
          New Haven July 26 1856.

Dr John Torrey
U.S. Assay Office

My dear Sir!

Undoubtedly you have been duly advised 
by Mr. A. Stainer no. 59 W. 21st St. of the fact that the 
parties who have been the victims of the fraud last
year respecting the great gold nuggett [nugget] [crossed out: that] are about
to commence legal proceedings against us who gave
certificates or opinions upon which as is represented
the advances etc. were made. This cool and
unprecedented procedure looks to me like a
desperate attempt on the part of those who have
lost money by this nefarious proceeding gold fraud
to coerce us, by fear of a public discussion of the 
subject, into the payment of money to hush the
thing up. Now I should like to know what you
think of it and whether any concerted action on our
part is desirable to meet the case. For once I do not
in the least fear any publicity which may be
given to the affair, nor do I believe that there can
be the least loss of professional standing in consequence.
As for any claim resting against us I
        