a
pulmonary affection. He consented, as such a plan was considered the
most likely to succeed. It will be readily seen, that the design was to
work upon the sympathies of the officers, and thus procure his
enlargement. Nor were they disappointed. The colonel's health began to
fail. The drugs acted their appropriate part. Some of his friends made
vigorous exertions to have him removed to the hospital, declaring it
necessary for the continuation of life. Others were actively engaged in
giving forth intimations, and expressing their fears that he would die
before his trial came on, always taking care to assert their confidence
of his innocence. This was a mere ruse, to trick the officers into a
consent for his removal. But they had mistaken the character of the men
with whom they were dealing. They were not to be moved by exhibitions of
suffering humanity. Their hearts had become insensible to human misery
and they resisted all appeals to sympathy.
There was now but one alternative for the friends of the prisoner. They
must apply the drugs more assiduously, till they made a mere skeleton of
their subject; and then try the virtue of the "almighty dollar." This
now seemed to be the only thing that would move the hearts of
seven-eighths of the police judges, marshals, wardens, and prosecutors.
Such were the administrators of public justice, at that time, in New
Orleans. The greater part were men, who, at some period of their lives,
had been steeped chin-deep in infamy. Some were men of wealth and
liberally educated. They were men who would shrink from giving an
account of their early years. Several were verging upon three score
years and ten. All the wealth they possessed had been plundered from
another set of villains, whose misfortune was, a want of sagacity in
escaping the rapacity of their more accomplished compeers. That there
were a few honourable exceptions must be admitted, but I could not with
a good conscience assert, that one-eighth of the police was as honest as
is generally the case with those city officers, for I have facts to the
contrary.
The whole of that Southern Sodom at an early date had been inundated
with this "secret band of brothers," or this fraternal band of land
pirates. As they became wealthy they ceased their usual occupation, and
began to speculate in a different way. Having it in their power, they
would rob even their nearest friends, thus overleaping that common law
of "honour among thieves." They would do this with the utmost impunity,
whenever they saw proper. There was no redress. The very officers were,
many of them, under fictitious names and would assume deceptive titles,
for the more successful perpetration of their villany.
The unfortunate prisoner discovered, when it was too late, that his
supposed HONEST BROTHERHOOD were not what their profession had led him
to believe. Poor fellow! he had not taken enough degrees to learn the
full "mystery of iniquity." Every effort was made to procure a light
bail, but it could not be effected. At last an arrangement was made, and
for a stipulated sum he was placed in charge of a committee, who had him
removed to the hospital. The colonel, by this time, was, to appearance,
very dangerously ill. He was removed to his new quarters, but not
permitted to regain his health, lest the spell of their deceit should be
broken. His visitors were numerous. To his face, they appeared his most
sincere friends. They seemed deeply interested in his welfare, and made
bountiful proffers of sympathy and assistance. His true friends, who
were capable of rendering him succour, were very few. He had many of the
lower class of the brotherhood, the novitiates, who were ready to act
energetically and in good faith. But the head men--the very individuals
who had reaped the spoils of his doings--were his worst enemies. They
had received the lion's share, without leaving the poor jackall even the
scraps, but turned him over, unaided, to the tender mercies of a felon's
fate. They had filled their pockets with the richest of the spoils, and
would not now contribute a penny to reward their benefactor.
At this time, there were one hundred of the brotherhood in the city, who
might have procured bail; but gratitude found no place in their hearts.
They had also violated their oaths. Day after day would parties of his
old friends and neighbours visit him, both in the prison and hospital.
They would tell him that arrangements were in progress to effect his
escape. The whole, however, was false, as no action had been taken. The
prisoner depended much upon a delegation from Dearborn county, Indiana,
of whom he had a right to claim assistance; but they, like the rest,
proved traitors. I have counted thirty different men from that county,
who visited him from time to time. These, at home, were men of good
standing, equally respected with other citizens. Several were leading
men in all the moral and religious enterprises of the day, and generally
individuals of wealth. Two of them, I knew, made great professions of
religious enjoyment and zeal. One was a very strict church-going man,
but with the heart of a Judas. His hypocrisy was of such a deep and
damning character, I can hardly forbear giving his name. Duty might
demand his exposure, but for the injury that would be inflicted upon an
innocent family. These men may reform. I am delaying exposure. I hope
ere long to have an evidence of their sincere repentance, but fear they
are too far gone, too much in love with the wages of iniquity. They have
too long turned a deaf ear to the pitiful cries of the widow and orphan
whose ruin they have effected, whose natural protector they may have
robbed, leaving his injured family in penury and want. Some of these,
who were comparatively poor at the time of the colonel's downfall, in
1832, have since become rich. There is reason to fear that such sudden
wealth, obtained without any visible means, was not very honourably
acquired. It is seldom that honest industry will thus accumulate. The
letters I shall publish will be accompanied with explanatory notes. The
persons concerned will recognise their own productions, and I hope to
see such a change in their future life as shall deserve a charitable
silence. But I return from my digression.
The sworn friends of the prisoner had forsaken him in the hour of need,
and left him single-handed and alone to meet the stern rigours of the
law. There was no remedy unless in his own stratagem, which was now
being matured. It was as follows. His brother was to remain in prison as
an evidence against Taylor, mentioned in the previous chapter, while he
was to assume all the responsibility of the counterfeit money, plates,
&c., as well as all the other villanies which had been charged upon them
conjointly.
The colonel was very sick from the action of the medicines. He supposed
every effort had been made to bail him, but was greatly deceived. His
fate was sealed. A conspiracy was formed against him. He suspected foul
play, because his former associates did not come forward and bail him.
His removal to the hospital was only a pretence set up by them, that
might give more time to carry out their treacherous designs. He was a
prisoner, and they were determined to make him such the remainder of his
life. He had his friends, however, warmhearted, and true. He was almost
worshipped by the poorer members of the brotherhood. The richer part
envied him for his superior skill in his profession and general
popularity, and feared the consequences. In this he differed widely from
his brother, who was neither loved nor feared, and was only respected
from his relationship. When the plan was devised for the younger brother
to swear the counterfeit money and plates upon Taylor, it was intended
by these professed friends, that he should be caught in his own net, and
be thus prevented from rendering the colonel any assistance. The
consummation of this plan, I will next detail.
CHAPTER IV.
The younger brother was to produce various letters which had been
written to him from different parts of the Union, by different
individuals. That this could be done will be seen by what follows. The
colonel had been an extensive speculator in merchandise of almost every
kind. He was extensively known. His correspondence was wide-spread. In
his villanous communications, however, letters were never addressed to
him in his proper name, unless some one should labour under the
impression that he was an honest man. He used two fictitious names; the
one was George Sanford, and the other that of his brother. These letters
were placed in the hands of that brother for safe keeping. Thus the
colonel, to all appearance, only maintained an honourable and necessary
business correspondence. He consented that his brother should use these
letters if they could be made useful in helping him out of difficulty.
He was willing the letters should be produced and read, as the younger
brother had promised to bring forth the plates. In the mean time there
was an understanding between them, that no intimations should be given
as to the "secret band of brothers;" not a syllable was to be lisped
that would lead to exposure.
To obtain the desired end, and give greater security, instructions were
given to the wife of one of the brothers to examine carefully all the
letters, and select out from them those of a specific character, and to
keep them sacred, subject to the order of the colonel. These letters had
been conveyed in a chest from Canada, where they had been preserved with
great secrecy. This chest was sent for in February, 1832, and arrived
the next April. Some three days after the reception of the trunk
containing these papers, information was given that the removed letters
had come, and were ready for the examination of those who were acting as
prosecutors of Taylor. By this time, public opinion had become so much
changed toward both of the prisoners, that a very little effort would
have secured their acquittal. They had acted with great skill and
prudence, and were in a fair way to succeed. This was perceived by the
leaders of the fraternity. They were unwilling such a man as the colonel
should escape. A deep plot was consequently laid and rigorously carried
out to thwart him in his efforts to escape the penalty of the law. His
trial was put off and the inducement held out that bail should be
obtained. All this was done to keep up appearances. His enemies dared
not openly provoke him. They dared not come out and proclaim their
hostility, for they well knew he had the means to expose them. To seek
his ruin by an open show of opposition would be to touch fire to the
train, that, in the explosion, would involve them all in a common ruin.
They must approach him, Joab like, and drive the dagger to his heart
while saluting him with professions of friendship. But his patience had
become wearied by a protracted sickness and continued disappointment.
The letters above referred to were done up in packages of three hundred
each. I was present when the trunk was opened, and witnessed the
selection of many of the letters. The lady who assorted them threw
about one out of every thirty in a separate pile. I made no inquiry
respecting them, but my curiosity, as you may well imagine, was not a
little excited, especially as I observed several familiar names. The
lady finally unrolled six pieces of parchment, which were blank in
appearance. She folded them up in a square form of about six inches. She
then folded up some three hundred and seventy letters, and placed them
upon the parchment. Upon these she placed a written parchment containing
the copies of about six hundred letters, and having carefully enclosed
the whole in a sealed envelope, she placed them between two beds upon
which she usually slept. The remainder she packed up and sent to her
husband's attorney. Immediately she left the room to visit her husband
in prison.
Scarcely had she retired, before my curiosity was intensely excited to
learn the contents of the concealed package. I ventured into the room
with the intention of satisfying myself. I no sooner placed my hand upon
the package, than I felt the blood seemingly curdling in my veins. The
thought that I was about to act the part of a dishonest man impressed me
deeply. I reflected a moment, and then dropped the package, and hastened
to leave the room. As I turned from the bedside, my desire to know the
contents of the package came upon me with a redoubled force. The passion
was too violent for resistance, for I was confident some of these
letters were written by men I had known from my infancy. Whether I acted
properly or improperly, an impartial public must determine; but after
thinking upon the subject a moment, I turned, grasped the package, and
bore it off under the keenest sensations of alarm and fear of detection.
I hastened down stairs and made my way to the house of a man by the
name of Watkins. He was a good man, and a sincere friend to me. His wife
was a kind-hearted and benevolent woman. I met her at the door, and told
her a friend of mine had given me this package to take care of, and I
would let her see the contents at another time. She took it and laid it
away; I then hastened to the prison to meet Mrs. B----, who I knew
expected me to accompany her, or to be present with her that day. Could
I get to the prison as soon, or sooner than she, suspicion of my having
taken the package would be lessened. I soon found myself at the prison
gate. The lady had not yet arrived. The prisoners were standing around
the door on the inside. I waited some ten minutes, when I heard B. say
he did not see what could detain his wife so long. I stepped to the door
and remarked that I had been waiting some time, and was expecting her
every minute. Immediately she made her appearance and remarked,
"You have got here before me. I looked for you before I left."
I had observed her looking into the room I occupied, when she was about
leaving the house; I, however, was in an opposite one, occupied by
another boarder. After conversing a short time with her husband, she
remarked, that she must return to the house, as she had left the package
where it might be found. She called upon me to accompany her. I did so,
and we soon arrived at the house. I remained below while she hastened up
stairs to her room.
In a few minutes she came running to the head of the stairs and called
me; I immediately answered her.
"Green," said she, "some person has been robbing my room."
I felt as though I was suspected, for "a guilty conscience needs no
accusing."
"What have you had taken?" asked I.
"Oh! I have"----then she paused, as if studying what to say. In the mean
time, the landlady had heard her say she had been robbed, and hastened
to the place where we were standing, but being unobserved from the
excitement, was occupying a position at Mrs. B.'s back.
"Oh! I have lost a package of letters, of no value to any person but
myself. They are family relics, but I will have them at the peril of my
life. I will swear that I have lost other things besides the papers, and
will get them back, or make this house pay well for harbouring thieves.
Mind, Green, what I have said. Keep mum, and I will have them back at
the risk of----"
She was interrupted by the landlady, who very kindly assisted her in
finishing her sentence by adding--"at the risk of perjuring yourself!"
Mrs. B. being startled, exclaimed, "Oh! no, madam, don't mistake me. I
only meant I would make a great stir about them--that I would offer a
reward to the servants, and at the same time let on as if something very
valuable was missing."
"Of course I would not intimate, and do not, I pray you, understand me
as thinking that any person has taken them with the design of retaining
them. I have no idea that the individual having them, whoever he may be,
will be base enough to keep them from me. Some of them are very ancient,
and among the number are several sheets of blank parchment, which
belonged to my grandfather. I have preserved them as a memento. Their
loss would be a source of great grief."
The landlady turned away, apparently satisfied with her statement and
forced apology. She then turned to me and said,
"I will have those papers at the price of my life. If they are
lost"--here she made a stop and added, "I shall dislike it."
I discovered an extreme anxiety depicted in her features--her breast was
actually heaving with emotion.
"Green," said she, "has old Cunningham been about here to-day?"
"I believe not," was my reply. "I have not seen him."
"Well," she continued, "I hope he may never enter this house again,
though he appears to be the best friend that my husband and the colonel
possess. He pays strict attention to his business, at the same time,
which does not seem consistent."
This Cunningham, so abruptly introduced, was a man quite advanced in
years, a member of the fraternity, and, considering his age, was a very
active and efficient agent. At this juncture, the old servant, who
attended to the room, entered. She (Mrs. B.) inquired "if any person had
been in her room during her absence to the prison." The servant tried to
recollect. While he delayed, my heart palpitated violently from fear,
lest he might say he had seen me enter her room. I was on the point of
confessing the whole matter. I felt that I was suspected. At this
critical moment he broke the silence--a silence burdened with anxiety to
the lady as well as myself, by remarking that he had seen the old
gentleman (meaning Cunningham) "go up stairs, and he thought enter her
room."
"I have it!" exclaimed she. "He has got them." I need not tell the
reader I felt greatly relieved, that there was at least the shadow of
evidence, which would serve to clear me and implicate Cunningham. The
lady appeared to be intensely excited. I was in doubt what course it
would be prudent for me to pursue. Finally, I went to the house of
Watkins, and told him that the package I had given him was of no value
to any person but myself; that it was made up of various articles of
writing, containing hundreds of names, many of which were familiar to
me. He looked them over in a cursory manner, and remarked,
"I think there must be witchcraft in these. The letters, though very
simple, bear upon their face a suspicious appearance." He, however,
agreed to preserve them with care.
CHAPTER V.
After my interview with Watkins, I felt greatly relieved. I hastened to
the hospital to see the colonel, as was my custom, often several times a
day. I found him surrounded with visitors, all of whom appeared to be
affected while in his presence. He needed sympathy. His mind was
tortured. His whole life seemed made up of successive throes of
excitement and desperation. His heart was torn by conflicting passions.
His confidence and affection for former friends were evidently waning.
If any remained, it hung like the tremulous tones of music uncertain and
discordant upon its shivered strings. After the principal visitors had
retired, the following individuals, three from Lawrenceburgh, two from
Cincinnati, one from Madison, and one from Frankfort, made their
appearance, accompanied by one of the colonel's legal advisers. They
counseled with him for some time. The legal gentleman remarked, at the
close of the mutual conversation:
"It will do. I have conversed with your friends," calling his two
principal attorneys by name. "They say something of that kind must be
done. It will have a powerful effect. T. cannot ward off such licks as
we will give him."
The meaning of this fellow was, that bribery could be effectually used.
This man, who thus offered to subvert, by the basest of means, the
claims of public and private justice, was so lost to shame and
self-respect, that he verily thought it an honourable and creditable
act, if he could render himself notorious for clearing the most
abandoned scoundrels. It argued the most deep-seated depravity, to
commit unblushing crime and then glory in his infamy. He heeded not the
means, so he accomplished his end. He would not hesitate to implicate
himself, for it was but a few days after this, when he offered me a
bribe, as before stated, and likewise the counterfeit money. (I here
have reference to the five hundred dollars, to which I referred in my
work called "Gambling Unmasked.")
After the party had retired, the colonel said in a few days he would be
able to secure bail--that they were waiting for an intimate friend,--a
wholesale merchant from Philadelphia. He then conversed with me more
freely, and told me much about his enemies in Dearborn Co., Ind., and
also his intimate friends. Said he:
"You may live to hear of my success in making some of those Dearborn
county fellows glad to leave their nests, which they have feathered at
my expense."
It was the next day after this, that I made known to Mr. Munger the
fact, that a bribe had been proffered me to swear against T., in favour
of the brothers. Some two days after, I received the note containing the
information respecting the hidden treasure. See the work above
mentioned.
These circumstances, with the excitement occasioned by the loss of the
package, created a great sensation, especially with the friends of the
colonel and his brother. Fear and jealousy were at work with the whole
banditti of public swindlers. They knew not on whom to fix the
imputation of purloining their valuable papers. Cunningham was
suspected, and likewise Spurlock, another old confederate, who had
frequently visited the room of the unfortunate lady. Sturtivant, one of
their principal engravers, was thought to be implicated, and even one of
their pettifoggers was on the list of the proscribed. They did not fix
upon me till several days after. The circumstances of this suspicion I
will now detail.
The Lawrenceburgh members had not complied with their promises. One was
waiting to turn his produce into cash, and when he was ready to fulfil
his engagement, no action could be taken, because his fellow townsmen
had their excuses for delay and non-concurrence. The Philadelphia
merchant had arrived, but suddenly left, as the report says, "between
two days." Two others of the intended bail were among the missing. I
carried a letter to another, who owned a flat-boat. I went on board and
found his son, but learned that the father had gone up the coast on
business, to be absent several days. The son took the letter, broke it
open, and read it. He told me to say to the colonel that his father was
absent and had written to him that he intended starting home in a few
days, probably by the next boat. I went back and bore the message. The
lawyer who had given me the letter cursed me for permitting the son to
open it. The colonel turning over on his bed, and fastening his eyes
upon the enraged attorney, with a mingled expression of anger and
despair, said,
"I am gone, there is no hope for me. I see, I see, they have robbed me
of my property, my papers, poisoned, and then forsaken me. I have not
much more confidence in you than in the rest."
"My dear colonel," said the implicated sycophant, "do you think I would
ever treat so basely a client so liberal and worthy as yourself," at the
same time wiping his cheek as if a tear had been started by such an
unkind imputation.
He then requested me to go for Mrs. B., and tell her, he requested her
presence at the hospital. I went in search of the wife, but did not meet
with her. I found some ten or fifteen of the band awaiting her return.
Night came on, and she had not yet made her appearance. I perceived they
were in great perturbation.
This same day my room had been changed to a small apartment in close
proximity with the one occupied by Mrs. B., separated only by a thin
board partition. About two o'clock at night she came home, accompanied
by two females. One left in a few minutes, as she had company waiting
for her at the door. The other remained and entered into conversation
with Mrs. B. I laid my ear to the partition and could distinctly hear
every word which was spoken. I heard Mrs. B. say, "I have searched in a
satisfactory manner, and am convinced that some one has removed the
earth. I did not expect to find it, after my husband told me some one
had answered him in my name and taken the note."
I was now satisfied that she had been in search of the money I had found
at the root of the tree, on the corner of Canal and Old Levee streets. I
could not hear the opinion they entertained, but the strange female
remarked, that
"Colonel Goodrich suspects him, and will certainly catch him, provided
he has got it."
"I do not think he can have it," said Mrs. B.; "I have never seen the
least evidence of guilt; besides, the colonel," meaning her
brother-in-law, "says he is perfectly harmless."
I was then convinced that it was myself they were talking about. My
fears were awakened, so much so that I passed a very restless night.
Early the next morning I hurried away to Mr. Munger's room and laid open
my fears. It may be proper to state in this connection, that this Mr.
Munger, whom I made my confidant, was the United States deputy-marshal.
The search above referred to was for money which had been hid by
Sandford, and he, at his death, had informed Mr. B. where he had
deposited it. The particulars, together with the manner by which I came
in possession of it, are detailed in "GAMBLING UNMASKED."
I found Mr. Munger in his room, and related the incidents of the past
night. He said he could not understand their meaning. I could, but I did
not tell him that the letters had been taken. For the want of this
information, things looked mysterious. He told me not to fear, but to
flatter those who had requested me to perjure myself, with a prospect of
compliance with their wishes. I went from his room to my boarding-house,
and from thence to the hospital. Here I found the colonel surrounded
with some twenty citizens, who resided in and about Wheeling and
Pittsburgh, all members of the fraternity. Some were men of great
respectability in the community where they lived, and doubtless remain
so to the present day. They held out flattering hopes that bail would
yet be secured, but all left the city in a few days, without rendering
any assistance whatever.
The preliminaries for the trial were arranged. Taylor was indicted. The
younger brother being state's evidence, had an encouraging prospect of
acquittal. Unfortunately, the colonel had taken a wrong position at the
start. He had been betrayed by those of the brotherhood who had the
influence requisite for assistance. The cheat had been carried so far by
fair and continued promises, it was now too late to retrieve himself. I
felt deeply interested for him. He was a noble specimen of mankind. He
possessed abilities worthy of a more honourable application. He bore all
his misfortunes with unexampled fortitude. The night after his Wheeling
and Pittsburgh associates had betrayed his confidence, he conversed with
me for some time. The main topic of his conversation was about certain
men who resided in Lawrenceburgh and its vicinity. He gave recitals of
things which had been done by men living in and near that place, which
cannot be contemplated without a feeling of horror. I was actually
shocked and chilled, especially as I knew the actors. The whole seemed
to me like some dreadful vision of the night, and I could hardly believe
the evidence of my senses in favor of actual perpetration. The colonel
continued:
"They fear me; they are seeking to crush me while professing the
greatest friendship." He paused after adding, "to-morrow I will give you
some advice which will be of everlasting benefit. Be careful that you do
not mention it."
Having returned to my boarding-house, I was very closely interrogated by
Mrs. B. and the aforesaid pettifogger, in reference to my absence.
"Where had I been all night, and what had detained me from my meals the
day before?"
I told them, at which they eyed one another closely. Mrs. B. observed--
"I think the colonel must be hard run for assistance, to keep two or
three constantly waiting on him."
To this I made no reply, but ate my breakfast fast, and returned to the
hospital. I found Colonel Brown very restless. During the day several
men, from different cities and towns at a distance, called. Three
remained about two hours with him. They were from Charleston, on the
Kanawha river, Va. After they retired, he lay in a doze for about an
hour, when he was awakened by the arrival of four visitors, accompanied
by his physician. One made a stand at the door of the colonel, three
came in, while the doctor, with the fourth, passed along the gallery, to
see some other of the inmates. I soon, learned that two of the three
present were from Nashville, Tenn.; one a merchant, the other a negro
trader. When they began conversation, I stepped to the door. They talked
very rapidly. One said his friend from Paris, Tenn., would be down in a
few days with several others, from Clarksville. The colonel listened to
them with patience, and replied:
"They had better come, and not disappoint me."
These three left. In a few minutes the physician, in company with the
fourth, came to the door. The doctor made a short stay, leaving the
other man in the room with the colonel.
It was a matter of surprise to witness the liberty that was extended to
visitors, as well as the prisoner. He had a guard, it is true, but the
steward of the sick rooms had been ordered not to permit any one to
enter the apartment without a pass, signed by the Board of Trustees; yet
all who wished to visit were allowed a free ingress, and no questions
were asked. I had been taken there at first by Mrs. B., after which I
had free access. But to return.
CHAPTER VI.
The man left there by the doctor, I knew. After viewing him closely,
consider my surprise, when I recognised a person I had known from my
first remembrance. It was the man who was said by his son to have gone
up the river, and, as I supposed, had returned home. It was the usual
custom of this man, not to go with his flat boats, but being ladened and
committed to skilful pilots, he took passage upon a steamboat and waited
their arrival at the place of destination. He seemed very much
disconcerted in my presence, but I said nothing to strengthen his
suspicions that I knew him. He cast several glances at me, at every
convenient opportunity. When he left, it was near night. I was requested
by the colonel to go to my supper and then return. I went away, and
being weary I laid down upon my bed, from which I did not awake till
daylight. On examining my clothes, I found some person had rifled my
pockets. My wallet was robbed of one paper, which contained a list of
names, but nothing else. Fortunately, however, I had written the same on
my hat lining. I expected to have heard something concerning the
affair--especially the record of names, but in this I was happily
disappointed.
Having eaten my breakfast, I went to the Custom house. The United States
court was then in session. Hundreds of the colonel's acquaintances were
there every day. They were frequently giving their opinions as to the
issue of the trial. Some entertained one opinion and some
another,--their chief conversation was in reference to the two brothers,
and their connection with Taylor. One of the group I discovered was from
Lawrenceburgh, Indiana. I knew them all, and with the exception of this
one, they extended to me the hand of friendship. They seemed glad to see
me, and were in fact honest men. He, however, did not seem friendly,
though he did speak, but at the same time gave me a look of
disapprobation, as much as to say, you have no right to be in company
with such honest men. I paid no attention to his looks, as I knew him
better than any man in the crowd. He knew he had laid himself liable to
detection, and hence did not wish me to be in communication with his old
friends, lest I might become an informant. He rather desired to have
them discard me, but as they were upright, unsuspecting men, they did
not give heed to his conduct. They conversed freely, and tried in every
way to amuse me. At length he discovered there was a growing sympathy in
my favour, and assumed another attitude to secure my departure. He began
to talk somewhat in the following strain.
"I know Green is a smart boy, but they say the Browns have him here to
run on errands, and he is strongly suspected of not being what he should
be, in regard to honesty."
One or two of the honest countrymen spoke in my behalf, and the whole
was turned off in a jovial way, not wishing, as I suppose, to injure my
feelings; at which he, with a sigh that bespoke the consummate
hypocrite, added:
"Well, Green, God bless you. You had a sainted mother, and I always
respected your old father, but you boys, I fear, are all in the downward
road to ruin. You had better return home and be a good boy. Beware of
the company of the Browns, as you know they are bad characters, and that
I, and many others, held them at a distance, when they were in
Lawrenceburgh."
The rest of the company retired while he was thus lecturing me so
sanctimoniously.
No one can imagine the feelings I then had. I was at first confounded,
then enraged, to witness the conduct of that black-hearted villain, he
little suspecting that I knew him to be the very man that was in the
room the day before, dressed in disguise. How could I feel otherwise.
There he was lecturing me about duty, as if he had been a saint. It is
true, he sustained that character at home. I had known him for many
years as a leading man in the very respectable church to which he there
belonged. Had I not been satisfied of the base part he was acting, when
I met him the day before in disguise--his hypocritical lecture might
have been beneficial. But I discovered he was an arrant knave--a real
whitewashed devil, and I could with difficulty refrain from telling him
my thoughts. I left, wondering how such a Judas could go so long
"unwhipt of justice"--how he could avoid exposure. Probably it was by a
change of dress.
It was now time I had visited the hospital, to show reason why I had not
fulfilled my engagement on the previous evening. The colonel received me
with a welcome countenance, and remarked, he "was glad I had returned,
for," said he, "I feared you had gone away."
I told him I was weary when I went home; that after supper I had laid
down to rest a few minutes, and slept longer than I intended, and that
was the reason I had not returned. He was satisfied with my excuse, and
introduced another subject. He inquired if I had heard any news, or seen
any of the Lawrenceburgh citizens; and if so, had his name been
mentioned? I replied, that it had been the principal topic of
conversation, some speaking well of him, and others illy. He then wished
to know, who had spoken evil of him? I told him the man's name.
"And he talked about me, did he?" inquired the colonel.
I replied, "He has spoken very hard things against you, alleging that he
never associated or had any dealings with you."
"He told you, he never had any dealings with me? What did you think of
that?"
I answered, "When you resided in Lawrenceburgh, I was too small to
notice such things."
I answered thus designedly, for I had seen him walking arm and arm with
the colonel, time and again, but I was afraid to let the colonel know
that I had even a moderate share of sagacity.
"Green, how often have you seen him," continued the colonel, "and where,
since you have been in the city? You know his son said, he had returned
home, a few days since, when you carried him the letter."
I told him I had not seen him before, since I came to the city.
"Are you certain of that?"
"I am confident I have not seen him."
"You are mistaken," said he, "you met him yesterday."
I knew what he meant, but dared not let him know that I had recognised
him. Again he interrogated me:
"Do you not recollect him?" at the same time eyeing me with an intensity
of expression. I replied that I was certain I had not seen him.
"You are mistaken," said the colonel. "You met him here yesterday. He
was the man that remained after the doctor had left."
"It cannot be," I rejoined. "You must be mistaken, as I was certain that
man had light hair, nearly red."
"It was him, Green," said he. "He had a wig on, but for your life
mention not a syllable of this to your best friend. He is a villain of
the deepest dye, and I know him to be such."
I, of course, agreed that I might have been mistaken.
"He knew you," continued the colonel, "and was the worst frightened man
I ever saw, for fear you would recognise him. I am glad you did not, for
it might have cost you your life."
"I suppose, then, colonel," said I, "he intends furnishing you with
bail, does he not?"
"He did not manifest such a determination, did he, when you met him?"
I replied: "He might have had his reasons for acting as he did; it may
be, it was to find out whether I knew him as the person I met here
yesterday. You say, colonel, then, I actually met him yesterday?"
"Yes, he is the very villain. I know enough about him to make him
stretch hemp, if he had his dues."
I told him he was esteemed by many, where he lived, to be a very good
man.
"Yes, they respect him for his riches," said the colonel; "but they
would not respect either him, or many of his neighbours, if all knew
them as well as I do."
After this, he proceeded to give me the promised advice, and addressed
me thus:
"Green, I believe you are a good boy, but have been imposed on by the
world. I am about to give you some advice. I feel it right I should do
so. I am in bad health, and can never recover, and my only object in
procuring bail was to secure a decent burial, but I have no hope. Green,
I tell you this, that you may know the condition in which you are
placed. You are surrounded by a set of devils incarnate, and you know
them not. You are just entering upon a life of misery and crime. You can
now see, to a limited extent, what has caused me to lead a wretched and
abandoned life. As soon as you can, leave this place. You know not your
danger. You have about you some desperate enemies. I have told the most
inveterate of them, that they were mistaken as to your character."
I here inquired what they accused me of.
He continued, "Of being treacherous to one of the brotherhood, of which
my brother is a member."
"I never knew before that such a society existed," said I.
"They accuse you of three different crimes. You know whether there is
any foundation for the charges. First, that you agreed to swear against
Taylor; then, after the spurious money was placed in your hands, you
gave the facts to Taylor's lawyer, and that your evidence will now be
used in his favour. If such is the case, I advise you to abandon such a
purpose, for you will certainly lose your life if you persist in this
thing."
I denied to him any such intention.
"Well," said he, "what have you done then with those five
one-hundred-dollar notes given you by one of the assistant attorneys of
my brother?"
I replied, "They are in my chest."
"If such is the case, it will make every thing satisfactory in that
matter."
I now left, and went to Mr. Munger, and related the substance of my late
interview. He handed me the notes that I might make good my declaration.
I took them immediately to the hospital. When I entered I found two
merchants, who resided at Memphis, in close conversation with the
colonel. He told me to call again at two o'clock. About that time, I
returned. The visitors were gone, but the colonel appeared much
distressed. Some new event must have added to his former anxiety.
"I wish you," said he, "to bring those notes and let me see them."
Having them in my pocket, I presented them to him.
"I am glad you have them. You have been strongly suspected of foul
play--of giving them into the hands of the defendant."
I was well convinced from this, that it was one of the clan who had
rummaged my trunk and pockets a few days previous. I then asked him,
what else they had laid to my charge?
He replied: "A man by the name of Sandford gave information to my
brother, that a certain amount of money had been hidden by him. Sandford
died, and gave the money to my brother, and gave directions where he
could find it. My brother prepared a note for his wife, and told her
where she could find the money, and my brother reached the note to the
wrong person." [See GAMBLING UNMASKED.] "Some person told him you were
the receiver; that they had seen you take the note."
I knew, however, that no one had seen me take it, that the whole was a
mere conjecture--a plan to worm a confession out of me. Hence I denied
it stoutly.
"I do not believe it myself," affirmed the colonel, "but the whole clan,
remember, dislike you; among others, a negro trader, by the name of
Goodrich. He has marked you out as a transgressor, and is determined to
put you out of the way." I have mentioned this same Goodrich, once
before. He is well known as one accustomed to sell runaway negroes, as a
kidnapper, who lives with a wench, and has several mulatto children, and
probably does a profitable business in selling his own offspring.
I replied, "I do not know Goodrich, and know as little about Sandford's
money."
"Well, Green, I believe you are innocent of the two first accusations,
and hope you may be of the third."
But now came the "tug of war." These others were only a preparatory step
for a fearful inquisition. I knew what was coming, and mustered all my
fortitude to meet the exigency. If ever there was a time when I was
called upon to summon my collected energies, to express calmness and
betoken innocence, it was on this occasion. The colonel, fixing his
eagle-eye upon me with severest scrutiny, proceeded:
"A certain package of papers has been taken, which has produced a great
excitement, and has caused me serious injury." When he mentioned PAPERS,
there was a sensible pause, and a piercing look which exhibited a
determination to detect the slightest expression of guilt. I was enabled
to command myself, however, in such a way, that I think I satisfied him
I was not guilty.
In reply, I asked the colonel "Why they should accuse me of acting so
base a part?"
"Unfortunately for you," said the colonel, "you have been seen talking
with the friends of Taylor."
I replied, "Perhaps I have, for I cannot tell who are his friends, or
who his enemies." I likewise asked him if he thought it possible I could
or would do any thing to injure him.
"I think not," said he, "yet mankind are so base and deceitful, I have
but little confidence in any one. I will now show you how dreadful must
be my position in regard to the package, and then you can understand why
its loss will go so hard with me."
I listened with the utmost attention, and he entered upon this part of
the subject as follows:
"I am a member of a society called 'THE SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.' It is
an ancient order, of a religious (?) character. The leading members
carry on an extensive correspondence with one another. All letters of
business are subject to the order of the one who indites them, allowing
the holder the privilege of retaining a copy. I had many letters written
by leading men in my possession; besides a large package of copies.
These with the original letters have been taken. Now, Green, you promise
secrecy, and I will give you the whole plan, so far as in my power, and
you can then judge how seriously I shall be affected if those papers are
not recovered.
"At the time of my arrest, on the charges for which I am to be tried,
my friends were numerous and wealthy, and I had the utmost confidence in
all their promises. The excitement was intense, and I did not deem it
proper to call upon them until it should subside. After waiting a
suitable length of time, I wrote to many of my acquaintances, and, among
others, to several whose names are familiar to you. They were under
personal obligations to me, aside from the common claims of friendship.
They had made their thousands by plans of my own invention, and much of
the very wealth which had given them distinction and influence was the
fruit of my ingenuity. To my letters they made ready and satisfactory
replies. They made the largest promises to give me any requisite
assistance, when called upon, yet as often left me in suspense, or to
reap the bitter fruit of disappointment. This was the reason why my
trial was put off during several sessions of the court. My brother
having been indicted with me, made the prospect of both more dubious. I
had property, but not at my disposal. My wife betrayed my confidence,
for having it in her power to send me pecuniary aid, she neglected to do
it; indeed, all her conduct had a tendency to involve me in the net that
was spread for my feet. Through her, information was given that I had
friends who would assist me, which served as an excuse for her
dereliction. This awakened the suspicions of community. There was an
anxiety to know who would step forward to my rescue. Hence those from
whom I expected aid became alarmed, lest their characters, which had
hitherto been unblemished, should come into disrepute. Two of them are
merchants in Dearborn county, Indiana. Some five of the most wealthy men
of that county were driven almost to desperation when they learned that
my wife had it in her power to use their names in connection with deeply
dishonourable acts. I, however, satisfied them that she would not expose
them, and they in turn promised to assist me, writing several letters of
commendation in my behalf, giving me an untarnished character as a
merchant of high respectability in Lawrenceburgh. From time to time they
promised to secure me bail, and yet they as often failed to make good
their word. In this they violated the most solemn obligations. We were
pledged to sustain each other to the last farthing, in case either
became involved in difficulty. That pledge I had never broken, and I
looked for the same fidelity on the part of my associates. I never
before had occasion to test their sincerity, but found all their solemn
promises a mere 'rope of sand.' I found I was gone, as far as they were
concerned, and turned my efforts in another direction."
"I now had recourse to my friends in Chillicothe, Cleaveland, Buffalo,
Detroit, Zanesville, Beaver, Lexington, Nashville, Philadelphia, New
York city, Boston, and Cincinnati. As usual, they gave me the most
liberal promises, but in no case fulfilled their engagements. I was now
driven to new measures. I found those in whom I reposed the utmost
confidence hollow-hearted and treacherous. I next entered upon the plan
of making a certain villain share in my wretchedness and disgrace. In
this I was joined by my brother, who, in perfecting the scheme, acted
somewhat imprudently. I advised him to take a different course, but he
listened to others who professed to befriends to us, and were, indeed,
members of the same fraternity,[1] but turned out the worst kind of
enemies, especially those who were wealthy. The poorer members were true
to a man, and I am confident will remain so; and if I am spared, I will
make the wealth of the others dance for their vile treatment. I have a
thousand men who but wait my call. When I say the word, though they are
of the same brotherhood, yet having also experienced the treachery and
oppression of the higher class in common with myself, they will make war
upon them whenever the signal is given."
Here he stopped for a few minutes, and then began to state the little
trouble it would have given his friends to have aided him if they had
felt disposed.
"But I am an invalid, and God knows I do not deserve such treatment."
(The reader may think it strange that such a man should call upon his
Maker, especially when he reads the constitution of the secret conclave,
of which he was a member. The phrase "God knows," was used often in his
private conversation.) "These persons I have always considered my
friends, and have never given them occasion to be any thing else.
Finding, however, that I had no hope from them, and that I must stand my
trial, I was willing to make use of other means. I therefore agreed to
proposals made by the most wealthy of my friends, and yielded to their
arrangements, in order, if possible, to escape punishment. There was a
man by the name of Taylor, the same whose trial is now pending, whom
they feared, and who was known to community as an accomplished villain.
He was the person selected upon whom it was designed to heap the burden
of the guilt. By that means, the attention of our prosecutors would be
diverted. The plan was set in operation, and soon the infamy of Taylor
was sounded from Maine to the confines of Texas. They had their agents
in almost every city to help on the work. From the first, I had but
little hope of success in this manoeuvre, but consented reluctantly to
the trial. I was confident he had many enemies, and not without cause.
Having been foiled in all my former plans, I now experienced the deepest
anxiety. I was especially solicitous that as long a time should elapse
as possible before he was arrested. Some time after the report of his
guilt he was arrested, and my brother promised to secure evidence to
prove him guilty, and likewise to establish my innocence. It was also
agreed by the committee of arrangements at that time, that I should take
medicine upon a feigned sickness, in order to secure a change in my
situation. In this way I could be removed to the Marine Hospital, when
reported by the committee of health as being in danger. I was to appear
ignorant of my brother's design, of which in truth I was. I took
medicine, which had the desired effect. It made me desperately sick,
producing excessive prostration. Application was made for my removal to
the place where you now see me. Being conveyed hither, arrangements were
made for my bail by my supposed friends. I was persuaded that I should
continue in this state of unnatural disease from that time till the
present. My brother carried on his treacherous part, and it required no
little effort to convince the community that Taylor was really guilty
of what was charged upon himself. Although he was known to be a
desperate man, yet the charges were of such a nature, it was most
difficult to sustain them. My brother's main dependence was in the
fraternity. He founded his hope of success upon a concert of action
among so many, apparently reputable witnesses. Some of them would be
used in behalf of the state, and consequently receive regular pay for
time and services, and at the same time could employ a false testimony
against Taylor. Two objects could be thus secured; first, they would be
detained as witnesses and used as necessity required; and, secondly, be
ready to make up my bail. My brother further gave community to
understand, that he would be able, by the production of certain papers,
to convince them of all that had been rumored against Taylor. For this
end, a quantity of papers were forwarded to this city, among which were
some bearing my name, that were mere business letters. The ordering
these letters was not approved by me. It was a plan of my brother. When
it was discovered by several of my most intimate friends, they became
alarmed, thinking I was concerned in the affair. As the fraternity
required, by their constitution, that all letters should be returned at
the request of the author, permitting the holder to take a copy, it
became my duty to comply with this requisition whenever made. There was
a great alarm. Many visited the city with whom I had held
correspondence, whose letters had never been returned. They learned as
to the disposition that was to be made of the papers, and report said we
were about to give each individual's name concerned, as we were
intending to turn state's evidence. This accounts for the many
different visiters you have seen. You also saw several from
Lawrenceburgh, and the very man you said spoke so disrespectfully of me,
and gave you the long moral lecture, is here on the same purpose--the
same individual you met two days since, whom you designated as having
light hair."
I here found his strength would not permit him to pursue the narrative
further, and upon his promising to resume and finish the subject the
next day, I left the hospital.
[1] When he spoke of this fraternity, I then supposed he referred to
some of the benevolent societies of the day.
CHAPTER VII.
In returning to my boarding-house I was met by the blackleg pettifogger,
who treated me with great coldness. I met him again the next morning at
the prison, and he treated me in like manner. But I was especially
anxious to hear what more the colonel had to say, and hastened to his
room. He began his account where he had left off.
"This man, who was dressed in disguise, was greatly alarmed, lest
certain of his letters in the package should come to light, which had
not been retained. He started for home, as stated by his son, but
returned to secure his letters. You have witnessed the tremendous
excitement which exists, the running to and fro, and the many strange
visitors that frequent my room. There is a cause for all this which I
will now relate.
"My brother sent for those papers, which, upon arrival, were submitted
to his wife that she might select the most important to be produced as
testimony in court against Taylor. In accordance with directions, she
examined them all and laid aside all the business letters, (meaning the
package lost,) which in some way have been mislaid or stolen. These, you
are accused of having taken, and also of having taken a note that was
reached through the grate by my brother, as he supposed to his wife, but
it proved to be some other person, and they suspected you as that one.
They also charge you with giving information as to the man who gave you
five hundred dollars, and also that he used my name, saying at the same
time, 'If you will swear that money on Taylor I will make you a rich
man,' and that you concerted in this thing to act a deceitful part."
I replied: "I promised to take the money and swear according to
directions, but it was not for any respect I had for the man who offered
me a bribe, or the pecuniary compensation, but for you and your
brother."
"Green," said he, "have no respect for my brother. He has not an honest
heart. He would betray his own father, and be sure that you refuse to do
what the pettifogger has advised." (See a full account in Gambling
Unmasked.) "Green, take care, or you will lose your life. You have
enemies that watch you closely. They also watch me, but I cannot help
myself. I wish you well and believe you innocent."
This last was uttered in a suppressed and pathetic tone, and I perceived
his eye was intently fixed upon mine as if he would read in its
expression the secret workings of my heart. I was determined he should
not effect his purpose, and managed to evade his glances.
"I am aware of their foul intentions," continued he, "but know not how
to evade it. Green, I have all confidence in you as an honest boy, and
do not think you would do any thing to injure me, but have thought you
might have had a curiosity to know the contents of some of those
letters, and have mislaid them with the intention of giving them back
when you had read them."
I again protested my innocence, and solemnly declared I had no knowledge
of the package.
"Then," exclaimed he, "I am a doomed man. There is no hope, and I will
tell you the reason why.
"You know I have had many friends calling upon me, day by day, from all
parts of the country. You have seen among them some of the most wealthy
in the town of Lawrenceburgh. They are my sworn friends and all members
of a Secret Society, which obligates each one, under a most solemn oath,
to assist a brother member out of any difficulty, provided he has not
violated his obligations. Now my brother has acted most imprudently in
pledging himself to produce certain papers, and to bring other witnesses
besides himself against Taylor. These men were apprehensive that we had
mutually laid a trap to expose the whole band. This has involved me in
the most unjust crimination. I am subjected to the charge of conspiracy,
and hence you see how difficult it is to procure bail. It is true I have
had promises from all parts of the Union, but my brother concerted,
without reflecting upon the consequences of his conduct, to bring one
thousand men, if necessary, to this city, who would be ready to do any
thing he might direct. These men were brethren of the same band, but of
a lower order, none of whom were possessed of wealth or extended
influence. The others, who possessed both, were kept in silence, for
fear of being betrayed or proving false to the fraternity of which they
were members. That we are circumstanced as you see us at present, is not
for the want of friends. They are abundant and powerful; we have them on
sea and on land, and they are ready to assist us out of any difficulty,
and would do it in a moment if assured that all was right on our part.
You see the city is full of them--many have come to secure their
letters, which they knew were in my possession, and if exposed, would
bring upon them certain ruin,--but alas! they have come too late. You
will notice I have had no visitors while I have been giving you this
history. I told the steward to admit none but yourself. Be assured,
Green, I have many friends, but they dare not act--they dare not help me
and they dare not convict me. You may live to know the truth of what I
am stating."
I inferred, from the last remark, that he had reference to the
judiciary. I had noticed that during his two days' conversation, no
person had visited the room but the physician and a certain judge who
lived near Florence, Alabama, and the latter remained only a few
minutes. I found out his name by seeing it written upon his hat lining,
which had been placed upon the window opening on the piazza. After the
judge had retired, the colonel resumed the conversation.
"I am accused by my friends with treachery to the brotherhood. They
think that I, in concert with my brother, have laid a plan to clear
ourselves by their downfall. When the news was out that the papers were
lost, I saw the most marked indications of hostility. They came forward
and pledged to bail me in any amount, provided I would return their
letters, but swore that I should never go from this room alive, if I did
not produce them. I am certain to suffer death. My sentence is fixed,
and I have no hope. My brother and his advisers have ruined me. They
have had me borne hither that I might not understand their plans. I am
satisfied the papers are in the hands of the intimate friends of my
brother and those who had manifested such an interest in my removal to
this place. I have been reduced by medicine, and my inability to
exercise--so contrary to my general habits--has seated a fatal disease
upon my lungs."
His disease had been occasioned by the constant use of medicine, which
exposed his system to cold, and this, by constant repetition, had
entirely destroyed his constitution. I have no doubt that a slow poison
was mingled in his medicine. When he had finished this tale of sorrow,
he gave me some affectionate advice in something like the following
words:
"Green, I advise you to leave the city as soon as possible. There are
two parties of the 'secret band' that seek your life; those who are so
much enraged at the loss of the papers, because their reputation,
fortunes, and lives, are thereby in jeopardy, and those who are the
personal friends of my brother, and who support him, do or say what he
may. They take his word with the infallibility of law and gospel, and
are by profession great friends of mine, as well as of the other party,
who swear they will have those papers at all hazards, right or wrong;
meaning if you have them, they will obtain them in some way; that if I
have them they shall be returned. I therefore advise you to leave the
city immediately."
I told him I had no funds.
"I have not one dollar," said he, "to help you off, or I would give it
to you."
I told him I was under great obligations for his kindness. He further
remarked:
"Now pledge me secrecy to what I have related, for it can have no effect
in assisting you, and will ruin me."
