MR. tuck's file of LETTERS. 29 



if only to show that dealing- witli detectives and informers 

 was as ticklish a l)usiness then as now, and that Canada was 

 within as easy reach of the snccessfnl swindler, and ex- 

 tradition as great a desideratum, at the beginning as at the 

 end of the nineteenth century. 



Letter addressed "To Israel Tliorndikc, Esq., 



Beverly, 

 with 4 Counterfeit Notes enclosed," 

 [postage marked 24 cents.^ 



April 11, 1804. 

 Sir. Wednesdaij. 



You probably know that the Net lias been sprunjj; & caught 4 

 prisoners with 5 plates of which your S0$ is one. I have .50 of the 30$ 

 bills & they appear to me so well done that if any of them get abroad 

 they will pass. I will if possible, ascertain whether any were struck 

 by this plate before. I trust that all are secured which were struck now. 

 It appears that our Agents with the exception of K .... have man- 

 aged the business extremely well & I cannot but flatter myself that the 

 Community will be saved from great present abuse & the Banks from 

 much inconvenience, I enclose 4 of your 30$ counterfeits for your 

 inspection and remain Sir, 



Your most obedient Servant, 



Gkorge Cabot. 

 the Plates taken are 

 Beverly $30. 



Essex 8. 



Portsmouth 4. 

 N. Hamp. 10. 



& Union 10. 



Netobyport, 12 April, 1804. 

 Dr. Sir. 



I have rec<^ yours of ye lOt'", and to-day have one from Mr. Fletcher 

 at Amherst inclosing specimens of the Counterfeit Bills among which 

 is a 30 Dollar Bill of your Bank which Peaslee engraved at New Boston. 

 As there is the utmost Hazard that Peaslee will take himself ofl' the 

 moment he hears of the arrest of his comrades, I have directed Bay- 

 ley, our Sheriff, to secure him and I will hold him for examination un- 

 till you have Time to send on the necessary Process which ought to 

 issue in New Hampshire. You will perceive the necessity of an im- 

 mediate attention to this Business. 



