Jenks' Portland Gazette

CONNECTICUT DEMOCRACY.

Extract of a letter from a gentleman at Hartford, (Con.)
to his friend in this town—dated Dec. 24.

"Major Joseph Hart, (one of the democratic

leaders in this State) has been very much

involved lately. On Thursday last, his house was

shut up; and it has been ascertained that he left the

city on Thursday night. Yesterday his brother,

Gen. William Hart, of Saybrook, was notified by

the Cashier of the Hartford bank, that sundry notes

signed by J. H. and endorsed W. H. and which

had been discounted for J. H. to the amount of

$10,000 dollars; were due. The General came im-

mediately up to town, went to the bank, and so-

lemnly protested against the endorsement, and that

the name was a forgery. This, as you may sup-

pose, was immediately made known and search

warrants issued but it was found that he had ab-

sconded.

"Since this, forgeries have been produced

of the names of several persons of this city, Middle-
town, Windsor, Coventry, and other places to the

amount of $40,000 dollars; which proves that a

most extensive system of peculation and swindling

had been entered into by Maj. Hart and certain

accomplices. Two directors of the Middletown

bank (where he has obtained very liberal discounts

on the credit of his brother's and other person's

names, forged) came up to town this morning,

but finding how matters were situated, returned

immediately: and their president, Elijah Hub-

bard, has this afternoon issued an advertisement,

offering $1000 dollars for his person. It is supposed

by many that he has gone towards Canada,

and that he must have between $30 and $40,000

dollars with him. A number of persons suspected

of "aiding and abetting," are now undergoing ex-

amination at the Mayor's office; among others, is

the very Honorable John Dodd, our Post master."

A postscript to the above letter, dated Dec. 26,

says, "Maj. Hart is not yet taken; his own and

other gentlemen's houses, were on Saturday night

closely examined for the second time. Sundry reports

are in circulation respecting him; one is, that Gen.

Hart is himself at the bottom of the whole."