I did so, and bade him farewell. I hastened to see Mr. Munger, and told
him what the colonel had said about the counterfeit money and the money
I had found by Sandford's note, but not a word as to the mysterious
package.
CHAPTER VIII.
Shortly after the events detailed in the foregoing chapter, I had a
conversation with Mr. Munger, who told me, he was satisfied that my life
was in danger, and advised me to leave the city for a few weeks, or, at
least, to change my boarding-place, and keep myself in seclusion.
Accordingly, I changed my quarters as soon as possible. I could not well
leave the city, as Mr. Munger informed me I must be present to appear in
court when Taylor was tried, in case the younger brother acted the part
he had promised; and if not, it would be equally important for me to be
on hand, as they intended to indict him and his pettifogger, for their
wicked designs upon the man they were endeavouring to ruin. As I could
not go far out of the city, under these circumstances, I considered it
more safe to remain concealed: I waited, therefore, several days, until
the colonel's death, which occurred not long after I bade him farewell.
I had met Cunningham--the old man at first charged with having the
package by Mrs. Brown--several times after the colonel had advised me to
leave the city, and in our last interview, he gave me to understand that
the colonel would never get out of his bed alive, or leave the hospital,
except when carried to his burial. I asked him, why.
"There are many reasons. His health will never be any better; he cannot
recover from his present illness. I know it is hard, but there are many
who think it is preferable that one should suffer than thousands, who
consider themselves better men. He has brought this trouble upon
himself, by not living up to his oath. He and his brother are both
traitors, and have placed the fraternity, of which they are members,
entirely in the power of their enemies, but it will all come out right;
there is no mistake. You heard that Madam Brown had lost a certain
package of papers, letters, or the like, did you not?"
I replied in the affirmative.
"Well, they believed for a time that I had them, or would have made
others think so; but that kind of accusation would not take with men who
knew me. They next laid the charge against you: I have satisfied the
interested party, that they are not in the possession of either of us,
but that the colonel and his brother have them, and intend thereby to
slip more necks into the halter than poor Taylor's. I am of the opinion,
their own necks will pay the price of their treachery."
I then replied, that I knew Mrs. Brown had said she had lost a package
of papers, but what they contained, I knew not.
"Nor ever will know," said he.
"I have no curiosity about the matter," I replied.
"And you might as well NEVER have, for curious people will pay dearly
for reading them, especially if they undertake it in court, as evidence
against the brotherhood."
The reader can hardly imagine the intense desire that was created, by
this time, in my heart, to learn all about this "brotherhood," and
"fraternity," so often introduced, and yet so obscurely as to give me
no certain information.
I took this opportunity to ask Cunningham, what title this society had
assumed; whether they were Masons or Odd Fellows? He laughed, and said:
"I thought I had explained some of the particulars to you." He then
stopped, as if to consider, when he continued: "Certainly, Masons and
Odd Fellows both, and all other good institutions--but, I can tell you,
Green, the brother who has turned state's evidence swears terrible
vengeance against you. Do you be careful. He has many who are watching
you. I belong to the party opposed to him and the colonel, and they
throw all the blame upon you. You are the victim of their suspicions and
hate, and you will do well to leave this place without delay; but tell
no one, by any means, that I have given you this information."
I bade him good day, and we separated.
I now thought I would call once more, and see the colonel. I hastened to
the hospital, but as I drew near, I discovered two men riot far from the
steps, and the third coming down. I walked by them, without being
recognised, and as I passed, the third man had entered into conversation
with the other two.
He was asked, "Is it a fact, that he is dead?"
"Yes, certainly. He has been dead about three hours."
"I knew," said one, "that he could not stand it long."
Two of the men, I perceived, were from Lawrenceburgh, the two who stood
remotely, one of whom was the identical person who wore the wig, and
gave me such good fatherly instruction. I passed to the room, where I
found the steward, with three assistants, laying out the corpse.
"We do not wish any more assistance at present," said the old French
steward. I understood his meaning, and left immediately.
The news of the colonel's death soon spread through the city, and many
gathered to witness the burial, but owing to the inclemency of the
weather, few followed to the grave. When the hearse bore the body away,
it rained very hard. I did not make my appearance on the occasion, for I
well knew that many would be present to relieve their anxious minds--to
rejoice rather than mourn over the dead, and who would sooner see my
dead body deposited by that of the colonel's, than any other on earth. I
was determined not to be mourned for in that way, by the desperate
villains. I therefore kept aloof from their society.
Several days elapsed, during which time I remained in concealment from
all the clan, but Cunningham, who expressed a concern for my welfare. I
also had frequent conferences with my friend, the deputy-marshal. Three
days after the colonel's death, Cunningham informed me, that he was
convinced that both of the Browns deserved death.
"But I dare not tell you why," said he, "and if I should, you would not
be able to comprehend my reasons. Be assured, if they are guilty, the
other brother will never come from that prison alive. He will find out,
that the brotherhood are wide awake."
All his insinuations were perfect Greek to me, for some weeks after; but
when Taylor had his trial, the whole matter was explained. Their import
I will now unfold.
CHAPTER IX.
From the time the plan was concocted, for making Taylor suffer the
penalty of another's crime, the utmost promptitude was required for its
execution--the machinery must be actively employed by the friends of the
colonel, and his brother. First, the colonel must be made sick, and a
sympathy thereby awakened, and hence the plea for his removal would be
the more plausible. His enlargement was important. He was a principal
man, with whom it would be necessary to have much consultation--an
intercourse more vital to the cause of his pretended than his real
friends. Besides, there were many who really desired his escape, but
being among the first class of society, as to wealth, respectability,
and influence, they were unwilling to frequent the prison to visit the
unfortunate colonel. Though interested deeply in his release, they were
not willing the public should understand that they were sworn friends.
The part the younger brother was to sustain, has already been detailed
in a former chapter. The medicine was administered with the desired
effect, and the colonel was removed to the hospital. He was now in a
situation to be consulted. Many would now visit him, who never would
have gone to the prison. If a reason was required for their familiarity
with so base a man, it could be found in the dictates of kindness,
called forth by suffering humanity. After his removal, his brother was
under obligation to do as he had promised, to produce the spurious
plates, the counterfeit money, and the correspondence, and swear them
upon Taylor, as the real agent and proprietor. As the signatures of the
letters were anonymous, other testimony was required to establish the
real author.
It will be remembered that the plates and letters were in Canada for
safe keeping, and must be sent for, and conveyed to the city before the
trial of Taylor could proceed. In the mean time, jealousy and consequent
dread on the part of the colonel's confederates were daily receiving new
strength. Conscious were they of having acted a most dishonorable and
deceitful part with one of whom, under ordinary circumstances, they were
accustomed to stand in awe; but now they were more especially
apprehensive of danger, because there was a provocation for seeking
vengeance. They knew he had every means to involve them in a more signal
overthrow than that which awaited himself. The only alternatives were,
either to wrest the weapons of destruction from his hands, or render the
possessor incapable of wielding them. They were driven almost to
desperation, when they reflected on their deeds of wickedness reaching
through many years, the record of which was in the hands of a powerful
and justly provoked enemy, who in a day might spread out for the gaze of
the world the portraiture of their former characters, in which were
mingled the features of darkest villany and the more glaring expressions
of open violence and crime. Goaded on by an awful apprehension, they
were prepared for any thing that might save themselves and families from
exposure and disgrace.
Colonel Brown was a Grand Master of the band of Secret Brothers. The
members of the fraternity who sought his ruin were of the same degree,
together with those holding the relation of Vice-grand Master. He had
nothing to fear from the common brotherhood, who were kept in perfect
ignorance of the transactions of those more advanced. Indeed, they were
his warmest friends, and regarded him with especial reverence, because
he commended himself to their confidence and esteem by his naturally
good disposition, and, most of all, by his relation of Grand Master,
which is always accompanied either with dread or marked respect. The
inferior order was very numerous, but seldom wealthy, generally of a
suspicious character, who had no fixed residence, but wandered from
place to place, preying upon the community in the character of
bar-keepers, pickpockets, thieves, gamblers, horse-racers, and sometimes
murderers. They may be found in all parts of the United States and
Canada. These were controlled by some two hundred Grand Masters,
conveniently located, who were generally men of wealth and
respectability, and often connected with some learned profession, yet
but seldom applying themselves to their profession sufficient to gain a
livelihood. These men, of both orders, would often confer together,
especially when one had been detected in any crime--or some dirty job
was to be done, which was likely to bring into the hands of the superior
order any considerable wealth. In fact, these so-called respectable men
would lay plans which they dared not execute for fear of detection, but
having any number of agents in readiness among the common brotherhood
who had nothing to lose in point of character, they would employ them,
and if successful, be sure to pocket all the spoils--except enough to
satisfy the immediate wants of their jackals. If they were not
successful, but detected in their villany, these unfortunate agents
could lay claim to their aid, and were permitted to make drafts of money
to procure bail in case of indictment or to defray the expenses of a
trial. We have sometimes wondered that certain felons should get clear,
when their guilt has been established beyond a doubt. We will not wonder
when we learn that there are men of wealth and influence in almost every
town, who are sworn to aid and befriend these villains. They are
sometimes lawyers, and jurors, and even judges. But their conduct and
relations will be more clearly seen, when I publish their letters and
constitution. It is only necessary to remark in this connection, that
the only persons really benefited in this organized system of land
piracy, are their Grand Masters. They lay most of the plans, and receive
and control the money,--confer among themselves, but never with a common
brother, only using him as a tool for the accomplishment of some foul
purpose. Here is policy. It would not be safe to commit their secrets to
the many hundreds under them, but only to such as are judged suitable
after years of trial, and those beneath are often looking forward for
promotion, which is a pledge of their fidelity. The reader will perceive
that if this higher order was ever to be fully exposed, it must be by
some one of their own number, for one of an inferior degree knows no
more of their proceedings than the uninitiated.
The danger of a full exposure now threatened them in connection with
Colonel Brown; at least they apprehended it. They knew they deserved it,
and the circumstances of their accomplice pointed in that direction. He
had the means--their own letters, and a knowledge of their deeds. It
was only necessary to give information to a third person, and the work
would be done. Besides, he was a man of extensive acquaintance and
influence--a ruling spirit among his fellows. A revelation from him
would have been direful in the extreme, as, in addition, he had in his
possession the constitution and by-laws of the fraternity, which were
always lodged with the ruling Grand Master. Under these circumstances we
need not wonder that there was excitement, that every expedient was
employed to rescue the documents or make away with their possessor. He
was now in confinement. It was vital to their designs to keep him there
till they could secure the letters and constitution above referred to,
or, in case of failure, make his life pay the forfeit. They cared but
little for his brother, as he was of an inferior grade. The Grand
Masters, then in office, had but one object in view, and that they were
intent upon accomplishing. The acquittal or conviction of the two
brothers was a matter of no consequence compared with their own personal
safety. To secure this they would not scruple even to commit murder.
That this is the case, will be seen by an article in their constitution.
I may further remark in this connection, that their laws required, that
the Grand Master shall be assisted by six Vice-grand Masters, but these
latter cannot be admitted into the secrets of the former till they are
promoted, although they are obligated to do his bidding. The members who
had been advanced to the highest degree, and hold the principal secrets
of the order in connection with the colonel their leader, were about two
hundred. These were the individuals conspiring against his life, in case
they could not procure their letters and other documents. Their main
and first object was, therefore, to bring those papers to the city.
The papers were sent for, as before stated, and all their designs, of a
public and private nature, set in active operation. Of this the colonel
had no knowledge at the time. Mrs. B. was to give them up to the
committee appointed for the purpose of inspecting them. All that would
have any tendency to injure or expose the fraternity, if brought to
light, were to be selected, and the rest brought forward for the purpose
of convicting Taylor. The intention of bringing these papers to the city
being, in the mean time, made known to the colonel, he gave directions
to his sister-in-law to reserve such papers as he specified, and hand
the balance over to the committee. The trunk in which they were
deposited having arrived, Mrs. B. acted according to directions,
reserving the notable package which she concealed between her beds,
while she conveyed the residue to the prison office for legal
purposes--to be used by the committee, who met there by consent of one
of the prison keepers--he being a Grand Master of the secret band and
one of the principal policemen. After delivering up the papers, she
returned and found her valuable deposit had been removed as previously
stated.
The fact of their removal being made known to the brotherhood, they
thought some base person had robbed the lady of her important charge.
This opinion prevailed with the fraternity generally. Not so with the
two hundred grandees. Their opinion assumed the character of their
former suspicions, while their suspicions were converted into fact. They
were now fully convinced that the colonel contemplated the destruction
of their order, and was intent upon keeping the papers in his own
power: that he had even entered upon the act of defeating the very
purpose they had in view, in bringing those papers to the city. At this
time the city was crowded with the members of this secret society, and
private rewards were offered by the two hundred or that portion of this
band then in the city, for the recovery of the papers. These rewards
made a great stir, especially with the officers of all parties, both
those for and against the colonel. Taylor was a mark to be shot at by
about seven-eighths of the band, and the remaining one-eighth was ready
to go to the highest bidder, to do service for him who would give the
highest wages. He found means to secure the friendship of the latter,
many of whom were considered quite respectable men, and were never
suspected by the brotherhood of any thing dishonourable. The head men
constituted still another party. Thus these villains were divided into
three factions. These were the friends of Taylor, known as Taylorites,
and the supporters of Brown, called Brownites. These only were publicly
known; while the third party, embracing the royal grandees, were
actively engaged in disengaging themselves from the coils which they
supposed had been deliberately laid for their destruction. They showed,
by their efforts, they had more at stake than all the rest. Though their
movements were not publicly recognised, yet they had every influence
that would favour their cause in operation, to consummate their hellish
purposes.
The constitution, by-laws, and about one thousand and three hundred
letters, including copies and original, were missing; and the destiny of
the whole band of Grand Masters depended upon their recovery, before
ever they fell into the hands of one who could explain them to the
brotherhood; and still more calamitous would be the condition of the
entire fraternity, if they were ever revealed to the public. Those more
immediately concerned were confirmed in the opinion that the colonel had
secreted them for future use. Finding they had not accomplished what
they intended, in bringing the papers to the city, they had recourse to
a certain clause in the constitution, to compel the colonel to produce
some of them, if in his possession. That clause required the holder of
an original letter to return the same, when requested by the writer,
after copying, if desirable. This law applied, however, only to letters
having the secret "qualities," or, in other words, the private
description of the bearer in full, which was written in acid, and could
be read only after subjection to chemical action. Three hundred and
seventy-nine of the letters in the package were of this kind; one
thousand were copies, whose original had been returned. The former had
been written to the colonel, and one bore date as far back as July 9th,
1819; the latter had been addressed to various individuals, and some
bore date as far back as 1798.
To secure these letters was a work of great delicacy. Though the
constitution granted the right of asking the unreturned letters, yet the
writers feared to make the requisition of the colonel, lest he might
suspect them of a conspiracy, and being thus exasperated, let loose his
engines of destruction. They finally fixed upon the following plan. They
were to hold out the idea that they were ready to bail him, provided he
would leave the country. In case he consented, they were to request the
retention of the letters, feeling confident he had not destroyed them.
The plan was laid open to the colonel by the man from Dearborn county,
Indiana, the same who was dressed in disguise. He was told by the
colonel that the papers (meaning the package) had been taken, and he
could not furnish them, as he had no possible knowledge who had done the
deed. This reply, to the council of Grand Masters, was like "a clap of
thunder in a cloudless sky," so confident were they that he had them and
would produce them when thus requested. There was now only one
alternative, the life of the colonel must be taken, which they could and
did accomplish, as the sequel will show.
CHAPTER X.
From the time of the visit by the Dearborn county man till the death of
Colonel Brown, embracing about six weeks, there were constant and fierce
wranglings among the fraternity. A considerable change had been made in
the feelings of some of the colonel's former sworn friends, which of
course made those who knew him innocent more bitter against any one they
might suspect guilty of bringing such a calamity upon him. His friends
and foes were equally interested in finding the retainer of the lost
package, but all to no purpose. There was, however, but one sentiment in
the Grand Council; they still believed that the colonel had them, and
designed, as soon as he was liberated, to make a general exposure of the
whole organization to the world. But their own consciousness of personal
injury--of having acted a treacherous part against this man--was, in
reality, the ground of their conviction as to his guilt; for it was not
in the nature of the man to be false to his pledged honour. It only
remained that they should prevent his liberation; and the most effectual
way was to act in accordance with the assassin's maxim, "Dead men tell
no tales." Their hatred rose to such a pitch that they began to exhibit
their enmity toward any one that either sympathized, befriended, or was
even familiar with the colonel. Here was the ground of their deadly
animosity toward me. They supposed I was his confidant, and might be an
agent for the execution of his designs.
These murderers,--(I ask no pardon for so harsh an epithet, for they
were such in thought and deed,)--these Grand Masters, who visited the
colonel while I waited upon him, and thus became personally known, have,
ever since that event, assumed a hostile attitude toward me. It is true
they have never attacked me publicly, yet I am confident they have hired
others to do it. From the time I drew the money put in deposit by
Sandford, and bore off that object of curiosity, so carefully concealed
in the bed, until the day I was chased as a mad dog by an infuriated mob
through the streets of New Orleans, and finally made good my escape
through a troop of less hostile cotton snakes, as recorded in my
Gambling Unmasked, I was singled out as an object of open and private
hate by the whole tribe of organized desperadoes. To recover those
papers, no steps were too desperate for the Grand Masters--they having
any amount of money to accomplish their object; and I am now about to
present the reader with another exhibition of their daring and
indefatigable perseverance.
They now came to the conclusion that those papers had been given to the
officers of the bank, and were deposited in the clerk's office of the
United States court, to be used against them at some future day. They
offered rewards to several of the inferior grade, for the purpose of
getting possession of the box containing the plates, counterfeit money,
and, as they supposed, the lost package. Their only hope now lay in
getting that box. The time of Taylor's trial had been fixed. Mr. Munger
informed me I could leave the city for a few days, and he would let me
know when my services were wanted. I went to Bayou Sara, one hundred and
fifty miles above New Orleans. A few days after my arrival, Mr. Munger
came after me in great haste, bringing the information that a great and
daring burglary had been committed the same night I left the city. The
clerk's office had been entered, and the box, containing Taylor's
indictments, plates, and spurious money, had been taken. Taylor's jury
had not agreed, and he would get clear, in case the box could not be
recovered. He informed me that I had been suspected and accused of the
deed; but that he knew I was innocent, for he had inquired of the boat,
and found I had left on the previous night, some time before the robbery
was committed. He did not wish any one to know that he had any knowledge
of my location, but told me I had nothing to fear. Indeed, I knew I
could prove an ALIBI by more than one person, and I consented to return.
While on our way back to the city, I told Mr. Munger I did not wish to
go into the prison where the younger Brown was confined; I feared he had
some designs upon my life.
"Do not have any apprehensions," said he, "on that account. You will not
be hurt, for you will be put into the debtor's apartment, where Brown is
not permitted to visit, and of course can have no chance to do you an
injury."
I was placed in prison upon my return--a position of greater safety to
me than any other. Being assured by Mr. Munger of protection, I went
without hesitation--expecting to be released the next day. The next
morning I was brought out and informed, to my great surprise, that if
discharged I must furnish a very heavy bail. This was a source of alarm;
but my friend calmed my fears, by saying that all would be right when I
was examined; that the excitement was great, and it was only necessary
to wait for the return of the Lady of the Lake--which was on a trip to
Natchez, and would be back in a few days--when abundant evidence in my
favour would be secured, and I would be acquitted.
In a few days, I was accordingly set at liberty. The plates and papers
had been found in Natchez, and a man by the name of King had been
arrested--who confessed the crime, but alleged that he had been hired by
a certain party to do the deed. This King was one of the brotherhood,
and had been employed by the committee of Grand Masters to enter the
office and secure for them the box, by which they expected to obtain the
package. In this they were mistaken, and placed in a worse dilemma than
before.
On the day of my discharge I was visited by a man, to me unknown. He
informed me that he had procured my acquittal, and was my sincere friend
and well-wisher; that he desired always to remain the same--and would,
during life, on condition that I acted in accordance with his wishes.
I considered him a strange person, to introduce himself in so singular a
manner. He advised me to leave the city as soon as possible. I told him
that was my intention. I likewise informed Mr. Munger of the same, and
he readily consented, as Taylor's trial had been put off. Arrangements
being made with him, I expected to leave the next day. In the mean time,
I had an interview with Cunningham, who told me I must look out, for
the brotherhood in general suspected me of foul play as to the papers. I
denied all knowledge of them--for I found it my only safety to pursue
one uniform course.
He continued: "The party are determined to have them at all hazards, and
are now more convinced than ever that you are in the secret. All the
circumstances are against you--more especially since the custom-house
was broken open, which robbery was perpetrated for the express purpose
of finding the papers. It was thought if the colonel had disposed of
them, they would be found there; but now they will hold you responsible.
I bid you farewell."
On the same evening I had this conversation with Cunningham, I went with
Smith to the gambling-house: the same day, too, on which I won seventy
dollars in the flat boat--the first and dearest money I ever won at
gaming, as it nearly cost me my life--the full account of which is given
in the work previously mentioned.
On the second day after this, as I was about leaving for Mobile, I met
the gentleman who had procured my release. He advised me to depart
forthwith, promising to meet me at another time. As we were separating
he placed in my hands a box.
"Here," said he, "is a box, containing something I wish you to keep with
great care. You must not open it till I give you permission."
I took the same. It was a small box, made of oak, three inches high,
eight long, and five wide. Its possession gave me much uneasiness for
twelve years--during which time I remained faithful to my instructions.
I frequently met with my benefactor. The last time I saw him was in
Philadelphia, in 1841. I have received from him nine letters, in all, of
a good moral character, and always referring to the box. This
individual's name I have never been able to learn. No two letters ever
bore the same signature, but the identity of their contents convinced me
they were all from the same person. That mysterious box I have preserved
to the present day.
It will be remembered by the reader that I confided the papers, taken
from Mrs. B., with a man by the name of Watkins. This individual died
with the cholera, in 1832. I called upon his wife for the package, who
returned the same to me at Cincinnati, in 1833. I found every thing as I
had left it, excepting the blank parchments. They were gone. Here was a
mystery I could not solve. How should a part be missing and not the
whole? I never gained any satisfactory information until last summer.
While travelling through the state of New York, I had occasion to visit
the state's prison, where I met with a certain convict who passed by the
name of Wyatt, but whose real name was Robert H. North. He gave me
information about a certain "FLASH," or comprehensive language used
among professional gamblers and blacklegs. Many of the phrases were
familiar, but I never could ascertain their origin. He was soon
convinced of my ignorance, and then informed me of the society whence
they originated. He likewise explained the reason why I was so
persecuted by the notorious Goodrich. "It is known," said he, "wherever
the fraternity exist, that you obtained the package; but they are
satisfied you destroyed the same, and it is well you did, or else you
would have been put out of the way long before this."
I told him I had taken the package, but there was nothing in it save
letters and a few blank parchments.
He laughed and said:
"If you had WARMED those parchments, they would have presented an
exhibition worthy of your attention."
This information made me restless with excitement and anxiety to peruse
those letters and notes which I still had in my possession. I may here
remark, the letters were, for the most part, unintelligible to a common
reader, because of the secret language in which they were written. I had
examined them again and again, without much satisfaction. I knew they
were penned for the purpose of clandestinely carrying on a wholesale
plunder--a deliberate imposition upon public and private rights. By
frequent perusal I had become familiar with many of the terms which were
often explained to me by those who were acquainted with their use,
though they are used by thousands, without any knowledge of their
origin.
After I commenced an exposure of the vice of gambling, I was often
attacked by certain low, vulgar editors in a manner that indicated
deep-seated malice. I could not account for their abuse. They would
admit that society should be rid of the evil in question, but at the
same time exhibited the most bitter hostility to me as one who had dared
to expose the abominations of gaming. I was conscious there was
something that moved them in their work of calumny not yet developed.
The mystery rendered me unhappy. I was anxious to know the cause of this
public opposition, and the more so, that I might satisfy the people
that the whole arose from influences akin to the vice I was labouring to
destroy. The secret was soon discovered, and I am now prepared to
satisfy the public mind that the attacks upon my present relation to
society have arisen from something more than an ignorant prejudice.
These hireling editors knew I had the materials to draw their portraits
at full length in all their moral hideousness; and they feared society
would be thrown into spasms at the sight, and they would be hurled from
their stations of trust by an enraged and insulted people. It has only
been necessary in one or two instances to give them a few hints of the
information I possessed, and they were hushed up INSTANTER.
A long time had elapsed since I heard from the mysterious stranger who
gave me the box,--long enough, I had supposed, to free me from
obligation of further restraint upon my curiosity. It had now been in my
possession several years, and I felt myself at liberty to examine its
contents. Having consulted with a few friends previously, I then made
known, in the fall of 1842, to Rev. John F. Wright--formerly of the
Methodist Book Concern, Cincinnati--that I had such a box, and my
intentions. I likewise gave the same information to Arthur
Vance--formerly of Lawrenceburgh, Indiana--Mr. John Norton, of
Lexington, Kentucky--Thomas M. Gallay, of Wheeling, Virginia. I informed
each of them how I came by the box, and the unaccountable conduct of the
man who placed it in my hands. Having opened it, I found the same number
of parchments I had missed from the package, all blank in appearance. In
these was a note, which read as follows:
"THE PARCHMENTS, NOW IN THE HANDS OF THE POSSESSOR, CONTAIN MUCH SAD
INTELLIGENCE, AND CAN BE READ, PROVIDED THEY ARE HEATED. THEY ARE
EXPOSED BY A BROTHER OF THE BAND, A DOOMED MAN, ONE THE WORLD HAS KNOWN
TO ITS SORROW FOR FORTY YEARS. MAY THE OWNER AND HOLDER CONSIDER THE
DOOMED ONE A MOST KIND FRIEND FOR EVER!
"New Orleans, May 3d, 1832."
I soon hastened to ascertain the contents of the parchments, and found
the statement made correct.
CHAPTER XI.
The contents of these papers are such as almost stagger belief, even in
the most credulous. They not only go to prove the existence of a league
of villany, but also laid open the machinery by which their wickedness
was concealed; still, from many incidents of my own life, and from what
I have learned by observing events which have transpired around me, as
well as from narratives of undoubted truth which I have heard, I am
constrained to believe that the band above alluded to does now exist,
and that it has flourished for a long time, with astonishing power.
I have reason to suppose that many of the band settled in and about
Lawrenceburgh, Indiana; and from the year 1800 to 1827, they were very
numerous, and some of them wealthy; they were mostly close traders, who
turned every cent they got, honestly or dishonestly, into real estate.
Many of them, also, were well educated, and composed the _aristocracy_,
while the _poor honest_ man was crowded down by these _influential
members of society_.
There are now three classes of wealthy men in that neighbourhood: the
honest, whose property was obtained fairly; the members of the band; and
some, of whom I am doubtful whether they belong to the band or not. If
they do not, they are villains by nature, and do not need their
assistance.
In the year 1846, I delivered a lecture at Lawrenceburgh, in which I
exposed this band, and showed the manner in which their correspondence
was carried on. The old members of the band had art enough to persuade
the doubtful rogues that they were the persons alluded to, and they
believed it. Whether conscience had any thing to do with their belief or
not, I do not pretend to say; but the community generally seemed quite
ready to grant them that honour. It was very amusing to notice the
difference between the conduct of the guilty and that of the innocent,
in relation to the exposure. The "Brotherhood," all at once, were very
much concerned about the fair fame of their neighbourhood--called me a
slanderer, and in fact caused a much greater excitement against
themselves than would have occurred, had they kept still; while the
honest citizens quietly asked for the names of the "brothers," and
whether any of their relations belonged to them; they begged me to go
on, and expose every member.
Since 1802, many robberies have been committed under circumstances which
strongly indicate that such a band existed. Public agents, and other
highly respectable citizens, have been robbed of funds which they held
in trust, and no trace of the robbers could be found, and no curiosity
seemed to be excited by the fact. Sometimes the person robbed shared in
the spoils, and sometimes they were innocent; and it has sometimes
happened that the innocent man was suspected. The honest citizens of
Lawrenceburgh have, for forty years, known what a curse it is to have
bad neighbours.
During the excitement occasioned by my lectures above mentioned, a
resident of Lawrenceburgh related the following incident, which is only
one among many which might be named to show the nature of the
transactions in which these men engaged, and their facilities for
carrying them out. I will give it as nearly as I can recollect in his
own words:
"During the year 1832, a stranger came into the town of Lawrenceburgh,
and for several days was noticed in the public places watching every one
who passed, as if looking for some one. At length he came to me, and
told me that he wished my assistance in the business on which he came,
but that it would be necessary to keep the matter secret. I answered,
that if it were proper, I had no objections to secrecy. He then related
the following facts as introductory to his business.
"He resided in Ohio; some eighteen months previous a friend had been
induced to purchase a large drove of hogs for the market; he made the
purchase on credit, with a promise to pay when he returned. While he was
preparing to start, Daniel and James Brown bargained and contracted for
them, to be delivered at a certain landing on Lake Erie, at a certain
day, at which place and time they promised to meet and pay him. He
gathered his drove, and proceeded to the landing, where he arrived
several days before the time appointed. He was there met by some men,
who told him that Brown had been there, and left word for him to drive
the hogs to a landing two or three days' journey further on, where he
had made arrangements to butcher and pack them. He went as directed; he
found neither of the Browns there, but found the men who had directed
him before; they informed him that they had orders to commence killing
and packing the hogs, and that Mr. Brown would be there that day, or
the next. He consented, and the hogs were killed and packed. A merchant
at the landing advanced money to pay the man, and also furnished salt,
and barrels on credit. On the day that all was finished, the two Browns
arrived, bringing with them another large drove. They pretended to be
very much surprised to find our friend there, and much more so to find
the hogs butchered. They declared that they had not bargained for the
slaughter of the hogs, and that they contracted for them in another
place, and would have nothing to do with them here; that he had broken
his contract, and they should demand heavy damages. He sought for the
men who had directed him hither, but they had dispersed as soon as paid,
and no trace of them was to be found. He told the Browns how he had been
deceived, but they denied all knowledge of the affair, and again talked
of damages. The merchant then presented his bill for supplies, and money
advanced to butchers and packers. Our friend not having the money, he
seized on the pork. What could he do? The case was desperate. He had
bought on credit; would his pitiful story satisfy his creditors? His
character was ruined. You may imagine the state of his mind. At this
crisis, the Messrs. Brown took him aside, and told him that since he was
in difficulty, they were willing to befriend him, and to show him how he
could soon make money enough to pay off his creditors. An oath of
secrecy was required and given. They then offered to settle the
merchant's bills, which were very extravagant, and pay him for the pork
in counterfeit money, at twenty per cent., with which he was to buy
stock through the country. In his despair, he consented; a few days
after he was detected, arrested, and tried, under a false name, and
condemned to the Ohio penitentiary. His friends, remaining entirely
ignorant of his fate, began to suspect foul play. The Messrs. Brown
effected his pardon, and hurried him away; but not before he had
contrived to make known his story, and the fact that he was under
restraint among a band of bad men, and that he could not escape without
assistance. He was never heard of more.
"The stranger gave me his address, and requested that I would keep an
eye upon the people who should come there, and if I should see the
Browns, or hear of his unfortunate friend, that I should let him know.
He had visited Lawrenceburgh, because that was the former residence of
these two men, and he hoped to see them; but being disappointed, he was
compelled to go back to the family of the lost neighbour without having
received any intelligence of his fate."
The reader will have seen by this time, that, probably, the whole
transaction was arranged before the man bought the first hoof of that
drove of hogs. Some emissary of the Browns advised him to speculate in
pork; to use his credit, which was good, and he did not see the Browns
till he was preparing to start. They make him liberal offers, because
they never intend to pay, and it matters little what they offer. He then
sends some of the meaner members of the gang to the landing, to order
him a few days' journey further, and there they meet him again, and
butcher, and pack the hogs. They are well paid for their villany by the
job, which they take care to make a fat one. The merchant was paid for
his part of the rascality by the profit on his stores, and perhaps by a
bonus out of the money advanced. They then thought that if they could
implicate him in any unlawful business, he would tell no tales about
them; accordingly, they entice him, or rather drive him to the
counterfeit trade. But conscience makes bad men cowards, and they felt
uneasy, so, by means of some of the band, they have him arrested; the
proof is so positive that he must be convicted, and the poor fellow was
thrown into the penitentiary. But even here they did not consider him
safe, although under a false name; so, through the influence of some of
the _aristocracy_, they get him pardoned; and then the moment he is
free, they meet him, tell him of all they have done for him, and propose
a new scene of action. Poor fellow, what can he do? He goes with them to
this new scene of action, but in all probability he finds it a state of
_rest_, for "dead men tell no tales."
Thus, for the paltry price of a drove of hogs, was an honest man ruined,
and, for fear of detection, murdered.
CHAPTER XII.
Probably in no era of the world, and certainly never among a Christian
people, was there formed a more bold, daring, and, at the same time,
secret association, than the one whose constitution and by-laws we now
present to the reader. Composed of men of all classes and grades in
society, from the priest at the altar, the judge on the bench, the
lawyer at the bar, down to the most common felon and street thief or
pickpocket, all bound together by a solemn oath, they laboured for the
general cause of secret plunder, to the enriching of themselves at the
expense of the mass. But having previously shown how I procured my
information regarding these desperadoes, I shall leave farther comment
on their acts, for the present, to the public, before whose tribunal
they must be arraigned, and proceed at once to present their
CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS.
_Hanging Rock, Western District of Virginia,
July 12, 1798._
SECTION I.--_Art. 1._ This society shall be known by the name of the
SECRET BAND OF BROTHERS.
_Art. 2._ It shall be governed by brethren who have become prominent by
their many valiant deeds for the promotion of the society.
_Art. 3._ The officers of this society shall be known as Grand Masters,
and shall be duly authorized, by this constitution, to initiate, as
members of this society, any male or female, who comes well and duly
recommended by a brother, in good standing, as having served the
probation which this constitution requires.
_Art. 4._ It shall be the duty of a brother, before he gives the
applicant information who the Band of Brothers are, to take him on
probation three months, during which time he shall notify the Grand
Master, that at such a date he will introduce the person, on probation,
for initiation.
_Art. 5._ It shall be the duty of the Grand Master to notify all the
Brotherhood, so far as he has it in his power, that such an individual
will pray for the privilege of becoming a member of the Honourable
Brotherhood, at such a date; and to likewise apprize them of the duty
set apart, so far as in the power of each member, to carefully scan the
motives of the said candidate, and, if they can ascertain by word, deed
or action, that the candidate is not a fit person to become a member, to
convey the same to the brother who recommended him, and the same must,
in all cases, apprize the Worthy Grand what has been said against, and
in favour of the said candidate;--and it must be strictly observed, that
in no case shall the Worthy Grand condescend to be introduced without
proper notice; and the same must in all cases be strictly obeyed.
_Art. 6._ It shall be the duty of every member to make the candidate the
subject of trial, in every secret manner which he may think profitable
to test his qualities as a true believer in the virtue of the
Brotherhood; and likewise to throw every temptation in his way, which
may be likely to sour his disposition against the formalities of the
world, and thereby lead him into a closer commune with the Holy
Brotherhood, of which he is to become a member, and which he is to
believe to be true and honest in every sense of the word; and that all
other religions and creeds are base, and founded upon speculative
motives--that this is the only TRUE, by which he must stand through good
or ill, and never secede, on pain of death on earth, and punishment
eternal hereafter.
_Art. 7._ It shall be the duty of every brother to be strictly on his
guard, concerning this brave and generous band, and give no intimation
to any mortal being of its existence, unless he is fully persuaded that
he or they are worthy by thought and act of the high and honourable
character which the honourable body will ever confer upon them, by
receiving them as men and brethren, worthy of the protection of the only
true society under Heaven.
_Art. 8._ It shall be the duty of all, both members and Masters, to
guard against the influence of party spirit, either political or
religious, as termed by a certain class of people, who, from their weak
and shattered principles, have been led to suppose that the great and
overruling Bible, among certain classes, is the Divine inspiration of
the Deity, and was hewn from a solid rock, for the purpose of satisfying
all men of the power of God, whom this band hold sacred, as a being of
unchangeable character, who will, in the immortal state, prepare an
everlasting place of rest for all who do not by their oaths confirm the
total disapprobation of his supernatural power.
_Art. 9._ It shall be the duty of all brethren of this benevolent band,
in their becoming members of this Christian (!) fraternity, to deny the
principles of the book called the Bible, to be other than the work of
priestcraft, got up to delude the weaker portion of mankind, and whose
principles have been carried out to the uttermost parts of the earth,
until even the heathen have suffered by the base intrigue of
missionaries, of this rascally compilation of nonsense, by being made
subservient to their most outrageous and villanous transactions.
_Art. 10._ That we do deplore the perversion of the power of God, as men
and Christians, and believe it highly commendable to this, the only true
society of Christian principles, to associate and connect ourselves with
all churches, of every denomination, and with all societies, not for the
purpose of supporting them, but through these means to the furthering of
our own designs.
_Art. 11._ That we labour to make proselytes of all with whom we come in
contact, when it can be done without suspicion and danger to ourselves;
that we believe this a true principle--founded upon Nature herself, our
ruler--that policy dictates to us the necessity of keeping at peace with
the world, and often appearing humble and Godlike, that we may be taken
as pious and God-serving people: at the same time, that we keep our
"lights so shining," that all who wish, may be able to understand,
appreciate, and embrace our principles.
_Art. 12._ That we hold, as a duty to mankind, that the God of nature,
the only God, has made a benevolent donation to all his beings; and that
it is against the principles of true Christianity, to allow one man to
fare sumptuously day by day, while his neighbours, as good by nature,
and far better by practice, shall be made his servants;--and therefore,
we, the members of this honourable body, do pledge ourselves to try, by
every means in our power, to diffuse the necessaries of life throughout
the universe, that all may fare alike who live as Nature's Christians.
_Art. 13._ We pledge ourselves to take from the rich, and give to the
poor; and, as none of the honourable body wish for more than the God of
Nature has given--which is an abundance of this world's goods--we agree
to take from the one, and give to the other; and that the wealthy, or
the enemies of this society, shall be the ones we will strive to harass,
by disapprobation of their tyrannical course; and no respect will we pay
to persons, either politically or religiously, but swear to prove true
to all the bearings which we have laid down in this our Constitution.
_Art. 14._ We pledge ourselves to strive for the promotion of the true
principles as set apart by us, and to use every means in our power to
enlarge our institution, and to abhor--save when dictated by
policy--everything like priestcraft, (such as may be found in that book,
called the Bible, in the twentieth chapter of Exodus, and known as the
"ten commandments," which were said to have been written by the finger
of God, and which have since been the cause of nine-tenths of the crime
against the welfare of mankind,) and yet to take every means in our
power--knowing, as we do, that we are the only rightful Christians, and
few in number, in comparison with the other denominations--to carry out
our motives, as dictated by policy, by linking ourselves to them by
bonds of this same priestcraft; in other words, to be, if possible,
promoted to the charge of their flocks, as priests or ministers; and all
advancement of the like shall be duly appreciated by every worthy
member; and the industrious and honest brother, so succeeding, shall be
looked up to, and respected as one of more than ordinary talent.
_Art. 15._ We pledge ourselves to educate our children so as, if
possible, to prevent them from becoming members of any society save that
of the Holy Band,--known as the Secret Band of Brothers--the only
correct and Christian people that strive to place all men upon an equal
footing,--and, furthermore, to destroy all principles we may from time
to time see developing in favour of that class of people whom the world
calls Christians, and that we do sincerely feel it a duty we owe to
ourselves and the God of Nature, to try, by every means in our
power--and in this case all means shall be considered justifiable--to
overthrow all institutions which take the Bible as their standard--as we
hold that the God of Nature has set apart for us three principles and no
other.
First: That all men are made to live their time of probation on earth,
and are not answerable hereafter for any deed they may commit, so it be
sanctioned by the laws or constitution of this society.
Second: That the course mankind in general pursues, particularly the
so-styled religious class of community, is wholly contrary to our views,
and therefore wrong; and that the God of Nature, as our God, requires
that we put down the fabulous book called the Bible, to save mankind
from priestcraft and delusion, and bring them over to our principles.
Third: That there is but one unpardonable sin, which is, to allow
Christians, our tyrants, to progress when we can make them retard, by
leaguing ourselves with, and instilling into their minds, and more
particularly their offspring, all the noble sentiments which may tend to
overthrow former prejudice and eradicate the present false views of
moralists, until the Bible shall be looked upon by them in the light it
now is by the followers of Mahomet, and until all the present laws of
society be considered tyrannical and unjust.
_Art. 16._ The God of Nature, we hold as our God, has in no principle
required us, through his wise construction of our component parts, to be
in any manner driven by, or subject to man,--that He, as a wise,
intelligent being, created all mankind upon an equality, and that all
men should so stand in regard to each other--that no being was ever
placed upon this earth to rule as monarch over others,--and, therefore,
that all monarchies, all governments, which are headed by rulers, such
as kings, presidents, governors, &c., are unlawful in the sight of God,
and unjust--and that we, as men and Christians of the Holy Brotherhood,
do hereby pledge ourselves, aye, do swear by all we hold sacred, that we
will use all the cunning of our natures to put down all kingdoms, all
governments which are ruled by crowned heads, presidents, or governors,
or ruled by any principle of religion other than, nature--and that all
religion, priestcraft, &c., is unholy in the sight of the Most High God,
and that He requires of us, as a paramount duty, that we labour
zealously for its final extermination, to the glory of Him and the
benefit of mankind here and hereafter.
_Art. 17._ We hold that the foregoing articles are wholly correct, and
fully sanctioned by the God of Nature--that whoever of our fraternity
proves in anywise recreant to them is a traitor to us, to himself, and
his God;--that the candidate for membership, in view of this, does by
this article most solemnly declare and avow that all the foregoing are
according to his most unbiased views--that such, and only such, he will
ever support, nor shrink, nor waver from, nor expose the same, even in
the agonies of death, on flood, or field, in prison, on the rack,
scaffold, or feathered couch--that he understands this fully, and all
the bearings of it, with all of the foregoing, his name, which he
deliberately, without compulsion, sets to this constitution, stands as
lasting, undeniable proof--that he has come to this solemn determination
after calm, mature deliberation--that he is over twenty-two years of
age--and, finally, that he is willing to go through with all the oaths
and ceremonies which this band sees proper to impose; in proof whereof,
he now repeats the following
PRAYER.
Almighty and all-merciful God! the Great Author and Disposer of all
beings! I hereby pledge myself, in thy sight, to keep sacred the
holy principles, one and all, which I this day have had set before
and disclosed to me, by the Worthy Grand Master of the most ancient
order under heaven--known by the appellation of the Secret Band of
Brothers--and I pray thee, Almighty God! to watch the workings of
my cultivated nature; and, Heavenly Father! keep me sane in mind,
that I may always know the everlasting punishment which awaits me,
if I prove recreant to the vows which I herewith do take upon me,
with my own free will, in thy holy sight--and I pray thee, Almighty
God! should I prove false to the vow or vows I now make, in
becoming a member of this Holy Brotherhood, to shut from me the
light of thy countenance--to visit the wrath of thy indignation
upon me--to let my walks here on earth be paths of desolation, at
the end of which be famine and death, and, in the world to come,
torment and more tormenting pains racking my soul for ever! But,
Almighty God! should I keep and carry out these, the only true
principles, which thou in thy wisdom hast set aside for thy
children to follow, then mayest thou be pleased to grant me a
well-spent closing life on earth, and an undying existence with
thee in thy holy kingdom of heaven!--Amen.
_Art. 18._ The foregoing articles having been read and acceded to by the
candidate for membership, and the prayer having been repeated by him, he
shall be considered a member of this fraternity--known as the Secret
Band of Brothers--and the Grand Master shall then proceed with the
following:--
Most worthy Brother! You have now been initiated into some of the
secrets of the Holy Brotherhood, otherwise called the Secret Band of
Brothers; you have become a member of an Order which, I trust, you will
ever cherish--feeling it is worthy of any of God's children; and, if you
so consider it, and also consider yourself a true and lawful member, you
will now make the same manifest by an inclination of your head, in token
of assent,
_Art. 19._ The member having bowed in assent, the Grand Master shall
again proceed, as follows:--
Now, Brother, you, through choice, can take one degree, which will
entitle you to a benefit in sickness or in distress; and likewise
entitle you to the use of the SCALE, which will enable you to converse
with any Brother without any possible chance of detection, by paying the
trifling sum of twenty-five cents per month, to the Worthy Grand, who is
the proper person for you to apply to for assistance, which in all
cases must be done verbally:--in token of assent that you wish this
degree conferred upon you, you will now lay your hand upon your heart
and answer in the affirmative.
_Art. 20._ After conferring the foregoing degree, the Grand Master shall
again proceed, as follows:
Brother, it is now my pleasant duty to inform you that the degree just
taken entitles you to a full membership of the Holy Brotherhood, and
also entitles you to a benefit of thirty-three cents per day, if
imprisoned, or confined by sickness, caused by exposure or
otherwise,--which you, in all cases, must make known to the Worthy
Grand, if possible, through a Brother, but by no other process; and you
must be careful to observe one particular point, which is, NEVER, under
any circumstance, to approach the Worthy Grand as an intimate
acquaintance, for fear of being suspected as such, and thereby bringing
mistrust upon him through some person who may have had their eye upon
you, as a man not carrying out the principles which they approve of as
being the ones best calculated to promote their priestcraft.
_Art. 21._ The Grand Master shall thus continue:
You being now a member of this Holy Brotherhood, it falls to my lot to
apprize you of the position which you now occupy, and some of the duties
incumbent upon you. This society claims you as a Brother, and, should
you be sick, will prepare hospitable means for your comfort--should you
be in difficulty, through misfortune, you will ever find friends ready
and willing to assist you: should you for any offence be brought to
trial, your judges, jurors, witnesses, &c., you will find composed of
men selected from this Holy Brotherhood: you have the privilege at any
time to go and come as you please, to retire or live in public life; but
you are to make known every transaction whereby certain classes may be
considered as dishonest--and if the person offending is not committed by
a Brother, you are bound, if possible, to see that the offender is
brought before the tyrannical bar, and, likewise, if it lies in your
power, to have the said offender convicted; and, if convicted, it shall
furthermore be your duty to apprize the Grand Master the length of time
he is sentenced, to what prison, and what punishment--as we, as men and
Christians, hold it a duty for each member to throw every obstacle in
the way of the people CALLED Christians, for the purpose of bringing
them to the laws which Nature's God has set apart.
