Gazette Of The United States, & Philadelphia Daily Advertiser

POUGHKEEPSIE. August 10.
Friday last was brought to this town, Matthew Plantain, a noted Frenchman, who has broke out of Albany gaol five different times in the course of one year. He came to this place from the northward on Tuesday or Wednesday of last week, in a canoe, with a small trunk of women's shoes, which he at different places offered for sale. On Wednesday night the store of Mr. Stephen Hoyt, of this town, was broke open, and goods and money to the amount of 60 or 70l. stolen therefrom. This fellow was seen walking several times by the said store in the evening before the robbery, and being missing in the morning was suspected of committing the same. Enquiry was made, and information given that he had gone southward with the canoe; on which a light boat was manned, he was pursued and taken about two miles above Newburg; on discovering the boat steering after him, he made for the shore and took to the woods, leaving the trunk and goods in the canoe, and was 4 or 5 hours pursued before he was taken. On Friday he was brought to town, and examined before William Emott, Esq. and the attorney-general for this district, when he confessed the fact, but refused signing it. The money and goods were found on him, and he now stands committed to take his trial at the next circuit court, which will be held here in a few weeks.
We hear a robbery was committed in Hudson of a trunk of shoes on the 29th ult. We strongly suspect Plantain, as it is said his trunk and shoes answer the description of those stolen.
He broke gaol in Albany about a fortnight since, together with two others by the names of Nelson and Hoffman. The two last were under sentence of imprisonment and hard labour for life: and for either of the three the sheriff offered 20 dollars reward.