Virginia Argus

Mr. PLEASANTS,

However unpleasant it may be to intrude on the attention of the public, yet a duty which I owe to myself, as well as my family and friends, require that I should take some means to correct erroneous and injurious reports, which have been circulated with respect to my conduct in detecting and preventing the execution of a dangerous plot against the interest of the public at large. And this appears the more necessary, as the destruction of my reputation seems to be the principal thing relied on to defeat the operation of the law.

A circumstantial detail of that affair will perhaps be more proper in a court of justice than at this time in a newspaper. I shall therefore state merely what I think necessary to efface those false impressions which erroneous tales, conjectures, surmises and innuendos may have made to my prejudice.

In the month of October last, overtures were made to me to engrave plates to counterfeit the notes of the U. States department Banks. These overtures were made with the most insinuating address, and by a person whose manner and appearance was well calculated to engage confidence. Wealth was offered to me to gratify my avarice, honours were promised to gratify my vanity, pleasures were proposed to engage my passions, and power and influence pledged to protect me in all my enjoyments. I was determined, however, to resist all his importunities: yet, considering that I was possessed of his secret, the discovery of which he knew would ruin his reputation, I thought myself unsafe if I did not appear to him to comply with his wishes. I therefore gave him to understand that I might do the work, but put him off from time to time until I could determine what means were best to prevent a crime of so destructive a nature. In order to this, I consulted with gentlemen of honor and talents, whose direction I could safely follow.

The government has been duly apprised of every step which I have taken in this business, and the following letter from the Governor will shew in what light my conduct is viewed by the Executive, who certainly possess the best information of the affair.

SAMUEL BROOKS.

Richmond, April 20, 1804.

SIR,

As you have now so completely accomplished the important business of detecting the forgeries of Thomas Logwood, whose seducing arts to gain your assistance as an engraver of his plates, you not only resisted, but virtuously discovered to the executive; and then patriotically complied with their wishes in the hazardous execution of the plan for procuring legal proof of his forging & passing certain notes of several of the branch banks of the United States: I have now to request that you will go on with the work of engraving the seals for the district court, in which you had obligingly engaged, when the executive consented that it should be suspended till you could accomplish a work of more general importance. The council at their first full board will consider the meritorious services you have performed. In the mean time, I can only thank you for myself and in behalf of them and our country, and express my wish, that this state and the United States, and every bank within them, may reward your faithful services; and that the society of virtuous engravers in Philadelphia, may give you a golden medal, as a proof of their regard for your integrity.

I am, Sir,
Your ob't. serv't.
JOHN PAGE.

Mr. Samuel Brooks, Engraver. Richmond.