_Art. 22._ Having now informed you of some of the benefits and duties
falling upon you, as a Brother, I now come to an article of penalty,
which you will find requires your close attention, as follows:
If you betray a Brother, this Constitution allots to you but one
punishment, which is--#DEATH BY VIOLENT MEANS!#--AND THIS SENTENCE WILL
SURELY BE CARRIED INTO EFFECT--as sure as that there is a sun at
noonday, or stars at night; and the Brother, so terminating your career,
shall receive, in compensation, the sum of THREE HUNDRED DOLLARS, which
shall be paid to him by a Grand Master, for this society.
_Art. 23._ If you are ever true and faithful to the Brotherhood, you
shall be sustained by them, in all your undertakings, right or wrong;
and should you meet with danger, by reason of the Brotherhood, which
sometimes happens, by your making the same known to the Grand Master, he
will, if your quarterly and annual payments have been regularly made,
refund you the full amount. You will be charged, annually, five dollars
for your head, and a half cent per annum on all your common chattels and
freehold property,--which you will be required to pay in advance,
yearly, to ensure you the benefit and full privilege of the Secret Band
of Brothers' Mutual Insurance; the principle of which is adopted for the
special benefit of the Brotherhood, as we feel no interest in
befriending any, not even our own blood relations, unless with a motive
of sooner or later bringing to bear our Christian creed, and making them
true and faithful Brethren.
_Art. 24._ If at any time you think it would be policy for you to
withdraw--or, in other words, retire--you will find it beneficial for
you to watch for, and detect every species of fraud--done by any other
clan than the Brotherhood--and convey the same to your worthy Brethren;
and in all cases, do all you can to make war with what the self-styled
Christians call moral principles; and whenever you see or hear of an
imprudent act in a Brother, it shall be your duty to convey the fact to
the Brother--if not by your own tongue, by that of some Brother of the
band,--and if you see any manifestations made throughout the community
of a moral, or, what is termed of a religious nature, it shall be your
duty to oppose and oppress the leaders in every shape and manner
possible, as we hold all such calculated to keep in darkness many who
might, otherwise, be made true and faithful Brethren, and followers of
Nature's God: and the moral part of the community, so termed, who will
not give us an opportunity to enroll their names, watch; and if by aping
them you can make inroads upon their creeds, or false views, you will
add not only to the promotion of the society, but will sustain a
character throughout the Brotherhood, not to be forgotten; and,
furthermore, as there are many ways to find out the principles of men,
it is to be the constant duty of each member of this Brotherhood, to
take advantage of every opportunity of finding out the opinions of the
mass--by talking as much as possible about the villanous transactions
which happened at an early day, in the new settlements, and the active
part which he took in detecting the band, &c.--by which means he not
only learns who are friendly towards the promotion of this Brotherhood,
but also who are the ones for this society to watch as their most deadly
enemies;--and a Brother must, in no case, refuse to give money for the
construction of the most popular churches, and must always pay great
respect to the priests--for through them we hope to hide many of what
might be termed, by our enemies, deeds of darkness; but such as we, as
men and Christians, believe to be lawful and proper duties: and one who
does not comply with the rules and regulations of this band so far as in
his power, after having taken the solemn oath, shall be treated by all
honourable members as unworthy of their protection, and shall be
proscribed by the Brotherhood--WHICH PROSCRIPTION LEAVES HIM LIABLE TO
SUDDEN AND VIOLENT DEATH, AT ANY MOMENT!
_Art. 25._ Each member who has been duly sworn in, as Grand Master, can
have the privilege of withdrawing his name from the Holy Brotherhood, by
recommending one whom he considers worthy, and in whom he pledges
himself can be put unbounded confidence, and one who has never failed to
pay his quarterage and yearly dues in advance; (as such a failure
assuredly prohibits him from promotion;) and this office grants to the
holder his travelling expenses, and two dollars per day, while on
business of the society, and, likewise, secures him double the benefit
of a private, in sickness or difficulty. Now, therefore, Brother, you
have the full meaning of the foregoing, and the same chance of promotion
as either of the Brethren.
SECT. II. _Art. 1._ The Grand Masters of this society shall consist of
six, to every fifty mile square,--five of whom have no power, other than
to bear the annual returns, in case of absence or sickness of the
principal Grand--in which case they are entitled to his pay, for their
services and expenses--said pay to be deducted from the moneys in their
possession, at the meeting of the society; and in case of death or
resignation, the seat or seats of the former Grand or Grands must be
filled by the next Grand or Grands, in rank--said rank to be through the
official age of the subordinates; whose seats, as THEY rise, must again
be filled by some one of the private members, whose appointment must be
confirmed by a petition, signed by three-fourths of the Brethren; and,
in case of two or more candidates running for the same office, the one
having the most names shall be considered duly elected--whereupon he
must solemnly pledge himself to keep the funds intrusted to him,
belonging to the Brotherhood, secure; that should he, at any time, be
required to resign, by three-fourths of the Grands, he will make due
returns of all moneys in his possession; and that, in all cases, he will
be ready to render a correct account of all moneys received and paid out
by him, which account shall, also, be duly made out and handed in at
every annual meeting.
_Art. 2._ It shall be the duty of every Principal Grand to keep his
accounts, and the Constitution of this society, written on paper, with a
certain kind of acid, which cannot be read, unless held to the fire,
when the heat will bring to the face of the paper the desired
intelligence; and it shall, furthermore, be the duty of the Grand Master
to commit to memory this Constitution and By-laws,--that he may, at any
time, be able to give any passage verbatim, without the assistance of
referring to the article itself, as it endangers the Brotherhood to have
the documents on hand;--and it shall also be the duty of the Grand
Masters, in office, to supply the five, who are not matured officers,
with one article at a time, until they commit the same to memory; when
it shall be their duty to instruct them the manner in which the same is
written in acid; and then to demand a written Constitution from each,
which, if not written correctly, must be corrected and returned every
three months, until perfected.
_Art. 3._ It shall be the duty of the Grand Masters to examine their
five subordinate officers, four times each year, until they find each
capable of drafting a constitution, and of giving each article its
correct No. and proper place,--with full instructions as to secrecy, in
keeping all the six words, with their proper tables, from the ordinary
members--as the ordinary members are not entitled to the use of the six
words, which are termed Qualities;--and, furthermore, if any of the
Grand Masters know of a letter of importance, which one of the members
has written to a Grand Master or Subordinate Grand, it shall be the duty
of the said Grand Master, if possible, to QUALIFY the letter, either
upon the inside or outside, as the case may be--for the qualities are
highly essential,--and it shall still, furthermore, be the duty of all
Grand Masters, to teach their Brethren the necessity of their committing
as much of the language as shall be given them on their initiation; and,
likewise, the great importance, for the general safety, that all letters
shall contain as much of the secret language as can be made to answer
the purpose,--because it will be easily read by the Grand Masters, and
common members, but will be impossible for the worldly people to
unravel.
_Art. 4._ It shall be further observed, that no Grand, if known to
reveal to any common member more than the initiation prayer, and what
has been specified in the foregoing--with the exception of the meaning
of the figure 9, in the fourth column, to which all are entitled--can be
thought worthy of the honourable Grand's station; and in no case can
such an offence be forgiven--and that, as a punishment for such an
offence, he shall not only be discharged from the high and honourable
office of Grand Master, but shall have a vote of censure passed upon
him, which shall for ever disqualify him from holding office; and he
shall, thenceforth, be closely watched, and in case he shows, or in any
way manifests, any sign of malicious disapprobation, he shall be tried
in secret, by the Grands and members of his District; and upon
three-fourths giving their opinion that he is an enemy to the
Brotherhood, it shall be the duty of the Grand Master to take him on
probation, six months, and apprize him of the fact, that he is, in the
opinion of the Brotherhood, acting, or about to act, a treacherous
part,--and that he has been granted the state of probation, and the
privilege of leaving the District, or changing his treacherous
principles:--if he choose the former, his name must be sent to every
Grand Master in the Union; if he choose the latter, his after good works
must recommend him; but in case he should refuse either, it shall be the
duty of the Grand Master to put upon his head the usual reward--of a
traitor, which is three hundred dollars, to whoever takes his life, with
the highest approbation which can be placed upon the Brother, so doing,
by his honest Brethren.
[The following qualities are known and used by the Grand Masters alone,
the common members being wholly ignorant of their existence; and thus it
is, that these grandees can so completely foil their followers, without
the least risk of the latter being the wiser. The qualities are made for
the special purpose of designating each individual, and at the same time
be entirely safe from the least suspicion. When a Grand Master has had
the honour of promotion conferred, he is supplied with the table of
qualities; likewise the secret of correspondence is submitted to his
confidence, under an oath, the penalty of which is death, if he, by
word, deed, or action develop, or by any means expose, the principles of
his special charge. After he has taken the solemn oath, the chief Grand
gives him the secret for preparing the sympathetic ink, which is used
upon all occasions where one Grand is corresponding with another; and
where a Brother is about to travel, it is the duty of the Grand Master
presiding, in the district where he resides, to give him a plain letter
of recommendation, with the private qualities in cipher, in a definite
manner, that the Grand Master who receives the same may not be deceived;
and ofttimes has the poor ninny carried in his supposed letter his death
warrant. As the secret of the cipher is not known to any but those of
the fraternity who have been promoted above the ranks of the
subordinate, it leaves the latter completely in the hands of their Grand
Masters. But we would not have our readers to understand, by our
explanation, that it is our belief, that the private qualities are
always carried out to a letter, as laid down in their constitution and
by-laws; yet we have no hesitation in saying, that we believe that the
members live more closely to their profession than many of our Christian
institutions; and that there are many that walk as near the line of
their profession as they know how, we have every reason to believe from
the daily illustrations we have of depravity among us. We therefore give
you the correct qualities of the Grand Masters, which are held entirely
apart from the common Brotherhood, by the preceding restrictions set
forth in this note.]
_Art. 5._ The Grand Master shall be fully invested with power to give
out the following catalogue of useful flash words. The six words of
QUALITY are highly beneficial in conversation, and must, in all cases,
be used when one is present who is not known to be a member. By this
means can be found out the strange Brethren, who are ever ready for any
sound so familiar to their ears. The dualities, also, serve to advance
the Brethren, who are made acquainted with them, to the higher seats of
honour, and are as follows:
First: HUSKA--a flash word, signifying GOOD--is fully described by the
subjoined numbers, the signification of which is annexed:
No. 1 signifies Bold.
" 2 " Intrepid.
No. 3 signifies Artful.
" 4 " Undaunted.
" 5 " Cunning.
" 6 " Active.
" 7 " Assiduous.
" 8 " Temperate.
" 9 " A true Brother, without cultivation--meaning one who,
from infancy, has had sufficient strength of mind to carry out his
principles. This number is considered highly honourable to the Brother
bearing it, who is said to have the same conferred upon him by the God
of Nature.
Second: CAUGH--a flash word, signifying BAD--is also described as
follows:
No. 1 signifies Treacherous.
" 2 " Ungrateful.
" 3 " Presumptuous.
" 4 " Meddlesome.
" 5 " Quarrelsome.
" 6 " Impudent.
" 7 " Imprudent.
" 8 " Dilatory.
" 9 " Intemperate.
This last number is one which will prohibit whoever is entitled to it,
from holding the high and honourable office of Grand Master; and whoever
is known to sell or give intoxicating liquors to a Brother, for the
purpose of making him subserve to his avaricious purpose, shall be
highly censured, and made to pay over double the amount which the victim
has lost. If a Brother sees proper to distil, or vend intoxicating
spirits, and at the same time notifies the Brethren, when they call on
him, that he does not make and sell the same for any other purpose than
to prostrate the minds of the tyrannical priestcraft, and their victims,
he shall be sustained in his noble enterprise.
Third: NAUGH--a flash word, signifies SIZE AND COMPLEXION--and,
therefore, each number has a double meaning.
No. 1 signifies the person to be Large and Tall.
" 2 " " Low and Heavy.
" 3 " " Tall and Slender.
" 4 " " Medium.
" 5 " " Small.
" 6 " " Sandy Complexion.
" 7 " " Light Complexion.
" 8 " " Dark Complexion,
" 9 " " Coloured.
A person of the last-named colour is never to be admitted, unless as an
outlaw, who is to be used by the Worthy Grand, and who is to be so
educated that he will not dare to commit any daring act, without
permission from the Worthy Grand; and it shall be highly reprehensible
in any Brother to converse with any coloured Brother, upon any business
pertaining to the Brotherhood; and all such shall lay themselves liable
to a vote of censure--as the man of colour is not admitted for other
purpose, than to carry out deeds thought highly honourable, but which
many worthy Brethren dislike to execute, but for which the Worthy Grand
can always depend on his coloured Brother; and, furthermore, should he
be detected, the Brotherhood will be in no manner endangered, as the
coloured Brother's testimony cannot be used against them.
Fourth: MAUGH--a flash word, signifying PROFESSION--is designated thus:
No. 1 signifies a Brother of wealth and a Labourer.
" 2 " Seaman.
" 3 " Lawyer.
" 4 " Physician.
" 5 " Mechanic.
" 6 " Merchant.
" 7 " Sporting Man.
" 8 " Planter or Farmer.
+
" 9 " Felon.
This last number is considered in a different light from any of the
others. When a cross is placed over it, it signifies that the Brother
bearing it has been a martyr in the great and noble cause of Equal
Rights; or, in other words, that in performing his duty as a freeman, he
has been seized and cast into prison by the tyrants of the world: and it
shall be considered a deed worthy of censure, for any Brother to
mistreat, or throw any obstacle in the way of another, who may be
entitled to the cross over the figure 9, in the fourth line of
Quality;--and all members, both officers and privates, are entitled to
know the meaning of the mark over the figure 9; and if any Brother says
he is entitled to said mark, all Brethren are, in a measure, bound to
believe him--as it will be expected that no Brother will be base enough
to attempt a deception of this kind; for the truth can always be
ascertained by writing to the Worthy Grand of the District where he was
sentenced--whose duty it shall be to answer the epistle correctly and
promptly; and in case any Brother shall make a false statement in this
respect--or in fact in any other--he shall be branded as
dishonourable--shall be publicly exposed to all of the Brethren
present--and his name sent, by the Grand Master, to all other Grand
Masters of the several Districts, so that it may be marked on their
several books as a Brother who cannot be depended upon under any
circumstances.
Fifth: HAUGH--a flash word, signifying DISEASE--embracing under it,
imperfections, scars, marks, &c.--is described as follows:
No. 1 signifies Consumptive.
" 2 " Rheumatical.
" 3 " Gout.
" 4 " Dropsical.
" 5 " Hypochondriacal.
" 6 " Scrofulous.
" 7 " Stoppage in Speech, or Stuttering.
" 8 " Pox-marked, or Hair-lipped.
" 9 " Loss of an eye, tooth, or limb--a bald
head, or any noted scar exposed. This number will require close
inspection, in order to avoid being deceived; as the mechanical
construction of wigs, glass eyes, false teeth, wooden legs, false
whiskers, &c., has been brought to such perfection, that, without the
very closest scrutiny, they will, many times, escape our observation,
and pass as the real members created by the God of Nature.
Sixth: GAUGH--a flash word, signifying AGE AND MANNER OF SPEECH--is
described as follows:
No. 1 denotes the person to be 70.
" 2 " " from 50 to 60.
" 3 " " " 40 to 55.
" 4 " " " 30 to 40.
" 5 " " " 21 to 30.
No. 6 denotes the person to be Very Gray.
" 7 " " Dappled.
" 8 " " Quick Spoken.
" 9 " " Slow and Indistinct.
These private Qualities are not to be explained to any but Grand
Masters; and when a Brother becomes familiar with these private
dualities, he can correspond with other Masters, without any fear of
detection, as all of the Qualities, though apparently simple, are
impossible for any one to understand, unless he has the key; and he who
shall DARE to instruct another in this mystery, unless entitled to it by
the law of our constitution, will find it would have been better for him
had a mill-stone been tied about his neck, and he been cast in the bosom
of the deepest sea.
[The table of "flash" words contained in article sixth, section second,
are words used among the fraternity in general, and by the common
members believed to be the only secret language of the order. In this
they have been kept wholly ignorant, by the cunning of their leaders. We
have but little doubt in our mind that there may have been a great many
words added to the original vocabulary, since the adoption of the
constitution, as we find among the gamblers, and other dishonest men,
language entirely incomprehensible to all without a key. The gambler,
though not anywise connected, stands in his profession ready to
conciliate them in their works of death, under the horrible idea that
Nature, as their God, has plainly sanctioned the profession. And the
religion of Nature they aver to be the only true religion on earth.]
_Art. 6._ It shall be the duty of the Grand Master, upon the initiation
of a member, to supply him with a list of flash words used by the
Brethren of this society, and shall likewise inform them of the great
importance, for the safety of the Brotherhood, that they commit the few
words given them to memory,--which they will also find of great
importance in conversation and correspondence--as, in the few words
which are diffused in their respective places, no person, without a
complete key, can explain or interpret their true meaning. The words
adopted are but few, yet answer, with common language, to enable the
Brothers to converse with ease without being understood by others
concerning their business, or matters and things pertaining to the
Brotherhood. It likewise enables a Brother, in common conversation, to
designate another; or, in addressing thousands, he may be identified by,
as it were, accidentally using any one word of his discourse in
connection with the Brotherhood:--the latter, however, is never to be
done, unless in extreme cases. The most essential service is in
conveying the meaning, which, in all cases, must be done in its proper
place.
If you wish to ascertain if a Brother be present, you can easily do so
by SOUNDING. SOUNDING signifies FEELING, or ASCERTAINING; and if you
wish so to do, use the word CULLEY, which signifies Brother, Friend,
Partner.
The word CONEY means Counterfeit paper money.
" BOGUS " Spurious coin, &c.
" CRABBING " Robbing, Stealing, &c.
" DUMBY " Pocket-book, purse, &c.
" DROP " Pocket, &c.
" CADY " Highwayman, murderer, &c.
" GLIB, STRIKER " Incendiary.
" CRACK " Break. As crack a crib.
" CRIB " House, trunk, desk, &c.
The word THIMBLE means Watch, crome, clock.
" PRAGUE " Horse, mule, or ass.
" GLIM " Light.
" SIFTER " Burglar, house-breaker, &c.
" GEISTER " An extra thief.
" FEELER " Dirk, sword, knife, &c.
" REACHER " Gun, pistol, &c.
" PAD " Bed.
" BLOTTER " Writing--such as letters, &c.
As Nature, in every feature, dislikes a traitor, no provision has been
made for dissembling. This society is ruled by Nature, as our God!--and
it is the duty of each and every member to do all in his power to
promote the welfare of his Brethren, as, by so doing, he must in time
convince all observers that the Secret Brothers are the only true
Christian sect on earth; and this we, ourselves, individually and
collectively, believe; and we make this manifest, by placing our names
to this scroll, and thereby pledging our fortunes and our lives to
maintain and carry out these principles in all sincerity and truth; and
should we ever offer to take up another faith, and renounce this, may
our prayer-oath be fulfilled to the extent of all its agonies; aye, and
more: we now again doubly pray, that if we ever offer to secede from
this, our religion, that we may thereby seal our immortal state with an
undying existence in a world of torment, prepared for all priestcraft
and treacherous mortals.
* * * * *
The singular circumstances connected with my obtaining these papers, and
the awful obligations contained in the constitution, will prepare the
reader for some strange developments. The constitution, although not
elegantly worded, proves its author to have been a man of uncommon
shrewdness, and knowledge of human nature, and forethought. We may
therefore expect that the plan of operations should be so laid as to
baffle detection by ordinary means. I will try to give some idea of it.
It was necessary that letters should be transmitted from one member to
another, in a distant location, yet the person to whom the letter was
addressed might be miles from a government post-office, and it might not
be safe for him to present himself for a letter, lest he should be
recognised as a desperate man, and letters were liable to be opened and
their desperate projects exposed. To avoid this danger, they established
a line of communication, extending from Toronto, Canada, to New Orleans.
Not precisely direct, but lying through large towns.
On this route were post-offices; consisting of hollow trees, caves,
cavities in rocks, &c. Those who wished to send letters deposited them
here; with full directions. All the "brothers" knew these post-offices;
and when, in their travels, they came near one, were bound to stop, and
examine the letters. If they found letters directed to persons on their
route, they must carry them along. If the letter was directed to a
person beyond the extent of his journey, he must at least carry it to
the next post-office, if he was going so far; and from that, some other
Brother would pass it along. It was death, in all cases, for a member to
open a letter not directed to him.
As Brothers are constantly passing along the line, in both directions,
considerable despatch was secured. If a letter should chance to be lost,
it was written in such a manner that one not knowing the secret would
suppose it to be an ordinary business letter, and the persons alluded
to were so mentioned as that only the individual to whom the letter was
addressed, or some person interested in the same transaction, could
understand the allusion.
The person to whom the letter was addressed must return the letter, if
requested, but might keep a copy. Along this mail line lived many of the
Brotherhood, and as they knew each other by signs, and were able to
converse in a _flash language_, unintelligible to the community
generally; when we recollect that they were bound by solemn oaths to aid
and defend each other in every emergency, right or wrong--that both men
and women belonged to the order--the reader will see what security a
villain could enjoy when hunted by the police; how easily the
_respectable_ citizen, the country merchant, the lawyer, the captain of
a steamboat, could conceal the fugitive, and put the officer upon the
wrong scent.
In addition to this caution, any thing which must be so explicit that a
stranger to the order might understand, if he should see it, was written
with sympathetic ink, which would appear only when heated, and would
disappear again when cold; and even this was written in a perfectly
unintelligible cipher, to which, however, I very fortunately found the
key among the letters. I insert it for the benefit of the curious.
One of the most profitable branches of their business was that of
_trading in horses_. For this, as will be seen, their combination gave
them peculiar facilities.
One of the _common_ robbers steals a _horse_, rides it fifty or a
hundred miles, and offers it to a _respectable_ robber, called a
_trader_. If it do not appear a dangerous bargain, he makes the
transaction as public as possible; he takes a bill of sale, and enters
it on his books, and the common robber goes on his way rejoicing.
Presently the owner comes along, and _claims the horse_. The
_respectable_ trader is very much astonished at the discovery, but makes
no resistance. The owner, rejoiced to find his property again, gladly
pays the expenses of keeping and goes home. But the respectable trader
is very sure to have not the slightest clue to the whereabouts of the
man who sold him the horse, and although it was done so publicly that
the owner cannot have a doubt of the innocence of the trader, yet,
strange to say, nobody knows which direction the thief took, even when
he left the settlement.
Lest some member should get another into his power, it is provided in
the constitution, that for every transaction they shall "pass" or
exchange receipts. This gives to each the same power, provided they are
both of the lower grade. That is, whoever has bought a stolen horse of
some member of the band, can be proved to have done so by the thief,
from the receipt; and the thief in like manner is in the power of the
trader. Again, it is of importance to the poor robber to have a receipt
from some eminent trader, since it gives him character as a man of
business, and serves as a letter of introduction. They are written in
the usual form of an ordinary business transaction.
The Grand Masters, who, alone, it will be recollected, have the secret
of using sympathetic ink, and the cipher, always add to the receipt,
with invisible writing, the description and character of the individual
who bears it, thus holding the poor fellow completely in his power.
But should a poor scamp get caught, and lie in prison a year or two, he
is entitled, by the constitution, to thirty-three cents per day for the
whole time. By the same constitution, also, he is directed how he must
proceed to get it. He proceeds, therefore, in due form, as follows:
Going to the Grand Master of the district in which he was convicted, he
addresses him thus:--"Most worthy Grand Master, I have this day come
before you, to place my hand upon the seal and swear that upon ---- day
of ----, in the year ----, I was confined in prison, (or _by sickness_)
for ---- months and ---- days; during which time I have contracted the
following expenses; I therefore make my petition that such money as may
be my due may be given me for my assistance."
The Grand Master, or Grand as he is called, then asks the following
questions:
"How long have you been a member?
"Where were you initiated?
"To whom have you paid your dues?
"What evidence have you that such are the facts?"
If, then, the poor brother have not receipts proving the transactions
for which he was imprisoned, and further, proof of his actual
imprisonment, (or evidence of his sickness,) no further notice is taken
of him. But if he have such regular proofs as are required, the Grand
declares that they have but a small amount of funds in the treasury. But
that the Brother may get his dues, he gives him drafts upon the various
Grands in the country, to the amount of his dues. If the amount were
five hundred dollars, he would receive fifty ten dollar drafts upon
fifty Grands, scattered over the country, from Canada to Alabama, and of
whom, in all probability, he will never see three; and they are payable
to none but the person in whose favour they are drawn. And "to make
assurance doubly sure," with sympathetic ink, the cunning officer
writes a full description on each draft, of the age, size, complexion,
profession, peculiarities, &c., of the bearer, so that if he should
undertake to send by another, he would have his labour for his pains.
We have now submitted the constitution to the judgment of our readers,
as we found it, having only added a few explanatory remarks, which we
are enabled to do from knowledge acquired in various ways; and we now
select from those letters which came into our possession a few, written
by some of the individuals noticed in this work, which will throw
additional light on the character of the Band. The note to each letter
is explanatory of the language contained in the ciphers.
No. 1.
Lawrenceburgh, September 24, 1825.
_Most Worthy and Respected Brother_,--Let me introduce the bearer of
this, who visits you for the purpose of promoting our benevolent
institution and his operations. I have not the least doubt you will find
his visit not of importance to him alone, but to you and all the friends
of humanity and kind feeling which belong to our benevolent society.
Yours, in great haste,
101000
000000
000300
000004
500000
000000
000000
800088
+
000900
[This letter bears upon its face the following ciphers, which
interpreted read as follows:--The bearer is BOLD, CUNNING, TEMPERATE,
LARGE, and TALL; by profession a LAWYER, and has been a CONVICT, he is
marked upon the face; his age is from THIRTY to FORTY, and QUICK in
speech. The cross (+) upon the number 9 designates the bearer to have
been a convict, and that he is entitled to much respect among the
Brotherhood. This, however, the Grand Masters teach their subordinates
to acknowledge, for the purpose of finding out among them such as they
can have confidence in in carrying out any desperate scheme; and
likewise to prevent them from exposing others, through their
associations; and thus it is that they, as brethren, feel no delicacy in
acknowledging to a brother, the honour of having been a martyr.]
No. 2.
Lawrenceburgh, October 13, 1825.
_Friend Brown_,--According to our agreement, I was at the place
appointed, where I remained until three o'clock, much distressed on
account of your absence; and my situation was very little better when I
learned you had been detained through the negligence of our friend in
Boon county. I have no confidence in him, nor ever will have, so long as
he makes use of so much whisky. I exchanged the coney I had for four
hundred pounds of feathers, and left them subject to your order at
friend ---- ----, grocery store, Lower Market street. I called and took
breakfast with the judge, and he tells me times have never been so close
upon the coney trade since he resided in the city. I likewise called
upon the Irish friend, and the first word he spoke was an oath that
Cincinnati was bankrupted; that constant calls were continually made by
the boys, and not one dollar to accommodate them with. I hope you will
be at home before I leave for Indianapolis, as I cannot remain long upon
the way, and I have many calls to make, and be there by the 20th, as
that is the day appointed. Raise all the funds you can, and I have no
doubt every thing will come out right. This will be handed you by one
whom I recommend strictly honest, as I have had recommended. Though he
has lived in the burgh ten years, I never knew him until our old friend
told me that he was a member. He knows you only by sight.
Yours, ---- ----,
000110
000000
003000
000000
000005
600000
000000
888000
000009
[The figures of this letter describe the bearer as follows: ACTIVE,
TEMPERATE, DILATORY, TALL, AND SLENDER, DARK-COMPLEXIONED, WEALTHY,
without any particular occupation. That he is CONSUMPTIVE; his age is
between TWENTY-ONE and THIRTY; his speech SLOW and INDISTINCT.]
No. 3.
Greensburgh, October 20, 1825.
_Friend Brown_,--I have, as you see by this letter, arrived at
Greensburgh, having travelled several nights over some of the roughest
roads I ever placed foot upon; my journey, otherwise, has not been so
disagreeable; but night-travelling always disagrees with me. I was
joined by our friend, the doctor, and his intimate friend from
Brookville. They tell me they have been absent from Brookville
twenty-one days. We met at our good old friend's house, near York ridge.
He is as pleasant as ever, and full as religious, and paid me one
hundred and twenty-five dollars--squaring accounts--and traded me two
notes on our Madison merchant, amounting to one hundred and thirty-five
dollars, which are as good as gold, as he endorses them, and I believe
and know the principal to be as good as any man in Madison.
The doctor tells me some of the boys have had a flare-up in Buffalo; but
that is nothing new, as our Canada friends act very imprudent. He tells
me since he left us, that several cabs have been traced out, and no
traces of the workmen left which can injure any one party. He came
through Columbus, Ohio! He says they are hard at work, but scarce of
material, and no means to procure it. I have not the least doubt but you
might find it profitable to go or send some one to supply their wants,
so we can make it very profitable. Our friends, ---- ----, ---- ----,
_take_ Fort Meggs, and at Manhattan (I have reference to our judge and
the lawyer we met in Manhattan, Ohio) have made out well with the
horses, taken them in the summer, and say they wish the boys would
bring them one hundred head before the lake closes. The doctor brought
me a letter to that effect. I leave this place to-morrow evening for the
Forks of the road, where I shall expect a letter from you. Let my friend
---- ---- know I am well.
Yours, ---- ----,
000000
002200
000003
400000
000000
600600
077000
800008
000000
[This describes the bearer to be UNDAUNTED, ACTIVE, TEMPERATE,
IMPRUDENT, LOW, and HEAVY, LIGHT-COMPLEXIONED, by profession a LAWYER
and MERCHANT; age from FORTY to FIFTY-FIVE, QUICK-SPOKEN.]
No. 4.
Four Corners, October 24, 1825.
_Friend Brown_,--I have arrived at the Four Corners, where I was pleased
to receive your favour of the 17th, and having the good luck to learn
that five of the brethren of Virginia are in the neighbourhood, and
would leave to-morrow evening for their homes by the way of
Lawrenceburgh, I make ready this and forward it by them for the purpose
to inform you that our friend ---- ----, the cooper, cannot, without my
consent, have any more stock, unless he pays for it in advance, as I am
satisfied he does not wish to act out the correct principles. He tried,
the day before I left, to make me agree to take cooperage for the last
stock he got; and though he made it answer to the whole face, two
hundred, yet he did not wish to pay me thirty in cash, and said you
promised to supply him at fifteen cents per hundred, and take it out in
cooperage; if so, your contracts must be for your own private benefit,
not mine; he has gulled me enough, and I cannot stand his slabbering
discourse any more. I am satisfied he has no moral honesty. Our friend,
the grocery-keeper, must pay for his last, as he has bartered it all
off. I met an intimate friend of his from Burlington, Kentucky, on
Clifty, in company with our light-complexioned friend, who lives not far
in the county back of the burgh. Two who accompany this are crossed (+)
9's, immediately from Tennessee, and have been travelling fifteen
nights. They are accompanied by a brother from Charleston, Virginia,
another from Parkersburg, Virginia, and a third from Marietta, Ohio; all
wealthy, the bearer and all, worthy brethren. The bearer is a Grand.
Yours, ---- ----.
100000
002000
300000
000004
000000
606600
000000
800008
000000
[This describes the bearer as being BOLD, ARTFUL, ACTIVE, TEMPERATE,
LOW, and HEAVY, SANDY-COMPLEXIONED, by profession a MERCHANT; age from
THIRTY to FORTY, QUICK-SPOKEN.]
No. 5.
Sugar Creek, October 24, 1825.
_Esteemed Brown_,--After two nights' hard travelling, I find myself well
provided for, in company with our old "Bogus Friend," who informs me he
has just returned from Toronto, Canada; and has brought some of the most
splendid bogus I ever have seen, and sells it, in trade at 33-1/3, 28 in
cash. I purchased two thousand of him, part trade, part cash; and he is
to deliver it to you. He has sent a large quantity to Brookville,
Indiana, and he will send your two thousand from Brookville. I let him
have four horses, which I purchased from our Rising-sun Brethren. He
sent them immediately to his lawyer, in or near Sandusky, who will
forward them immediately to Michigan. I believe the horse trade is
better, and a great deal more safe than the slave. There are many
brethren living here, and of the best order, and live up to the
principles of the Brotherhood; and of the many which live here, and in
fact all through these parts, very few are considered other than men of
the highest respectability. But I hear many making inquiry about our
Lawrenceburgh Aurora, and Rising-sun brethren, and say the brethren have
acted in many respects badly, and our friend ---- ----, in the burgh,
who purchased the pork he shipped from some of them; they say that he
has deceived them. I feel mortified to think he has no more principle: I
want you to call and tell him he must settle, and I think he ought to
know the same without advice. They are the wrong men for him to try to
gull; I have every right to suspect him of dishonesty, when I think how
much the Brotherhood has done for him, you and I in particular, and
know how he treated us; and though we have given him all of the start he
has, he would sacrifice us both, with our families, for a hundred
dollars. I have found out that Sulivan did not make his escape, as he
assured us he did, but was sold for seven hundred and fifty dollars. So
you can depend he has swindled you and I; do not trust him farther than
you can see him, and recommend him in the right numbers. This will be
handed you by a brother living near the islands Sixty-two and
Sixty-three, on the Mississippi; he is about to make a permanent
location, and wishes to purchase six or eight blacks. If the lot we have
an interest in have not left the burgh, he is the man: he says there are
large bands of the brethren settled near him; I hope you can please him.
Yours in haste, ---- ----.
101000
000000
300000
000004
000000
000000
007007
800800
000000
[This describes the bearer as follows: BOLD, ARTFUL, TEMPERATE, LARGE
and TALL, LIGHT-COMPLEXIONED, PLANTER by profession, HEAD DAPPLED GRAY;
age from THIRTY to FORTY, QUICK SPOKEN.]
No. 6.
Indianopolis, November 5, 1825.
_Friend Brown_,--I have been waiting four days for your answer to mine
of the 24th, and this day have the pleasure of receiving it. I am glad
to hear that your friends in the east have not forgotten you; I had a
letter forwarded me to this place, speaking of your liberality to the
people in Pittsburg, when you visited there last spring, and our friends
---- & Co., the iron traders, are very anxious for another trade. I
think they have made better use of their trade than our two Marietta
merchants ---- ----; the latter, I believe, some of the boys got hold
on, as he was going east, and he returned, one thousand minus, in clear
dust, and his twelve hundred in coney. The Steubenville merchant is
here, and has contracted with me for two hundred dollars' worth of
coney, assorted; he tells me that a brother in a flat boat has been put
aside for his plunder, which, sad to relate, was but little; and that he
saw the wife of the deceased was trying to make up the amount at this
time in Cincinnati; if she has not effected it, I think some attention
had better be given her before it is too late, as she is satisfied it
was done through mistake. You had better go or send some one to see her;
you will find her on Sixth street, at the widow ----, or if you inquire
at, ---- ----, cabinet-maker, on Sycamore. I will give ten; you will
give the same: tell ---- ----, on Lower Market, he must do the same; it
is a pity she should suffer through mistake. She is a fine woman, and
all of the Brotherhood should befriend her. I hope you have, from your
letter, become satisfied with the friendship of ---- ----. I told you
they would not do--I have known them from boys, and the day they got
that bogus from you so cheap, I would sooner have thrown it in the
river. The airs they put on about that negro, satisfied me that they had
forfeited all principles of honesty, which is the way with such men
after they become able to live--never think they are beholding. I will
write you again in a few days. The bearer of this I have learned is a
good brother.
Yours, ---- ----.
110000
002000
300000
040004
000000
006660
070000
800000
+
000900
[This describes the bearer to have been BOLD, ARTFUL, TEMPERATE,
TREACHEROUS, MEDDLESOME, IMPRUDENT, LOW and HEAVY, SANDY-COMPLEXIONED, a
MERCHANT by profession, and that he had been a convict; his age between
THIRTY and FORTY, disease SCROFULOUS.]
No. 7.
Indianopolis, November 9, 1825.
_Friend Brown_,--The town is full of our warm friends, and I am happy to
say that there is a fine spirit existing. To-morrow night I will leave
for Fayetteville; I have received your package of coney, and disposed of
three thousand to the old doctor we met while we were in Canandaigua; he
is the man we sold the flour to at Buffalo. He resides in St. Louis,
Missouri, I hope he may do well, as he is a great man, and has more
knowledge of mankind than any man of his age in America, and will trade
from a pin to a steamboat. He tells me he purchased the lot of negroes
which were in Madison, and he says that he heard, since he left, that
three more had been deposited for sale by the same man; if so, he
wishes you to write him a few lines to Terrehaute, and a copy of the
same to Vincennes. He tells me he will be able to get rid of every
dollar at these two places, and that he can purchase one hundred head of
horses if he wished, all which have come from other states, and some
fine blooded stock. I learn through friend ---- ----, of Bairdstown,
Kentucky, that there has been some hard talk about Judge ----, at
Lexington. I have no confidence in a man who drinks and gambles, as he
does; I do not care how wealthy he is, nor how great a title he wears;
for my part I intend to keep clear of him, with all of his wealth and
title; and your friend in Maysville is another. I write in haste, and
send it by our brother.
Yours, ---- ----.
101000
000020
300000
000004
000000
000600
070007
808000
000000
[This number describes the bearer to be BOLD, ARTFUL, TEMPERATE,
IMPRUDENT, LARGE and TALL, of DARK COMPLEXION, by profession a MERCHANT;
he is diseased with RHEUMATISM; his age from THIRTY to FORTY, hair
DAPPLED.]
No. 8.
Lexington, June 3, 1827.
_Dear Brown_,--I have at last arrived in this wealthy part of Kentucky,
which I assure you is a treat for a man that has been so much exposed to
the fatigues of travelling over cliffs, and swimming creeks, and all
other inconveniences that man could imagine. I arrived at Winchester,
Kentucky, where our old friend resides. It was two o'clock when I
arrived, but I found him in his shop playing cards with a black
journeyman old sledge, at twenty-five cents a game, and you ought to
have seen him scrabble for the cards when I rapped upon the window. I
left Winchester for Maysville, where I remained four days with our
friend, the same old block of sociability; yet he tells me he does well
in the stock trade. He says he sold forty odd horses in one year. Since
he has lived in Kentucky, over two hundred, which you know is over fifty
per year. From Maysville I crossed the river through the Sciota region,
by the way of Portsmouth, then to Chillicothe; from there on to
Zanesville, from there to Wheeling, and then to Washington,
Pennsylvania; returned to Wheeling, then to Parkersburgh. I did not call
at Marietta; there has some difficulty taken place in that region. From
Parkersburgh to Charleston, Kanhaway, with but little delay. Our saline
friends are great dealers in "coney." I met twenty-six in one day at the
old "Col." He is doing his work clean, without any risk. There are, he
tells me, upon an average, five horses sold per week from Sandy among
the friends of the trade. I left Charleston; had a tedious journey to
this city. Lexington is a humane place, but dangerous to move, unless
you do it through some of the old wealthy friends of the trade. I must
now say to you that I have done well in my small way. I have cleared
over two hundred per month. I found our friend, of the Blue Lick region,
who tells me the house trade is good along the road; that the coloured
boys do it all, and are not suspected. (_In speaking of the house trade,
he had reference to the entering of houses by the slaves, pillaging,
&c., which would be laid to white men._) Well, now, I am through with my
travels for the present. Let me give you some little of the history of
our Dearborn brother, which I assure you is novel. I told you he would
never do, and I suppose, ere this, you have found I was right. I cannot
be fooled easy. You thought that from the simple fact that he traded in
horses well, (_meaning that he stole horses well_,) that he would not
fail to be useful anywhere I wished to place him; but he returned home,
I suppose you discover, without a dollar, and made sixty the first night
we arrived in Cincinnati, off of a cheese trader that slept in the
adjoining room. He wanted to return the next day to the burgh, but I
prevailed upon him to stop, as suspicion rested not upon us. He remained
according to my request, and I never have come across such an
industrious man; but he had not much courage, less than any man of his
age I ever met, and not one particle of judgment in human nature. When
we arrived, I cautioned him about trading with any of the brethren of
the city without my consent, knowing, as I did, the city brethren were
"celish;" however, he assured me his trade was "bogus;" that you had
supplied him with cut quarters, which no other person dare offer, and
that he had done well even with them. (Cut money was, at an early date,
used as change; one dollar cut in four pieces answered as twenty-five
cents each.) I found he was bent on the "bogus" trade, and I told him to
hold on a few days, and that I would assist him to some; that I had not
the first dollar, but would find out through the brethren when I
returned from our friend's in the country--nine miles. I then left him
at the boarding-house, and promised to return the next day. I returned
according to promise; called at our boarding-house, and upon inquiry
learned he was out in the city. I took a stroll up to our friend's, the
coffee-house keeper, in Market street. While I was passing through the
market-house, I passed by a man with a large load upon his back. I could
not discover what the bulk was. I passed on to the coffee-house, where
three of the boys were dividing one hundred and sixty-five dollars, the
proceeds of the day's work, which, they informed me, they had obtained
from one of the soft-shell brethren. That in the course of the day they
had met a countryman, and seeing he was apparently upon the look-out for
speculation, they had finally entered into conversation with him, and
had accidentally shown him some bright half dollars, and told him they
were counterfeit. "What," said he, "bogus?" "Bogus, indeed," said one.
"And do you know what, bogus is?" He said he ought to, and they then
tried him, and found him one of the right kind of brethren to skin; and
that they did in the following manner: Finding that he had money and
wanted "bogus," they set upon a plan to deceive him; which they did by
showing him the new half dollars, and telling him they were good coin;
and that if he wished he could have them at fifteen dollars for a
hundred dollars of "bogus." He agreed to purchase one hundred and
sixty-five dollars' worth, which they were to supply that evening. That
they were to meet him in the Fifth street market-house, and deliver his
bogus in a tobacco keg headed up. He of course took it for granted that
all was honest. They separated from him, purchased a tobacco keg, filled
it with stone-coal cinders, within an inch of the top, packing them very
hard to make them weigh heavy. They then put a false head one inch from
the top, upon which they put two hundred copper cents. They then placed
another head upon that, confining it tight with a hoop. After preparing
it, they rolled it into the market-house where they had met. He had paid
them the one hundred and sixty-five dollars for the cinders, which he
supposed to be the most beautiful bogus, and when he lifted the keg he
was satisfied all was right; _and how could he doubt it, they were
brethren!_ and they were then dividing the spoils. I suspected, from
description, it was our Lawrenceburgh friend, but remained silent, and
returned to my room where I knew I could ascertain. When I went, I
discovered my friend just ascending the stairs, with a large keg upon
his shoulder. "Halloo," said I, "what upon earth have you here?" He
dropped the keg, as though he had been shot, making a crash to be heard
a half mile distant, but fortunately no person about the house appeared
much disturbed. The old lady came to the door, and wanted to know what
was the matter. I told her my friend had fallen, but that no damage was
done. She retired. As soon as he discovered it was me, he raised his
burden once more, and carried it to the room. "Come in, sir," said he.
"What have you here?" said I. "That I will show you, in a few minutes."
I knew all the time, and though I was vexed, I could not refrain from
laughter. "You laugh," said he, "and well you might, if you knew the
speculation I had been making to-day." He soon got a hatchet to show me
his treasure. I never saw a man so perfectly carried away at the
prospect he had in store. He was nearly exhausted by carrying such a
burden so far. The perspiration drops were oozing out of his forehead,
and he effected the opening of the keg with no little trouble. "Now,
sir," said he, "you may laugh, if you please; raise that head and see if
there is not something in store to laugh at." I did as he bade. I lifted
up the head which covered his treasure, when to his surprise a few black
copper cents made their appearance. "Copper bogus," said I. "I believe
in my soul they have mistaken; let's examine further." He soon
discovered the false head, which he raised, and in a double surprise
cried out, "My conscience, I won't trade. No, I will have my money back!
I will sue them." "Who will you sue?" said I. He came to a stand, then
remarked, "Really, I can't tell who they were. They gave me no name, but
I will take them for swindling if they don't give it up. I will swear,"
said he--then he paused and I took the word from his mouth, and told him
that I would swear that he was a fool, and had better return to Dearborn
county and plough corn. He laid the coppers one side, being about two
hundred, then carefully headed the keg up. We went to bed. During the
night he arose. I heard him going downstairs. The next morning I
discovered that both him and the keg were missing. I never heard from
him afterwards, but hope, if he is at home, that you will hereafter keep
him there.
Yours, in haste,
P.S. I hope you will answer this immediately. Direct to Nashville,
Tennessee. This Brother is a true blue.
100000
002020
000003
000400
500000
000600
070000
800088
000000
[This describes the bearer to be CUNNING, TEMPERATE, TREACHEROUS,
IMPRUDENT; size LOW and HEAVY; by profession a PHYSICIAN and a MERCHANT;
disease RHEUMATISM and FACE DISFIGURED; age from FORTY to FORTY-FIVE;
QUICK-SPOKEN.]
No. 9.
Lawrenceburgh, April 9, 1827.
_Friend Brown_,--I am happy to have the extreme pleasure of introducing
to your acquaintance one of my most intimate friends. He visits the city
on business, which may require assistance; if so, you can confer no
greater favour on your humble servant, than by serving him.
Yours, in haste,
The following was taken from the same sheet, having been interlined in
fine hand in sympathetic ink, which was entirely a secret to the
bearer, and read when warm, as follows:
_In a side pocket made upon the inside of an old black velvet vest, you
will find eighteen hundred dollars in United States money. In an old
hair trunk, tied around with a rope, he carries twelve hundred dollars
in silver. He is fond of spirits, and occasionally gets drunk, and when
drunk, has no memory, and would not acknowledge the fact of being drunk
for twice the amount. He is a man of wealth and of honour. Destroy this
immediately._
The history connected with the above letters may be considered of great
importance to explain the villanies of this band; and from the
circumstances connected with this history, I have every reason to have
full confidence that the same letters this note refers to, were the
occasion of the bearer being robbed of some thirty-one hundred dollars.
We will now give the foundation for our belief. During the examination
of my original package of letters, I discovered a very familiar name
attached to one of those apparent business letters, which caused me to
examine the import, and upon so doing, I found that it contained the
same which I have given, with a few omissions which I considered of
importance to my personal safety, viz., the names of the parties, the
place of residence of the man robbed, &c. When I found that I had a
familiar name to so base an article, to satisfy myself that it was not a
forgery, I examined the same person's signatures which had been written
in the year 1827, and found they compared satisfactorily to my mind. I
then set upon a plan to ascertain from the man who lost the money,
without his having an idea of my intention, which I did as follows. I
wrote to a responsible man living in the same place, to know of him if
such a man of his village had ever lost any money, and if so, what
amount, the date he lost it, &c.; to which I received the following
brief note: "Sir,--You have written me upon a subject which I was not
familiar with at the time I received your letter, but have made inquiry,
and found that in the spring of 1827, the person alluded to in your
letter was robbed while in Wheeling, on his way to Philadelphia, out of
rising three thousand dollars: which money he has never heard of. He is
a man in good circumstances, and was at that time, in fact he has always
been, considered wealthy. I conversed with him one time upon the
subject, but he dislikes to have it mentioned to him. You likewise
wished me to inquire if he received any letters of introduction or
recommendation previous to his departure, on the date mentioned. He had
several, and with one exception, they were all from his best friends.
