Forging Virginia State bonds.
--Detectives
King and Slowey, on Friday, arrested a young man calling himself
James Elliott, charged with having forged and uttered Virginia State six percent. bonds to the amount of several thousand dollars. It appears that three weeks ago the accused, who was then in
Washington, sent to
Livermore, Clews &
Mason, brokers, at No. 29 Wall street, several of the above bonds to negotiate, which they did, and returned him the proceeds.
A few days ago, these bonds to the amount of $3,500, were again sent them by the accused, who, however, in his correspondence, signed himself ‘"
R. M. Barbour."’ The brokers were desired to sell the bonds and retain the proceeds subject to his draft.
From some informality in the correspondence, they were led to suspect the character of the bonds, and on making the necessary inquiries, ascertained them to be forgeries.
In the meantime,
Barbour alias
Elliott, drew for $1,000 on account, but the brokers allowed his draft to ‘"go by,"’ and yesterday the gentleman himself appeared in their office highly indignant, but was promptly taken into custody by the two detectives, who had been notified of the affair.
He protested that he had received the bonde in good faith from perfectly responsible parties, but was taken to headquarters and detained for examination.
The forged bonds are lithographed and well executed; the paper, however, of a lighter color than the genuine, and the signature of
U. R. C. Drinkard, upon the coupons, is very unlike the genuine.
They are all dated ‘"
Richmond, Va.,July 1, '51,' and made payable in this city.
It is supposed that large quantities of them have been thrown upon the market.--
N. Y. Express.’