One he had given him by a man residing in Lawrenceburgh, Indiana, was
for the purpose of introducing him to Daniel Brown, a merchant of
Dearborn county, whom he met in Cincinnati, on his (Brown's) return, and
had but a few moments' time to converse with him, after he gave him the
letter. You, therefore, know all I can ascertain about your request." I
could then see through the whole lead of his misfortunes, and it is
about in this way. The letter which he bore to Brown, having the
particulars concerning his temperament, likewise the amount of money,
&c., enabled Brown to set the band upon him, who robbed him, and then
divided with Brown and his Lawrenceburgh friend. These letters I had
transcribed and put them up and lectured to the citizens of
Lawrenceburgh concerning the horrible fact of their existence; and
these are the letters spoken of, that made the pigeon's flutter, and
likewise caused so many threats of my assassination; and all that
prevented them was, that they feared whoever might have the handling of
the papers hereafter might handle them with less mercy.
CHAPTER XIII.
I have frequently, in the course of this work, had to notice the very
intimate connection which those concerned in the administration of
justice, or ostensibly in the suppression of crime, had with those who
perpetrate it. In all of our large cities, this occasionally forces
itself into public notice. Anxious as the authorities always are to
conceal any thing of this kind, it accidentally leaks out. The
opportunity for concealment, and the advantages afforded by official
station, have not been overlooked by the Brothers, and the police of
every city contains several of the fraternity. In all fairness, however,
the great mass of crime connected with such establishments ought not to
be laid to their charge. The very wish to be connected with the police,
indicates a morbid disposition of the mind--a desire to be familiar with
crime; for it is necessary to detect it successfully, to come in contact
frequently with the criminal. In consequence, by familiarity, crime
loses its enormity: the police officer sees how seldom the perpetrator
is detected; how often, when detected, he escapes unwhipped of justice;
he connives at some petty offence, in the hope of entrapping the
criminal in some more flagrant act, and tampers with crime, till the
little moral sensibility he had when he entered the service is
destroyed. This is obviously a true picture of human nature; but I must
proceed with the story, which suggested these remarks.
In no city of the Union has the depredations of the Band of Brothers
been more extensive than in Cincinnati, Ohio, yet there seems to be a
prevailing wish, entertained even by those who have witnessed their
ravages, to doubt the existence of any such organization. Nor am I
surprised at this incredulity--the thought that we are surrounded by
hundreds of individuals, sworn to protect and assist one another in
their ravages upon our lives and property, is no very pleasant prospect
for contemplation. Sincerely I wish it were merely a dream of the night,
but the unaccountable and sudden downfall of some of the most
respectable and talented families of that city convince that it yet
exists in all its awful realities. In confirmation of this I will
introduce the history of one family, guarding myself as much as possible
from saying any thing that might hurt the feelings of any of the
relatives yet living. It consisted of five boys--at least that number is
all that has come under my notice; the eldest, at the age of sixteen,
connected himself with bad associates, was committed to the jail on a
charge of theft, and convicted. In a short time the next brother
followed in the same course, and shared the same fate. The remaining
children were yet young, and to preserve them from the vicious habits of
the elder ones, the father kept them at hard labour every day. We are
not intimately acquainted with the character of the father, but we never
heard any thing laid to his charge but that he was a dissipated, and so
far an immoral man. He at least gave his children an example of
industry, and could not be suspected of training them in dishonest
practices. The eldest son was pardoned, or served his time out, we
forget which, and came home to his father's house; but was soon taken
in another misdemeanour, and sentenced to ten years' confinement in the
Kentucky State Prison. At the expiration of his term the second also
returned, but fearfully depraved and abandoned. He seemed to take a
delight in all manner of wickedness, and bore evidence that he came from
a good school. After a few months of dissipation, supported by robbery,
he was again taken, convicted the second time, and sent to the State
Prison. From it he made his escape, and found his way to Vicksburg, but
on attempting a robbery, he was detected, and shot through his left
shoulder, the ball fracturing the bone very badly. One day while he was
under arrest, several men visited him; he was alarmed when they first
entered, but soon regained his self-possession. One of the party
inquired why he seemed so much affrighted at their entrance; to which he
replied, that at first sight he had taken one of them for a man of the
name of Phelps. [A robber who was afterwards taken, and attempted to
break from jail, but was shot down in the streets of Vicksburg. For
particulars see "Gambling Unmasked."] A very friendly feeling was soon
established between the robber and his visitors; in a few days he was
taken from jail, and bent his way for New Orleans, where he was again
detected in the very act of robbery, but in attempting to make his
escape was shot down by the captain of the guard.
This same year of his death the third brother got into difficulty, and
was sentenced to the Penitentiary for three years. Before the expiration
of his sentence, the fourth was convicted. The fifth boy at this time
was about seventeen, and he too was caught stealing, convicted, and
received his sentence about the time the fourth regained his liberty.
The third brother, after serving the specified period in what is called
the _Penitentiary_, took his way south, where he was again committed for
robbery, and sentenced to five years' confinement in the Louisiana State
Prison. At the expiration of that period he started for home, but when
near the island of Sixty-six, on the Mississippi, he concluded to take a
trunk and jump overboard. This feat he accomplished successfully; but
unluckily for him, it was in the same year in which so many outlaws were
put to death by the citizens, and having connected himself with a band
who were at that time flooding the river with counterfeit coin,
negro-stealing, and indulging in all manner of villany, he was taken by
a company, and with about forty others put to death, some being shot,
and others tied up in sacks and thrown into the Mississippi.
The fifth brother was now in the Ohio Penitentiary, the fourth in the
Indiana State Prison, but the eldest brother was released from
confinement, and returned to Cincinnati. His long confinement, however,
seems to have had no very beneficial effect, for in a few months he was
again convicted of petit larceny, and sentenced to serve in the chain
gang. Here he conducted himself so well as to gain the unqualified
commendation of one of the drivers, who in consequence treated him
indulgently. About this period, there was much excitement, caused by the
frequency of night robberies, and no trace of the thieves could be
found, by which they could be detected. The most vigilant means were
used, and many were sent to the jails and penitentiary, but still the
robberies went on. Among those committed at this period, was the fifth
brother, who for a short period had enjoyed his liberty. The eldest
brother served out his time in the chain gang, and after being
liberated, suddenly disappeared; and, which surprised many, the driver
of the chain gang disappeared at the same time. A day or two after their
disappearance, a drover from Kentucky, who had been at Cincinnati, and
was on his way home, was taken from his horse, robbed, his throat cut,
and left for dead upon the road side. They had, however, merely severed
the windpipe, and on being discovered, he was able to give such
information as led to the detection of the driver and his friend, the
convict. They were arrested, and identified by the mangled drover; and
the citizens, knowing the desperate character of the elder brother, who
had served an apprenticeship in their own State Prison, gave them a
trial according to "Lynch" custom, and hung them both. Thus ended the
life of the eldest of the brothers--the third who had suffered the
penalty of death for their crimes.
The suspicions of the people were excited by this occurrence, and a
train of investigation set on foot which left no doubt but that the
recent robberies were committed by the chain driver and his gang. At
night they were freed from their chains, allowed to prowl about and
plunder, and brought their spoils to the prison, where it could easily
be stowed away without suspicion. We believe that we are quite within
the mark, if we attribute one-eighth of the robberies committed in large
cities, to the police, or perpetrated with their connivance. Many, we
hesitate not to say, are done by men whom the public believe to be in
prison. It has become a proverb, "Set a thief to catch a thief," and
the public seem to have acquiesced that thus it shall ever be. There is
an allowed and constant connection between the criminal and the officer
engaged in suppressing crime, but whether it be necessary and
unavoidable, or the best disposition possible, deserves some
consideration. The hangman is in general only a little more fortunate
than his culprit. The leader of a band of Regulators is commonly more
ferocious, and as lawless as the victim against whom his fury is
directed. The lawyer unscrupulously pockets a fee, which he knows has
been obtained by the plunder of the citizen. Not a few of them hang
about our jails, prying into the means of the prisoners, and divide with
them the spoil, sheltering themselves from communicating any disclosures
they make under their judicial privileges. But if justice be the end of
the law, why should the communications of a prisoner to his counsel be
held sacred? If the case be undefensible otherwise, why should it be
defended, unless it be to give a fee to the lawyer, at the expense of
justice? With all deference to the legislators of our country, and to
the gentlemen of the legal profession, this seems a privilege not to be
envied: to _know_ that you are assisting to defraud, but debarred by
custom from disclosing it; to know that the culprit is guilty, and
deserves punishment or restraint, but to send him forth again upon
society to commit further crime.
Our readers may be anxious to know what became of the other two
brothers, the fourth and fifth. At this moment we believe they are both
in the State Prison. Now how was the ruin of this once respectable
family accomplished? Why did the fate of the elder not deter the
younger from crime? Were they merely drawn along by the contagion of
ill-example, or were there more potent influences at work in their
destruction? And why did punishment and penitentiaries do so little in
their reformation? The greater part of their lives were passed within
their walls, cut off from the influence of evil, but we see no sanitory
effect. We will not answer these questions directly, but in the course
of this work will supply the reader with materials to answer them for
himself. We have every reason to believe that the eldest and the second
were entangled in the meshes of The Secret Band of Brothers, in a manner
from which there was no escape. They are ever on the look-out for any
individual who has forfeited his character, and who promises by his
ingenuity or dexterity to be a fit tool for their purposes. Their agents
are to be found in all the professions, in the magistracy, and in the
prisons and penitentiaries; sometimes, under the vail of hypocrisy,
assuming a fair exterior at the time they are engaged in all manner of
villany; at other times, when their influence in any place is in the
ascendency, openly showing their real character. Men can be found in
many of our towns so notoriously profligate, that not one individual in
the place could be found that would say they were honest men, yet
through solicitation, party spirit, and sometimes through fear, they are
elected to official stations. It is one of the leading objects of the
Secret Band, to have as many of the brotherhood in the magistracy as
possible, and neither money nor importunity are spared to effect their
object. They know what they are about: they are too sagacious to suppose
that a thief will catch a thief; that a gambler will suppress gambling,
or a drunkard promote temperance; and it would be well that those who
really desire any of these objects, were equally "wise in their
generation."
CHAPTER XIV.
The spring of 1833 found me travelling through the Choctaw nation,
which, at that time, with the exception of the government posts, was a
wilderness. Fort Towson, Duxborough, Jonesborough, Lost Prairie, Horse
Prairie, Pecan Point, and several other places throughout this wild and
newly settled country, were crowded with every kind and description of
people from the states, from, the government agents and contractors to
the wild and mysterious refugee--the latter being very numerous, and
having settled upon the south side of Red river, to evade the pursuit of
the United States' officer of justice, that portion then being
considered within the boundaries of Texas. The whole region was one of
peculiar debasement in all respects. As might be suspected, seasoned as
it was with such a population, drunkenness, debauchery, and murder
walked abroad, hand in hand, day and night. Human life was valued no
higher than the life of an ox or a hog, and the heart of the settlement
was cold, and palsied to the most remote touch of feeling, and hardened
to the recital of brutalities and crimes of the most indescribable
enormity. Men talked of their evil doings, their deep, revolting guilt,
with the most impudent freedom, and laughed and chuckled over them as
though they were the best jokes in the world!
It was in one of the Texan settlements, in this rude, wicked tract of
country, that an incident came to my knowledge, quite by accident,
which I will relate. The settlement contained some seventy to eighty
people, men, women, and children, white and black. I was taking a stroll
with one of the settlers among the cabins and huts, he being familiar
with the occupants of each, their habits and history. When we passed a
spot worth notice, he gave me the character of the owner, his wealth,
&c., and although all about the settlement wore an appearance of the
most abject poverty, I was surprised to find the wealth which many of
the inhabitants of so desolate, dreary, and forbidding a place
possessed. We finally came to a small log cabin, at the extreme end of
the settlement, apparently about twenty feet in length by eighteen deep,
a story and a half high.
"Who lives here?" said I.
"The widow ----," replied my guide, whose name was Edmonds--"the widow
of ----, but--yes--the widow of Dr ----, who was killed a few days ago."
I was struck with my companion's pauses, and thought there was something
singular in them, especially as his countenance at the time seemed to
change slightly. I soon mustered resolution to ask him who were the
murderers of Doctor ----, but his reply was simply that he did not know.
"I should like to see the widow," said I; "will you introduce me?"
He declined, stating that he must then leave me, and go along some half
a mile further, where some men were at work, chopping down a bee-tree.
"Very well," said I; "I will step in and introduce myself. You have
awakened some little curiosity in my mind to know more about the murder
of this man."
He left me without making any reply, and I entered the cabin, the door
of which was standing ajar. I found, seated near the fire on a rude
bench, a female, perhaps thirty years old, whose countenance wore a look
of deep dejection, but at the same time betrayed strong evidence of
having been once quite attractive. A little girl sat in her lap--two
boys of the ages of perhaps seven and eleven occupied a bench at her
right--an infant of, I should think, three months old, slept in the
cradle, which a little girl apparently about five years old stood
rocking. The group was a very imposing one. As I entered, I gave a tap
upon the door, which caused the mother to turn towards me; but she did
not speak, waiting, it would seem, for me to introduce my business. I
apologized for my unceremonious entrance, saying, that I had learned she
was formerly a resident in the states; and that I being also from
thence, felt some interest in her and her family. She beckoned me to a
seat, and after some time, told me she was born in Philadelphia, but
that, having married a Kentuckian, she moved there, and lived some eight
or nine years in that state--that her husband, at the expiration of that
time, had taken his family to Little Rock, Arkansas, where they resided
one year, and that from thence they had come to the place where I found
them.
Here there was a pause; in fact, I discovered that the poor woman's
voice faltered the moment she approached the subject of her arrival at
her present residence. The silence was broken by the child, who stood
rocking the cradle, and who said, "This is a bad place, ain't it, Ma?
Here the bad men live that killed Pa." At this the mother burst into
tears. As she did so, she kindly told the child to hush.
After the mother's tears had partially subsided, I told her to talk to
me without restraint; that I had visited the settlement on the other
side of the river on government business, which I expected to transact,
and leave in a very few days. I here was guilty of falsehood. I had not
visited the settlement for government, of course, but to pursue my
iniquitous course of gambling with the refugees.
The woman implored me to be watchful; that I was in the midst of the
most abandoned description of men that could possibly be conceived of;
and that they would make a victim of me the more readily, on account of
my extreme youth. I told her that they could want nothing of me, for the
simple reason that I had nothing valuable about me. She assured me that
it was not always avarice which tempted these men to deeds of blood.
They had butchered her poor husband in the very house where we were,
within hearing of herself and children, and when all were imploring that
his life might be spared. And yet money was not the temptation. She then
gave me a history of the cruel murder of her husband, which was as
follows:--
Doctor ---- was educated a physician in the city of Philadelphia, though
a native of Kentucky. He married his wife in that city; after which he
went back to Kentucky, where he settled down in the practice of his
profession. It was not many years after he took up his abode in his
native place before he became involved, and subsequently being accused
of committing a forgery, he concluded it was best to leave his native
state. His first stopping-place, after leaving Kentucky, was Little
Rock, Arkansas, where he remained until his brother-in-law joined him
with his family. Becoming uneasy and unhappy there, he finally removed
to the settlement, where an end was put to his earthly career by the
band of assassins.
His wife, when she came to this portion of her husband's career, was
again deeply affected; but she soon mustered composure enough to
continue the story.
After my husband came here, he proceeded to build this house, and we all
moved into it in a very short period after the first log was laid. He
was a changed man, and my health had become impaired by the exposures
which it was necessary to encounter, in travelling through this
wilderness. Doctor ---- was a changed man; most painfully was this the
case. He was not only moody and sullen in his temperament, and at times
unhappy to the last degree; but he did not seem to take that pleasure
which he once did in the society of his wife and children. Now and then
he would drink hard, and become intoxicated, in which case he abused me
most shamefully, and I bore all for the sake of the children. Some few
days before his death, he entered into a speculation with some bad
fellows here, to smuggle spirits through the nation, which they
succeeded in doing, and with great profit. About this time, or just
after, when in a calm and subdued mood, he confessed to me, that he was
not an honest man; that he was a refugee from justice, and a doomed man;
that a trap had been laid for him a short time after he was married;
that he fell into it; that he was a sworn member of a band of
desperadoes and villains, and that he was doomed to be a guilty wretch
so long as he lived. I thought he was crazy, but his assurance was in a
few days fully verified.
Not long after my husband made this confession to me, he ran a partition
across the cabin--making two rooms. In the other department he put two
beds, and whenever any of his cronies called to see him, he would order
myself and the children into the room. Here we remained while he and his
companions drank and played cards--making sometimes such a noise that it
seemed as if the very roof would be raised. They often kept it up all
night long.
One morning, after one of these frolics, he said to me he wished I was
at home with my father; that he never intended to return to Philadelphia
himself; but he would see that I was safely taken there. I asked why he
was so much inclined to part from me. He stated that that was his
business; I must leave him. Only the night before, he had been accused
of divulging secrets to me in regard to his companions; that he had
promised them to send me home. He added, that I might take all the
children but the two eldest boys. I protested against separating me and
my children. His only reply was, that his determination on the point was
fixed.
That night he ordered myself and the children into the room, in a more
angry tone than ever, and barred us in. It was not long after this
before his wicked companions arrived and planted themselves down at the
table. I listened at the door, and while my husband had gone out of the
cabin for some purpose, I heard them whispering busily together. As he
entered the apartment, however, the whispering ceased, and one of them
said, "Let's play for the liquor first, and decide that point
afterwards."
After this, they played and swore, and one would have supposed the room
to have been occupied by fiends incarnate rather than by men. At about
twelve o'clock, one of the company said, "Well, boys, now is the time;
what are we here for?" "Out with the light," said another. My husband
now asked what they proposed doing, when, without giving him the
slightest notice, the light was put out, and a heavy blow descended. I
heard my husband cry out, "Do not murder me;" but the strokes fell heavy
and fast, and spite of my screams and the screams of my children--spite
of our efforts to beat the door in, the bloody work was kept up until I
heard my husband's body fall upon the floor. In a short time his
murderers left. I tried to burst the door open, but without success. At
last, I raised my eldest boy to the window, and he crawled outside, and
ran round, entering the door which led to the room containing his
father's corpse. As the child moved towards the door of the room, for
the purpose of unbarring it, he fell over the dead body of his father.
The door was finally unbarred, and I rushed into the room where my
murdered husband lay. Oh, sir, I cannot tell you what were then my
feelings. The lights which the children brought into the room exposed
the whole scene, and it was one which I could not describe if I
would--my husband's body lying upon the floor, weltering in blood. I
tried to lift it up to the bed, but could not. I then, with the
assistance of the children, rolled it up in a counterpane, and we sat
down and watched it till morning--fearing that, if we did not, it might
be carried off by wolves--a large number of which howled about the house
until day dawned. Oh, sir, it was a sorrowful night! The next morning
several of the neighbours called in, and after expressing their horror
at the deed of blood, assured me that they would aid in bringing the
murderers to justice. That they knew them, and that they resided on the
Sabine river. Would you believe it, sir? Two of the very sympathizers I
knew to have been concerned in the murder of my husband.
A coffin was made, into which my poor husband's body was laid, and then
the neighbours buried him, but in such a manner that he lay but a foot
or two below the earth's surface. I have been afraid the beasts of prey
which infest this region would get possession of his corpse; so, with my
children, I build every night a fire near his grave.
"Now, sir," added the woman, "I have told you the painful story, and you
will see in what a dreadful situation I am. I am here in this dreadful
place, with perhaps one hundred dollars in money, and five children,
nearly all of whom constantly require my watchful care. Can you not
assist me in my wretchedness?"
I told the poor thing I would endeavour to do something for her. I had
hardly done so, when Edmonds passed the door of the cabin on his way
back from the choppers. Seeing me, he turned back and said, as I passed
out to meet him, "Well, Green, what do you think of the widow?" My reply
was, that she was so shy and distant that I could not learn much about
her, one way or the other; that she appeared unwilling, or afraid to
converse.
"It is well enough that she did," was Edmond's reply, "she does not know
what she talks about. When she does choose to speak, I believe her to be
either crazy or foolish, and d----n me if I know which."
Edmonds invited me to go with him to his home. So I went along. I found
there a man, named Scoggins, with whom Edmonds got into a very free
conversation. I heard him say, "We must send that woman away; she talks
to somebody every day; she must be taken care of in one way or the
other. She must, Scoggins, she must."
It was not long after this, before Scoggins took me aside, and in a
friendly manner advised me not to go to the widow's again; that she was
a bad and a meddlesome person withal. I did not visit her afterwards;
indeed, I had no opportunity to do so, for the day following the
incidents I here related, in company with Edmonds and Scoggins, I left
the settlement for Fort Towson--about one hundred and fifty miles east.
Our object was to play cards with the officers at the fort, and lighten
them of some of their change. We also expected to fall in with some of
the half-bred Choctaws, who are not inexpert in the shuffle. Edmonds and
Scoggins were ordinary players, and depended on my skill. The former was
a shrewd fellow, a Georgian by birth--aged about forty-five; the latter,
a Canadian, was about the same age. They had served together during the
war of 1812, and in the same company. Two more peculiar men could not be
found. Like a pair of well-trained horses, I saw very soon, after we
joined company, they pulled together. They had a negro with them, who
was deaf and dumb; and he was one of the best servants I ever saw. He
had been Edmonds' attendant for fifteen years, and was, I should think,
about fifty years old. This old negro knew every route from Canada to
Texas. He would stand and sleep, like a horse, for hours, and seemed to
care much more for horses than he did for himself. I thought there was
something more than at first appeared about the old darkey. While at the
fort, he would, in our company, stand for hours, it seemed to me
listening attentively to all that was said, and appearing to understand
it. He was very submissive and polite to any one who noticed him, and,
from the beginning, appeared to take a wonderful liking to me. At Fort
Towson I tried to get rid of Edmonds and Scoggins, telling them I had
resolved to leave them, and that I was going to cross the Nation to Fort
Smith, about one hundred and fifty miles distant. They appeared to like
the route I had chosen, and said they would accompany me. While at Fort
Towson, I discovered that both of my companions had a large number of
acquaintances there, mixed in among the Indians; and, likewise, that
many of the slaves appeared to know them.
We finally left the fort, in company with ten Choctaws. I had purchased,
while in the nation, twelve head of horses, two of which were quarter
horses, that is, intended to run a quarter of a mile in singularly quick
time. I obtained them of a half-bred Choctaw, and they were valued at
five hundred dollars each.
We encamped, the first night after our departure, about thirty miles
distant from Fort Towson. The next morning I found that my two valuable
quarter horses, with six others of the drove, were missing. I said
something about my chance of finding them again, but soon had every hope
of the kind destroyed, by being informed that the Pawnee Indians were
very numerous in the neighbourhood; that they were great horse thieves;
and had undoubtedly appropriated to themselves my valuable beasts. We
went fifty miles further, when we again encamped. Here the horses of
the dumb negro and Scoggins were missing. They appeared to think their
animals might be recovered, and turned back for that purpose, promising
to overtake us, if possible, at Fort Smith.
When we arrived at the fort, I disposed of the horses I had left, and
took passage on the steamboat Reindeer, for the mouth of White River.
Edmonds insisted on accompanying me. I made no objection, of course, but
was anxious to get rid of him. It was about the twentieth of May, when
we arrived at Montgomery's Point, on the Mississippi. Edmonds, daring
the passage, frequently sympathized with me on the loss of my horses. He
also, now and then, spoke to me about the widow of Doctor ----,
commiserated her forlorn situation, and stated that he had a strong
desire, and in fact determination, to communicate intelligence of her
deplorable condition to her friends in Philadelphia. He asked me, if I
did not, myself, think of doing something of the kind. I told him that I
had forgotten her name, and had I remembered it, I hardly thought that I
should trouble myself about her or her affairs. He said, he, too, had
forgotten the name, but he could procure it of Scoggins when he
returned.
We remained at the Point several days, awaiting the arrival of a
steamboat. Finally, the Chester came along, bound for St. Louis. I took
passage in her, and left Edmonds behind, not a little to my
gratification. We had not proceeded far from the Point, when the Chester
broke down, and I was obliged to get on board of a down boat, and return
to the Point. On arriving there, the first person I encountered was the
dumb negro, who told me that Edmonds had died suddenly, since my
departure, of the cholera, which was raging at that time on the
Mississippi, and which cut men down almost without warning. On inquiry,
I found the negro had told me the truth, and must confess I was not a
little astonished at it. But a few hours previously, I had left Edmonds,
apparently well; now he was a corpse! The thought gave me a shade of
melancholy, especially as I knew and felt that he had been cut down in
guilt; for that he was both a robber and a murderer I could not for a
moment doubt.
I made some inquiry about the amount of money left by Edmonds, and
discovered that after paying all the expenses of his funeral, the amount
of nine hundred dollars would be left, which, according to his request
just before his death, was to be sent to his friends in Savanna,
Georgia.
Not long after I got back to the Point, when walking out alone, the dumb
negro joined me, and motioned me to follow him: I did so, without
hesitation. We had not gone far out of the way, before he placed himself
near me, and, to my surprise, spoke to me as plainly and distinctly as
any one could. He said he knew he would surprise me when he talked like
other folks; but he would give me a good reason for having seemed to be
dumb. He then gave me a sketch of his chequered career. He was once a
slave, but had been a free man between thirty and forty years. At the
age of twenty, he was purchased from his master, at Petersburg,
Virginia, to save his life, by a band of outlaws of which he became a
member, in a servile capacity. These men had freed him, soon after they
purchased him from his master, and in consideration he had taken the
oath as one of their gang, and had sworn, with other things, to appear
to be deaf and dumb, so long as he should live--the penalty for any
forgetfulness, or otherwise, that should betray that he could either
speak or hear, being death! That he had been educated to this end; that
the band had men who could converse with him readily by signs, and that
he had been so much accustomed to communicate his thoughts in that
manner, that it had become second nature. He told me he was now
determined to go to Canada, where he proposed remaining for the balance
of his life. I asked him how he meant to go? His reply was, that he
should make the journey by land; that he knew every foot of the route,
and had hundreds of warm friends all the way along. He further said that
he could communicate to me a secret, which he thought it would be better
for me to keep--and this is the first time I have ever publicly revealed
it.
The secret was, that he and Scoggins, after leaving Edmonds and myself,
had retraced their steps to the skirts of Texas; that my horses had not
been taken, as I supposed, by the Indians, but that hired tools of
Edmonds and Scoggins had stolen them. That it was well for me I laid my
money out in horses: had I not done so, they would have murdered me, to
possess themselves of it. He further assured me, that I had been for
three months in the most heartless and desperate region which the
country affords, and among my worst enemies. The negro added, that he
had heard hard letters read concerning me since I was in the country.
That they were written a year before, by certain men belonging to the
same band, whom I knew, but least suspected. One of them lived near
Lawrenceburgh, Indiana; another was Goodrich, the notorious villain to
whom I have alluded in the preceding part of the work.
This negro also told me that Dr. ----, who had been murdered on the
Texan frontier, was himself a member of the Secret Band, and that he was
killed to save many a better man. That he and Scoggins had gone back to
see that the widow and her family were removed; but they found, on
reaching the settlement, she had left. We had learned, moreover, that
when seventy or eighty miles on her journey to her friends', she was
taken sick and died, and that she had lost her youngest child before she
left the settlement. It was further stated that the remainder of her
family were at Little Rock, with a friend of her husband's, who would
provide for them till her family could either send for them, or give
some directions in regard to their disposition.
The negro advised me never to divulge my opinions in relation to the
doctor's death, nor to the history of his family out west. I told him I
did not recollect their names, and therefore could not do so if I would.
He assured me that it was well for me, perhaps, that it was so; and that
it could do me no good if I did. I spoke to the negro about the lively
sympathy which Edmonds had expressed for the family, a few days before I
parted with him; that he had told me, in case he could procure the name
and residence of their friends at the east, he would write them; and
that he had asked me if I remembered them. I told him I did not.
The negro assured me that it was well for me I had been so ignorant on
the subject; Edmonds was only trying me. Had I appeared to have known
any thing, and betrayed any disposition to give publicity to what I
knew, he would have prevented me, even if he had taken my life.
I discovered from the negro, that the secret band of outlaws, to whom I
here alluded, had a large number of members scattered among the
different tribes of Indians; that they are all about the western
country, in fact, and that all are true to each other as steel itself.
The negro assured me that he could find friends at every turn; yes,
those who _would die for him!_ He was well off, however, without them,
and had determined to pass the remainder of his days in living a life of
honesty; hoping that, by so doing, God would forgive him, if man did
not.
The negro told me much more in regard to himself and his companions. He
said he had been deaf and dumb, in order to find out what was going on.
He stood about and heard much said, which would not have been said had
it been supposed he could hear, and much, too, that was at times
extremely valuable to the band.
I told him that I had often noticed and pitied him. His reply was, that
he saw I felt for him, and it was none the worse for me that I did. This
very county where we were, was afterwards infested by Murrill and his
gang; and it was here that, in 1841, the citizens turned out and put to
death, by shooting and drowning, some forty or fifty villains.
But to return to the negro. I told him that his intelligence startled
me. He assured me, that while with him I was not in danger; that, to
tell the truth, where we then were was not a very bad tract of country.
For, said he, the brethren of Arkansas and Mississippi are not "clear
grit." That a few weeks preceding, a man by the name of Jeffries, who
had passed counterfeit money, they permitted to be taken and put to
death. He had, it seems, got off about one thousand dollars of the
spurious money on some river boatmen and traders; who returned when they
found the money was bad, pursued the counterfeiter to an island on the
river; where, after having stripped him naked and tied him to a tree,
they beat him to death! It was true this man was not a member of the
secret fraternity; but he would have been had his life been spared.
At this point of my conversation with the negro, I discovered the
steamboat HURON near by, so I shook hands with him and left him.
Rejoicing that a boat had at last come along, I was soon on board her,
bound for Louisville. We "wooded" some thirty miles distant from
Montgomery's Point, and at the wood-yard, I overheard one of the workmen
telling about the skeleton of a man which had been found on an island
near by; that it was tied to a tree, and that it was the remains of a
man who had been whipped to death for passing counterfeit money. The
woodman added, that the poor victim's watch and clothes were found
hanging near his skeleton. This story confirmed the statement of the
dumb negro on this point, and gave me confidence in all he had told me.
CHAPTER XV.
In the first chapter of this work, I have spoken of various attacks upon
my character; but not knowing from what motives they originated, I paid
no attention to them, nor should I to the one I shall here attempt the
exposition of, had it not been to satisfy the public that it was made
through a motive which I have every reason to believe a sinister one. I
will not offer through any remark intentionally to say such is the fact,
in relation to the intention of my imprudent opposer in my lone work of
mercy, for of the motives of a man no other man can judge; but will lay
our correspondence before the public, that they may examine and judge
for themselves.
No. 1.
State Prison, Auburn, April 7, 1845.
_To the Editor of the Tribune:_
We have had a recent visit from Mr. J. H. Green, the "Reformed Gambler,"
of whom you have previously spoken favourably in the editorial
department of your paper. Many are highly pleased with the man, and
think he should be sustained by public patronage and the press, inasmuch
as he comes with good credentials of moral and Christian character from
the church. Many think his course calculated to do much good, for this
and coming generations. He appears admirably calculated and accomplished
for exposing the deceptive marks and tricks of this heartless race of
land-pirates, called Gamblers, alias "_Sportsmen_." His description of
their infernal conduct and character cannot fail to put men on their
guard in season to shun them as they would a deadly pestilence that
walketh in darkness, and destruction that wasteth at noonday.
The grog-shop, the brothel, and the gambling-room, are three of the
blackest fountains of human misery over which the devil presides. From
these he gathers the bitterest waters of hellish destruction, and
spreads them broad-cast over creation: of which eternity can only
measure the full amount.
The Temperance Cause has attacked one of those sinks of Satan; the Moral
Reform enterprise has commenced upon another, and Mr. Green has now
taken the third "bull by the horns." Money and talent, and the press,
are enlisted against the two former, and shall we stand aloof, and leave
Mr. Green to combat the dragon single-handed and alone? It is high time
the whole community was aroused to the desolating evils of Gambling; and
the press, too, in thunder-tones, should be made to speak out upon this,
as upon other soul-destroying vices of the land.
Mr. Green has given five Lectures in our village: two in the Town Hall,
two in the Methodist Church, and one in the State Prison. On Sabbath,
sixth instant, at four o'clock, P.M., he addressed the children of the
several Sabbath-schools of the town, in the Methodist Episcopal Church,
to good effect; and in the evening, the same house was filled to a
perfect jam. Here Mr. Green was listened to with the best possible
attention; and I believe the great bulk of that immense throng, not only
believed him a reformed man, but also that he was doing a good and
necessary work in this country.
At nine o'clock, Sabbath morning, Mr. Green spoke to the unfortunate
inmates of this prison, numbering some eight hundred convicts, besides a
large concourse of citizens, who flocked to hear him at the same place.
His discourse was listened to in breathless silence by those men, and
hundreds of them wept freely, while listening to a recital of the
horrors of Gambling, as experienced during twelve wretched years of his
own gambling life, and of his reformation and salvation by grace in
Christ. A deep and powerful impression pervaded the vast concourse,
while all was graced by beautiful strains of vocal music by the "Boston
Quartet Club," and all passed off finely.
After Chapel service, Mr. Green and myself visited the cell of Henry
Wyatt, the murderer of James Gordon, of which the papers have spoken.
They readily recognised each other, as having been members of the same
gambling fraternity in the south and west. More than fifty gamblers were
named by them, whose doleful history was equally familiar to both.
Previous to this visit by Mr. Green, Wyatt had told me that gambling was
the cause of his ruin. At the close of our visit of some two hours, Mr.
Green gave Wyatt a pathetic exhortation to read his Bible, and pray
much, to repent of sin, and believe in Christ, and to seek religion as
the only thing which could prepare him for his approaching doom. Tears
flowed freely, and Wyatt exclaimed, "What a pity it is that you had not
come out in this way four years ago; then I should not have been here
in _chains_, as you see me now." We wept together, and left his cell in
silence.
Respectfully yours, &c.,
O.E. MORRILL, _Chaplain_.
No. 2.
From the Christian Advocate and Journal.
GREEN'S FIRST VISIT TO AUBURN STATE PRISON.
Doctor Bond:--
_Dear Sir_,--I shall be happy to contribute to your valuable sheet the
following communication:
I visited the Auburn State Prison, upon the morning of the 4th instant,
accompanied by the Boston Quartet Club, better known in New York city
than in this region for their valuable services in calling out so many
thousands to hear the eloquence of John B. Gough, in behalf of
temperance. We passed through the different workshops of the prison,
where many hundreds are doing the different labours allotted to them by
their agents. The health of the prisoners is as good, and spirits better
than any institution I have ever visited. Though the gloom of the
prisoner was not made manifest by his haggard countenance, yet I could
not prevent the melancholy reflection, that every heart knew its own
sorrow. I have seen much of human depravity in this wicked world--I have
felt the sensitive nerve made like an ice-drop by the cold finger of
scorn--I know how to sympathize with the child of circumstances--with
the heart-broken parent, whose pale, care-worn cheek but too plainly
speaks, "We feel trouble, but ye know it not." How many friends and
relatives are now bemoaning the loss of that boy who was once the pride
of all that knew him in the days of his affluence! Rising eight hundred
souls are now confined in the Auburn State Prison; and as my thoughts
expanded in their melancholy train, I asked myself, Who are to blame for
all the crimes committed, and which have incarcerated so many human
beings? I answered by referring to my own sad experience. By the
carelessness of the parent or guardian, the bud is nipped before the
blossom puts forth, and should it not scatter its leaves to the four
winds, it cannot fail to produce evil fruit. With these sad feelings, I
wended my way through the prison, which speaks well to the praise of the
different agents placed there to conduct the working departments.
On my return to the prison office, I was introduced to the chaplain,
Rev. O.E. Morrill, which reverend gentleman informed me that a man by
the name of Wyatt, then confined in one of the cells for the murder of
Gordon, on the 16th of March, in the Auburn State Prison, had confessed
to him that he had lived a gambler several years in the south and west,
and he would like I should call upon him. I accompanied him to the cell
of the murderer. The door was thrown open upon its grating hinges, when
the reverend gentleman introduced me as an acquaintance of his who had
travelled south several years, and thought that he (Wyatt) would be glad
to converse with him. He said he was happy to see me, and asked me to be
seated. After a short discourse, relative to the different classes of
men then in confinement, I asked him what he followed in his travels
through the south. He told me gambling. I asked him how long he had been
engaged in that nefarious business. He said twelve or thirteen years. I
asked him if he knew many gamblers? He said he did. I asked him if he
ever knew one by the name of Green? He said he did. I asked his name? He
answered, "John;" said he knew him in 1832, 1833, 1834, and 1835, and
saw him in 1842 in St. Louis. I asked him if he was intimate with Green?
He said he knew him as one gambler knew another. I asked if I favoured
him? He said if I would stand in the light he would tell me. I did so.
He said I looked like the man. I told him I was the man, but that I
never knew him by the name of Wyatt. He said I did not; that Wyatt was
not his real name. He then told me another, which was not his real name,
and asked me if I did not hear of a man being murdered near St. Louis in
the year 1841, and of two men being arrested, both tried and convicted,
one having a new trial granted him, the other being hung. I told him
that I thought I had. He said he was the man that had the new trial
granted, and was acquitted; "and," said he, "they hung the wrong man; he
was innocent; I am the guilty man; but they hung him and cleared me."
"But," says I, "you were under a different name still, at that time." He
said, "Yes, by none of those names do you know me, but my real name you
are familiar with. Your name," said he, "I knew in the year 1832; the
gamblers called you John, but Jonathan is your real name." My curiosity
was highly excited at the strange management of the murderer. But you
may imagine the increase of it when he told me his real name. I looked
at the murderer, and could scarcely believe my own eyes; yet he stood
before me a living marvel. I have pledged secresy as to his real name
until after his execution. I interrogated him on his first steps in
vice, and how he became so hardened. He told me to remember the
treatment he had received from the Lynchers' lash at Vicksburg. I did,
but my eyes could scarcely credit reality. I had known him in 1832,
1833, 1834, and in the early part of 1835, as a bar-keeper in Vicksburg.
He was never a shrewd card-player, but at that time was considered an
inoffensive youth. The coffee-house he kept was owned by North, who,
with four others, were executed on the 5th of July, 1835, by Lynch law.
Wyatt and three others were taken on the morning of the 7th, stripped,
and one thousand lashes given to the four, tarred and feathered, and put
into a canoe and set adrift on the Mississippi river. It makes my blood
curdle and my flesh quiver to think of the suffering condition of these
unfortunate men, set adrift on the morning of the 7th of July, with the
broiling sun upon their mangled bodies. Two died in about two hours
after they were set afloat. Wyatt and another remained with their hands
and feet bound forty hours, suffering more than tongue can tell or pen
describe, when they were picked up by some slave negroes, who started
with the two survivors to their quarters. His companion died before they
arrived. Wyatt survives to tell the horrors of the Lyncher's lash. He
told me seven murders had been occasioned by their unmerciful treatment
to him, and one innocent man hung. I know his statements to be true, for
I had known him before 1835, and his truth in other particulars cannot
be doubted. He murdered his seventh man, for which crime he will be
executed. I have another communication for your paper concerning the
murderer, and his prospects in the world to come.
Yours, truly,
J. H. GREEN.
Auburn, April 10, 1845.
No. 3.
From the Christian Advocate and Journal.
GREEN'S SECOND VISIT TO AUBURN STATE PRISON.
Doctor Bond:
_Dear Sir_,--I made my second visit to the prison on Sabbath morning,
the 6th instant, accompanied by the Boston Quartet Club. As we were
winding our way through the halls and passing the gloomy cells, I felt
sad and melancholy upon reflecting on the purpose of so large a prison.
Is it possible, thought I, that our heaven-favoured land of freedom
requires institutions of so extensive a character as this to keep down
the vices of a people who boast of their morality? Yet, horrible as it
appeared to me, I thought, if many of the foreign travellers, who are
ever ready to criticise and condemn our institutions, were conducted
through the Auburn State Prison, without any intimation of its design,
they would put it down in their journals of travel as an institution to
diffuse literary science and useful knowledge; and from what we have
learned of institutions of the latter kind, under monarchical
governments, we have little hesitation in saying, that they would not
compare well with this prison. Nor would they be willing that some of
their plans for the diffusion of useful knowledge, in the way of
charity, should be compared, in respect to health and religious
principles, with this institution, intended only for the punishment and
prevention of crime, and the reformation of criminals. And if it be the
fact, that our state's prison is better calculated than some foreign
institutions designed to educate the poor of the land for this same
purpose, it certainly will stand good that our land of liberty is
comparatively the land of morality.
We entered the chapel, where were seated nearly eight hundred convicts,
and something like one hundred citizens, who had been admitted for the
purpose of hearing the sweet melody of the Boston Quartet Club, and to
hear the reformed gambler speak upon a vice which had brought over one
hundred within the gloomy walls of a state's prison. Service commenced
with prayer by the chaplain, Rev. O.E. Morrill. The Boston Quartet Club
then sung the beautiful sacred piece, "Hear my Prayer," during which
breathless silence made manifest that the music was enjoyed. I was then
introduced as the reformed gambler, Mr. J. H. Green. When I arose, there
was profound silence throughout the chapel, to hear my sad experience. I
felt perfectly incompetent to give satisfaction to an audience, partly
composed of the most hardened wretches that infest our land--men who are
steeped to the very lips in degradation, many of whom are men of talent,
well-educated, and well acquainted with most of the leading topics of
the day, knowing, too, as I did, that an error might be construed into
an insult; and to such men an insult is unpardonable. I commenced by
relating my sad experience, and in a few minutes there could scarcely be
seen a dry cheek in that vast assembly of depraved men. My address being
closed, the prisoners were marched in order to their dining-room.
The chaplain and myself visited the cell of Wyatt, the murderer. We
found him sitting upon the straw which covered the floor. He seemed to
be somewhat indifferent when the chaplain first spoke to him, but upon
his second speech, telling that Mr. Green had again called to see him,
he sprung to his feet and shook hands with me--said he was glad I had
called--that he had been fearful I had left the prison, after giving my
address, without seeing him, and added, "Mr. Green, I would love to hear
you give your experience." I told him of the attention the prisoners had
given me, and the advice I had given them, about signing the
anti-gambling pledge, so soon as they were released--to come out with
their sad experience, and they would find the good and generous-hearted
ever ready to receive them. He turned round to the chaplain and said,
"How much good such a society as that would have done, had it been
formed before I became a gambler!--How many men it would have saved from
the dagger of the midnight murderer! But it is too late to save me." I
changed the subject, by asking him about different gamblers of our
country. We talked about many with whom we both had been intimate. Some,
he tells me, now live in your empire city, and were leading men among
the politicians in the last presidential contest. I knew them to be
leading men. I knew them to be gamblers and swaggering bullies; and I
knew them to be at one time connected with Wyatt, but did not know them
to be murderers; yet they certainly are.
Wyatt asked me if they permitted such men to vote? I told him they did.
Said he, "A gambler should not be entitled to a vote, nor to his oath."
He spoke correctly; and said he, "The day is not far distant when the
man, who is known to the world as a gambler, will not be countenanced."
Neither his vote nor his oath would be taken at the present day, if the
citizens, who are the bone and sinew of the country, would take into
consideration his real principles. He said, "No man who bets upon
elections should be entitled to his vote, nor to his oath; for a man who
can be excited to bet upon an election, can be excited when upon oath to
stretch the blanket; or, in plainer language, to swear to a lie. Such I
believe to be facts." "And lotteries are another species of villany,"
said he; "the money goes to the vendor, and makes his victim poor and
dishonest. Such I know to be facts." Pleased to hear a man, situated as
Wyatt, the murderer, is, reason so candidly, I changed the subject, in
order to learn more about the murders he had committed. I knew that a
man, in the year 1839, was missing from Natchez, by the name of Tucker,
and by the run of Wyatt's discourse, I found he was in that part about
the same time.
I told Wyatt that a man by the name of Tucker was supposed to have been
murdered about that date between Natchez and New Orleans. He laughed,
and said he knew something about it. "Myself and three others," said he,
"went to Natchez as produce speculators. Tucker owned a boat load of
produce. We contracted for it, advanced him money sufficient to pay off
his hands, telling him we had sufficient help; that he could go with us
to New Orleans, and that on our arrival there, we would pay him the
balance due. He did so. We paid him in a Mississippi bath. We murdered
him, and then threw him overboard." I asked him if he ever was
suspected. He said, not that he knew of. I asked him if he was not
afraid, when he was committing such a murder, that the body might rise
upon the water and be the means of their being suspected. "We cut their
entrails out," said he, "then they never rise until resurrection-day." I
felt heart-sick at his dreadful description of the murder of Tucker. I
knew him. He was a good, honest man. I arose from my seat, took him by
the hand, and bade him good day, promising him to call again. I will, in
my next, inform you of the particulars of my third visit, which will
lead you further into his dreadful history. I will in my next also speak
of his views on the subject of religion.
Yours, truly,
J. H. GREEN.
Auburn, April 17, 1845.
No. 4.
The following letter was written and published by the unanimous consent
of every honest citizen of Cleveland, Ohio, of which place I can only
speak in the language of commendation. It is one of the most virtuous
cities in the state, according to its population; and from the interest
two of the principal organs took in behalf of the anti-gambling cause, I
am certain that no filthy sheet can ever pollute its moral principles.
_To the Editor of the Cleveland Plaindealer:_
Mr. Gray, Sir--The Herald of last evening contained a letter over the
signature of O.E. Morrill, dated July 25th, 1845, charging J. H. Green,
"the Reformed Gambler," with misrepresenting the confessions made to him
by "Wyatt, the murderer." The Anti-Gambling Society of this city have
requested me, as its President, to publish the following letter, in
justice to Mr. Green, and in answer to Mr. Morrill. It was written on
the 12th of July last, in reply to Mr. Morrill's "private note,"
referred to in his letter published last evening. A true copy was made,
and the original forwarded to Mr. O.E. Morrill on the day of its date,
by Dr. Cowles, of this city. Deeming this letter a complete refutation
of the charges against Mr. Green, the Society have taken the liberty,
without his knowledge, of requesting you to place it before the public.
Your obedient servant,
John E. Cary.
Cleveland, August 5, 1845.
[This letter was written in reply to a letter addressed me by the Rev.
O.E. Morrill, requesting my return to Auburn, fifteen days previous to
his publishing my statements as false, and letter No. 7 will show in
what manner I replied.]
No. 5.
Cleveland, July 12, 1845.
_Mr. O.E. Morrill:_
Dear sir,--I have just received yours of the 10th. Speaking in regard to
Wyatt's case, you state that you was very much surprised at my letters.
Why did you not tell me so before they were published? You also heard
both the first and second letter before I left your section. Why did you
not object to them before?
Again, you say, some parts are my own representations. This I deny. I
will not say that I have given them verbatim, but this I do say, and
will maintain, that I have not exaggerated in my statements.
Yet I do not wish to injure that poor doomed man. God forbid. I do not
think as you do about Wyatt. I know him better than you do, or can. I
know that he has been the child of circumstances. I know that he is not
a man who will strictly confine himself to the truth; and fear of death
will make him do any thing that he is told to do. His denying what he
told me, I care nothing for. In my statements, if they were not correct
from him to me, I am not accountable; I believe them to be facts.
Now for a few questions to brighten your memory. When we entered his
cell for the first time, you introduced me as a man who had lived in the
south. I interrogated him on his past life. Did I not commence at
Huntsville, in the year 1832, and trace him to November, 1835, at the
mouth of the Ohio, with the Texas troops? When he told me that he had
known me up to that date, that he also saw me at St. Louis, do you not
recollect his asking me if I had not heard of a man being murdered in,
or near St. Louis, one man hung, and the other acquitted? And do you not
recollect I told him I thought I did; also, that at the same time I was
informed, that the people thought that the guilty man was cleared, and
the innocent one hung. He laughed, and said he was the guilty one, or
something amounting to the same? Do you recollect, in your own letter to
the Tribune, you stated that over fifty gamblers were recognised, with
whose doleful history we were both familiar? Also, do you not recollect
his telling about their lynching him; about the cords cutting his arms?
Do you not recollect when I talked about the Tucker, or flat-boat
murder, he told how they cut out the entrails, to prevent the body from
rising? Do you not recollect that you and myself talked the same over at
your house? You certainly cannot forget. He told me so much, I can think
of but little, which I thought most essential to remember. I am willing
to say nothing more about his case, until his execution; if I am
satisfied it will be beneficial to the community, as well as Wyatt. But
to retract one syllable, I cannot, unless I find myself mistaken, in
which case I will make any acknowledgment necessary.
You ask, or say, that, if I come back, something may be done
satisfactorily. I presume it can be done without my coming. You can
write to me at this city; I shall remain here two weeks. I suppose the
change of officers has made some in relation to the confession, of which
I know nothing about, but there is no fabrication, as far as I am
concerned, and the fact of a newspaper quarrel between you and I cannot
fail to injure, or at least excite the people more against him. You say
you will be forced into it. Do not be hasty. I do not fear any
inconvenience from any act of mine, but, of course, if you contradict my
statements, I have the same chance to support them; and, perhaps, there
are some facts, which, when revealed, will make you better satisfied
that the confession you have of Wyatt is not more than one-fourth true.
His dates are almost every one incorrect. His crimes are enlarged in
some places, diminished in others. You have the best right to his
confessions, if he alters it, and you have the most truthful history. I
told you when we parted, that I knew things relative to Wyatt, which he
would never tell you, with which you should be benefited after the
trial. They are in my possession, and I will not reveal them until he
has been tried, unless it should be necessary to show the fact of his
(Wyatt's) horrible character.
What has been said by me, cannot so far injure Wyatt, unless it is
perverted. But what I have said are facts, which I will not retract,
and they are of that nature which need no retractation. My memory is as
good as yours. I am striving to do right, the same as yourself, and will
contend that you are as liable to be mistaken as I am, especially when I
knew him in different circumstances. I blame you not for doing every
thing that is right to make Wyatt as happy as he can be, under his
present circumstances, but be careful that you are right.
I leave this matter for your consideration, believing that you will do
what is correct, so far as you are able. You can rest assured, that I
will do any thing in my power to assist. You will find, however, that I
am correct in my statements. Write me, and your letter shall have
immediate attention.
Yours, with respect,
J. H. GREEN.
No. 6.
From the Auburn Journal, July 30th.
State Prison, Auburn, N.Y., July 25, 1845.
Mr. Oliphant:--
_Sir_,--In justice to an unfortunate prisoner, now in chains awaiting
his trial at the next sitting of the court in this place, I feel in duty
bound to say to the public, that whatever Wyatt's character or conduct
may have been, or however many murders he may have committed, and may
ultimately be revealed to the public through the proper channels--yet
all Mr. Green has said about Wyatt's having confided to him, that he,
with three others, were whipped a thousand lashes at Vicksburg, which
had been the cause of seven murders, and that Gordon was the seventh man
that he (Wyatt) had killed, and that he (Wyatt) positively killed the
man at St. Louis, for which an innocent man was hung--and that he
(Wyatt) said _he_ killed Tucker in 1839, between Natchez and New
Orleans, is _untrue_ to my _certain_ knowledge.
Mr. Green's visits were all made in my presence, while Wyatt was
confined in his cell, a room some four by seven feet in size; hence, all
that passed between them could be distinctly heard and known by all
three of us.
I have no disposition to injure Mr. Green, but I should do violence to
every principle of justice and humanity, were I to remain silent, and
see a fellow-being tried for his life in the midst of that prejudice
which has already condemned the criminal to a thousand deaths, by Mr.
Green's published declarations of Wyatt's own confessions of bloody
deeds and horrid murders, when, in reality, the prisoner has made no
such confessions to him, to my certain knowledge.
To avoid this unpleasant task, I addressed a private note to Mr. Green,
calling for a satisfactory explanation; but, in his reply, he utterly
refuses a single retraction, and the only alternative left me is to let
the prisoner suffer this great injustice, or disabuse the public mind
from the wrong impressions made by fabrications of Mr. Green.
I hope to be spared the disagreeable necessity of resorting to the
newspapers of the day to correct any further improprieties of Mr. Green
on this subject. If I am not, I will give a specific catalogue of them
in my next.
All editors of newspapers, whether political or religious, are requested
to give the above an insertion in their columns, as an act of justice to
an injured man, and very much oblige.
Your obedient servant,
O.E. MORRILL, _Chaplain._
No. 7.
Toledo, August 5, 1845.
_To the Editor of the New York Tribune:_
Dear sir,--I beg leave to introduce to your columns the following
article, written for the purpose of satisfying the honest part of the
community, that a letter written by the Rev. O.E. Morrill, on the 25th
of July last, is an unprincipled misrepresentation of my purpose, in
bringing to light the horrid deeds of murder committed by Wyatt, now in
the Auburn State Prison.
I visited Wyatt four times, in company with Mr. Morrill, Chaplain of the
Prison. The time I spent with him in all these visits was about five
hours, during which we conversed about his former course of life. It is
impossible for me to state in one article all that he revealed to me,
but what I do remember, I published in my letters, relative to my visits
to the cell of Wyatt. The second of these letters was dated April 7th,
and the first about the 1st of April. I read both these letters to the
reverend gentleman; the first before it went to press, and the second as
soon as published, we being at both times together, with some officers
of the institution, in the State Prison office.
I now call the attention of the reader to a letter, from the reverend
gentleman, to the editor of the New York Tribune, of the date of April
7th, in which he speaks in the highest terms of my conduct. The reader
will notice that this is after my first letter was published, and after
he had heard them both read, and after he knew that I had given Wyatt's
confessions, which he now, in his letter of July 25th, declares to be
nothing more than "fabrications" of mine. If my statement of Wyatt's
confession were known to Mr. Morrill to be false, why did he recommend
me so highly in his letter of April 7th, and why has he not contradicted
me before this? The reverend gentleman says, that he did not wish to
injure me, and so addressed me a private note. If I could be so base as
to put forth to the world such falsehoods as he accuses me of, in regard
to a fellow-being, so soon to be launched into eternity, no fear of
injury to me can excuse the gentleman for his not exposing me
immediately to public scorn and detestation.
When at Auburn, after my visits to the cell, I spoke several times, in
the presence of Mr. Morrill, and other gentlemen, of Wyatt's confessions
to me; and yet Mr. Morrill, though present, never disputed one relation.
I also lectured some fifty times, within fifty miles of Auburn, and, in
nearly all, gave the same statements which he now contradicts. Why has
not Mr. Morrill published, together with his contradiction, my reply to
his note of July 10th? If he had, the community would have seen my
reasons for not retracting my former statements.
I am truly sorry to have any difficulty with the reverend gentleman, on
this subject or any other, but my duty in regard to this malicious
slander, (the motives of which I am unable to fathom,) compels me to
reply, and for no other purpose than to satisfy the community, that I
could have no personal object in view, in casting a stigma upon the
character of this unfortunate convict, by any statement he made to me,
for I certainly could not be benefited in any manner by publishing
falsehoods in relation to him.
I repeat again to the world, and ever will, that the unfortunate Wyatt
did to me confess all I stated he did, and much more, which it is
impossible for me to remember. If he stated falsehoods to me, I am not
responsible. He told me that he was one of _four_ that had received a
thousand lashes at Vicksburg, in July, 1835; and I knew a young man, by
the name of Henry North, to be about Vicksburg, and to be in the
employment of North, the gambler, who was hung at Vicksburg, by the
_lynchers_, in July, 1835. Henry, though of the same name, was not
related to the other, as I understood. When I went to the south in the
fall of 1835, I inquired about the gamblers of Vicksburg, and was told
that Henry North, alias Wyatt, or Newell, was, with four others,
whipped, tarred and feathered, hands bound, and set afloat, and the
supposition was that he, and the others with him, existed no more. When
Wyatt told me his real name, I was surprised at beholding him. He told
me that he had set fire twice to Vicksburg, and once to Natchez, and
that, during the conflagration, he murdered _three_ men. He told me he
killed Tucker in 1839. I talked with Mr. Morrill before several officers
of the prison, in regard to what Wyatt said about cutting the entrails
out of Tucker, and the confession which Mr. Morrill now has from Wyatt
will show the main circumstances of this murder, perhaps not giving
Tucker's name, but he speaks about the flat-boat murder, between Natchez
and New Orleans, and I claim it, in justice to me, that the reverend
gentleman should produce the confession Wyatt made, when he speaks of
"speculation on the Mississippi."
I also call on Mr. Morrill, in justice to myself and the public, to
answer the following questions. 1st. Did not Wyatt confess in his
presence the murder of individuals besides Tucker, on the Mississippi?
2d. Did he not say he cut the entrails out to prevent their rising? 3d.
Did he not say he was tried at St. Louis under another name, (I think it
was North,) and did I not turn to Mr. Morrill, and say, I knew some men
had been tried at St. Louis, but knew none of the parties; and did not
Wyatt then say that he was tried for murder at St. Louis, that he was
convicted on his first trial, but acquitted on a new trial, and that an
innocent man was hung? 4th. Did I not tell Mr. Morrill, that Wyatt
informed me that he had been a convict in the Ohio Penitentiary; and
does not Mr. Morrill recollect that upon my third visit to Wyatt's cell,
I said to Wyatt, that it was reported he had been in the Ohio
Penitentiary, at which Wyatt frowned, and I changed the tenor of my
question by stating, that Gordon said he (Wyatt) had been there, and
that Wyatt laughed, and said it was such d----d lies which occasioned
Gordon's death; and did not Mr. Morrill say to me, he knew many of
Wyatt's _misfortunes_, which he kept secret from the agent of the
prison; and will Mr. Merrill deny that when we went into the office,
after my last visit, that the clerk again repeated that Wyatt had been
in the Ohio Prison, and did not I then decide with the clerk, the
probability of such being the fact, and did not Mr. Morrill still
_insist_ that it was a false report?
In conclusion I will say, that whatever may be the reverend gentleman's
intentions towards me, and in his own behalf the motives for which I am
not able to penetrate; yet, although he brands my statements as false,
and although the cell was but four by seven feet in size, I leave it to
the community to decide, whether two men, who can speak the "flash
language," in which one word can convey sentences, may not hold a
conversation not easily understood by a third person, ignorant of its
meaning--and can Mr. Morrill assert what meaning was conveyed by such
language between Wyatt and myself? if so, he is the first man I ever
knew that could interpret a language or tongue he never studied. At
least one-fourth of the conversation between Wyatt and myself before Mr.
Morrill, was of this kind. I do not think Mr. Morrill understood all he
heard, yet the greater part of what I published in my letters was spoken
in plain English, and Mr. Morrill, at the time, gave vent to his
feelings over the dreadful disclosures.
I ask the papers of the day to publish this statement in justice to both
parties, as well as the public at large.
J. H. GREEN.
No. 8.
Correspondence of the New York Tribune.
Perrysburgh, Ohio, August 16, 1845.
_Mr. Greeley_,--I wish to introduce to the columns of your valuable
paper the following. Though it may seem mysterious and out of date, it
will be read with much interest by many, and may have a tendency to cast
a light upon one of the most horrible murders ever committed in this or
any other Christian land. There is not one shade of doubt remaining in
my mind but that the murderers, as well as their victim or victims, long
before the date of this article, might have been discovered, had there
been sufficient effort made. True, efforts have at last been made, and
the skeleton of one murdered victim found, and much search made for the
other. The particulars which led to the but small effort which has
already been made, are collected from circumstances as follows:--As near
as we can learn, in September, 1844, a gentleman, by the name of
Stephens, from the state of New York, made his appearance in
Perrysburgh, remained in and near some days, left, sometime after
returned. About the time of his departure from the second visit, he made
known his business, that he had kept secret until the time near his
departure. He then told that two men had been murdered, and their bodies
concealed in the woods about one-half mile from the last turnpike gate,
which is about four miles from Perrysburgh. His statements corroborating
some previous signs of murder, induced the citizens to turn out and
scout the swamp in search, knowing as they did that certain packages of
clothes had been found in the Maumee river by a fisherman, on the 17th
April, 1844. The clothes found were done up in parcels, coat,
pantaloons, and vest, with a stone tied round each, with strips of
handkerchiefs cut or torn for the purpose. Upon examination, the clothes
were cut in a way to show they had been ripped off from the body. The
pantaloon's legs cut open; the coat cut open from the back and sleeves;
the vest also cut open from the back. The coat had many cuts in the left
sleeve, also a hole about the lower button on the right side, which hole
was in the pantaloons, cutting the lower suspender in two. The vest had
several cuts in it, immediately back of the neck, through the collar,
and two knife holes. The vest is a figured worsted piece of goods, of
lilac colour, about half-worn. The coat is a black cloth frock, or
surtout, but little worn, no velvet upon it, lined inside of the skirts
with black silk or serge, the sleeve lining twilled linen. Inside of
the left sleeve is a mark of the merchant, which is one cipher--nothing
more. From the looks, I should have taken the coat to have cost twenty
dollars. The pantaloons are rather of a blue colour, striped casinet,
and have never been worn much. The suspender, which has been cut in two,
is a common striped web. The two handkerchiefs are figured silk,
half-worn. When they were found, it was evident they had not been long
in the water. I have a piece of each garment, and persons who have
missed any of their friends mysteriously perhaps might find, upon
examination, that which would lead them to know their friend had
suffered death from the hands of a murderer. A sample of each I will
keep to exhibit through the country, hoping to solve the mystery.
Now for the mysterious visits of Mr. Stephens. About his departure from
the second visit, he disclosed certain things, which I will give
according to my information. He said he had been informed by certain
convicts, then in the New York State Prison at Auburn, that they had
murdered two men in the said swamp, and had concealed their bodies. One
they had stripped; the other, left his clothing upon him. They stated
that the murdered men were travelling in a buggy, and that they (the
murderers) stopped the buggy, presented their pistols, forced them into
the woods, where they shot one, and stabbed and butchered the other. Not
far from the same place, a hat was found with a bullet-hole in it, but
no sign was left upon the body found which would indicate that he had
been brought to his death by a ball, which also goes farther to prove
the probability of the murder of two men. They buried them, as they
state, about one-half mile apart, strip ping the clothes off from one,
which they took along with them in the buggy, and made their way to the
Maumee river. Not thinking it politic to cross at the toll-bridge, they
went up to the ford, near Fort Meigs, and found the river not in a
fording state. They tied stones to the clothes and threw them in the
river, where they were afterward found, and crossed the bridge to the
north side of the river, went below Toledo, took the buggy to pieces,
sank it and the harness in the river, and took the horse out back of
Manhattan and killed it. In the early part of the summer following two
men were arrested near Geneseo, New York, for committing burglary.
Apprehension of another attack almost forbids me giving their names,
while duty doubly nerves me to speak and let the public know that
_Wyatt_, alias Newell, or North, and Head, his accomplice in the
burglary at Geneseo, are the two murderers who gave Mr. Stephens his
information, and caused his visit to ascertain the truth of such horrid
deeds. Other circumstances leave no doubt resting with the people of
this part that the same two men, Wyatt and Head, murdered John Parish,
of Hancock county, while attempting to arrest them for horse-stealing. A
small explanation of this fact I will make. It will be remembered by
many that Wyatt attempted to make his escape from the Auburn prison, and
when Gordon, the man he afterward murdered, told the keepers, he was
searched, and upon his person a letter was found, which letter contained
no names of men or places, nor was it directed; but from the purport, it
was evidently written for the purpose of sending to Ohio, for it stated
that he dare not venture back, as the people would recognise him as the
murderer of a certain officer who had made an attempt to arrest him. The
reader will also recollect that Wyatt, under the name of Newell,
resided in Toledo in the commencement of 1844 until April 1st, 1844,
when he left Toledo, and was not heard of until Mr. Stephens'
revelation. I would say, in conclusion, so far as this statement may
have a tendency to excite the citizens to their duties, relative to
those mysterious murders, that I hope those concerned in ferreting out
the particulars hereafter will not have a malignant feeling for any
stranger who may come among them to assist, not for honour or profit,
as, undoubtedly, so far as this mysterious affair is concerned, some of
the principal workers have made the two latter-mentioned their object. I
believe this, so far, to be the most correct account of those mysterious
murders, and if it is thought by any concerned that a more able report
can be given, come out and do your duty.
J. H. GREEN.
This article is introduced for several purposes--all of which we
consider of importance to substantiate the facts we have laid before
them. Those murders, near Perrysburgh, were committed by Wyatt and Head,
his colleague, who is now in the State Prison at Auburn, New York. After
the controversy had taken place, I availed myself of the opportunity to
search into facts concerning Wyatt, and found, in addition to those set
forth in the preceding letter, the following:--Wyatt, alias Robert Henry
North, was hired as a stage-driver near Chillicothe, Ohio, in the latter
part of 1838, but decamped in a short time afterwards with a horse
belonging to another man, and made his way to Portsmouth, Ohio; where he
was taken and carried back to Chillicothe, tried, and convicted to serve
three years in the Ohio Penitentiary. In 1841 he was released. He then
left for Missouri, where he again got into difficulty, which detained
him until 1843. He told me he was tried for his life in St. Louis,
convicted, got a new trial, and was acquitted. If he was, it was under a
different name from any above mentioned, and the murder he was tried for
must have been Major Floyd. But I do not believe he was one of those
tried, and acquitted, as he professed to be. He then made his way across
the country to Louisville, Kentucky. From there to a town called Mount
Gilead, in Ashland county, Ohio, where he went to work at the business
of tailoring, a trade he had learned in the Ohio State Prison. In a
short time after he arrived there, he married a very respectable lady,
with whom, for the short period they lived together, he led a very
disagreeable life. In the latter part of 1843, or the beginning of 1844,
he left for Toledo, Ohio, where he hired out, and lived up to the time
spoken of in the preceding letter, and where he committed the crimes
referred to in the same. After which, he made his escape to the state of
New York, in company with the notorious villain, Head, where they
committed a burglary, and were sentenced to the Auburn State Prison from
Geneseo. When Wyatt arrived at the penitentiary, he was recognised by an
old companion who had served in the Ohio Penitentiary, by the name of
Gordon. Gordon gave information to the keepers, of Wyatt's having served
a time in the penitentiary in Ohio. Wyatt became enraged, and despairing
of any chance of a pardon, being sentenced, I think, for fourteen years,
he tried to effect his escape, but was detected and severely punished.
He then swore vengeance against Gordon, whose time was nearly expired;
and on Saturday, the 15th of March, 1845, he secreted about his person
one-half of a pair of shears, given him to work with in the tailor's
shop, which he reserved until the next day, (Sabbath, the 16th,) and as
the prisoners were marching to their cells from their dinners, stabbed
Gordon in the right side, immediately below the ribs. The instrument
passed towards his spine, through one of the main arteries, killing him
almost instantly, and for this last deed he was hanged.
Finally, let me say to those who may be anxious to know more of the
history of this unfortunate man, and of his crimes, that I have looked
with great anxiety for the third letter, spoken of in my second to the
Christian Advocate and Journal. That the mystery of their not appearing
has been no fault of mine. I wrote four letters, and but two appeared.
Whether they were detained by the false and garbled statements which
have been set forth by the Rev. O.E. Morrill, or whether they have ever
been received, I am unable to say. However, I have written twice to Dr.
Bond, and, as yet, I have not been able to learn by what authority they
have been detained. But should I have them returned, the public may be
welcome to them for their worth.
Since the execution, we learned from those present, that Wyatt was taken
from his cell, faint from the loss of blood he had shed a few days
before, in his attempt to commit suicide. When seated in his chair,
under the gallows, he made remarks like the following: "I have lived
like a man, I will die like a man. I am not afraid to die. I am about to
enter eternity, and appear before my God. My conduct has been
misrepresented--men have sworn falsely against me--I cannot and will not
forgive them--I am not the man I have been represented to be--I did not
commit the murder charged upon me in Ohio. I am thankful to the sheriff
and his family for their kindness." He manifested no religious penitence
to the last. He died an unbeliever.
* * * * *
In conclusion, I would say to those who have perused this work, so full
of strange and startling incidents, let not their mysterious and dark
character cause you to doubt of their truth. Recollect that there are
strange events in the life of every man, many of which he cannot fathom;
and were the whole circumstances of your own life disclosed, it is not
impossible that many of them would exceed belief. Horrible as is the
picture of depravity here exhibited, the half has not been told, nor
would I reveal one iota more than I deemed necessary to awaken the
public attention to a sense of their danger, and a corresponding sense
of their duty. Reader, you may be standing upon the edge of a precipice,
though you know it not. Fathers, your sons may frequent these haunts of
vice, and be entangled in the snares of the destroyer. Wives, mothers,
sisters, daughters, lend us your aid to save those you love from
destruction. You need not be ignorant, that around you are hundreds of
individuals who live in affluence upon the spoils of their industry. It
is not gamblers that support gaming. If the merchant, and lawyer, and
tradesman, and the man of fortune did not supply them with the material,
their profession would die. In all my works I have shown how gambling
lends to, and is connected with, all other crimes; and I beseech you, as
you love your families, yourselves, and our common country, that you
lend your aid and influence to abate this evil. This vast conspiracy
against your lives and fortunes, which I have here developed, is no
chimera. Its workings are everywhere felt, though the machinery is
unseen. I have no object but your good in making this disclosure; and
should it meet the eye, as I have no doubt it will, of some one not a
stranger to its crimes, I beseech him to consider his ways. Why should
he live a curse to the earth--a destroyer of his kind--a blot upon
creation--a dishonour to his Maker? Heaven and earth are equally ready
to receive the returning prodigal. The only danger--the only disgrace is
to continue where you are. In behalf of our Maker, in behalf of
humanity, in behalf of all that is noble and virtuous, I beseech you to
TURN, _why will ye die_?
DEBATE ON GAMBLING,
BETWEEN
MR. FREEMAN THE AVOWED GAMBLER, AND MR. GREEN, THE REFORMED GAMBLER;
BEFORE THE CITIZENS OF PHILADELPHIA, IN THE LECTURE-ROOM OF THE CHINESE
MUSEUM, ON THE EVENINGS OF THE 10TH, 13TH, AND 15TH OF MAY, 1847.
_Mr. Freeman's challenge, and Mr. Green's acceptance, as published in
the papers of the city of Philadelphia._
From the Inquirer.
It is well known that Mr. Green, the Reformed Gambler, gave a Lecture at
the Museum on Monday night last, in which he exposed the arts and
devices of the Gambling Fraternity of the Union. His audience was quite
large, and his illustrations were listened to with no little interest.
It seems from the following article, which we copy from the Sun of
yesterday, that a professional Gambler was present. His Card or
Challenge is quite a curiosity:
Mr. Editor:--Having attended the Lecture of J. H. Green, last evening, at
the Chinese Museum, on the popular vice of Gambling, and differing from
him in each and in every view which he took, and which he is in the
habit of taking upon that subject, I beg leave respectfully to say to
him through the medium of your columns, that I have made up my mind to
confront him in debate, in regard to the right and wrong of the subject
in question. I say, I am willing so to do, provided it meets his
views, and those of the community. If he, and those who admire his
theory, are the friends of truth, surely they will not shrink from
investigation?--and if I cannot sustain myself in debate, why, his
triumph will add strength to his cause.
With regard to _who_ I am, I will say in a single word that I am a
professional Gambler. I shall set out, if we meet, to prove to the
audience, among other things, that in his illustrations of the cheatery
which he says the gambler practices upon his victim, he is actually at
that very moment practising a palpable cheat upon the very audience
which he is proposing to enlighten. As regards any profits that may
arise from such a meeting, I want none, although perhaps as needy as Mr.
Green.
As regards experience in debate, Mr. G. has decidedly the advantage of
me in that respect. I have had the honour of addressing public audiences
four times in my whole life, and but four--two of these were in favour
of Old Tip, in 1840, and the other two upon the subject of temperance. I
am well aware that there are many persons who would look upon it as a
sort of inconsistency that a man, occupying my position, should be the
honest advocate of temperance--but they so reason because they are
uninformed in regard to the higher order of gambling!
Should Mr. Green accede to my proposition, he only has to name his time
and place--or if he prefers to have a personal interview, he can do so.
I am willing to wait on him at his boarding-house, but would like to
have at least one respectable person present to hear all that passes
between us.
J.G. FREEMAN.
N.B.--I am a native of South Carolina; I am known from Virginia to
Orleans. Mr. Green I have seen in that city, and he no doubt recollects
me, though I never had any intimacy with him.
We publish below another communication from Mr. Freeman, in which he
announces that Mr. Green has accepted his challenge to debate, and lays
down his points for argument. We are glad of this, and have no doubt the
public will share in our curiosity to know what kind of a defence can be
made by a gambler, even so _polished_ as Mr. Freeman, for a vice fitly
characterized by Mr. Green as "fifty per cent. worse than stealing."
Expectation is on tiptoe.
Communicated for the Sun.
Mr. Editor--I return to you my sincere thanks for having kindly
published my letter to Mr. J. H. Green, the reformed gambler; and beg
leave now to state to you, that I have had an interview with him, and
that he fully consents to go into the debate. It now devolves upon me,
since I have assumed the character of _plaintiff_ in the action, to
define minutely the exact points to be discussed.
The first position, then, that I shall assume, is that all those states
in this Union that have enacted very severe laws against gambling, such
as making it a penitentiary offence, &c., have acted both tyrannically
and unwisely--_tyrannically_, because they are an infringement upon
those sacred reserved rights that never were yielded in what law
commentators call the "social compact"--and _unwise_, because their
tendency is to generate immorality rather than stop it.
The second ground that I shall take, is that the character of that class
of beings called "gamblers" is less understood by the community at
large, and especially by that portion of it that have had no intercourse
with them, than any class of men in the world. That it has ever been the
misfortune of the gambler to be misrepresented, not only of late by Mr.
Green, but generally by those that have attempted to portray his
character in the prints.
I shall undertake to show him up in his true character, making it
neither better nor worse than it really is--"_Let justice be done if the
heavens fall._"
In the third place, I shall propose to prove beyond question, that
cheating at cards is decidedly the most unfortunate thing for the cause
of gambling and gamblers, that possibly could exist. And on the other
hand, that it is the very saviour of that portion of mankind who have a
sneaking fondness for play.
In the fourth place, I will attempt to prove that those tricks that Mr.
Green is in the habit of illustrating with cards, are entirely
worthless; that they can _not_ be reduced to practice; that if they can,
it must be on persons wholly destitute of common sense; that an opinion
that he can tell any cards by the back, is entirely untrue; that neither
he nor any other man can do any such thing, unless the cards have been
marked either by himself or some other person.
In the course of those proceedings, I shall take upon myself, for the
benefit of the young and inexperienced who may be present, to make such
developments as will be of lasting importance to them in their sojourn
through this mazy world; for, as Mr. Calhoun once said of the
Constitution of the United States, if there be any one man that loves
innocent youth better than all others, I claim to be that man. To seduce
one into _any_ vicious habit when uncontaminated, is a thing I would
_scorn_ to do. And the pleasure which I feel, when I reflect upon it, of
having actually saved some half dozen from ruin, is to me unspeakable.
But for this I know I am never to be credited; for Mr. Green has
informed us that the gambler is _hardened_, for he never goes to church,
and if you reach him at all it must be with a penitentiary act.
But, pardon me, Messrs. Editors, this is not the time nor the place for
the argument.
Yours, respectfully, J.G. FREEMAN.
Mr. Green says he will inform me on to-morrow when it will suit to have
the meeting.
Mr. Green, it will be seen by the following letter, has consented to
meet his challenger in debate on the subject of gambling. We are glad of
this, inasmuch as Mr. Freeman is said to be quite an intelligent
gentleman, and stands at the head of his _profession_. The discussion,
if conducted in a proper spirit, will be attended by good results.--ED.
For the Daily Sun.
Philadelphia, April 29, 1847.
_Messrs. Barrett & Jones_:--In the "Sun" of the 28th and 29th inst. are
two communications, over the signature of J.G. Freeman, proposing to
controvert my positions relative to the gamblers, and challenging me to
a public discussion.
This individual called upon me after the publication of his first
letter, and seemed to be honest in his intentions to defend his system
of untold enormities. If the public, therefore, can be benefited, and my
reformatory purpose in this particular promoted, as I suspect it will, I
would rather court than avoid such an interview.
I have long wished for, but certainly never expected such a discussion.
I see the shoe begins to pinch. I am glad to perceive that those for
whom it was made are beginning to feel and cry aloud. Just as I
anticipated, the _law_ seems to be the part which binds most. Men who
are most without conscience are generally most restive in view of a
threatening penitentiary.
I will accept the challenge to meet him on the several points proposed
in his communications. Indeed I am happy that he has chosen his own
grounds; for the best which such opposition could select is likely in
all conscience to be bad enough.
Suffer me therefore to say to your correspondent that I intend lecturing
on the evenings of the 10th, 13th, and 15th of the coming month, (May,)
at the Lecture-room of the Chinese Museum, on George street; at which
times I will be very happy if he will attend and defend such positions
as are assumed in the two communications alluded to.
I shall require, however, that a committee of gentlemen be chosen to
control the discussion.
J. H. GREEN.
The Lecture-room of the Museum will, we think, be found much too small
to accommodate the audience, who desire to be present on these
interesting occasions. Would it not be better to take the upper part of
the Museum building? It would certainly be filled.--ED.
Messrs. Editors:--There is a feature in Mr. Green's acceptance to my
challenge to meet him in debate upon the subject of gambling, with which
I frankly confess I am not at all pleased. Upon looking over it, you
will discover that he uses the following language: "Suffer me,
therefore, to say to your correspondent, that I intend lecturing on the
evenings of the 10th, 13th, and 15th of the coming month, (May,) at the
lecture-room of the Chinese Museum, on George street; at which time I
will be very happy if he will attend and defend such positions as are
assumed in the two communications alluded to." Now, I should like to
know Mr. Green's motive for calling a _debate_ a _lecture_? Why not call
things by their right names?
You will, therefore, Messrs. Editors, be pleased to inform your
correspondent, Mr. Green, that I cordially consent to meet him at the
time and place designated by him, for the purpose of _debating_ the
gambling question; and the cash which may be taken at the door to be
divided between us, if any, after all the expenses are paid, or to be
disposed of in such a manner as the committee may deem just and proper.
'Tis true, I did say in my first communication that I did not care to
have any of the money, and I so felt and so thought at that time; but
since, I have employed some reflection upon the subject, and, like some
of our modern politicians, I have _changed_. 'Tis true that money is no
part of the motive, but then, as Mr. Polk once expressed himself in
regard to the tariff and protection, I am willing that it should come in
_incidentally_.
Now, it falls to my lot to know much more of the history of Mr. Green
than any of those who know it only from his own statements and
publications. About four or five years ago, in the city of New York, I
became acquainted with a gentleman by the name of Ball, a dealer in
ivory; this Mr. B. exhibited a large quantity of Mr. Green's cheating
cards, and said that Mr. Green was largely in his debt, and that his
only way to make the debt was to sell those cards, and asked me to buy.
He then took me into another room and exhibited to me some very costly
machinery, and certainly the strangest I had ever seen;--it had been
invented by Mr. Green to put a sign on white-back cards, so as to know
them by the backs. He also showed me other stamps invented by Mr. Green.
Now the consummation of this work had cost Mr. Green not only much
valuable time, but all the money he could possibly borrow; but, after
all, the thing ends in disaster--the cards don't sell. Desperation
seizes upon him. Like Arnold, he now throws his eye over to the other
camp, and thinks what might be done in the way of a reward. He consoles
himself with the reflection that he will, at least, be upon the side of
virtue: "I will tell the public that my only motive is to benefit the
rising generation, (a profitable thought with Mr. Green, 'the rising
generation'); but in order to begin right, I will publish to the world a
full history of my life, in which it will devolve upon me to make a
confession of my sins. All, I will disclose to the world; but as to that
ponderous machinery at Mr. Ball's in New York--I rather think I will
skip that."
Now when poverty pinched the prodigal son, as it did Mr. Green in New
York, what was the language of that truly penitent. Alluding to his old
father, he says: "I will go and tell _all_ I ever done, &c." But when
Mr. Green resolves to put on a mask of penitence, what is his course? I
will go and tell those good ministers of the gospel, and others, _half_
I ever done, &c., and then take good care to run my hand as deep into
their purses as possible.
Now in Mr. Green's crusade against gambling and gamblers, if he had
shown signs of purity of motive, and had not wantonly and knowingly
misrepresented the men, and disguised the facts in regard to the
profession, I would be the last man living to impugn him. But the
motive, I consider, was _corrupt_--'twas spoils;--and in the mode of
attack, the established principle in morals has _not_ been regarded,
which is, that the means in the accomplishment of any public good must
always be as honest as the ends; and for these reasons I do feel
sanguine in the belief, when the trial comes off at the Chinese Museum
next week, that if I do not get the verdict, I shall do more--I shall
deserve it.
Yours, &c. J.G. FREEMAN.
N.B.--If the gentlemen, editors generally, of this city, will give the
above communication a place in their columns, with such comments as they
may think fit to make, they will confer a favour upon one of the
proscribed, but one who suffers no man to stand in front of him as a
lover of truth.
J.G.F.
Communicated for the Sun.
_Messrs. Barrett & Jones_:--I had supposed that my consent to Mr.
Freeman's request to be heard in defence of his fraternity, had fixed
that issue. I did not intend by the announcement of my lecturing on the
evenings alluded to by Mr. F., that they were to be any thing more than
a fair discussion of the character and tendencies of gambling, if Mr. F.
should think proper to participate. I wish it now to be so understood. I
want a committee of gentlemen to arrange this matter. But why Mr. F.
should suppose that he should have half the proceeds of the meeting, I
am unable to conjecture. He seeks an opportunity to defend his business
against attacks which it seems has excited no small share of alarm on
his part, or those whom he represents, and yet he demands remuneration!
The fraternity must be in a rather forlorn condition at present, if they
are unable to pay their attorney, in so philanthropic a cause. When we
consider the source, this demand sits with ill grace upon such a
champion. I have laboured now for four years, having commenced my reform
without a dollar, to expose this damnable vice. If I am not supported by
the public which my labours are designed to benefit, those labours must
necessarily cease.
Were Mr. F. similarly engaged, I would share with him not only the
profits of my meetings, but my heart's best feelings also.
I shall be very happy if I am met, as I was led to believe, am no
speaker, but somewhat skilful with cards, _and their_ use by me before
an intelligent audience is my argument; I want no better for my purpose.
J. H. GREEN.
Messrs. Editors:--It appears from Mr. Green's last communication that he
and I are at issue in regard to the preliminary arrangements of the
debate that is to come off next week, upon the gambling question. He
thinks that he ought to have all the proceeds of the meeting; and I
think it should be equally divided, or else given to some charitable
institution, or else have it free. Mr. Green's argument for supposing
that he should have _all_, is, that because he has been labouring four
years, he ought to be rewarded: and in rather a threatening tone gives
the public to understand that if they do not reward him he will quit.
"If I am not," he says, "supported by the public, which my labours are
designed to benefit, those labours must necessarily cease." Now, _my_
argument for supposing that the proceeds should be equally divided is,
that I claim to be the _real_ reformer; that it will be seen by those
who may attend the discussion, that it is _I_ that am the true
moralist--I shall go with the New Testament in one hand, and Dr. Paley's
Moral Philosophy in the other, and upon that battery, and no other, will
I plant my artillery. He that is _green_ enough to suppose that I am
green-_horn_ enough to get up before a large audience, in the
enlightened city of Philadelphia, to defend an absurdity, must be
verdant indeed I go not to defend gamblers, but to defend truth, and to
show that Mr. Green, like a corrupt witness, in his eagerness to procure
a verdict for his party, goes beyond the facts; and that too when there
is no necessity for it, for the gambler has real sins enough without
heaping others upon him which he never committed. Now then, to end all
this difficulty at a blow, I make to Mr. Green the proposition--That the
honourable Mayor of the city, if he will do it, be the person to appoint
the committee that is to conduct the debate, and to the decision of the
committee, as to the funds, will I cordially submit, but not to Mr.
_Green's ipse dixit_. And here I will further suggest, that the
committee be composed wholly of lawyers. This will be proper, because it
is a question of law that is to be discussed; and further, it is
presumed that they understand better than any other class of men what is
called parliamentary usage.
Should this proposition not be acceded to, which I _know_ is fair, my
course will be to debate the question on "my own hook," and in that case
take all the money and give Mr. Green not a dollar of it, but invite him
to come to _my_ quarters, and defend himself, for I shall certainly be
down upon him--and so let him go to his house the next night and take
what may be offered at his door, and allow me to answer him in what he
may have to say.
When Mr. Green, in his acceptance of my challenge, _would_ call the
debate a _lecture_, I saw that old habits, that of cheating, had not yet
left him. Why it looks as though he has the unblushing impudence to
attempt to turn a Jack from the bottom, upon me, in the very blaze of
day, the very first deal; but the gentleman ought to know that he is now
in contact with one who knows how little things are done. Yes, he would
have it that the _debate_ was a lecture, and _Mr. Green's_ lecture, not
mine, and why? Why because if it be his lecture, all the cash would, as
a matter of course, be his. Also, is this not, I ask, the trick of a
perfect black-leg?
J.G. FREEMAN.
First Night, from the Times.
On Monday evening, at the Lecture-room of the Chinese Museum, the debate
between Mr. Green, the Reformed gambler, and Mr. J.G. Freeman of the
opposite side took place, in the presence of a very large and highly
respectable audience, partly composed of ladies.
Dr. Elder, at the appointed time, announced that the disputants were
upon the ground, and prepared to enter into the discussion of the
subject of gambling. He then introduced Mr. Freeman to the meeting.
Mr. F. said his antagonist and himself had settled the preliminaries,
and in regard to the proceeds of the debates, it had been agreed that
Mr. Green should receive those of the two first meetings, and that Mr.
Freeman should receive the returns of the third meeting, provided, on
motion, a large majority of those present were in favour of it.
He would not attempt to disguise his real feelings from his hearers, and
the gratification he experienced in having the opportunity of speaking,
for once in his life, to an audience composed of men of intelligence and
integrity. He well knew the difficulties under which he laboured, being
unused to speaking in public, and surrounded as he was in the community
by the reverend gentlemen and the press, who were avowedly opposed to
him, and who had thrown their bomb-shells and Congreve rockets liberally
at the gambling fraternity, without mercy, but he regarded these weapons
as harmless, for they had fallen at his feet without inflicting a single
wound.
Mr. F. then turned to the consideration of the laws making gambling a
penal offence, and particularly referred to the act of Assembly passed
by the last legislature, which he denounced as unjust and impolitic. He
did not appear for the purpose of defending gambling, but to speak a
word in favour of those who had been represented to be the worst
members of society, and against whom the voice of proscription had been
raised. He contended that a man had a constitutional right to do what he
pleased with that which was legally his own property, and all laws
passed to abridge that right ought to receive public reprehension.
He was at a loss to understand why Mr. Green should have taken so active
a part in the passage of the law at Harrisburg. It had been said that
gambling must be checked, and in order to put it down, you must make it
a penitentiary offence. He regarded this as an egregious error.
Gambling, he was convinced, ought to be treated in the same manner as
Intemperance--by moral suasion--and not by passing a law that puts a man
in the penitentiary for exercising a legal right. But there were fewer
gamblers than drunkards, and the former had no influence at the
ballot-box.
He denied the statements of Mr. Green, that young men had been enticed
to gambling-houses. They invariably went there of their own accord, and
he related instances in which the relatives and friends of young men
were called upon by gamblers, to exercise proper authority in
restraining them from visiting such places.
He alluded to the excessive penalty attached to the law, and argued that
it would never be enforced, there being no inducement for the police to
detect the offenders; and that from the face of the law is shown, that
it was not made for the punishment of wealthy gamblers, but the poor
itinerant wretches who had no local habitation. These being birds of
passage, he questioned whether they would remain long enough in one
place to be caught, while the rich operator and speculator would be
permitted to go on unmolested, in his gilded career of depredations
upon his fellow man.
Mr. Green then arose and expressed his surprise that any individual
could have the effrontery to stand up before an intelligent body of
citizens, a part of that constituency, from whom the legislature of the
state had derived its authority, and denounce a law which had not only
been passed with entire unanimity of the members of that body, but which
had met with general favour from the people. He then referred to the act
of Assembly, and made some explanatory remarks upon it. He ably defended
the law from the remarks of his opponent, in regard to its vagueness and
insufficiency. On the whole, he regarded it as a good one. It could be
effectively put in force, and was calculated to crush the evil of
gambling.
He said he had no wish to conceal from the people his former habits and
mode of getting a livelihood, but on the contrary, had repeatedly, in
public, represented himself as being a wary gambler, and acknowledged
that he had done, perhaps, as much with cards in a professional way as
any man claiming the same amount of information in regard to them.
He then passed to a review of the terrible consequences of gambling, and
showed that those who became addicted to it, acquired a passion for
play, that predominated over every other feeling, and closed up the
springs of affection and sympathy in the human heart.
These facts he forcibly and eloquently illustrated by relating some
painful occurrence, which came under his observation. On one occasion he
was playing with a party, one of whom was losing his money very
rapidly. In the height of a game, his family physician entered the
room, and saying that it was with much difficulty that he found his
whereabouts, informed him that his daughter had been seized with extreme
illness. The gambler replied, that he would return to his home very
soon.
The doctor left, but not long after returned with the gambler's wife,
who implored him to come home, as the girl was dying. He desired the
doctor to lead his wife from the room, with the solemn promise to follow
them; which promise he seemed to have forgotten the next instant, so
deeply was he interested in the play, and he remained at the
gaming-table. In a little while after, the doctor returned and told him
his daughter was dead. For the moment, he appeared to be greatly
affected, but he still sat at the faro table of that h----l, and when he
arose from it he was a ruined man.
The man has since reformed, and Mr. Green said that when he last saw
him, in Baltimore, he attempted to describe the feelings which rent his
breast, after he had realized the sad events of that night. His first
desire was to commit suicide, but the hand of Providence stayed his arm,
and by His interposition he was enabled to turn from the vice, and shun
the society of those who practise it.
Mr. Green re-asserted that all he had stated about plans being laid to
catch the unwary, by gamblers, was strictly true. He had been cognisant
of plottings of the fraternity, and in speaking of some individual who
was about to be plucked, the common expression among them was, "that he
was not ripe yet." The remarks of Mr Green were listened to with great
attention by the audience.
Mr. Freeman followed, and after briefly replying to the points of the
previous speaker, said that it was his intention, at the next meeting,
to prove that all species of speculation is, properly speaking,
gambling.
The Rev. John Chambers concluded. He confessed his disappointment. He
expected to find a man here who would attempt to defend gambling, but he
congratulated the audience that no such thing had been attempted, Mr.
Freeman having acknowledged gambling to be an evil.
The Reverend gentleman's remarks were of a general character, and in the
course of their delivery he upheld the law of the state, and unsparingly
denounced those for whose detection and punishment it was passed.
First Night, from the Saturday Evening Post.
The discussion on gambling, between Mr. Green the Reformed gambler, and
Mr. Freeman, of the "Profession," which has been looked forward to with
so much interest, opened upon Monday evening. The audience generally,
however, were rather disappointed, inasmuch as Mr. Freeman stated that
he did not come there to defend gambling, but only to prove the folly
and injustice of attempting to put it down by making its practice, _by
professional gamblers_, an offence punishable by imprisonment in the
penitentiary. But although Mr. Freeman made this avowal, he evidently
did attempt in various parts of the discussion to defend gambling--not,
however, as a thing good in itself, but as being no worse than many
other practices which society tolerates, and which no man loses his
reputation, or is in danger of imprisonment, for engaging in.
We have no scruple in confessing, that we were much interested in Mr.
Freeman. He appears to be one of a singular class of men, some one of
whom may be found in nearly every pursuit, however dishonourable--men of
keen and subtle minds, and of as much goodness and honesty of purpose as
is possible in the life which they have chosen, or into which perhaps
they have been in a degree forced. In the course of his remarks, he made
one allusion to his own history, which while it told as much as any
thing that was said in the course of the debate against gambling, opened
unto us, in a degree, the secret of his present position. He said that
when he was a young man, he had lost his all at the gaming table, and
that from that blow he had never recovered--"_it had broken his heart_."
And yet, strange anomaly, he now not only makes his living by gambling,
but stands up before the world as its defender.
But let us look a little further into Mr. Freeman's arguments. He did
not state them very plainly, being evidently unaccustomed to public
speaking, and, as the English say, to "thinking on his legs," but if we
are not mistaken, he reasons to his own heart as follows. Gambling in
cards is not right _abstractly_, but it is the same in principle as
gambling in stocks, in breadstuffs, in merchandise, in land, or in any
thing else. None of these are right, but they are necessary fruits of
the folly and wickedness of men, and inevitable in the present condition
of society. "I make my living, I know," he probably says, "from the
weakness and wickedness of my fellow men; but so do the physician, the
judge, the lawyer, the jailer, and the hangman." If we are not mistaken,
in this way does Mr. Freeman make out a clear case to his own
conscience; and to some small extent he is right in what he asserts. To
gamble with cards is the same principle as to gamble with stocks, or any
thing else--the difference is only one of degree; but although the
gambler and the judge both live, in a certain sense, off of the vices of
their fellow men, the difference is very evident between him whose
business conduces to increase those vices, and his whose noble office it
is to lessen them.
But Mr. Freeman complains that, while the gambler with cards is
proscribed by society, and branded with all marks of shame, and laws
passed to imprison him if found practising his art, the gambler in
stocks is neither reviled nor imprisoned. At the rank injustice, as he,
in our opinion, honestly believes it, of this course on the part of
society, he can hardly contain his indignation. Those "uncouth
gestures," as one of our contemporaries designates them, were not in our
opinion intended for effect, but were the natural language of
uncontrollable indignation at what he believes to be the rank in justice
of society, which he could not adequately express in words. The audience
laughed, but the speaker was far from laughing--a perfect tempest of
conflicting emotions, it seemed to us, was agitating his bosom. Strange
as it may sound to our readers, he evidently thought that his cause was
just, and wanted to make it appear so, not to the gamblers and their
friends, hundreds of whom were present, and ready at any moment with
their applause, but to the crowd of intelligent, virtuous men and women,
in whose audience he stood. We saw the breaking out of this feeling in
the half-contemptuous manner in which he alluded to the tastes of
gamblers in general, as contrasted with his own--"he did not keep the
company of gamblers; he had nothing to say against them, but his tastes
were different."
But is it unjust to punish the gambler with cards by imprisonment and
public proscription, while the gambler in stocks, &c., whose crime is
the same in principle, though not in degree, goes unwhipt of justice?
Undoubtedly it is, for it is no reason that one vice should go
unpunished, because another is able to escape for the present. Mr.
Freeman's argument is very good, so far as it applies to inflicting upon
the gambler in stocks the same penalty as on himself; but the law of
Progress, and the best interests of society, demand that these things
should never be allowed to work backwards. For the way society advances,
is simply this--the worst manifestations of vice are first proscribed,
and then their proscription is made a stepping-stone to demolish others.
For instance--we attack gambling with cards, the worst manifestation of
the gambling principle; we make it abhorrent to the moral sense of the
world; we so confound it, and justly too, with robbery, that future
generations shall grow up in that faith, and all the efforts of
interested sophistry never be able henceforward to separate them to the
popular apprehension. Having done this, in the course of some fifty or
one hundred years, certain dealings in stocks, for instance, are called
in question. If they can be proved to be rightly described by the phrase
"GAMBLING in Stocks," the battle is half-won. For the proscription of
the worst kind of gambling has given a vantage ground from which to
attack the principle of gambling wherever found. And this, we say, is
the only law of progress.
Another ground taken by Mr. Freeman was, that "a man has a right to do
what he chooses with his own, if in so doing he does not injure anybody
else." In a limited sense, this is true, doubtless--but he does injure
somebody else if he fails to perform his duties to his family or to his
country. For instance, he has no right to commit suicide. But gambling
cannot be done without injuring somebody else, as it takes two to play
at it--leaving out of view the injury done to society at large, as Mr.
Green has shown in his various works on the subject. But there is no
necessity in dwelling upon this point--it cannot be defended for a
moment.
As to Mr. Green's part in the discussion, it is not necessary to say
much. He has our confidence and sympathy. We consider his present course
a most noble one, and wish him all success in his efforts to overthrow
the abominable vice from whose clutches he has come forth a reformed
man.
We have taken up considerable room with this subject, because we feel
great interest in both parties engaged in the discussion. Did Mr.
Freeman appear to be only a bold, bad man, we should hardly have wasted
a single paragraph upon him or his arguments. But he is evidently a man
of considerable information and talent, and to all appearance, strange
as it may sound, of much sincerity and cross-grained honesty. That he
may be led to forsake his present pursuits, before his gray hairs shall
have gone down to a dishonoured grave, is our fervent wish and prayer.
From Scott's Weekly.
The interesting question between Mr. J. H. Green, the Reformed Gambler,
and Mr. J.G. Freeman, as to the rights of gambling, was discussed in the
Lecture-room of the Museum Building, on Monday evening last. A large
audience attended, and notwithstanding the zeal of Mr. Freeman more than
once carried him a little beyond the limits of propriety, the whole
passed off pleasantly.
The announcement in the papers was not adhered to, which created some
dissatisfaction; but then the speeches of Mr. Freeman were of themselves
well worth the price of admission. He did not defend gambling--he could
not, he said, pretend to defend it--he only meant to deny the sweeping
aspersions of its foes. He spoke at great length, and sometimes his
logic was quite ingenious.
Mr. Green confined himself to a few facts, leaving the more minute part
of the discussion for a subsequent evening.
The Rev. John Chambers closed the proceedings by a few timely remarks,
in which he reviewed what he considered lawful and unlawful
pursuits--among these latter, he hoped to see the time that every vender
of intoxicating liquors would be placed in the same catalogue that
gamblers are by the recent law--imprisonment. He then referred to the
decorum of the audience, and expressed a hope that all the future
discussions would be listened to in the same spirit--that all the truth
possible may be elicited in reference to that terrible vice--gambling.
From the Inquirer.
The long-talked-of debate upon gambling and its tendencies, was
commenced last evening in the Lecture-room of the Chinese Museum. The
audience was large, and deep interest was manifested in the discussion.
Aboard of highly respectable gentlemen presided as Moderators, and Dr.
Elder officiated as chairman.
Mr. Freeman, the challenger, opened the debate, and proposed that the
question be met in a categorical form, thus:--Were the laws of the
different states which make gambling a Penitentiary offence unjust and
impolitic? Were they formed in good policy or not?
Mr. Freeman considered himself as honoured in being permitted to speak
before the meeting on the question. Fearful odds were against him; all
the ranks of battle were on the other side. The clergy, who were
accustomed to public speaking, were against him--as well as the editors
and the press. In the war now raging, the climate--the sickly climate,
was more dangerous than the shells and shot of the enemy--and in this
case, the sickly climate was the prejudice, the prejudice of opinion,
which was against the cause he espoused, or rather defended. Mr. F. also
referred to other influences against him. Mr. F. contended that even, if
the states in which such laws were passed, disliked the vice of
gambling--it was no reason why they should pass laws that were unjust
and impolitic.
Mr. F. contended, in opposition to such laws, that a man had a perfect
right to do what he pleased with his own things. Any legislation to the
contrary was tyranny. More mischief and immorality would result from
such laws than from the vice itself--for it was a violation of one of
the rights of man on the mere score of expediency. He contended,
therefore, that men had a perfect right to do what they pleased with
their own things, so long as they did not interfere with the rights of
others. A drunkard could not drink without disturbing other people--why
not make his a Penitentiary offence? Yet a gambler was considered a
Penitentiary offender, though he did not interfere with the rights of
others.
What were speculators in railroads, &c. &c.?--Why many of them gamblers
on the largest scale!
In noticing the temptations of gambling, Mr. F. said that he and other
gamblers had often warned youths against entering upon that dangerous
course, and had thus saved them from ruin.
Mr. F. argued against the law recently enacted at Harrisburg against
gambling, on the ground that it was partial and unjust.
One of the strangest things was, that a man who had been imprisoned, had
been an outcast himself, should be the first to betray, and to place
others in the same situation, and send them to the Penitentiary. Yet
such was the case with the gentleman who had come from Ohio to
Harrisburg to assist in obtaining the passage of the law against
gambling.
Mr. Green replied, and defended the law in question, as it was passed in
Pennsylvania; and read a section, in which gamblers, without a fixed
residence, were, upon conviction, to be imprisoned, &c.; and Mr. G. said
that although no games were mentioned, yet all gambling games were
included. Mr. G. admitted that he had been a gambler for many years, and
had done much evil to the community--as much as most evil men--but he
was now, he hoped, reformed. Mr. G. then contended that several
gambling-houses and tables had been closed under this law--and surely
this was a great advantage to the public--surely such closing of
gaming-houses had saved many persons from ruin.
Mr. Green gave much experience of his gambling life, and contended that
principles of honour were not common among gamblers. Gambling was a
principle of robbery--of robbery from beginning to end. If gambling was
right--why, Mr. Green would ask--did the former speaker persuade young
men not to come into gambling-houses? Mr. Green described a splendid
gambling-house in Calvert street, Baltimore, and the snares of robbery
laid for the unwary--and the method adopted to entrap a rich and unwary
citizen. The revelations were truly startling, and displayed a painful
instance of the _"facilis descensus averni"_--a father whose feelings
were blunted, and hardly to be re-awakened even by the death of a
beloved daughter. And this was but one instance out of thousands, in
which the sum of $1200, $1500, and $2000 had been lost at various times,
and a fatal, fascinating infatuation contracted.
Mr. Freeman resumed, and again contended for the right of any man to
gamble--that he had a right to do what he would with his own--and that a
law was unfair which punished this one vice, and let other and greater
vices alone. It was cowardly legislation. A gambler was said to have no
home, and would not be missed, if he were sent to prison; but send a man
of property, of standing to prison for some one of _his_ vices, and
there would soon be a fuss in the wigwam. Mr. F. was very severe upon
the great body of editors, for following servilely public opinion,
without courage or independence to express a manly opinion of their own.
Mr. F. said that all ministers were not good men--there were a few
exceptions--neither should all gamblers, in fairness, be considered as
scoundrels. He, Mr. F. as a gambler, never would admit his inferiority
to those individuals who, without labour, gained money and circumvented
others by extensive and fraudulent schemes of speculation.
The Rev. John Chambers summed up with great eloquence and ability, and
said that he was disappointed--he had expected a defence and vindication
of gambling as an _honourable_ profession--but he was glad to find that
the gentleman who had spoken, Mr. Freeman, had not even attempted to
advocate gambling as truthful or honest.
Mr. Chambers considered all dealing fair, in which a man received a
_quid pro quo_--but whether a man cheat at cards or in the sale of a
bale of dry goods, he was equally a scoundrel. If Mr. Freeman would make
it appear that gambling was a fair business, he (Mr. C.) would not wish
it to be a Penitentiary offence; but if gambling was, as Mr. Green had
shown, a system of robbery--why then, it ought to be a Penitentiary
offence. Mr. C. said that Mr. Freeman had behaved honourably--for he had
said to young men--"Do not come into this place!" And why? Because it
was the road to ruin.
Mr. C. regretted that Mr. Freeman should have made several scriptural
allusions. No virtuous man would ever support gambling--for it gave no
equivalent either in money or reputation for the losses sustained. As
such was the case, gambling should be a Penitentiary offence--but if Mr.
Freeman could prove that it was an upright and honourable calling, why
then, perhaps, he might induce us to apprentice our children to it.
After Mr. Green had spoken for a few minutes, the debate was adjourned
to Thursday evening next.
From the Evening Bulletin.
The great discussion on the subject of gambling came off last night at
the Chinese Museum, between Mr. Green, the celebrated Reformed Gambler,
and Mr. Freeman, the individual who acknowledges himself one of the
"sporting" band. The audience was very large and respectable. A board of
worthy gentlemen were appointed a governing committee, of which Dr.
Elder acted as chairman. The whole proceedings were marked with the
greatest decorum.
Mr. Freeman spoke first. He is a man somewhat advanced in years, and
possesses abilities, which we could wish were better applied than in the
defence, or even palliation, of such a corrupting habit as gambling. He
directed his batteries mainly against the late gambling laws in this
state.
He did not like the application to professional and not private
gambling. He denounced editors and ministers by wholesale; in regard to
the former, declaring that there was only one in the country who was
really independent, and that one, Bennett of the New York Herald! He
quoted Scripture, but that is not surprising, for we are told by the
poet, "the devil may cite Scripture." His manner was violent, and his
allusions to his opponent, Mr. Green, the very essence of bitterness.
He tried to slide his repugnance to that gentleman into the small corner
of contempt; but the whole audience could see that he, in reality,
entertained no such trifling feelings towards his opponent.
Mr. Green spoke in reply to Freeman, not only like a gentleman, but like
a Christian. He treated the sneers of his opponent with kindness,
seeming to be sorry, if one might judge from his manner, that he should
have boldly placed himself in the point which he occupies before the
community. There was a plain, straightforward honesty, as well as a
gentleness in the tone and manner of Green, which, though he did not
indulge in such a flow of language as his opponent, spoke volumes in
favour of his sincerity, and won for him new friends and admirers. His
opponent had intimated both by word and act, that he was not to be
trusted; he did not seem to feel it necessary to go into a defence of
his motives in reply, but appeared to say, "Here I am,--I come to
denounce a habit of pestiferous corrupting influence, of which I have
practical knowledge; I will stand or fall by the position which I have
taken,--leaving the future to show the world whether or not I am
honest." Freeman spoke again after Green concluded, and very much in the
same style as in the early part of the evening.
After he had concluded, the Rev. John Chambers made an address, which
was marked with strong argument and a fine Christian-like tone. Mr.
Green then said a few words, and the meeting adjourned to Thursday
evening, at the same place, when the discussion is to be resumed. There
doubtless will be a large attendance. No subject could be more
interesting to the public, and the agitation of none can exercise a
better moral influence.
From the North American.
A good-humoured illustration of the right of every one to say what he
pleases, took place at the Lecture-room of the Museum last evening. Mr.
Freeman, an uncouth man, who gesticulates as if he was mending shoes,
but who has naturally no inconsiderable endowment of brain and nerve,
delivered himself of a tirade against everybody in general, and against
the press and clergy in particular. He complained that everybody was
against him--compared the clergy to Gen. Scott and his regulars; the
editors to bomb-shells and Congreve rockets, and what else we know not;
himself individually to Gen. Taylor, and the race of the poor persecuted
gamblers to our Saviour--who, he said, like them, had not where to lay
his head!
The impious jumble of fustian and blasphemy was accompanied in the
delivery by every species of grimace and buffoonery, and a fierceness of
dramatic action and posture far more ludicrously affecting than the
classic attitudes of Gen. Tom Thumb, who was defying the lightning, as
Ajax, dying like the Gladiator, and taking snuff like Napoleon, in the
room overhead. At the bottom of all this ridiculous exhibition, which
drew repeated shouts of laughter from the very large and respectable
audience, lay two principles upon which Mr. Freeman might have erected
an imposing argumentative structure. These were, that every man has a
right to do what he pleases with his own, so that he does not disturb
others; and that laws punishing professional gamblers and letting
citizens go free, are unjust.
Mr. Green, without going into the metaphysics of the question, showed by
some very plain and straightforward remarks the fraud and villany of
professional gambling, and proved that it was throughout a _system_ of
deliberate robbery. This being the case, it follows, of course, that the
general good of the community, which has ever been acknowledged
paramount, requires it to be put down. Thus satisfactorily stood the
question when we left, and we do not see how it can fairly be removed
from this broad ground. It is evident that Mr. Green is a sincere man,
and we firmly believe that he is engaged in a good work.
SECOND NIGHT.
From the Inquirer.
The discussion between Mr. Green, the Reformed gambler, and Mr. Freeman
in opposition, was continued yesterday evening, in the Lecture-room of
the Chinese Museum, Leonard Jewell, Esq. in the chair.
Mr. Freeman contended that not one of his arguments, on the previous
evening, had been answered by Mr. Green, but anecdotes and doleful
stories had been told instead. Mr. F. defended his allusions from
Scripture, and said that they had been misconstrued; that he only meant
to say that the Saviour of mankind had recommended us to do good, and to
return good for evil; but some of the clergy had not followed the golden
rule in this matter, for punishment and the Penitentiary had been
recommended by them as a cure for gambling. As it was known that he (the
speaker) played, he came only to defend gambling as far as truth went,
but no farther--there he would stop.
Mr. Freeman complained that Mr. Green had classed _all_ gamblers as men
of the worst character--as if they were thieves or counterfeiters,
whereas Mr. G. knew that he could mention many who were incapable of
doing any thing mean--men who would denounce a counterfeiter as soon as
any one in that room. Mr. Freeman related a story of a fraudulent trick,
by which a large sum of money had been fraudulently obtained, and its
recovery prevented by force--one individual, who was named, menacing
with a bowie-knife; and Mr. F. said of the getter-up of the
plan--pointing to Mr. Green--"as Nathan said unto David, there sits the
man!"
Mr. Green admitted that it might be so--that it was so.
Mr. Freeman said that he knew Mr. Green's friends had a reply to cover
all such things--because he was a reformed man--Mr. F. hoped it was so,
but he really had some little doubt.
Mr. F. distinguished between deep play, which he likened to the
_strategie_ of generals in the field, the one to mislead the other, and
open, undisguised cheating, which he denounced. Mr. F. referred to
several distinguished men who gambled--and to several well-known
gamblers--and he defied Mr. Green to say that any one he had named would
or could be guilty of a mean action.
There was in the world a certain amount of wealth--the many of mankind
were (the industrious) producers--but he held that all men, speculators,
who circumvented others by their wits, living without work, were in
point of fact--_gamblers_. If a man were to go into the street and gain
$3000 in a morning by a stock or other speculation--why, as surely as we
lived, somebody lost that money--aye, and by gambling on the largest
scale. Men who lost their money at a gaming-table went there to win
money of the gamblers--but generally lost their own. Their object was to
put the gambler's money in their own pockets; and when they were
disappointed, they exclaimed against gamblers. Gamblers lived on the
depravity of men; if men were not depraved, gamblers would have no
chance; but they were encouraged by the depravity of others. Mr. F.
condemned and would punish cheating, whether by gamblers or other
speculators.
Mr. Green did not wish to say any thing personally against any of the
men or gamblers who had been named by Mr. F. Some were benevolent
men--but one or two he had named were men without heart. He (Mr. G.)
knew several gamblers, amateurs and professional men, who were
straightforward in their gambling transactions. He did not desire to
hurt the feelings of any of these individuals--he attacked not men but
vice--and he contended that gambling was a system of robbery, from
beginning to end. That it was that he contended for--and that, he hoped,
he had already shown. Mr. Green admitted that Mr. Freeman's story of the
scheme gotten up, bowie-knife, &c., was in the main correct. If meeting
contracts was honest--why then, many gamblers might be called honest. He
did not mean to say that such HONEST gamblers would put their hands in a
man's pocket and steal money--no--they would not do that.
But he would say what they would do;--they would sit up all night, have
suppers, wine and spirits set out to tempt men, and they would play with
any that came; and though some such customers were known or suspected to
have obtained the money they played with by robbery, yet he never knew
that the gamblers had ever refused to allow such men to play, so long as
they had money. Mr. Green described several snares that were practised
by gamblers, particularly one at New Orleans, called the "broker." He
hoped some of the gamblers of this city would reform as soon as the new
law went into effect. He had already heard of some having turned
collectors, policemen, &c.--but he doubted their reform if they were
turned over to the police--for though there were some very good
policemen in this city, he could confidently say also there were some
spotted ones.
Mr. Green considered the bowling-alleys and billiard rooms as the very
bane of the city--leading men on step by step to the vices of gambling
and drunkenness. Mr. Green stated that he had never met with a gambler
in his life, who played honestly, and got his living by playing cards
honestly--for all he had ever known would take advantage,
sometimes--which perhaps the world might call cheating. Mr. Green
practically illustrated with a pack of cards the modes of taking
advantage, (cheating in plain English,) that were truly surprising. Mr.
G. said that such things were done by gamblers, called _honourable_, and
if any one had charged such men with dishonesty, why a duel, or worse,
might have been the consequence.
On one occasion, he (Mr. Green) had been cheated out of several hundred
dollars by a brother gambler. He knew it, but lost his money and said
nothing--at length, he found out the method of cheating--and went home
and set up all night by way of studying a cheat that would recover his
money and more. He succeeded at last, and went and won all the money of
his antagonist and party--in fact, he won enough to break the whole
party. Mr. Green then showed by cards how he had been engaged in winning
(by tricks) money from a planter in Louisiana.
Mr. Freeman replied, and contended that Mr. Green had referred to only a
few mean gamblers--and by his inference charged their practices upon the
whole body. But our limited space warns us to be brief. Mr. Freeman only
contended that a gambler was honest in a relative point of view--as
honest as other men who in trade or otherwise, or in speculation, did
things as bad or worse than gamblers. Mr. F. related anecdotes to show
that persons charged with faults and crimes were almost always condemned
by public opinion, and their faults and crimes exaggerated. Mr. F.
stated that in former times, the keepers of gaming-houses in New Orleans
paid heavy licenses, and were subject to ruinous fines if they cheated
in the smallest degree.
Mr. F. contended that cheating at cards was decidedly a disadvantage to
the gambler--because, if he lost his character as a fair man, people
would not play with him, and so cheating was to him a loss: on the
principle of a man in England, who said he would give a hundred thousand
dollars for a character. "Why?" asked his friends. "Because," replied
the first, "because I could gain two hundred thousand dollars by it!"
Mr. F. introduced several anecdotes. Mr. F. had heard several sensible
men in New Orleans say, that if gaming-houses there were licensed, there
would be little or no cheating, because those houses would be under the
police, and people could not then do as they now do in holes and
corners. On the principle of "Vice is a creature of such hateful mien,"
&c. &c., Mr. F. thought that Mr. Green, by showing and explaining some
of his tricks, would be likely to tempt some persons to practise such
tricks, if they wanted a little money; and on this point he would quote
Scripture, and say--"Lead us not into temptation!"
Mr. Freeman exhibited a capital trick on the cards, quite equal to some
of Mr. Green's. But, said Mr. F., all such things were nothing--for, in
gambling, playing on the square with fairness is the best policy. [Mr.
Green admitted Mr. Freeman's trick to be very superior--and it was at
length understood that at the next meeting (on Saturday night) several
of these mysteries would be shown on both sides.]
Mr. Green declared that he could show the principle of gambling to be a
hundred per cent. worse than stealing.
The debate was listened to with much interest, and we learn that it will
be closed to-morrow (Saturday) evening.
From the Evening Bulletin.
Messrs. Green and Freeman renewed their discussion last night, at the
Chinese Museum, in the presence of a crowded audience, Leonard Jewell,
Esq. in the chair. Mr. Freeman spoke first, and very _modestly_
contended that none of his arguments of the previous evening had been
answered by his opponent, but that, instead of this, painful anecdotes
and stories had been told. He had quoted Scripture only to show that
making stringent laws to punish gambling was contrary to the spirit of
our Saviour's teaching, viz. to return good for evil. This argument,
will, of course, apply to all laws for the punishment of crime. Freeman
went on to except to Green's wholesale denunciations of all gamblers; it
was well known that some were _honourable_ men. There were a few bad
ones, his opponent knew, and one, in particular, who on a certain
occasion drew a bowie-knife to prevent a sum of money, fraudulently
obtained, being returned to its proper owner. Green acknowledged that he
was the man to whom Freeman alluded. He would not deny that he had been
as guilty as the guiltiest.
Freeman continued by saying that he supposed his opponent would get over
this by saying he had reformed. Green looked assent.
Freeman justified gambling by business operations, which were the result
of chance, such as stock-jobbing; but we confess we cannot see where the
parallel begins, the one being a clear matter of chance on both sides,
the other, if Green's stories be true, which we firmly believe, all on
the side of the gambler, who cheats from the beginning to the ending of
his playing, what with tricks of the trade, marked cards, &c. Freeman
took the ground that gamblers were honest, and thus made out a better
case than the facts will sustain.
Mr. Green's reply was quiet and unaffected. He knew some gamblers who
were straightforward and honourable in their playing. But the majority
of the profession were dishonest, and the community was demoralized and
impoverished by them. He admitted the story about the bowie-knife. He
had never been disposed to conceal any of his wicked acts while one of
the _profession_. There was one point on which all gamblers were
unprincipled; they would play and win money of men they knew were
totally ignorant of the arts of card-playing. This was a fraud--it was
dishonest; a strong argument against the whole band, good or bad.
Mr. Green denounced bowling-alleys and billiard saloons. He then exposed
the tricks by which gamblers cheated, and in doing so interested the
audience very much.
Freeman's rejoinder was still to the end that some gamblers were honest
and honourable. He knew that there were rogues among gamblers, who
practised tricks, and he gave an excellent specimen of their adroitness,
in a trick which Mr. Green acknowledged was a capital one.
The debate was listened to throughout with great attention. It will be
resumed on Saturday evening.
THIRD NIGHT
From the Daily Sun.
On Saturday evening, the debate between Messrs. Green and Freeman, on
the subject of gambling, was resumed, in the Lecture-room of the Museum
building. There was a full audience in attendance, and towards the close
of the debate, the proceedings became intensely interesting.
At the appointed hour, Dr. Elder, the moderator, made a few remarks, by
way of opening the meeting, and introduced
Mr. Freeman, who, upon advancing to the table, said that he regarded it
as complimentary indeed, that he was permitted to proceed with the
discussion. Under all the circumstances, he considered it a great
compliment, that a highly intelligent audience should listen to one of
the proscribed fraternity. But friends, (said the speaker,) if the scene
of the discussion lay farther South, in the region of the spot where he
was born, he would not consider it so much of a compliment--he would not
make such a concession, even from the great Harry of the West down to my
fallen foe. In looking round the staging he observed new faces, and
missed those who had previously occupied their places--he had heard
those men had consulted their dignity, and any man (in the opinion of
the speaker) who thinks more of his dignity than his duty is not fit to
occupy the sacred desk. The arguments which he had brought forward on
the previous occasions have not been answered. Mr. Green has not even
attempted to do so, but he (the speaker) had found that a worthy
gentleman had entered the field, though not verbally, and endeavoured to
supply the place of his opponent. He would take the liberty to
compliment him--the distinguished editor of the Post--though he did not
know him, nor that such a paper as the Post was printed. That editor,
like many others whose prejudices overbalance their reason, had
misunderstood him. The speaker then indulged in a _critique_ on the
editorial, principally upon the ground which he had taken--that a man
has a right to do with his own things what he pleases, provided, in so
doing, he does not infringe upon the rights of others. On this point, it
appeared that the editor thought and argued differently, and Mr. Freeman
said, that in taking the above ground, he did not claim originality, for
it is a principle of law, as laid down in Blackstone, Paley, and
others--it is the language of great commentators, and upon it he would
stand or fall, and leave the distinguished editor to battle with those
men.
Some things, continued the speaker, may seem inconsistent at first,
which, upon examination, are not inconsistent. A thing may be legally
right and morally wrong, and whilst he could defend it legally, he could
not morally. For instance, suppose a rich man had two sons, both of whom
acted as sons should act, and the father in making out his will should
devise his whole estate to one son, and cut the other off, as they say
in England, with a shilling. Now, who would deny his right to do so if
it pleased him; who would say that it is not legally right?--no one. But
would it be morally right?--certainly not. What is morality?--love your
God, your neighbour, and yourself. And though he could defend the will
as legal, yet in a moral point of view he could condemn it as unnatural.
The editor of the Post (said the speaker) confounds gambling with
robbery, and what for?--that future generations may grow up in faith. It
is, said he, a settled principle of morality never to hoist false
colours, but to raise the standard of truth and defend it to the last.
(Applause.)
He remembered an anecdote: a physician was sent to attend a poor sick
boy, and when he arrived at the couch of pain and distress, he found it
necessary to administer a pill--a very nauseous dose. Said the
mother--"Doctor, it would be better to put a little sugar on it, and
then he can take it, and not know it's a pill." "No, madam," replied the
doctor, "it won't do to deceive him. Here, my son," said the
practitioner, "take this medicine and it will cure you," and the little
fellow swallowed it like a man. Thus it is with Mr. Green and the green
editor; they associate the gambler, without distinction, with assassins
and robbers. In doing so they are wrong; they do not speak the truth.
The speaker then proceeded to show how a young man may often be lured
into temptation--by representing gamblers as assassins, who, upon
acquaintance, he finds are apparently gentlemen, and he is induced to
think that he has been hitherto misled and deceived in regard to such
men. He then cultivates their acquaintance, and finally, through his own
depravity, he becomes worse and worse, until he is at last swallowed up
in the vortex of degradation. This is the result of employing
dishonourable measures to prevent him from visiting such places, or to
carry out honourable ends.
A man has a right to commit suicide, so far as propriety is concerned.
If he does not owe any thing, and feels it in his conscience that he
would like to die, he has a right to do so--but if that man owes five
dollars, he would certainly violate a moral principle by killing
himself, because he ought to live as long as he can to pay his debt. The
speaker once knew a man, in good circumstances, who was weary of
existence, and feeling disposed to take a journey to "that bourne whence
no traveller returns," committed suicide. There may be many who would
call it murder--but the community are murderers--they sometimes murder
in cold blood. But lately a man was taken to the gallows, and they hung
a young man because he had killed somebody else, and yet there are many
persons who believe this is right, and that suicide, such as the speaker
had selected, is wrong.
The speaker now proceeded to criticize the law relative to gambling,
passed at the recent legislature, in which he said that if a man has a
fixed place of residence and carries on a dry goods business, he might
gamble as much as should please him and the law would not take hold of
him. He would ask anybody to read the law understandingly and then deny
this round assertion. This act, said he, is bugbear--it is a disgrace as
it now stands, for it smacks of cowardice. The legislators, he presumed,
had a little sense, and they knew that some kind of a law must be
passed, and they were ingenious enough to know how to frame it to sound
well, and yet be comparatively powerless. They knew by such a statute
that _nolle prosequis_ could be entered--and solicitors make more
money--they well knew that there were many religious people among their
constituents, and it would not do for them to act singular, or else they
would find so short an account at the next ballot-box that they would
not be sent back. He would spurn such legislators and keep them for ever
in private life. (Applause.)
In conclusion, he said that he was decidedly an anti-gambler, and he did
not defend the subject morally. In order that he might enlighten the
people on the subject of gambling, he would give one lecture, in which
he would relate his experience, and promised that it should be the
richest and most interesting thing that could be listened to. He did not
want money. He would only ask enough to pay expenses of the room--the
ladies and the reverend clergy may come in gratis--all he wished was
that the truth should be told about gambling.
Mr. Green now took the stand, and said that it appeared to him that
there was something in the law which seemed to stick to his opponent,
Mr. Freeman. He complains that the Jaw is dull--that it is trash--a
bugbear, and heaps other similar epithets upon it, and yet he appears to
make considerable noise about it, and why should he attempt to ridicule
me, in connection with the law. Every man in this state knows that Mr.
Green himself could not pass the law without the aid of the legislature.
He (Mr. Freeman) goes on to take many other positions which he (the
speaker) could not understand, and therefore would not further allude to
them. He thought that if the young men were warned properly to keep
aloof from the gambling shops, and they should heed the warning, they
would escape a life of infamy. 'Tis true, a young man may go from the
parlour to a gambling-place. He will first find the gamblers
fascinating--rooms handsomely furnished--fine suppers given, and in
fact, every temptation may be set out to catch the unwary novice. The
gambler will tell him this reform is all priestcraft--you can see for
yourself that we (gamblers) are not the assassins which we are
represented to be--these reformers don't speak the truth. The young man
is blinded--he thinks he knows by this time all about the gamblers--but
in fact he knows nothing. He goes on by degrees, until becoming more
hardened, he does not fear to do that which would have made him recoil
with horror, in the outset. He may go to another city--carry letters of
introduction to prominent gamblers--forty other letters may get there
before him, putting the robbers on the look out, getting them to set
their stool-pigeons. The young man is trapped--he is enticed into a
gambling hell--don't call them sporting saloons or gambling-rooms, (said
the speaker,) but call them what they are, _hells_--he loses all his
money--his character is gone--he is ruined, and who then cares for
him--does the gambler?
Let me relate an instance which came under my immediate notice:--A young
man in Baltimore, sometime after he had been ruined at a gambling hell,
went there, but having no money, was not cared for by the gambler. He
laid down on the floor in a corner of the room, night after night. One
day, in particular, it was asked who he was. "Only a loafer," replied
the gambler. The young man was aroused from his stupor by the one with
whom he had gambled and lost, and was told to go about his business. The
young man replied, "Sir, you should be the last man to treat me so; it
was with you I first played cards, it was under your roof where I tasted
the first glass of wine;" and whilst thus expostulating, the gambler
pushed him out, he reeled down the stairs, fractured his skull on the
curb-stone and fell into the gutter. Mr. Green was present and saw this
base transaction. He raised the young man from the gutter, gave him a
handkerchief to wipe the blood from his forehead. The next day that
young man was found dead under one of the wharves. Now he, Mr. Green,
could not say that the gambler murdered him, but he was dead and held
the handkerchief in his clenched fist. That young man had swallowed the
wrong pill; why did not the gamblers tell him they were robbers and
assassins, why did they not stick to the truth. They dare not do it, and
he (Mr. Green) thought it his duty as a reformed man to speak truly and
act honestly. The present law which so much troubles Mr. Freeman was
passed with due deliberation unanimously, and when it goes into effect
on the first of July he would not wonder if there should be a very great
amount of trouble among more gamblers than Mr. Freeman. (Applause.)
_Mr. Freeman._ The gentleman wants to know, why this law grieves me
so--why! because it is trash. He (the speaker) did not expect to live in
Pennsylvania but a few days longer, as he intended going South, and if
he should chance to come back again, and choose to play a game of cards,
he did not wish to be placed on a par with incendiaries, robbers and
murderers. All of you, no doubt, have heard of steamboat racing, boilers
blowing up, &c.--everybody is up in arms about it, and cry aloud for a
law to stop this abominable racing. Now he (the speaker) could make the
round statement that there never has been one explosion of a boiler
during the time of a steamboat racing. The reason is plain. When the
race is going on, everybody is wide awake, the water is kept high, and
the boilers prevented from being overheated, and in such a case no
explosion can possibly take place. A law, therefore, passed to stop
steamboats racing in order to prevent boilers from bursting, would be
equivalent to the law passed relative to gambling. In conclusion, he
would say that he knew of but one gambler who had been in prison, and
not one south of Mason and Dixon's line, which was more than could be
said of any other profession. (Great applause.)
_Mr. Green_ (quickly.) Why is it so?--because the gamblers are eelish,
and not because they don't deserve the penitentiary; Mr. Freeman knows
that. (Roars of laughter and continued applause.)
_Mr. Elder._ Ladies and gentlemen, it is now proposed that a vote be
taken on the distribution of the proceeds of this evening. Mr. Green has
had the receipts of the two previous evenings, and at the first meeting
it was agreed to let the audience decide as to the third meeting.
_Voice._ Were not the lectures given by Mr. Green?
_Many Voices._ Question, question, question.
_Voice._ I demand an answer to my question, for I wish to vote
understandingly.
_Voices._ Calling question from all parts of the room.
_Another Voice._ Mr. Speaker, I wish to know one thing. Mr. Green says,
since his reformation, he has given back over twenty thousand dollars of
property which he won when he was a gambler. Now I wish to know if he
will give the proceeds of the night to the gamblers, if the question is
decided in his favour.
_Voices._ Question, take the question; loud talking and grumbling.
_First Voice._ Suppose it is decided in favour of Mr. Freeman, I wish to
know if the debate can be continued or not.
The question was now taken by rising, and silence being restored, the
Moderator said--"It is the decision of the chair, that the proceeds
belong to Mr. Freeman, by a very large majority."
_Voice._ Sir, there is a mistake.
_Moderator._ Are there any gentlemen here who are dissatisfied with the
decision?
_Voice._ I am.
Hon. Charles Gibbons, speaker of the Senate, proposed to take the
question by voice. This was agreed upon.
_Mr. Elder._ All in favour of the proceeds being given to Mr. Freeman,
say I. Here there was a tremendous response. The contrary opinion was
then taken, and the chair decided that the I's were in a large majority.
(Great applause.)
_Voice._ Mr. President, I demand back my quarter dollar--I can't pay
money to go into the pockets of a gambler. (Hisses.)
_Mr. Freeman._ The gentleman can have his quarter back with pleasure.
(Applause.)
The rest of the evening was consumed in the explanation of tricks of
gamblers by Mr. Green, which was intensely interesting, and he was
greeted with rounds of applause, as he successfully performed them.
From the City Bulletin.
A large audience assembled on Saturday night to listen to the last
debate on gambling. Mr. Freeman opened the ball with a great deal of
self-possession, and talked away in defence of a palpable wrong, with as
much coolness and composure as if he was discussing the last news by the
steamer. But his sophistry, as well as all the sneers and jeers of his
brethren in the audience, which betrayed themselves when Green began to
speak, could not keep the truth under. Before the evening closed, he had
every thing his own way, and was complete master of the field. Freeman
battled against the late law passed in this State--and contended that it
was of no avail in crushing the evil of gambling. He added that if it
was effective, it was effective against the wrong persons. He then
slurred over his opponent's position, charged him with insincerity, and
denounced all his tales of horror. He incidentally, however, took
occasion to say, that he could a tale unfold which would harrow up the
soul, a tale of his own personal adventure, as a gambler, and he invited
the audience to its recital to-morrow evening.
Mr. Green rose with the same pleasant smile which he always has worn
during his debate with Freeman, and met his opponent's positions, not
with smooth, oily, plausible words, but in a plain spoken, substantial,
truth-telling language. He reiterated all that he had charged against
gambling at former meetings. He said gamblers were no better than
thieves, that they cheated always when they could, and that they had
every advantage over those who fell into their clutches.
The audience were now called upon to vote as to the disposal of the
receipts at the door--Mr. Green having agreed that his opponent should
have them, if it was so decided. The vote was taken, and by a large
majority the receipts were awarded to Freeman.
The tricks now came on, Freeman having taken the ground that they could
not be done without detection with any cards. He accordingly placed upon
the table a pack of cards which he said he had purchased that evening.
Mr. Green in taking the cards asked that a committee should be appointed
to witness his tricks, and report to the assembly, but Freeman and his
friends put in a decided objection to this. Green at once told the
audience he would gratify them and perform the tricks openly. Here came
his triumph, which was complete. He took the very cards which his
opponent had bought, and with them showed conclusively, that all he had
charged in relation to the expertness and skill of gamblers, and of
course, their immense advantages over their opponents, was true.
Thus has ended a debate which, we do think, has been productive of good
to the community, while it has vindicated most fully the position which
Green takes in his work of reform. We have no sympathy for Freeman,
while he maintains his present stand, though we freely confess he is a
gentleman of ability, and that we should be most happy to see him a
co-labourer with Green, in crushing the vice of gambling. He says he is
broken down in health and spirits. We know of nothing which can restore
the last, and make him bear the first with greater resignation, than
retire to the path of virtue.
From the North American.
The gambling discussion between Messrs. Green and Freeman was closed on
Saturday evening, before a very large and interested audience. After
some speaking on either side, which was listened to with becoming
patience and attention, the tricks--which were evidently the great point
of interest--were in order, and Mr. Green proceeded to fulfil his
promises to the letter. Mr. Freeman had brought a pack of cards of his
own selection and preparation, and Mr. Green objected that this could
hardly be considered fair, and said that he should prefer the
appointment of a committee to provide cards, and superintend the
experiments. Upon this Mr. Freeman commenced declaiming in a triumphant
tone against his antagonist; but Mr. Green cut him short by stating that
he was willing to proceed with the cards that Mr. Freeman had brought.
Mr. Gibbons then took the pack and marked it with a pencil, so that he
might be sure of recognising it. Mr. Green then took them from him,
shuffled them a moment with his hands under the table, and showed them
to Mr. Gibbons, who pronounced them the same he had marked. Mr. Green
then dealt them in separate heaps, and Mr. Gibbons turned up the faces,
and showed the audience that each of the thirteen heaps contained the
four aces, four kings, four queens, and so on down to the four deuces.
The cards were then shuffled, and Mr. Green ran them off, the backs
being upward, so rapidly that the eye could scarcely follow the motion
of his fingers--naming each card as he threw it off, and making but
_one_ mistake in the whole fifty-two cards. This extraordinary feat was
received by the audience with acclamations, as being most convincing
proof of the power of gamblers to perform the swindling deceptions with
the cards, that Mr. Green has charged upon the nimble-fingered
fraternity. The audience then good-naturedly voted Mr. Freeman the
pecuniary proceeds of the evening, as a remuneration for the zeal he had
displayed in a bad cause. The question was then put to the audience
whether Mr. Green had satisfactorily performed all he had undertaken,
and loudly answered in the affirmative.
From the United States Gazette.
The discussion on this important subject was continued and concluded, on
Saturday evening, by Messrs. Green and Freeman.
A man who can for a few minutes interest an audience so much in favour
of the vice of gambling, as to make them shut out its horrible
deformity, must possess more than ordinary powers, and we question much
whether, of the whole fraternity of gamblers, one could be found better
adapted for the Herculean task which Mr. Freeman set himself. That which
the mind is accustomed steadily to dwell upon, and upon which action is
had repeatedly, will scarcely want for self-justification--and while the
error of proceeding is reluctantly admitted, whatever may tend to
justify, however slightly, is eagerly seized upon and proclaimed. There
is scarcely an evil practice for which the doer may not raise up or
create reasons in justification, and plausible arguments may be made to
gloss over the most detestable and indefensible crimes.
A kind of Letheon is administered to the judgment by continual
progression in some improper path, till that which is to all others
palpably and painfully degrading becomes pleasant and eminently proper
in him who labours under the mental oblivion. Such a course Mr. Freeman
has trod, for while he admits that gambling is pernicious, he clamours
for the natural right which all men possess, to do it so long as they do
not meddle with others, and insists that it in no way gives occasion for
the exercise of legal power by the fact that he has played at cards, and
lost or won money. If it could be confined to individuals--if the
penalty of the crime was visited only upon the doer--- if the moral and
pecuniary destruction which gambling visits upon all who offer tribute
at its altar, went no farther than him who made the offering, then Mr.
Freeman would have a proper privilege, and would be right in saying that
a man violated no law by the practice of the nefarious profession. But
there are few, very few, we suppose, who are not connected by the ties
of blood, the bonds of matrimony, or the relation of father to child,
who are all affected by such degradation as the gambler visits upon
himself, and who feel the bitter poignancy of the stroke with greater
force than he whose heart has been gradually but surely abased. While a
man has a single relation or friend, he should not gamble; and if he
stood alone in the world, with no friend, the fear of the eternal
judgment should deter him from the commission of the sin.
Mr. Freeman is a plausible man; he talks earnestly and fluently, and his
argument is clear and comprehensive, so far as it goes. He thinks
readily and speaks aptly. As a debater, he far excels his opponent Mr.
Green, and with a good cause would be an opponent difficult to conquer.
But few, we think, expected so much of the metaphysics of gambling as he
gave, but after he had constructed his argument, and presented the
justification of the fraternity, it was marvellous how quickly the one
crumbled and the other was turned to condemnation, by the application of
the tests of reason and truth which Mr. Green applied. Facts stood
stubbornly before Mr. Freeman's theories, and bore them down, and the
experiments with the cards which closed the lecture, demonstrated,
beyond a doubt, how far an unscrupulous gambler could carry his villany
against an unsuspecting victim. With a rapidity that defied observation
and detection, Mr. Green performed several tricks, by which he produced
any card or series of cards at will, and even read eighteen cards in
succession by the backs.
In his argument, Mr. Freeman invariably rose in the estimation of the
audience, but he rose only to fall again. There may have been respect
for his abilities, but there was greater sorrow that so unprofitable and
degrading a direction had been given to them. Every argument that he
used became, upon reflection, an argument against gambling, and the only
thing he really effected, was the proof that the law recently passed
against gamblers by the legislature of this State is not stringent
enough.
Mr. Freeman announced that on Wednesday next, he would deliver a
lecture, in which he would review his course of life, and offer
arguments against gambling--which he freely confessed to be a vice, even
while he proclaimed his right to practise it. Such an exposition cannot
fail to be of deep interest.
From the Inquirer.
This controversy was continued on Saturday evening, Dr. Elder in the
chair. The Lecture-room at the Chinese Museum was crowded on the
occasion.
Mr. Freeman commented on the notice taken by the press of the
controversy--in general it was manly and dignified; Mr. Freeman read
from the Post, in which gambling was severely opposed. The ground on
which Mr. Freeman had canvassed this matter was, he contended, in
accordance with Blackstone, Paley, and other great men, who
thought--namely, that a man had a right to do what he liked with his own
things. Mr. Freeman held that a thing might be legally right and morally
wrong. A man had a legal right (he contended) to gamble--but in a moral
light he would not defend it. Suppose a man had two sons, and, from some
trivial cause, he resolved to cut off one of them with a shilling. He
had a legal right so to do--but perhaps he was morally wrong. Mr.
Freeman answered an article that had appeared in the Post. Mr. Freeman
contended that young men who engaged in gambling, did so generally from
a bad system of education.
The Post had contended, in opposition to Mr. Freeman's maxim that a man
had a right to do what he pleased with his own things, so long as he did
not interfere with others, that gambling did interfere with the rights
of others; for example, it might prevent men from paying their debts, or
it might prompt them to commit suicide, either of which was a wrong to
society. Mr. Freeman contended, nevertheless, that a man had such a
right--certainly he had, if he were not in debt--but if he were, it was
then his duty to live as long as he could, to endeavour to pay his
debts. Mr. Freeman illustrated his points by allusions to Gen. Taylor
and Gen. Jackson--adding, "let the truth be told if the heavens fall."
Mr. Freeman again opposed the new law passed against gambling--for, he
said, it was so shaped, that if a man of property gambled, he could not
be troubled, but a poor, itinerant gambler could be punished. Mr.
Freeman read the law in proof--wherein a difference certainly appeared
to be made between those who had something to live upon, and a merely
itinerant gambler--the latter liable to imprisonment if he kept a gaming
house, of from one to five years. Indeed, "being without a fixed
residence" is one of the features of the law. Such a law appeared to Mr.
Freeman as if, for example, a man of standing were to go into a store
and steal, he would be let off--- whereas, if an itinerant man were to
steal, he must be punished with years of imprisonment. The cases were
parallel, and yet, it seemed to him that a man of good standing ought to
be punished more severely than the other, because his temptations were
not so great. Such a law, so partial, was a disgrace to the
statute-book. From what he knew of legislators, he thought they had made
such a law, knowing that gambling was a bad vice, as a bugbear, to deter
people from engaging in it--and, in some cases, because they were afraid
of public opinion, and servilely followed the crowd, lest at some future
time they might lose their election.
Mr. Freeman said that he considered himself as an anti-gambler--but
injustice had been done to gamblers, and he had defended them as far as
he consistently could--and if an audience would meet him on Tuesday
night, he would give them an anti-gambling lecture. He differed with Mr.
Green.
Mr. Green wished to know why Mr. Freeman should dislike the law so much,
if he considered gambling a bad vice--he (Mr. Green) really did not
understand such a position. Such was the effect of gambling upon the
mind, that he was sure that when Mr. Freeman first lost his money,
(three thousand dollars,) and first became a gambler, he would not have
spoken as he had that night. A young man, in gambling, was driven on by
degrees, by the excitement of cards, of fine wines, society, &c.
Gamblers ridiculed all ideas of reform, and said to the young man, you
know all about us--we are called gamblers--and the young man thinks he
knows all about them, as he finds them fascinating--but he knows nothing
about them. When the young man is ruined, what do the gamblers do for
him? Nothing. Such a young man in Baltimore was thus ruined, and became
a sot--and at length had no place to sleep, unless the gamblers allowed
him. One night, he was awakened by the gambler shaking him, and calling
him a loafer. The poor man said, "I do not deserve this at your hands.
This was the first house I gambled in." The gambler threw him down
stairs, and his head struck the curb-stone, and Mr. Green lent him his
handkerchief to bind up the wound, and prevented further mischief being
done to him. The next day he was found under one of the wharves--_dead!_
And such was the treatment inflicted on him by the gamblers. Mr. Green
then defended the new law.
Mr. Freeman said that he opposed the law because he thought it
discreditable to Pennsylvania--that there should be a law to the effect
that, "If I play cards, a man may say to me--there, you have done an act
that, if legally visited, would send you to the Penitentiary." Mr.
Freeman illustrated his views by a reference to the explosion of
steamboats. Mr. Freeman said that there was never but one gambler put
into prison south of Mason & Dixon's line. Mr. Freeman hinted that Mr.
Green at Harrisburg had shown gambling tricks upon cards, with packs
that were known to him--prepared cards, in fact. He thus astonished the
natives. And this was one influence brought in aid of a passage of the
law.
A vote was then taken on the question--"Shall the proceeds of this night
be given to Mr. Freeman?" It was decided in the affirmative by a large
majority.
Mr. Freeman did not deny that cheating was practised by the gamblers.
But Mr. Freeman contended that Mr. Green could not perform the tricks,
could not cheat with cards that he was not familiar with. Mr. Freeman
produced a pack which he had just bought, and were otherwise
untouched--and he said that Mr. Green could not operate with that pack.
He defied him.
Mr. Green said that this was no argument. But if Mr. Freeman would
agree, and the meeting would appoint a committee of twelve citizens, he
would before that committee meet Mr. Freeman, and with those cards
exhibit tricks of gamblers.
Some discussion ensued, and it was agreed that a committee should be
appointed. Subsequently Mr. Green said he would exhibit before the
audience; but that if Mr. Freeman shuffled the pack, he might of course
disarrange his (Mr. Green's) play. But Mr. Green had contended that any
gambler _in his own play_ could cheat. And Mr. Green displayed several
extraordinary tricks, in which he was remarkably successful,
particularly in illustrating the facility with which two partners in
gambling could win from their opponents with certainty.
At the conclusion of the meeting, upon Mr. Freeman submitting to the
audience the question--"Have I sustained my position?"--it was decided
in the negative. The question however, was not put until the audience
had risen to depart--but the response was general.
From the Daily Sun.
We have been no inattentive observers of the debate on gambling, between
Mr. Green, and his able and plausible antagonist, Mr. Freeman--who
brought to the defence of a bad cause, an energy, an earnestness, and a
power of illustration, which, on any other subject, must have crowned
him with the laurels of a brilliant victory. But what power of
logic--what force of elocution--- what stretch, of fancy, _can_ defend
gambling?--which, even if right _in itself_, is yet attended by such
baneful consequences--such appalling effects--as to strike terror into
the hearts of the most reckless, and seal the lips of eloquence by the
blood of the unfortunate? This was illustrated in a most striking manner
in the recent debate--where a long tissue of false logic, on the part of
Mr. Freeman, was blown to the winds by the simple recital of a _fact_,
by Mr. Green detailing the death of a ruined gambler by the hands of a
prosperous one! _Blood_ dispelled all the illusions of logic. Argument
evaporated before the _corpse_ of the victim. Applause for ingenious
argument was hushed in a moment, when the dead body of the gambler
appeared in view! What a tribute to the power of _truth_--what a
tremendous triumph of nature, and her sacred laws, over the flimsy
artifices of passion, fiction, and a diseased imagination, fevered by
habitual vice.
Dr. Johnson says that the gambler is no better than a robber, because he
acquires property without an equivalent. The whole gist of the argument
lies here. You strip a man of fortune, or tear from his hands the
earnings of a long life, and give him in return--_nothing!_ Mr. Freeman
says, in answer to this--yes, you give him the chance of robbing you!
And he goes so far in his sophistry, as to contend that if a man
attempts to rob you on the highway, you have a right to rob him! Such is
the language of the gambler, on the rule of right, who wanting a
principle of virtue, resorts to every extravagant theory, to justify his
violations of the first law of nature.
Justice is the foundation of all human institutions: and this ordains,
that no man shall take from another, what is his own, without paying him
an equivalent. The gambler pays no equivalent--and hence, he stands on
the same platform with the robber.
The strong point in the logic of Mr. Freeman was, that _other
professions_ also acquire property without paying an equivalent, and
therefore gamblers were not criminal! We marvelled that a man of his
sagacity should venture on so gross a sophism. He alluded to speculators
and stock-jobbers, who gained their thousands without an exchange of
values, and exulted that the gambler was no worse. But could this make
the gambler an honest man, because other men were rogues? How desperate
the cause that could clutch at so frail a straw for support! Yet Mr.
Freeman appeared perfectly unconscious of the imbecility of his
reasoning. More perfect hallucination we never beheld!
Every man _feels_, when he gains property without an equivalent, that he
has done a wrong. Every dollar so acquired plants a fang in his heart.
Conscience goads him. He is miserable, restless, tortured, and for
temporary relief flies to the transient oblivion of the bowl. When he
wins, he drinks--and when he loses, he drinks to desperation. He feels
that when he wins, he is a rogue--and that when he loses, he is a
victim--no matter whether gambler, speculator or stock-jobber--he has
violated the _rule of right_, by acquiring property without an
equivalent; and he feels the degradation of the robber, who cries
"stand!" to the passenger on the highway, and extorts his purse, with
the pistol at his breast.
Of the fascinating charms of gambling, history has left us too many
records to make us insensible of the importance of the safe-guards which
society ought to erect, to defend itself from the poison of so
infectious a contamination. Who would believe, that the great
_Wilberforce_ was once a gambler! That even _Pitt_ once stood on the
brink of a gambler's hell. But Wilberforce was cured by _winning_ £2000
at _Holland-house_--and such was the pain he felt for those who had lost
their money, that it prevented all "his future triumphs in the infernal
regions." But in those regions, flourished the greatest statesmen and
wits of the age--who fell victims to the prevailing fascination of the
gaming-table. What destroyed _Charles James Fox_, as a statesman?
_Gambling!_ What brought the brilliant _Sheridan_ to the grave?
Intoxication, brought on by the ill-starred luck of the ruined gamester?
"_Holland-house!_" immortalized as the resort of genius, as well as for
its orgies of dissipation, is not less renowned to infamy, as having
been the "hell" of respectable gamesters.
There is a kind of democracy of crime, contended for by Mr. Freeman,
that has its charms to the ears of the groundlings. He is opposed to a
law that punishes _one_ class of gamblers only, instead of bringing
_all_, within the focus of its penalties! There is much truth in this.
Laws ought to be equal in their operation--but if they cannot be equal,
this is no reason why there ought to be no laws at all. This conclusion
is not warranted by any rule in logic or in government.
No man has a right to dispose of his property to the corruption of the
public morals. Mr. Freeman adduced the instance of a father having a
right to disinherit one son and prefer the other. This is not a parallel
case. The parallel would be a rich man leaving his fortune to found an
Institution of demoralizing tendency--say to teach you the art of
cheating! The laws would annul such a bequest. Society has an original,
inherent right to defend itself from all evil--and that gaming is an
evil, whether played with cards, lotteries, dice, stocks, or betting,
not even Mr. Freeman could seriously deny.
In the late debate between these celebrated speculators,--one reformed,
the other confirmed in his vicious career--it was observed, what a tower
of strength _truth_ gives to the man who espouses the _just_ cause. Mr.
Green stood self-vindicated by his very position--while the labour of
_Sisiphus_ devolved on Mr. Freeman. But the stone would not stay rolled
up hill. It was no sooner at midway from the summit, but back it rolled
upon its unfortunate and panting labourer.
The fostering power which _intemperance_ derives from the excitements of
the gaming-table, would itself prove an effectual argument against this
monstrous infatuation, if no other existed. But when we find
intoxication, only one of a legion of vices that attend on it--and that
fraud, cheating, forgery, swindling, robbery, murder, and suicide, are
its unfailing companions--we may well marvel that it should find any man
so reckless of public opinion, as to venture its championship. Mr.
Freeman went so far in this mad advocacy of his darling pursuit, as to
justify _suicide_! In this, however, he was perfectly consistent--for if
gaming of any kind is right, so is murder, robbery, and suicide. In
this, Mr. Freeman over-reached himself--and by attempting too much,
exposed the futility and weakness of his case.
One fact, of a highly useful import, was established by this debate--and
having received the concurrent attestation of Mr. Freeman, must now be
considered as no longer open to doubt--that _cheating_ is a necessary
part of gaming, from which even _honourable_ gamblers--(what a
revolting solecism!)--do not shrink! But this is not the worst of the
admissions made, in the course of this debate--which we here enumerate:
1. The winner is always in danger of murder--and runs for his life.
2. The loser becomes a cheat, a murderer, a suicide, or a drunkard.
3. The tortures of the damned are common to all gamblers, winners and
losers.
4. Deception and lying are their common attributes.
5. Outlawed by public opinion--they wage implacable war against the
morals, peace, and happiness of society.
* * * * *
So many allusions have been made to the Laws of Ohio and Pennsylvania
against gambling, that it is thought necessary to append them here, that
the reader may judge for himself how far the charges of impolicy,
partiality, and non-efficiency are justified by these instruments.
[_Law of Pennsylvania for the Suppression of Gambling, drafted by_
J. H. GREEN.]
SECTION 1. _Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in General Assembly met, and it is
hereby enacted by the authority of the same_, That if any person shall
keep a room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, to be used or
occupied for gambling, or shall, knowingly, permit the same to be used
or occupied for gambling; or if any person, being the owner of any
room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, shall rent the same to
be used or occupied for gambling, the persons so offending shall, on
conviction thereof, be fined in any sum not less than fifty nor more
than five hundred dollars; and if the owner of any room, building,
arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, shall know that any gaming-tables,
apparatus, or establishment is kept or used in such room, building,
arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, for gambling, and winning, betting, or
gaining money, or other property, and shall not forthwith cause
complaint to be made against the person so keeping or using such room,
building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, he shall be taken, held, and
considered to have knowingly permitted the same to be used and occupied
for gambling.
SECT. 2. If any person shall keep or exhibit any gaming-table,
establishment, device, or apparatus to win or gain money, or other
property of value, or to aid, assist, or permit others to do the same;
or if any person shall engage in gambling for a livelihood, or shall be
without any fixed residence, and in the habit or practice of gambling,
he shall be deemed and taken to be a common gambler, and upon conviction
thereof, shall be imprisoned and kept at hard labour in the penitentiary
not less than one, nor more than five years, and be fined five hundred
dollars, to be paid into the treasury of the county where such
conviction shall take place, for the use of common schools therein, to
be divided among the accepting school districts in such county, in
proportion to the number of taxable inhabitants in each district.
SECT. 3. If an affidavit shall be filed with the magistrate before whom
complaint shall be made of an offence against any provision of this
act, stating that the affiant has reason to believe, and does believe,
that the person charged in such complaint has upon his person, or at any
other place named in such affidavit, any specified articles of personal
property, or any gaming-table, device, or apparatus, the discovery of
which might lead to establish the truth of such charge, the said
magistrate shall, by his warrant, command the officer, who is authorized
to arrest the person so charged, to make diligent search for such
property and table, device, or apparatus; and if found, to bring the
same before such magistrate, and the officer so seizing shall deliver
the same to the magistrate before whom he takes the same, who shall
retain possession, and be responsible therefor until the discharge, or
commitment, or letting to bail of the person charged; and in case of
such commitment, or letting to bail of the person so charged, such
officer shall retain such property, subject to the order of the court
before which such offender may be required to appear, until his
discharge or conviction. And in case of the conviction of such person,
the gaming-table, device, or apparatus shall be destroyed, and the
property shall be liable to pay any judgment which may be rendered
against such person; and after the payment of such judgment and costs,
the surplus, if any, shall be paid to the use of the common schools
aforesaid, and in case of the discharge of such person by the
magistrate, or court, the officer having such property in his custody
shall, on demand, deliver it to such person.
SECT. 4. If any person called to testify on behalf of the state before
any justice of the peace, grand-jury, or court, upon any complaint,
information, or indictment, for any offence made punishable by this act,
shall disclose any fact tending to criminate himself in any manner made
punishable by this act, he shall thereafter be discharged of and from
all liability to prosecution or punishment for such matter or offence.
SECT. 5. It shall be lawful for any justice of the peace, chief
magistrate of any municipal incorporation, or judge of any court of
Common Pleas, upon complaint upon an oath, that any gaming-table,
establishment, apparatus, or device is kept by any person for the
purpose of being used to win or gain money or other property, by the
owner thereof, or any other person, to issue his warrant, commanding any
sheriff, or constable, to whom the same shall be directed, within the
proper jurisdiction, after demanding entrance to break open and enter
any house or other place wherein such gaming establishment, apparatus,
or device shall be kept, and to seize and safely keep the same, to be
dealt with as hereinafter provided.
SECT. 6. Upon return of said warrant executed, the authority issuing the
same shall proceed to examine and inquire touching the said complaint,
and if satisfied that the same is true, he shall order the officer so
seizing such gaming establishment, apparatus, or device, forthwith to
destroy the same; which order the said officer shall proceed to execute
in the presence of said authority, unless the person charged as keeper
of said gaming establishment, apparatus, or device, shall, without
delay, enter into a recognisance in the sum of six hundred dollars, with
sufficient sureties, to be approved by said authority, for the appeal of
said complaint to the Court of Common Pleas, next to be held in the
proper county, conditioned that the defendant will appear at the next
term of the court to which he appeals, and abide the order of said
court, and for the payment of the full amount of the fine and all costs,
in case he shall be found guilty of the offence charged, and judgment be
rendered against him in said court.
SECT. 7. The officer taking such recognisance shall return the same to
the clerk of the court to which said appeal is taken forthwith, and such
clerk shall file the same in his office, and the complaint shall be
prosecuted in such court, by indictment, as in other criminal cases; and
upon conviction thereof, the appellant shall be fined not more than
fifty dollars, and shall pay the costs of prosecution; and such gaming
establishment, apparatus, or device shall be destroyed.
SECT. 8. If any person or persons shall, through invitation or device,
persuade or prevail on any person or persons to visit any room,
building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, kept for the use of
gambling, he or they shall, upon conviction thereof, be held responsible
for the money or properties lost by such invitation or device, and fined
in a sum not less than fifty, and not more than five hundred dollars.
SECT. 9. It shall be the duty of all sheriffs, constables, and all
prosecuting attorneys to inform and prosecute all offenders against this
act, and upon refusal thereof, they shall pay a fine of not less than
fifty, nor more than five hundred dollars.
SECT. 10. This act shall be given in charge to the Grand Jury, by the
President Judge of the Court of Quarter Sessions in the respective
counties.
SECT. 11. This act shall take effect on the first day of July next.
[_Law of Ohio for the suppression of Gambling, drafted by_
J. H. GREEN.]
SECTION 1. _Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Ohio_,
That if any person shall keep a room, building, or arbour, booth, shed,
or tenement, to be used or occupied for gambling, or shall, knowingly,
permit the same to be used or occupied for gambling; or if any person,
being the owner of such room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or
tenement, shall rent the same to be used or occupied for gambling, the
persons so offending shall, on conviction thereof, be fined in any sum
not less than fifty dollars, nor more than five hundred dollars; and if
any owner of any room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, shall
know that any gambling-tables, apparatus, or establishment, is kept or
used in such room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement, for
gambling, and winning, betting, or gaining money, or other property, and
shall not forthwith cause complaint to be made against the person so
keeping or using the room, building, arbour, booth, shed, or tenement,
he shall be taken, held, and considered to have knowingly permitted the
same to be used and occupied for gambling.
SECT. 2. If any person shall keep or exhibit any gaming-table,
establishment, device, or apparatus to win or gain money, or other
property of value, or to aid or assist, or permit others to do the same;
or if any person shall engage in gambling for a livelihood, or shall be
without any fixed residence, and in the habit or practice of gambling,
he shall be deemed and taken to be a common gambler, and upon conviction
thereof, shall be imprisoned and kept at hard labour in the
penitentiary not less than one, nor more than five years, and be fined
five hundred dollars, to be paid into the treasury of the county where
such conviction shall take place, for the use of common schools therein.
SECT. 3. If an affidavit shall be filed with the magistrate before whom
complaint shall be made of an offence against any provisions of this
act, stating that the affiant has reason to believe, and does believe,
that the person charged in such complaint has upon his person, or at any
other place named in such affidavit, any money, or any specified
articles of personal property, or any gaming-table, device, apparatus,
the discovery of which might tend to establish the truth of such charge,
the said magistrate shall, by his warrant, command the officer, who is
authorized to arrest the person so charged, to make diligent search for
such money or property, and table, device, or apparatus; and if found,
to bring the same before such magistrate--and the officer seizing the
same, shall retain possession thereof, subject to the order of the
magistrate before whom he takes the same, until the discharge, or
commitment, or letting to bail of the person charged; and in case of
such commitment, or letting to bail of the person so charged, such
officer shall retain such property, subject to the order of the court
before which such offender may be required to appear, until his
discharge or conviction. And in case of the conviction of such person,
the gaming-table, device, or apparatus shall be destroyed, and the money
and other property shall be liable to pay any judgment which may be
rendered against such person; and in case of the discharge of such
person by the magistrate, or court, the officer having such property in
his custody, shall, on demand, deliver it to such person.
SECT. 4. If any person called to testify on behalf of the state before
any justice of the peace, grand-jury, or court, upon any complaint,
information, or indictment, for any offence made punishable by this act,
shall disclose any fact tending to criminate himself in any matter made
punishable by this act, he shall thereafter be discharged of and from
all liability to prosecution or punishment for such matter of offence.
SECT. 5. It shall be lawful for any justice of the peace, chief
magistrate of the municipal incorporation, or judge of any court of
common pleas, upon complaint on oath, that any gaming-table,
establishment, apparatus, or device is kept for the purpose of being
used to win or gain money or other property, by the owner thereof, or
any other person, to issue his warrant, commanding any sheriff,
constable, or marshal of any municipal corporation to whom the same may
be directed, within the proper jurisdiction, after demanding entrance,
to break open and enter any house or other place where such gaming
establishment, apparatus, or device shall be kept, and to seize and
safely keep the same, to be dealt with as hereafter provided.
SECT. 6. Upon the return of said warrant executed, the authority issuing
the same shall proceed to examine and inquire touching the said
complaint, and if satisfied the same is true, he shall order the officer
so seizing such gaming establishment, apparatus, or device, forthwith to
destroy the same; which order the said officer shall proceed to execute
in the presence of said authority, unless the person charged as keeper
of said gaming establishment, apparatus, or device, shall, without
delay, enter into a recognisance in the sum of two hundred dollars, with
sufficient sureties, to be approved by said authority, for the appeal of
said complaint to the Court of Common Pleas, next to be held in the
proper county, conditioned that the defendant will appear at the next
term of the court to which he appeals, and abide the order of such
court, and for the payment of the full amount of the fine and all costs,
in case he shall be found guilty of the offences charged, and judgment
be rendered against him in said court.
SECT. 7. The officer taking such recognisance shall return the same to
the clerk of the court to which said appeal is taken forthwith, and such
clerk shall file the same in his office, and complaint shall be
prosecuted in such court, by indictment, as in other criminal cases; and
upon conviction, the appellant shall be fined not more than fifty
dollars, and shall pay the costs of prosecution; and such gaming
establishment, apparatus, or device shall be destroyed.
SECT. 8. It shall be the duty of all sheriffs, constables, marshals of
incorporated cities, towns, and boroughs, and of all prosecuting
attorneys, to inform and prosecute all offences against this act.
SECT. 9. This act shall be given in charge to the Grand Jury, by the
President Judge of the Court of Common Pleas in the respective counties.
SECT. 10. This act shall take effect on the first day of March next.
ELIAS F. DRAKE,
_Speaker of the House of Representatives._
SEABURY FORD,
_Speaker of the Senate._
Jan 17, 1846.
During the three evenings of the debate the Lecture-room of the Museum
was crowded with a most respectable audience; and thousands must have
read the reports given by the different Newspapers on the following
mornings. Throughout the community there was considerable excitement,
and we have no doubt that good has already resulted. The evils of
gambling are now familiar to many who never previously thought upon the
subject; and the excuses and defences urged for participating in the
vice have been stripped of their fallacious guises. For this work we owe
many thanks to the conductors of the public press who have come forth
ably and willingly to our assistance.
But we trust that the immediate advantages from the discussion are not
the only ones. It will be perceived from the reports given, that we met
with no common opponent. Mr. Freeman is perhaps not excelled, if he has
an equal, among gamblers, for talent, learning, and, what is more rare,
candour and honesty of character. From a lecture which he has since
delivered, we learn that he was on a professional visit to Philadelphia,
where he had bought some implements for gambling and was about to return
to the South, when his attention was arrested by a notice in a paper
that Mr. Green was to give a lecture in the Museum on the following
evening. For some years he had formed a resolution that if ever he had
an opportunity of hearing him, he would embrace it, and he now concluded
that he would stay another day for that purpose. He did so, attended his
lecture, and from antipathy to himself and the course he was pursuing,
was induced to send the challenge to the Sun newspaper which led to the
debate in the preceding pages. It is not improbable that while thinking
on the points he proposed to defend, his naturally acute mind perceived
their fallacy, as there was a gradual shifting of his position from the
subject of the original challenge, till on the last evening of the
debate he ended with the astonishing announcement that on the Tuesday
following he would deliver a lecture _against gambling_ in the same
place. Since then, he has delivered several lectures on the same
subject, has taken the temperance pledge, been admitted into one of the
divisions of the Sons of Temperance, and promises fair to be an
efficient labourer in the cause of truth and virtue. Like Paul, he seems
to have been arrested midway in his career, and by the power of
conscience compelled to build up what he once exerted himself to
destroy. May God prosper him in his labours, and give him grace to
continue unto the end.
[_Recommendation._]
Cincinnati, _July_, 1843.
We, the undersigned, believing that Mr. J. H. Green's proposed
publication ["The ARTS AND MISERIES OF GAMBLING"] will be eminently
useful in counteracting one of the most pernicious and demoralizing
vices of the age, take great pleasure in recommending it to the
patronage of the public.
Rev. CHARLES ELLIOTT,
_Editor of the Western Christian Advocate_.
Rev. L.L. HAMLINE,
_Bishop of the Methodist Episcopal Church_.
D.K. ESTE,
_Judge of the Superior Court, Cin. Ham. Co_.
Rev. JAMES P. KILBRETH.
SAMUEL WILLIAMS.
JOHN McLEAN,
_Judge of the United States Court._
Rev. W.H. RAPER.
THOMAS J. BIGGS,
_President of the Cincinnati College._
SAMUEL W. LYND, D.D.
_Pastor of the Ninth Street Baptist Church._
Hon. JACOB BURNET.
Rev. JOHN F. WRIGHT.
H.E. SPENCER,
_Mayor of Cincinnati._
LOTTERIES.
This is as deceptive, and as base a business, as was ever introduced
into any country. The apparent respectability of it, and of the men who
carry it on, is calculated to remove the scruples many might otherwise
have to patronizing it. The facility with which it can be patronized,
without the liability of exposure, and the promises of sudden gain so
artfully held out, are inducements not easily resisted by a money-loving
people, totally ignorant of the odds against them in the game they play.
All other games generally require the personal attention of the players
who patronize them; but this is a game at which any one can play, and
need never be seen, even by those against whom he may be playing.
Thousands of persons, who stand high in the estimation of their
neighbors for good conduct; men who would not, on any account, be found
at a gambling-table, will patronize lotteries. The ease with which it
can be done, without exposure, enables them to gratify, to the full
extent of their means, their passion for this base species of swindling.
In many of our large cities, numerous well-dressed young men are
constantly engaged in vending tickets through the streets, or from house
to house, and they can be bought as privately as the buyer may wish, or
he may send his servant for them. Thus it is that a man may gamble as
extensively as he pleases in lotteries, without his proceedings being at
all likely to become public.
In my description of lotteries, I shall confine myself to the lottery
scheme before us; because it will serve as an example of all others, and
because the reader will be better able to comprehend explanations of
this system than if I were to write of some scheme not here inserted.
By a reference to the tables of tickets, it will be seen that there are
fifteen packages of whole tickets, as many of halves, and thirty
packages of quarter tickets. Each package contains all the numbers, from
one up to seventy-eight, without a repetition of any one of them. The
tickets found in these tables are all that are intended for any one
drawing; and every successive drawing is but another edition of the same
tickets, all arranged in the same order, and with the same combination
numbers; but they have a different class number on them. The proprietors
of a lottery furnish the printer with a copy of these tables, arranged
in a blank book, and this book is called the _scheme-book_, from which
as many as may be ordered from time to time are printed.
The arranging of the class numbers is a matter of fancy, as to what they
shall be; their only use being to determine to what particular drawing
any particular ticket belongs, in order that a ticket which proves to be
a blank may not, at some future drawing, be handed in for a premium, on
account of containing some of the numbers then drawn.
[Illustration: _Drawing of Lottery Tickets._]
THE DRAWING. There are several methods of conducting the drawing; but
that which is most commonly used is as follows:--
There is a hollow wheel, as represented in the plate; then there are
seventy-eight small tin tubes, scarcely half an inch in diameter, and
about three inches in length; these are for holding the numbers, from
one to seventy-eight; each number is on a separate piece of paper, which
is rolled up and put into a tube; these tubes, when the numbers have
been placed in them, are all put into the wheel, and a person is
selected to draw out one at a time from the wheel, which is opened, and
cried aloud, for the information of those present who may be interested.
The number is registered, for the future guidance of the lottery-dealer,
in determining what he shall pay those who may hold one or more of the
numbers so drawn. After this, the wheel is again turned, so as to mix
well the numbers contained in it, and a second is drawn; and the same
proceedings are gone over with, until twelve numbers are drawn, and
registered in the order in which they are drawn. Sometimes thirteen will
be drawn, it being customary, on many occasions, to draw one number for
every six contained in the wheel; but I cannot give this as a universal
rule, because I have often found it deviated from. Sometimes little boys
are selected to draw the numbers from the wheel--to give the impression
that every possible step has been taken to render the management as fair
as possible; but in this there is also much deception.
Swarms of domestic servants, day labourers, and the most poor and needy
persons daily visit these worse than gambling shops, where they risk
their little all, and get nothing in return but the delightful
anticipation of being rich when the "drawing" takes place.
True it has been the case that prizes have been drawn, and trumpeted
forth to the world, as inducements for others to buy. Having known how
some of these prizes have sometimes been obtained, will it be too much
to suppose that others are obtained in like manner? that is by the
proprietors of lotteries being swindled through the unfaithfulness of
their agents. A case came to my knowledge of a man who drew a capital
prize; and the mode of operation, by which it was effected, was as
follows: An agent, who was stationed in a town some distance from the
principal establishment, made two confidants, who, doubtless, readily
acted with him from hope of gain. One of these was the post-master of
the town, and the other an acquaintance, a patron of the lottery. The
duty of the agent was to transmit to the principal office all unsold
tickets, by the first mail that left after the known hour of drawing.
This mail also conveyed the lists of the drawing; but, in a regular
manner of proceeding, they would not have been accessible to the agent
before the departure of the stage with his unsold tickets. By making a
confidant of the post-master, however, he received the lists as quick as
possible after the mail arrived, and before it had been assorted. He
then examined his unsold tickets, and if any considerable prize
remained, he would take it from among the unsold tickets, and despatch
the remainder to the principal office, and give the prize to his other
confidant; each one giving out that the ticket had been sold to him; and
accordingly the prize would be claimed and paid, although fraudulently
obtained. In this particular case, the capital prize was drawn, and it
appeared that the ticket-holder appropriated all the money to his own
use, as he was known to buy much property shortly afterwards. It is
believed also, by those who were acquainted with the incident, that he
never divided with the rascally agent; and thus was the cheater cheated,
who, in his wrath, let out some of the secrets of the manner in which
the prize was obtained.
This same man has since met with reverses of fortune, and would now, I
believe, find it difficult to raise money sufficient to purchase a
ticket even of a low price.
Among the many cases of lottery swindling, every body has heard of the
great Louisiana real estate lottery, in which the prizes were to have
been the St. Charles Hotel, the Verandah, the St. Charles Theatre, the
Bank, the Arcade, and other magnificent buildings in New Orleans. It is
quite needless to say any thing of this, as the public has been pretty
well enlightened in regard to it, through the public journals of the
day.
The following is a copy of a handbill issued by the proprietors of the
lottery immediately after a drawing, for the information of
ticket-holders, and all others interested:--
DRAWING OF THE LOTTERY.
The following are the numbers which were this day drawn from the
seventy-eight placed in the wheel, viz.:--
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
------------------------------------
20 51 61 24 74 77 46 36 69 29 26 3
and that the said tickets were drawn in the order in which they
stand: that is to say, No. 20 was the first that was drawn; No. 51
was the 2d; No. 61 was the 3d; No. 24 was the 4th; No. 74 was the
5th; No. 77 was the 6th; No. 46 was the 7th; No. 36 was the 8th;
No. 69 was the 9th; No. 29 was the 10th; No. 26 was the 11th; No. 3
was the 12th, and last.
Those tickets entitled to the 110 highest prizes were drawn in the
following order:--
1 2 3 $30,000 | 7 8 9 $5,000
4 5 6 10,000 | 10 11 12 2,367 20
Those 6 tickets having on them the
2 3 4 | 3 4 5 | 5 6 7 | 6 7 8 | 8 9 10 | 9 10 11 > each 1,500
Those 100 tickets having on them the
1 2 4 | 1 4 7 | 1 7 9 | 2 3 11 | 2 6 10 \
1 2 5 | 1 4 8 | 1 7 10 | 2 3 12 | 2 6 11 |
1 2 6 | 1 4 9 | 1 7 11 | 2 4 5 | 2 6 12 |
1 2 7 | 1 4 10 | 1 7 12 | 2 4 6 | 2 7 8 |
1 2 8 | 1 4 11 | 1 8 9 | 2 4 7 | 2 7 9 |
1 2 9 | 1 4 12 | 1 8 10 | 2 4 8 | 2 7 10 |
1 2 10 | 1 5 6 | 1 8 11 | 2 4 9 | 2 7 11 |
1 2 11 | 1 5 7 | 1 8 12 | 2 4 10 | 2 7 12 |
1 2 12 | 1 5 8 | 1 9 10 | 2 4 11 | 2 8 9 |
1 3 4 | 1 5 9 | 1 9 11 | 2 4 12 | 2 8 10 |
1 3 5 | 1 5 10 | 1 9 12 | 2 5 6 | 2 8 11 > each 1,000
1 3 6 | 1 5 11 | 1 10 11 | 2 5 7 | 2 8 12 |
1 3 7 | 1 5 12 | 1 10 12 | 2 5 8 | 2 9 10 |
1 3 8 | 1 6 7 | 1 11 12 | 2 5 9 | 2 9 11 |
1 3 9 | 1 6 8 | 2 3 5 | 2 5 10 | 2 9 12 |
1 3 10 | 1 6 9 | 2 3 6 | 2 5 11 | 2 10 11 |
1 3 11 | 1 6 10 | 2 3 7 | 2 5 12 | 2 10 12 |
1 3 12 | 1 6 11 | 2 3 8 | 2 6 7 | 2 11 12 |
1 4 5 | 1 6 12 | 2 3 9 | 2 6 8 | 3 4 6 |
1 4 6 | 1 7 8 | 2 3 10 | 2 6 9 | 3 4 7 /
All others with three of the drawn numbers on, (being 110) each 300
Those 66 tickets having on them the 1st and 2d drawn numbers, each 100
Those 66 tickets having on them the 2d and 3d, each 80
Those 66 tickets having on them the 3d and 4th, each 50
Those 66 tickets having on them the 4th and 5th, each 40
Those 132 tickets having on them the 5th and 6th, or 6th and 7th, each 30
All others with two of the drawn numbers on, (being 3960,) each 20
And all tickets having one, only, of the drawn numbers on, each,
(being 25,740,) 10
Now, let us spend a few moments in examining this bill, and we shall see
how much truth there is in it. It says, that the ticket having on it the
three first drawn numbers will be entitled to the capital prize of
$30,000. Now, in the whole scheme before us, there is no such ticket.
The combination, 20, 51, 61, is not to be found in this arrangement.
Consequently, there was no ticket whose numbers entitled it to this
prize. Next, the bill says, the ticket having the fourth, fifth, and
sixth drawn numbers, which would have been 24, 74, 77, would be entitled
to a prize of $10,000. There is no such ticket in the combination.
Consequently this also is false. Now, it is evident that the dealers, in
publishing this bill, mean to impress the public with the idea, that
tickets, containing the necessary numbers to draw these prizes, are in
the lottery, and that somebody must, of course, draw them; but it is all
false, and a very little investigation will convince any one, that a
greater system of deception can hardly exist. Bear in mind, that the
bill says these prizes were drawn. The third prize was $5,000, and the
ticket which contained the seventh, eighth, and ninth numbers was to
draw this prize. These numbers are 36, 46, 69. There is no such
combination in the scheme-book--no such ticket was printed or sold.
Consequently, here is another falsehood. The same can be said of the
fourth prize--the tenth, eleventh, and twelfth numbers--being 3, 26, 29.
There is no such combination in the book, and no such prize could be
drawn. Of the next six prizes, of $1,500 each, said to have been drawn,
there was not a single ticket in the whole scheme which contained the
necessary numbers to draw any one of these six prizes!
It is next asserted, that there were in the lottery one hundred tickets,
having three drawn numbers, and entitled each to a prize of $1,000. This
I have examined, and I find that, instead of being one hundred, there
are but two--the first in magnitude being one from package number six,
of half tickets, bearing the numbers 20, 36, 51,--these being the first,
second, and eighth of the drawn numbers, and would entitle the holder to
one half of the $1,000, subject to a deduction of fifteen per cent. The
other is a quarter ticket, bearing the numbers 46, 51, 74--from the
twenty-seventh package, of quarters--being the second, fifth, and
seventh of the drawn numbers, and would entitle the holder of it to one
quarter of the $1,000, after deducting the fifteen per cent. But it is
well known that, frequently, scarce one half of the tickets of any one
class, intended for a particular drawing, are ever disposed of, and are
consequently returned to the manager's office, to be destroyed. Then,
what guaranty have we that the numbers entitled to the above pitiful
prizes were sold? They are as likely to be among the tickets returned
unsold, as among those sold. Next, the bill states that there were one
hundred and ten others, each having three drawn numbers, and were
entitled to a prize of $300 each. By a close investigation, I find but
one single ticket of this kind in the whole scheme. This is the ticket
in the twelfth package of quarters, bearing the numbers 61, 69, 77; and
if it had been sold, it would have entitled the holder to one fourth of
the $300, deducting 15 per cent. Next, the bill says, those sixty-six
tickets having the first and second drawn numbers, will each be entitled
to a prize of $100. In searching for these in the scheme-book, I find
but one that bears the first and second numbers; that is, in package
fourteen. The ticket having the numbers 20, 51, 66, is the only one
having the two first numbers; and if sold, the holder was entitled to
one half of the $100, it being a half ticket. Now, the reader may
perceive that I have examined and laid open, so that he too may examine,
this masterpiece of villany. I find that of the two hundred and
eighty-six highest prizes, which, their own handbill states, existed in
their lottery, and which, by their own figures, amounted to the enormous
sum of $195,967, and, in order to be drawn, only required that the
tickets should be bought,--I find, allowing every ticket to have been
sold, and afterwards every holder presented his ticket for the sum to
which it might be entitled, that of the two hundred and eighty-six said
to be in the scheme, there are but five, and these very inconsiderable;
and that the greatest amount of these five prizes, without deducting the
fifteen per cent, is only $875, instead of the enormous sum of $195,967.
Can it be possible that any person will be found to patronize lotteries,
after considering these facts?
I pass over those small prizes named after the first sixty-six having
the first and second drawn numbers on them, and will prove the balance
to be falsehoods, as the greater portion of the first part of the bill
is.
In the first place, let us see how many prizes are represented to exist,
not to say any thing of the blanks. In counting up the prizes named on
this bill, we find them to be 30,316; and I do not think they would
pretend to say that more than one half of their tickets were prizes.
Then we will say that they had an equal number of blanks. This would
carry their scheme up to over sixty thousand tickets; and even if they
were all prizes, and no blanks, (which they do not pretend,) who cannot
see the extreme improbability of their disposing of 30,316 tickets in
one week? for it must be remembered that these were all of one class,
and for one particular week's drawing. But the last witness, whose
overwhelming testimony will settle the question, is their own
scheme-book, of which an accurate copy is here given, and which shows
the number of tickets, for any one drawing, to be but 1,560, the half of
which, by great exertion, they might succeed in selling; each successive
drawing being another edition of these same combinations, with a
different class number on them. Now, let me ask, where are their 30,316
prizes to come from? What a scheme of deception do we here behold! and
one, too, that has been so long submitted to and patronized by the
public of this and other countries.
Another method of still further swindling the buyers of tickets, is much
practised in some parts of the country. The agents who sell the tickets
are authorized to insure them. When a man buys one, the price, perhaps,
might be ten dollars. The seller, if he has been authorized, will say,
"Now, sir, for ten dollars, I will insure your ticket to draw a prize."
This is enough for the buyer to have his ticket insured to draw a prize,
and possibly the capital prize: he pays an additional fee, and the agent
forwards the numbers of all the tickets, so insured, to the office where
the drawing is to be held; and there they manage to have these tickets
contain one (seldom more) of the drawn numbers. This entitles the buyer
to receive back the price of his ticket, after taking out 15 per cent.;
and as it was not a total blank, the insurer is safe, and retains the
sum paid for insurance. The buyer remains swindled out of the insurance,
and 15 per cent, of the cost. These swindling shops are numerous, and
are sometimes called _policy offices_.
We sincerely hope that our readers will examine with some attention the
developments we have made in relation to the deceptive schemes of the
lottery managers; for we feel that they cannot fail to convince every
man of common sense, who has a particle of moral principle and moral
honesty left, that he who encourages this basest of all swindling, by
purchasing tickets, is not alone an enemy to himself and family, but he
countenances a species of gambling that is extensively mischievous and
ruinous, and has for its victims many of our best citizens, young and
old; while, at the same time, he unintentionally throws a veil over the
villanous deeds of the lottery gambler and his unprincipled, as well as
his inexperienced supporters. We once more invite our readers to examine
our statements with attention.
The following tables represent, completely, the entire contents of a
lottery dealer's scheme-book, made for the guidance of the printer, in
printing tickets. At the close of the tables is represented a ticket,
with its class and combination numbers.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #1# | #2# | #3# | #4# | #5# | #6# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 27 53| 1 28 55 | 1 29 54| 1 30 56| 1 31 57| 1 32 58|
| 2 28 54| 2 29 56 | 2 30 55| 2 31 57| 2 32 58| 2 33 59|
| 3 29 55| 3 30 57 | 3 31 56| 3 32 58| 3 33 59| 3 34 60|
| 4 30 56| 4 31 58 | 4 32 57| 4 33 59| 4 34 60| 4 35 78|
| 5 31 57| 5 32 59 | 5 33 58| 5 34 60| 5 35 61| 5 36 77|
| 6 32 58| 6 33 60 | 6 34 59| 6 35 61| 6 36 62| 6 42 71|
| 7 33 59| 7 34 61 | 7 35 60| 7 36 62| 7 37 63| 7 43 70|
| 8 34 60| 8 35 62 | 8 36 61| 8 37 63| 8 38 64| 8 44 69|
| 9 35 61| 9 36 63 | 9 37 62| 9 38 64| 9 39 65| 9 45 68|
|10 36 62| 10 37 64 | 10 38 63| 10 39 65| 10 40 66| 10 46 67|
|11 37 63| 11 38 65 | 11 39 64| 11 40 66| 11 41 67| 11 37 76|
|12 38 64| 12 39 66 | 12 40 65| 12 41 67| 12 42 68| 12 38 75|
|13 39 65| 13 40 67 | 13 41 66| 13 42 68| 13 43 69| 13 39 74|
|14 40 66| 14 41 68 | 14 42 67| 14 43 69| 14 44 70| 14 40 73|
|15 41 67| 15 42 69 | 15 43 68| 15 44 70| 15 45 71| 15 41 72|
|16 42 68| 16 43 70 | 16 44 69| 16 45 71| 16 46 72| 16 27 57|
|17 43 69| 17 44 71 | 17 45 70| 17 46 72| 17 47 73| 17 28 56|
|18 44 70| 18 45 72 | 18 46 71| 18 47 73| 18 48 74| 18 29 55|
|19 45 71| 19 46 73 | 19 47 72| 19 48 74| 19 49 75| 19 30 54|
|20 46 72| 20 47 74 | 20 48 73| 20 49 75| 20 50 76| 20 31 53|
|21 47 73| 21 48 75 | 21 49 74| 21 50 76| 21 51 77| 21 47 65|
|22 48 74| 22 49 76 | 22 50 75| 22 51 77| 22 52 78| 22 48 66|
|23 49 75| 23 50 77 | 23 51 76| 23 52 78| 23 30 53| 23 49 64|
|24 50 76| 24 51 78 | 24 52 77| 24 27 53| 24 29 54| 24 50 63|
|25 51 77| 25 52 53 | 25 27 78| 25 28 54| 25 28 55| 25 51 62|
|26 52 78| 26 27 54 | 26 28 53| 26 29 55| 26 27 56| 26 52 61|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
The above lottery schemes were accurately copied from the scheme-book of
a lottery dealer in Vicksburg, Mississippi, and may be considered a fair
specimen of lottery combinations generally. The tables are for a 78
numbered lottery, every three perpendicular lines of figures containing
a package, and each package all the numbers, from 1 to 78, inclusive;
and there are also 26 tickets in each package.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #7# | #8# | #9# | #10# | #96# | #97# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 34 59| 1 60 78| 1 61 64| 1 35 36| 1 38 39 | 1 41 43|
| 2 36 60| 2 61 77| 2 62 65| 2 37 38| 2 40 49 | 2 42 45|
| 3 35 61| 3 62 76| 3 63 66| 3 39 40| 3 41 50 | 3 44 47|
| 4 37 62| 4 63 75| 4 29 78| 4 41 42| 4 42 51 | 4 46 49|
| 5 38 63| 5 64 74| 5 28 77| 5 43 44| 5 43 52 | 5 48 51|
| 6 49 74| 6 65 73| 6 27 76| 6 45 46| 6 44 53 | 6 50 53|
| 7 50 75| 7 66 72| 7 30 50| 7 47 48| 7 45 54 | 7 52 55|
| 8 51 76| 8 67 71| 8 31 51| 8 49 50| 8 46 55 | 8 54 57|
| 9 52 77| 9 68 70| 9 32 52| 9 51 52| 9 47 56 | 9 56 59|
|10 27 78| 10 53 69| 10 33 53| 10 53 54| 10 48 57 | 10 58 61|
|11 28 53| 11 27 52| 11 34 54| 11 55 56| 11 58 67 | 11 60 63|
|12 29 54| 12 28 51| 12 35 55| 12 57 58| 12 59 68 | 12 62 65|
|13 30 55| 13 29 50| 13 36 56| 13 59 60| 13 60 69 | 13 64 67|
|14 31 56| 14 30 49| 14 37 57| 14 61 62| 14 61 70 | 14 66 69|
|15 32 57| 15 31 48| 15 38 58| 15 63 64| 15 62 71 | 15 68 71|
|16 33 58| 16 32 47| 16 39 59| 16 65 66| 16 63 72 | 16 70 73|
|17 48 73| 17 33 46| 17 40 60| 17 67 68| 17 64 73 | 17 72 75|
|18 47 72| 18 34 45| 18 41 67| 18 69 70| 18 65 74 | 18 74 77|
|19 46 71| 19 35 44| 19 42 68| 19 71 72| 19 66 75 | 19 76 78|
|20 45 70| 20 36 43| 20 43 69| 20 73 74| 20 27 76 | 20 35 40|
|21 44 69| 21 37 59| 21 44 70| 21 75 76| 21 28 77 | 21 34 39|
|22 43 68| 22 38 58| 22 45 71| 22 77 78| 22 29 78 | 22 33 38|
|23 42 67| 23 39 57| 23 46 72| 23 27 28| 23 30 34 | 23 32 37|
|24 41 66| 24 40 56| 24 47 73| 24 29 30| 24 31 35 | 24 31 36|
|25 40 65| 25 41 55| 25 48 74| 25 31 32| 25 32 36 | 25 27 29|
|26 39 64| 26 42 54| 26 49 75| 26 33 34| 26 33 37 | 26 28 30|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
At the beginning of the first package you will see the numbers 1, 27,
53; they are placed on one ticket; and so with each succeeding three
numbers through the whole scheme.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #98# | #99# | #100# | | #101# | #101# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 13 | 14 | 15 | 00 | 1 | 1 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 45 44| 1 62 70| 1 27 78| | 1 2 53 | 1 2 60|
| 2 46 47| 2 63 71| 2 28 77| | 3 4 54 | 3 6 61|
| 3 48 49| 3 64 72| 3 29 76| | 5 29 55 | 4 7 62|
| 4 50 51| 4 65 73| 4 30 75| | 6 30 56 | 5 52 63|
| 5 52 53| 5 66 74| 5 31 74| | 7 31 57 | 8 51 64|
| 6 54 55| 6 52 75| 6 32 73| | 8 32 58 | 9 50 65|
| 7 56 57| 7 53 76| 7 33 72| | 9 33 59 | 10 49 66|
| 8 58 59| 8 54 77| 8 34 71| | 10 34 60 | 11 48 67|
| 9 60 61| 9 55 78| 9 35 70| | 11 35 61 | 12 47 68|
|10 62 63| 10 56 67| 10 36 69|Here ends| 12 36 62 | 13 46 69|
|11 64 65| 11 57 68| 11 37 68| Fifteen | 13 37 63 | 14 45 70|
|12 66 67| 12 58 69| 12 38 67|Packages | 14 38 64 | 15 44 71|
|13 68 69| 13 59 61| 13 39 66|of Whole | 15 39 65 | 16 43 72|
|14 70 71| 14 51 60| 14 40 65| Tickets | 16 40 66 | 17 42 73|
|15 72 73| 15 27 39| 15 41 64| | 17 41 67 | 18 41 74|
|16 74 75| 16 28 40| 16 42 63| | 18 42 68 | 19 40 75|
|17 76 77| 17 29 41| 17 43 62| | 19 43 69 | 20 39 76|
|18 43 78| 18 30 42| 18 44 61| | 20 44 70 | 21 38 77|
|19 27 42| 19 31 43| 19 45 60| | 21 45 71 | 22 37 78|
|20 28 41| 20 32 44| 20 46 59| | 22 46 72 | 23 36 53|
|21 29 40| 21 33 45| 21 47 58| | 23 47 73 | 24 35 54|
|22 30 39| 22 34 46| 22 48 57| | 24 48 74 | 25 34 55|
|23 31 38| 23 35 47| 23 49 56| | 25 49 75 | 26 33 56|
|24 32 37| 24 36 48| 24 50 55| | 26 50 76 | 27 32 57|
|25 33 36| 25 37 49| 25 51 54| | 27 51 77 | 28 31 58|
|26 34 35| 26 38 50| 26 52 53| | 28 52 78 | 29 30 59|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
There are, in these schemes, 15 packages of whole tickets, each
containing 26, which make an aggregate of 390, and the same number of
halves, which, if added to the former, will make 780; also, 30 packages
of quarters, making, in all, 1560. These comprise the whole of the
combinations here given, and are intended for one particular drawing,
constituting one class. For each successive drawing, another edition of
the same combinations are offered for sale, only with different class
numbers.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #103# | #104# | #105# | #106# | #107# | #108# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 3 61| 1 3 65| 1 4 66| 1 4 67| 1 5 68| 1 5 69|
| 2 4 62| 2 41 66| 2 42 67| 2 5 68| 2 6 69| 2 6 70|
| 5 6 63| 4 42 67| 3 43 68| 3 45 69| 3 7 70| 3 7 71|
| 7 8 64| 5 43 68| 5 44 69| 6 46 70| 4 45 71| 4 8 72|
| 9 31 65| 6 44 69| 6 45 70| 7 47 71| 8 46 72| 9 48 75|
|10 32 66| 7 45 70| 7 46 71| 8 48 72| 9 47 73| 10 49 76|
|11 33 67| 8 40 71| 8 47 72| 9 49 73| 10 48 74| 11 50 73|
|12 34 68| 9 39 72| 9 48 73| 10 50 74| 11 49 75| 12 51 74|
|13 35 69| 10 38 73| 10 49 74| 11 51 75| 12 50 76| 13 52 78|
|14 36 71| 11 37 74| 11 50 75| 12 52 76| 13 51 77| 14 31 77|
|15 37 70| 12 36 75| 12 51 76| 13 29 77| 14 52 78| 15 32 68|
|16 38 72| 13 35 76| 13 52 77| 14 30 78| 15 30 67| 16 33 67|
|17 39 73| 14 34 77| 14 41 78| 15 31 66| 16 31 66| 17 34 66|
|18 40 74| 15 33 78| 15 40 65| 16 32 65| 17 32 65| 18 35 65|
|19 41 75| 16 32 53| 16 28 64| 17 33 64| 18 33 64| 19 36 64|
|20 42 76| 17 31 54| 17 29 63| 18 34 63| 19 34 63| 20 37 63|
|21 43 77| 18 30 55| 18 30 62| 19 35 62| 20 35 62| 21 38 62|
|22 44 78| 19 29 56| 19 31 61| 20 36 61| 21 36 61| 22 39 61|
|23 45 53| 20 28 57| 20 32 60| 21 37 60| 22 37 60| 23 40 60|
|24 46 54| 21 52 58| 21 33 59| 22 38 59| 23 38 59| 24 41 59|
|25 47 55| 22 51 59| 22 34 58| 23 39 58| 24 39 58| 25 42 58|
|26 48 56| 23 50 60| 23 35 57| 24 40 57| 25 40 57| 26 43 57|
|27 49 57| 24 49 61| 24 36 56| 25 41 56| 26 41 56| 27 44 56|
|28 50 58| 25 48 62| 25 37 55| 26 42 55| 27 42 55| 28 45 55|
|29 51 59| 26 47 63| 26 38 54| 27 43 54| 28 43 54| 29 46 54|
|30 52 60| 27 46 64| 27 39 53| 28 44 53| 29 44 53| 30 47 53|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
The venders of lottery tickets possess an immense advantage over the
buyer, which is mostly in the extreme improbability of a prize of any
considerable amount being drawn. The numbers 1 to 78 are capable of
making 76076 combinations on what I may term the increasing ratio--that
is, the second larger than the first, and the third larger than the
second, in arithmetical progression; as, 5, 10, 15, &c.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #109# | #110# | #196# | #197# | #198# | #199# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 6 70| 1 6 71| 1 7 72| 1 7 73| 1 8 74 | 1 8 75|
| 2 7 71| 2 7 72| 2 8 73| 2 8 74| 2 9 75 | 2 9 76|
| 3 8 72| 3 8 73| 3 9 74| 3 9 75| 3 10 76 | 3 10 77|
| 4 9 73| 4 9 74| 4 10 75| 4 10 76| 4 11 77 | 4 11 78|
| 5 10 74| 5 10 75| 5 11 76| 5 11 77| 5 12 78 | 5 12 74|
|11 32 75| 11 33 76| 6 12 77| 6 12 78| 6 13 73 | 6 13 72|
|12 33 76| 12 34 77| 13 33 78| 13 52 72| 7 14 72 | 7 14 73|
|13 34 77| 13 35 78| 14 34 53| 14 51 71| 15 45 70 | 15 46 71|
|14 35 78| 14 36 70| 15 35 54| 15 50 70| 16 46 71 | 16 47 70|
|15 36 69| 15 37 69| 16 36 55| 16 49 69| 17 47 69 | 17 48 69|
|16 37 68| 16 38 68| 17 37 56| 17 48 68| 18 48 68 | 18 49 68|
|17 38 67| 17 39 67| 18 38 57| 18 47 67| 19 49 67 | 19 50 67|
|18 39 66| 18 40 66| 19 39 58| 19 46 66| 20 50 66 | 20 51 66|
|19 40 65| 19 41 65| 20 40 59| 20 45 65| 21 51 65 | 21 52 65|
|20 41 64| 20 42 64| 21 41 60| 21 44 64| 22 52 64 | 22 45 64|
|21 42 62| 21 43 63| 22 42 61| 22 43 61| 23 44 63 | 23 44 61|
|22 43 63| 22 44 62| 23 43 62| 23 42 62| 24 43 62 | 24 43 60|
|23 44 60| 23 45 61| 24 44 63| 24 41 63| 25 42 61 | 25 42 63|
|24 45 61| 24 46 60| 25 45 64| 25 40 60| 26 41 60 | 26 41 62|
|25 46 59| 25 47 59| 26 46 65| 26 39 59| 27 40 59 | 27 40 58|
|26 47 58| 26 48 58| 27 47 66| 27 38 58| 28 39 58 | 28 39 59|
|27 48 57| 27 49 56| 28 48 67| 28 37 57| 29 38 57 | 29 38 56|
|28 49 56| 28 50 57| 29 49 68| 29 36 56| 30 37 56 | 30 37 57|
|29 50 55| 29 51 55| 30 50 69| 30 35 55| 31 36 55 | 31 36 54|
|30 51 54| 30 52 54| 31 51 70| 31 34 54| 32 35 53 | 32 35 55|
|31 52 53| 31 32 53| 32 52 71| 32 33 53| 33 34 54 | 33 34 53|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
In the following combinations there are but 1560, where there might be
76076; and if this latter number were printed and sold, some one must
hold the three first drawn numbers, every ticket-holder having one
chance out of 76076 of drawing the capital prize. But, in this
combination, if a man were to purchase the whole of the tickets, being
1560, there would still be 49 chances against his holding the three
first numbers, to one for it. As there are no two tickets holding the
same three numbers, of course but one can hold the three first, which is
the prize.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #200# | #206# | #201# | #202# | #203# | #204# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 15 | 00 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 9 76| | 1 9 77 | 1 10 77| 1 10 78 | 1 11 21|
| 2 10 77| | 2 10 78 | 2 11 78| 2 11 77 | 2 12 22|
| 3 11 78| | 3 11 76 | 3 12 53| 3 12 76 | 3 13 23|
| 4 12 75| | 4 12 74 | 4 13 54| 4 13 75 | 4 14 24|
| 5 13 74| | 5 13 75 | 5 14 55| 5 14 74 | 5 15 25|
| 6 14 73|Here ends | 6 14 72 | 6 15 56| 6 15 72 | 6 16 26|
| 7 15 72| Fifteen | 7 15 73 | 7 16 57| 7 16 71 | 7 17 27|
| 8 16 71| Packages | 8 16 70 | 8 17 58| 8 17 70 | 8 18 28|
|17 52 70| of Half | 17 51 71 | 9 18 59| 9 18 69 | 9 19 29|
|18 51 69| Tickets. | 18 50 69 | 19 52 60| 19 36 68 | 10 20 30|
|19 50 68| The | 19 49 68 | 20 40 72| 20 37 67 | 31 41 51|
|20 49 67|following | 20 48 67 | 21 50 62| 21 38 66 | 32 42 52|
|21 48 66| Packages | 21 47 66 | 22 49 63| 22 39 65 | 33 43 53|
|22 47 65| are | 22 46 65 | 23 48 64| 23 40 64 | 34 44 54|
|23 46 64|Quarters. | 23 45 64 | 24 47 65| 24 41 62 | 35 45 55|
|24 45 63| | 24 44 61 | 25 46 66| 25 45 63 | 36 46 56|
|25 44 62| | 25 43 62 | 26 45 67| 26 43 60 | 37 47 57|
|26 43 61| | 26 42 63 | 27 44 68| 27 44 61 | 38 48 58|
|27 42 60| | 27 41 60 | 28 43 69| 28 42 59 | 39 49 59|
|28 41 59| | 28 40 59 | 29 42 70| 29 46 58 | 40 50 60|
|29 40 58| | 29 39 58 | 30 41 71| 30 47 57 | 61 67 73|
|30 39 57| | 30 38 57 | 31 51 61| 31 48 56 | 62 68 74|
|31 38 56| | 31 37 56 | 32 39 73| 32 49 55 | 63 69 75|
|32 37 55| | 32 36 55 | 33 38 74| 33 50 54 | 64 70 76|
|33 36 54| | 33 35 53 | 34 37 75| 34 51 53 | 65 71 77|
|34 35 53| | 34 52 54 | 35 36 76| 35 52 73 | 66 72 78|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
By a little investigation, any one may discover that his chance for
drawing a prize, even of a trifling amount, is extremely small. By the
following method any one may ascertain the number of combinations which
any given number will produce, as in the present case, 78 × 77 × 76 =
456456 ÷ 6 = 76076, the number of combinations of three numbers each;
the 78 multiplied by 77, and the product by 76, and that product divided
by 6 gives the number of combinations of three numbers each, which the
numbers from 1 to 78 will produce, no two combinations containing the
same three numbers.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #205# | #206# | #207# | #208# | #209# | #210# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 12 23| 1 13 25 | 1 14 27 | 1 15 29| 1 16 31 | 1 17 33|
| 2 13 24| 2 14 26 | 2 15 28 | 2 16 39| 2 17 32 | 2 18 34|
| 3 14 25| 3 15 27 | 3 16 29 | 3 17 31| 3 18 33 | 3 19 35|
| 4 15 26| 4 16 28 | 4 17 30 | 4 18 32| 4 19 34 | 4 20 36|
| 5 16 27| 5 17 29 | 5 18 31 | 5 19 33| 5 20 35 | 5 21 37|
| 6 17 28| 6 18 30 | 6 19 32 | 6 20 34| 6 21 36 | 6 22 38|
| 7 18 29| 7 19 31 | 7 20 34 | 7 21 35| 7 22 37 | 7 23 39|
| 8 19 30| 8 20 32 | 8 21 33 | 8 22 36| 8 23 38 | 8 24 40|
| 9 20 31| 9 21 33 | 9 22 35 | 9 23 37| 9 24 39 | 9 25 41|
|10 21 32| 10 22 34 | 10 23 36 | 10 24 38| 10 25 40 | 10 26 42|
|11 22 33| 11 23 35 | 11 24 37 | 11 25 39| 11 26 41 | 11 27 43|
|34 45 56| 12 24 36 | 12 25 38 | 12 26 40| 12 27 42 | 12 28 44|
|35 46 57| 37 49 61 | 13 26 39 | 13 27 41| 13 28 43 | 13 29 45|
|36 47 58| 38 50 62 | 40 53 66 | 14 28 42| 14 29 44 | 14 30 46|
|37 48 59| 39 51 63 | 41 54 67 | 43 55 67| 15 30 45 | 15 31 47|
|38 49 60| 40 52 64 | 42 55 68 | 44 56 68| 46 57 68 | 16 32 48|
|39 50 61| 41 53 65 | 43 56 69 | 45 57 69| 47 58 69 | 49 59 69|
|40 51 62| 42 54 66 | 44 57 70 | 46 58 70| 48 59 70 | 50 60 70|
|41 52 63| 43 55 67 | 45 58 71 | 47 59 71| 49 60 71 | 51 61 71|
|42 53 64| 44 56 68 | 46 59 72 | 48 60 72| 50 61 72 | 52 62 72|
|43 54 65| 44 55 66 | 45 47 73 | 49 61 73| 51 62 73 | 53 63 73|
|44 55 66| 46 58 70 | 48 61 74 | 50 62 74| 52 63 74 | 54 64 74|
|67 71 76| 47 59 72 | 49 62 75 | 51 63 75| 53 64 75 | 55 65 75|
|68 72 75| 48 60 71 | 50 63 76 | 52 64 76| 54 65 76 | 56 66 76|
|69 73 78| 73 75 77 | 51 64 77 | 53 65 77| 55 66 77 | 57 67 77|
|70 74 77| 74 76 78 | 52 65 78 | 54 66 78| 66 67 78 | 58 68 78|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #296# | #297# | #298# | #299# | #300# | #301# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 22 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 18 35| 1 19 37| 1 20 39| 1 21 41| 1 22 43| 1 23 45|
| 2 19 36| 2 20 38| 2 21 40| 2 22 42| 2 23 44| 2 24 46|
| 3 20 37| 3 21 39| 3 22 41| 3 23 43| 3 24 45| 3 25 47|
| 4 21 38| 4 22 40| 4 23 42| 4 24 44| 4 25 46| 4 26 48|
| 5 22 39| 5 23 41| 5 24 43| 5 25 45| 5 26 47| 5 27 49|
| 6 23 40| 6 24 42| 6 25 44| 6 26 46| 6 27 48| 6 28 50|
| 7 24 41| 7 25 43| 7 26 45| 7 27 47| 7 28 49| 7 29 51|
| 8 25 42| 8 26 44| 8 27 46| 8 28 48| 8 29 50| 8 30 52|
| 9 26 43| 9 27 45| 9 28 47| 9 29 49| 9 30 51| 9 31 53|
|10 27 44| 10 28 46| 10 29 48| 10 30 50| 10 31 52| 10 32 54|
|11 28 45| 11 29 47| 11 30 49| 11 31 51| 11 32 53| 11 33 55|
|12 29 46| 12 30 48| 12 31 50| 12 32 52| 12 33 54| 12 34 56|
|13 30 47| 13 31 49| 13 32 51| 13 33 53| 13 34 55| 13 35 57|
|14 31 48| 14 32 50| 14 33 52| 14 34 54| 14 35 56| 14 36 58|
|15 32 49| 15 33 51| 15 34 53| 15 35 55| 15 36 57| 15 37 59|
|16 33 50| 16 34 52| 16 35 54| 16 36 56| 16 37 58| 16 38 60|
|17 34 51| 17 35 53| 17 36 55| 17 37 57| 17 38 59| 17 39 61|
|52 61 70| 18 36 54| 18 37 56| 18 38 58| 18 39 60| 18 40 62|
|53 62 71| 55 63 71| 19 38 57| 19 39 59| 19 40 61| 19 41 63|
|54 63 72| 56 64 72| 58 65 72| 20 40 60| 20 41 62| 20 42 64|
|55 64 73| 57 65 73| 59 66 73| 61 67 74| 21 42 63| 21 43 66|
|56 65 74| 58 66 74| 60 67 74| 62 68 73| 64 69 74| 22 44 65|
|57 66 75| 59 67 75| 61 68 75| 63 69 76| 65 70 75| 67 71 75|
|58 67 76| 60 68 76| 62 69 76| 64 70 75| 66 71 76| 68 72 76|
|59 68 77| 61 69 77| 63 70 77| 65 71 78| 67 72 77| 69 73 77|
|60 69 78| 62 70 78| 64 71 78| 66 72 77| 68 73 78| 70 74 78|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
Lottery-dealers are aware of the great odds against the buyers, and are
very cautious in keeping all the secrets of a fraud to themselves, by
which they are robbing the public continually. But it shall not be the
fault of the writer of these pages if their swindling machinations are
longer concealed from the community. Thousands upon thousands of
dollars are expended annually in lottery tickets in this country; and
how very seldom is it that you hear of a capital prize having been
drawn! If there should chance to be a prize of any magnitude awarded to
a ticket-holder, it is trumpeted from one end of the Union to the other,
by those most interested in lottery speculations, stimulating others to
try their luck, and by that means making their very losses minister to
their gain; for, in all likelihood, months and years may elapse before
another large prize will be drawn from the same lottery.
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #302# | #303# | #304# | #305# | #306# | #307# |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 24 47| 1 25 49 | 1 26 51 | 1 12 24| 1 13 27 | 1 14 39|
| 2 25 48| 2 26 50 | 2 27 52 | 2 13 25| 2 14 28 | 2 15 38|
| 3 26 49| 3 27 51 | 3 28 53 | 3 14 26| 3 15 29 | 3 16 37|
| 4 27 50| 4 28 52 | 4 29 54 | 4 15 27| 4 16 30 | 4 17 36|
| 5 28 51| 5 29 53 | 5 30 55 | 5 16 28| 5 17 31 | 5 18 35|
| 6 29 52| 6 30 54 | 6 31 56 | 6 17 29| 6 18 32 | 6 19 34|
| 7 30 53| 7 31 55 | 7 32 57 | 7 18 30| 7 19 33 | 7 20 33|
| 8 31 54| 8 32 56 | 8 33 58 | 8 19 31| 8 20 34 | 8 21 32|
| 9 32 55| 9 33 57 | 9 34 59 | 9 20 32| 9 21 35 | 9 22 31|
|10 33 56| 10 34 58 | 10 35 60 | 10 21 33| 10 22 36 | 10 23 30|
|11 34 57| 11 35 59 | 11 36 61 | 11 22 34| 11 23 26 | 11 24 29|
|12 35 58| 12 36 60 | 12 37 62 | 23 49 66| 12 24 25 | 12 25 28|
|13 36 59| 13 37 61 | 13 38 63 | 35 50 65| 37 51 65 | 13 26 27|
|14 37 60| 14 38 62 | 14 39 64 | 36 51 64| 38 52 66 | 40 53 78|
|15 38 61| 15 39 63 | 15 40 66 | 37 52 67| 39 53 67 | 41 54 77|
|16 39 62| 16 40 64 | 16 41 65 | 38 53 69| 40 54 68 | 42 55 76|
|17 40 63| 17 41 65 | 17 42 67 | 39 54 68| 41 55 69 | 43 56 75|
|18 41 64| 18 42 66 | 18 43 68 | 40 55 70| 42 56 70 | 44 57 74|
|19 42 65| 19 43 67 | 19 44 69 | 41 56 71| 43 57 71 | 45 58 73|
|20 43 66| 20 44 68 | 20 45 71 | 42 57 72| 44 58 72 | 46 59 71|
|21 44 67| 21 45 69 | 21 46 70 | 43 58 73| 45 59 73 | 47 60 72|
|22 45 68| 22 46 70 | 22 47 72 | 44 59 74| 46 60 74 | 48 61 70|
|23 46 69| 23 47 71 | 23 48 73 | 45 60 75| 47 61 75 | 49 62 69|
|70 73 76| 24 48 72 | 24 49 74 | 46 61 76| 48 62 76 | 50 63 68|
|71 74 77| 73 76 77 | 25 50 75 | 47 62 77| 49 63 77 | 51 64 67|
|72 75 78| 74 75 78 | 76 77 78 | 48 63 78| 50 64 78 | 52 65 66|
+--------+----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
It will be seen by the lottery combinations we present, how infinitely
disproportionate are the chances in this species of gambling--how vastly
the odds bear against the purchaser of tickets, and what mischievous
results must of necessity spring from a vile system of frauds,
perpetrated, as it is, by the sanction of law, and the tolerance of
custom.
+--------+-----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| #308# | #309# | #310# | #396# | #397# | #398# |
+--------+-----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |
+--------+-----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
| 1 18 53| 1 19 53 | 1 20 53 | 1 21 53| 1 22 45 | 1 23 46|
| 2 19 54| 2 20 54 | 2 21 54 | 2 22 54| 2 23 43 | 2 24 45|
| 3 20 55| 3 21 55 | 3 22 55 | 3 23 55| 3 24 44 | 3 25 55|
| 4 21 56| 4 22 56 | 4 23 56 | 4 24 56| 4 25 56 | 4 26 56|
| 5 22 57| 5 23 57 | 5 24 57 | 5 25 57| 5 26 57 | 5 27 57|
| 6 23 58| 6 24 58 | 6 25 58 | 6 26 58| 6 27 58 | 6 28 58|
| 7 24 59| 7 25 59 | 7 26 59 | 7 27 59| 7 28 59 | 7 29 59|
| 8 25 60| 8 26 60 | 8 27 60 | 8 28 60| 8 29 60 | 8 30 78|
| 9 26 61| 9 27 61 | 9 28 61 | 9 29 61| 9 30 61 | 9 31 77|
|10 27 62| 10 28 62 | 10 29 62 | 10 30 62| 10 31 62 | 10 32 76|
|11 28 63| 11 29 63 | 11 30 63 | 11 31 63| 11 32 63 | 11 33 75|
|12 29 64| 12 30 64 | 12 31 64 | 12 32 64| 12 33 64 | 12 34 74|
|13 30 65| 13 31 65 | 13 32 65 | 13 33 65| 13 34 65 | 13 35 73|
|14 31 66| 14 32 66 | 14 33 66 | 14 34 66| 14 35 66 | 14 36 72|
|15 32 67| 15 33 67 | 15 34 67 | 15 35 67| 15 36 67 | 15 37 71|
|16 33 68| 16 34 68 | 16 35 68 | 16 36 68| 16 38 71 | 16 38 70|
|17 34 69| 17 35 69 | 17 36 69 | 17 37 69| 17 37 70 | 17 39 69|
|35 44 70| 18 36 70 | 18 37 70 | 18 38 70| 18 39 69 | 18 40 68|
|36 45 71| 37 45 71 | 19 38 71 | 19 39 71| 19 40 68 | 19 41 67|
|37 46 72| 38 46 72 | 39 46 72 | 20 40 72| 20 41 72 | 20 42 66|
|38 47 73| 39 47 73 | 40 47 73 | 41 47 73| 21 42 73 | 21 43 65|
|39 48 74| 40 48 74 | 41 48 74 | 42 48 74| 46 51 74 | 22 44 64|
|40 49 75| 41 49 75 | 42 49 75 | 43 49 75| 47 52 75 | 47 51 63|
|41 50 76| 42 50 76 | 43 50 76 | 44 50 76| 48 53 76 | 48 52 62|
|42 51 77| 43 51 77 | 44 51 77 | 45 51 77| 49 54 77 | 49 53 61|
|43 52 78| 44 52 78 | 45 52 78 | 46 52 78| 50 55 78 | 50 54 60|
+--------+-----------+----------+---------+-----------+---------+
All the combinations used in this lottery have been given, as also the
number that might be made; and, of course, the less the dealer in
lotteries makes, the greater the chance in his favor, and the less in
favor of the buyer. The figures heading the classes of combinations, on
each page, are class-numbers, and those below the first figures, and
immediately above the columns, are placed there to indicate the number
of packages.
+---------+--------+
| #399# | #400# |
+---------+--------+
| 29 | 30 |
+---------+--------+
| 1 24 53 | 1 25 53|
| 2 25 54 | 2 26 54|
| 3 26 55 | 3 27 55|
| 4 27 56 | 4 28 56|
| 5 28 57 | 5 29 57|
| 6 29 58 | 6 30 58|Here ends
| 7 30 59 | 7 31 59|the Thirty
| 8 31 60 | 8 32 60|Packages
| 9 32 61 | 9 33 61|of Quarters.
|10 33 62 |10 34 62|
|11 34 63 |11 35 63|
|12 35 64 |12 36 64|
|13 36 65 |13 37 65|
|14 37 66 |14 38 66|
|15 38 67 |15 39 67|
|16 39 68 |16 40 68|
|17 40 69 |17 41 69|
|18 41 70 |18 42 70|
|19 42 71 |19 43 71|
|20 43 72 |20 44 72|
|21 44 73 |21 45 73|
|22 45 74 |22 46 74|
|23 46 75 |23 47 75|
|47 50 76 |24 48 76|
|48 51 77 |49 51 77|
|49 52 78 |50 52 78|
+---------+--------+
[Illustration: MARKED CARDS. See Green on Gambling.]
The above are specimens of patterns of playing cards, that the reader
may rely upon the gambler's knowing by their back as well as the
generality of amusement players know by their face. The same may be said
of all the patterns spoken of and presented to the view of the reader on
another page of this work.
[Illustration: Literature Lottery BY AUTHORITY OF THE STATE OF KENTUCKY
Class No. 205 Com Nos 10 48 75
This Ticket will entitle the holder to one QUARTER of such Prize as may
be drawn to its Numbers, if demanded within twelve months after the
Drawing. Subject to a deduction of Fifteen per cent: Payable forty days
after the Drawing.
For A. BASSFORD & CO., Managers.
#Covington, 1841. QUARTER.#
[This plate represents a lottery ticket with the numbers placed upon it.
The numbers seen upon its face are of the same order as those found upon
every ticket when sold, and are used to designate one ticket from
another, and by comparing them with the numbers at the head of any of
those packages of combinations, on another page, you will see the manner
in which they are arranged, and the great advantage in favor of the
managers.]]
FALLACY OF LOTTERIES AS A MEANS OF REVENUE.
We are indebted for the following exposition to our moral friend, Capt.
John Maginn, of New York city.
"Although they may produce, by the various deceptive allurements which
they hold forth, a temporary influx into the treasury of the state, yet
the prostration of industry, the formation of idle habits, intemperance
and various other vices, have invariably been the consequences wherever
they have been introduced. No farther evidence of this position is
requisite than the fact that in England, where many of the common
necessaries of life are heavily taxed, it has been satisfactorily
ascertained from observation, that for several days preceding the
drawing of a lottery, the consumption of such articles was very
materially diminished. It is moreover equally true, that a very small
proportion of the tax actually paid, through the purchase of lottery
tickets, is available to the state: by far the greater part being
absorbed in the expenses, profits, &c., of managers and venders."
INSURING NUMBERS, OR POLICY DEALING.
As the system of insuring numbers is at present practised to a fearful
extent in this city, and as its votaries are mostly the ignorant and
unthinking portion of the community, we proceed to give a plain
matter-of-fact investigation of the chances.
There being on the day of drawing a certain number of tickets in the
wheel, out of which a particular number of them are to be drawn, it
follows that there are so many chances to one against a given number
being drawn as the number which are to be drawn are contained in the
entire number of tickets in the wheel. To illustrate this practically,
suppose you would insure the payment of $100 upon the event of a certain
number being drawn from the lottery wheel to-day; suppose it is a 78
number lottery, and that 12 ballots are to be drawn; the chance then is
evidently 78/12, or 6.5 to 1 that you lose: accordingly, in order to
make the chances equal, you must pay 100/6.5, or $15.38, for insurance:
if therefore the insurer should ask $32, there would be about $16 fraud:
in other words, you would have to contend against about 100 per cent.
The only inducement for the insurer to pursue this vile practice, in
defiance of constitutions and laws, is a liberal per centage. This
varies from 30 to 70, and even 125 per cent. Under circumstances like
these, when the chances of gain are obviously so remote, it would seem
incredible that any one endowed with even ordinary sagacity could be so
deluded--so desperate--as to adventure; though, sad to relate, hundreds
and hundreds in this city daily spend their little all in effecting
insurance on numbers, and that, too, at the sacrifice of the common
necessaries of life.
Another system of insurance, which we will proceed to analyze, is
effected by what is termed a station number. The adventurer selects a
number, and declares that it will come out the first or second drawn, or
in some other place, for which he pays six cents, and if the number is
drawn in the order indicated, he is to receive $2.50. To illustrate
this, suppose you select a certain number, which you declare will be the
third drawn; suppose also that it is a 78 number lottery, and that there
are 12 drawn ballots. In this case there are evidently 78/12 = 6.5
chances to 1 against the selected number being drawn. It is also plain
that should it be a drawn number, there are 12 chances to 1 against it
being drawn in any particular order; wherefore it follows, that there
are 6.5x12 = 78 chances to 1 against the selected number being the third
or any other particular drawn number. Accordingly, to equalize the
chances, in case of winning you should receive 78x6 = $4.68; hence,
under these circumstances the insurer gains $2.18, which is nearly 100
per cent. Again, suppose it is a 98 number lottery, and that you pay 25
cents: here we have 98x25 = $24.50, the sum you ought to receive in case
of winning, instead of which you only receive 25/6x2.5 = $10.626; hence
the insurer gains $13.975, or more than 125 per cent.
PROF. GODDARD ON LOTTERIES.
We give below a very able memorial, from the pen of Prof. Goddard, of
Brown University, to the Legislature of Rhode Island.
The undersigned, citizens of Rhode Island, have long regarded the
lottery system with unqualified reprobation. They believe it to be a
multiform social evil, which is obnoxious to the severest reprehension
of the moralist, and which it is the duty of the legislator, in all
cases, to visit with the most effective prohibitory sanctions.
Entertaining these convictions, the undersigned memorialists cannot
withhold them from the Hon. General Assembly of Rhode Island. They
invoke the General Assembly to exercise their constitutional powers,
promptly and decisively, for the correction of a long-continued, and
wide-spread, and pestilent social evil. They ask them, most respectfully
and earnestly, to withdraw, as soon as may be, all legislative sanction
of the lottery system, and to save Rhode Island from the enduring
reproach of being among the last States to abandon that system. The
memorialists beg leave to disclaim, in this matter, all personal or
political considerations. They are seeking neither to help nor to hurt
any political party. They contemplate no aggression upon the rights or
the character of individuals. They are engaged in no impracticable
scheme of moral reform. They have no fondness for popular agitation.
They are what they profess to be, citizens of Rhode Island, and it is
only in the quality of citizens of Rhode Island, that they now ask the
General Assembly to resort to the most operative penal enactments, for
the entire suppression of a system which exists, and which can exist
only to disgrace the character of the State, and to injure both the
morals and the interests of the people. The memorialists are persuaded
that a commanding majority of the citizens of every political party
entertain sentiments of decided hostility to all lotteries. In praying,
therefore, for legislative interposition, they feel that they are not
in advance of public opinion, that they are not urging the General
Assembly to anticipate public opinion, but only to imbody it; to
accelerate its salutary impulses, and to augment its healthful vigour.
The constitutional power of the legislature to interfere in the premises
being undisputed, the memorialists beg leave to submit, for
consideration, a few only of the many reasons which have forced upon
their minds the conclusion--that Rhode Island should lose no time and
spare no effort in extirpating the lottery system:--a system which has
already worked extensive evil within her borders; which is repugnant to
a cultivated moral sense; and which has been branded, both as illegal
and immoral, by some of the most enlightened governments upon earth. In
this connection, it should be stated, that England, and, it is believed,
France likewise, have abandoned the lottery system. Some of the most
populous and influential States in this Confederacy have abandoned it.
Massachusetts has abandoned it; Pennsylvania has abandoned it; New York
has abandoned it. Nay more, so hostile were the people of the latter
State to the lottery system, that in revising its Constitution a few
years since, they adopted a provision which prohibits the Legislature
from ever making a lottery grant. These examples are adduced to show the
progress of an enlightened public sentiment upon this subject, and to
exhibit the grateful spectacle of governments, differently constituted,
exercising their powers for the best interests of the people. The evils
which the lottery system creates, and the evils which it exasperates,
are so various and complicated, that the undersigned memorialists
cannot attempt an enumeration. They are so revolting as to furnish no
motive for rhetorical exaggeration. A few only of these evils the
undersigned memorialists will now proceed to mention.
1. Lotteries are liable to many of the strongest objections which can be
alleged against gambling. They have thus far escaped, it is true, the
infamy of gambling, but they can plead no exemption from its malignant
consequences. Like gamblers, they are hostile--not to say fatal--to all
composure of thought and sobriety of conduct. Like gambling, they
inflame the imagination of their victims and their dupes, with visions
of ease, and affluence, and pleasure, destined never to be realized.
Like gambling, they seduce men, especially the credulous and the
unthinking, from the pursuits of regular industry, into the vortex of
wild adventure and exasperated passions. Like gambling, they ultimately
create a necessity for constant vicious excitement. Like gambling, they
often lead to poverty and despair, to insanity and to suicide. Like
gambling, they furnish strong temptations to fraud, and theft, and
drunkenness. Like gambling, they work, in but too many cases, a
permanent depravation of all moral principle and all moral habits. This
fearful parallel might easily be extended. The picture here presented of
the evils of lotteries, however fearful it may seem, is not overdrawn.
This picture will be owned as just, by many a bereaved widow and by many
a forsaken wife, who trace all their woes to the temptation into which
this _respectable_ and legalized species of gambling had betrayed once
affectionate husbands. It will be owned as just by many a child, who
has been doomed perchance to a heritage of ignorance and poverty, by a
father, for whose weak virtue the potent fascinations of the lottery
were found too strong. In many respects, the lottery system may be
deemed even more pernicious than ordinary gambling. It spreads a more
accomplished snare; it is less offensive to decorum; it is less alarming
to consciences which have not lost all sensitiveness; it numbers among
its participants multitudes of those who ought to blush and to tremble
for thus hazarding their own virtue, and for thus corrupting the virtues
of others; it draws within its charmed circle men and women who fill up
every gradation of age, and character, and fortune.
2. The lottery system, as at present constituted, presents the strongest
temptations to fraud on the part of all those who are concerned either
in the drawing of lotteries or in the sale of tickets. It is not known
that fraud has in any case been perpetrated, though fraud is suspected.
If perpetrated, it would be no easy matter to detect it. The ignorant
and the credulous men and women, who seek to better their fortunes by
gambling in lottery tickets, know nothing of those mystical combinations
of numbers, on which their fate is suspended. Utter strangers as they
are to all the "business transactions" of the lottery system, if cheated
at all, they are cheated without remedy.
3. The lottery system operates as a most oppressive tax upon the
community. This tax is paid, not by the rich and luxurious--but it is
paid mainly by those who are struggling for independence, and by those
who earn their bread by the sweat of their brow--by the servants in our
kitchens--by clerks and apprentices, and day-labourers; by mechanics and
traders; by the men and women who work in our factories; and in too many
instances, it is to be feared, by our hardy yeomanry, who, impatient of
the slow profits of agriculture, vainly expect from the chances of the
lottery that which is never denied to the efforts of industry. The
amount of pauperism and crime, of mental agitation and perchance of
mental insanity, which the lottery system must create among these
numerous classes, it would not be easy to calculate.
4. Lotteries are the parent of much of the pauperism which is to be
found in this young, and free, and prosperous land. It entails poverty
upon multitudes directly, by exhausting their limited means in abortive
experiments to get rich by "high prizes"--and, yet more, by withdrawing
multitudes from a dependence on labour, and accustoming them to hope
miracles of good fortune from chance. After repeated disappointments,
they discover, when it is too late to profit from the discovery, how
sadly they have been duped, and how recklessly they have abandoned their
confidence in themselves, and in that gracious Being who never forsakes
those who put their trust in him. They sink into despondency, and,
seeking to forget themselves, they bring upon their faculties the brutal
stupor of intoxication, or they exhilarate them by its delirious gayety.
Suicide is often the fearful issue. Dupin ascribes a hundred cases of
suicide _annually_ to the lottery system in the single city of Paris.
Many years ago a lottery scheme, displaying splendid prizes, was formed
in London. Adventures to a very large amount was the consequence, and
the night of the drawing was signalized by fifty cases of suicide!
5. Success in lotteries is hardly less fatal than failure. The fortunate
adventurer is never satisfied. He ventures again and again, till ruin
overtakes him. After all the tempting promises of wealth, which are made
by those concerned in this iniquitous system, how very few, except
managers of lotteries and venders of lottery tickets, has it ever made
rich! and well may it be asked, whom has it ever made more diligent in
business, more contented, and respectable, and happy?
6. Lotteries, it is believed, are rendered especially mischievous in
this country by the nature of our institutions, and by the spirit of the
times. Here, the path to eminence being open to every one--but too many
are morbidly anxious to improve their condition; and by means, too,
which in the wisdom of Providence were never intended to command
success. A mad desire for wealth pervades all classes--it feeds all
minds with fantastic hope; it is hostile to all patient toil, and
legitimate enterprise, and economical expenditure. It generates a spirit
of reckless speculation; it corrupts the simplicity of our tastes; and,
what is yet worse, it impairs, not unfrequently, in reference to the
transactions of business, the obligations of common honesty. Upon these
elements of our social condition and character, the lottery system
operates with malignant efficacy.
The undersigned memorialists are far from thinking that, in the
preceding remarks, they have exhausted the argument against the lottery
system. They have dwelt, in general terms, upon only some of its more
prominent evils. They do not allow themselves to believe that, aside
from the ranks of those who have a direct personal interest in this
system, a man of character could be found in Rhode Island to defend it.
The memorialists deem lotteries to be in Rhode Island a paramount social
evil. They entreat the General Assembly to survey this evil in all its
phases, and then to apply the remedy. The interposition which is now
asked at the hands of the Legislature has been delayed too long, either
for the interests or for the character of the state. It is time that we
protected our interests, and retrieved our character. It is time that
the lottery had ceased to be the "_domestic institution_" of Rhode
Island. It is time that we abandoned, and abandoned for ever, the policy
of supporting schools, and building churches, with the wages of
iniquity. The memorialists are aware that the General Assembly have made
lottery grants, which have not yet expired. They seek not in any way to
interfere with those grants; but in concluding this expression of their
views, they cannot avoid repeating their earnest entreaty that the
legislature would come up without unnecessary delay to the great work of
reforming an abuse, which no length of time, or patronage of numbers, or
policy of state, should be permitted to shelter for another hour.
EXTRACTS _from a Report to the Society for the Prevention of Pauperism
in the city of New York._
"It is not possible to estimate the sum that may have been drawn from
the people by lottery devices. Nor is it possible to estimate the number
of poor people that have engaged in lottery gambling. We have been told,
that more than two hundred of these deluded people have been seen early
in the mornings at the lottery offices, pressing to know their fate.
_There_ might be seen the anxiety, the disappointment, and
mortification, of unfortunate beings, who had lost their all!
"Thus we see that this demoralizing contagion has spread its destructive
influence over the most indigent and ignorant of the community. The
injurious system of lotteries opens a wide door to gambling, fraud and
imposition; of which the speculating, dishonest, idle, profligate and
crafty avail themselves, and deceive the innocent and ignorant.
"If we place this subject in a pecuniary view as it relates to the
public funds, the mischievous effect is more obvious. From an estimate,
made by a gentleman of accurate calculation, it appears, that the
expense, or the amount drawn from the people, to raise by lottery the
net sum of 30,000 dollars, amounts to $170,500, including the expense of
the managers and their attendants, the clerks and attendants of the
lottery offices, the expense of time lost by poor people, and the amount
paid the proprietors of lottery offices. This enormous sum is paid for
the collection of only 30,000 dollars. This is, therefore, not only the
most expensive, but also the most demoralizing method that was ever
devised to tax the people.
"Upon the whole view of the subject, your committee are decidedly of
opinion, that lotteries are the most injurious kind of taxation, and the
very worst species of Gambling. By their insidious and fascinating
influence on the public mind, their baleful effect is extended, and
their mischievous consequences are most felt by the indigent and
ignorant, who are seduced, deceived, and cheated out of their money,
when their families are often suffering for the necessaries of life.
Their principles are vitiated by lotteries, they are deceived by vain
and delusive expectation, and are led into habits of idleness and vice,
which produce innumerable evils, and, ultimately, end in misery and
pauperism."
LOTTERY COMBINATIONS.
The numbers on lottery tickets are formed by combinations of certain
numbers previously agreed upon; as from 1 to 60, 1 to 75, 1 to 78, &c.,
&c.
Combination consists in taking a less number of things out of a greater,
without any regard to the order in which they stand; no two combinations
having the same quantities or numbers.
_Problem._--To find the number of combinations which can be taken from
any given number of things, all different from each other, taking a
given number at a time.
_Rule._--Take a series of numbers, the first term of which is equal to
the number of things out of which the combinations are to be made, and
decreasing by 1, till the number of terms is equal to the number of
things to be taken at a time, and the product of all the terms.
Then take the natural series 1, 2, 3, &c., up to the number of things to
be taken at a time, and find the product of all the terms of this
series.
Divide the former product by the latter, and the quotient will be the
answer.
How many combinations of 3 numbers can be taken out of 78 numbers?
78×77×76 = 456456 and
1×2×3 = 6
6)456456
------
76076 Answer.
How many combinations of 3 numbers can be taken out of 70 numbers?
70×69×68 = 328440 and
1×2×3 = 6
6)328440
------
54740 Answer.
How many combinations of 3 numbers can be taken out of 60 numbers?
60×59×58 = 205320 and
1×2×3 = 6
6)205320
------
34220 Answer.
How many combinations of 3 numbers can be taken out of 40 numbers?
40×39×38 = 59280 and
1×2×3 = 6
6)59280
-----
9880 Answer.
We have sufficient experience in lottery gambling to assure the
community that their whole system is as foul as highway robbery. We
purchased a wheel from one of the fraternity in Washington City, and
drew in Philadelphia three times, then carried it to Washington, and
there demonstrated to the satisfaction of those who witnessed our
drawing, that what we asserted was true to the letter. We copy the
notices of the American Courier, one of the first papers of our country
in the cause of humanity, and ever ready to diffuse that which will
promote the happiness and welfare of mankind.
"GREEN'S LOTTERY,
"On Saturday night, drew the prize of fifty dollars for the proprietor,
he having declared to the audience the intention of giving them blanks,
which he did to the satisfaction of the judges. We have the best
authority for stating the belief that his expositions will prove not
only interesting, but highly beneficial, in opening the eyes of
thousands to the frauds practised in the shape of fairness by the
lottery managers."
After which the editor received the following:--
_Frederick, June 9th, 1848._
_Dear Sir_--Will you oblige some of your readers by giving them an idea
of "Green's" manner of exposition of frauds, as practised by the lottery
managers? and by so doing, no doubt but you will confer a favour on many
of your subscribers.
Respectfully, B.
A. M'Makin, Esq., _Ed. American Courier, Philad._
EXPLANATION.
In obedience to the request of "B," we have conversed with a gentleman
who was one of a committee of the audience to superintend the drawing of
"Green's Lottery" on a recent occasion. He says that the tickets were
prepared and distributed precisely after the plan of the regular lottery
managers, with the exception that Mr. Green announced to the audience
that he had purposely reserved certain combinations of numbers, which he
knew by calculation would draw for him the highest prize, and leave for
them _blanks only!_--Each individual in the audience held a ticket, with
a different combination of numbers, such as they choose to select from
the packages opened to them. The numbers were placed in the wheel
precisely in the usual way, the drawing conducted by the committee from
the audience, and on the announcement of the drawn numbers it was
discovered, sure enough, that the audience had received all blanks, and
upon Mr. Green pointing to a package on the table reserved for himself,
it was examined by the committee, and lo! there lay the ticket having
the combination of numbers drawing _the capital prize_!--ED. A.C.
_Communicated to the American Courier from Washington, D.C._
Green's great Consolidated Lottery drew in this city on the 22d inst.
The Reformed Gambler astonished a highly respectable audience at his
complete exposition of the fraud practised by lottery speculators
throughout our Union. Mr. Green stated to the audience that though he
wished them to understand the lottery system to be fraught with
deception, he did not wish it to be understood that he was competent to
make a clear and comprehensive exposition. This was his fourth effort,
and he had succeeded in three to the satisfaction of his audience.
He then stated that he would draw from the ternary combination of 42
numbers, and take therefore 8 drawn ballots, being equal to 15 in 75. He
then placed in R.H. Gillet's hand 42 tickets, which he declared
contained the drawn numbers, where any 3 numbers should be upon a
ticket. Having explained satisfactorily his intentions, he requested Mr.
J. Thaw to act as his commissioner, Mr. Thaw being well known as a
gentleman of integrity.
Mr. Green then requested Mr. Gillet to mark the numbers from 1 to 42, so
that there should be no doubt resting upon the mind of any one that they
were the same numbers which should afterwards be drawn out. The tickets
were marked, and Mr. Thaw deposited them singly in tin tubes, from 1 to
42. Mr. Thaw then revolved the wheel, mixing them thoroughly; he then
drew one at a time, until he drew 8, being the correct drawn ballots.
Mr. Green then asked the audience if they had any prizes. Receiving a
negative answer, he stated that he could draw one half of the numbers
from the wheel and still they should have none, though they had some 400
tickets against his 42. The commissioner continued drawing, the prizes
still falling in the manager's package, and the numbers from 1 to 29
were taken out of the 42 before the audience received a full compliment
of 3 numbers on a ticket. The drawing appeared fair; the numbers placed
in the wheel were those taken out. The wheel is one Mr. G. purchased
from a lottery vender in Washington city. Mr. G.'s explanation of his
power to prevent prizes being drawn without his consent appeared very
satisfactory. He declared that the managers had it in their power to
assort out certain numbers, and by the villany of those concerned in the
distribution, were enabled to keep any numbers from the hands of the
drawer.
I must own that this exposition of Green's has taken me altogether by
surprise. I did think that the deluded thousands who live on, day after
day, in the vain hope of a prize, instead of depending solely upon their
industry, skill, and talents, had some remote chance of getting a good
drawn number. But, it seems that this is all a delusion, and that
lotteries can be "stocked" as well as a pack of cards.
*** End of this LibraryBlog Digital Book "Secret Band of Brothers - A Full and True Exposition of All the Various Crimes, Villanies, and Misdeeds of This Powerful Organization in the United States." ***
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