Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

On Wednesday last three men were apprehended in this town, for robbery and fraud, which they committed in the following manner:--

Having hired a chaise and horses in this town, the day before the robbery, they set out on their expedition; the next day they met on the road about 5 miles from Providence, a Mr. Campbell, of Sheffield, in this Commonwealth, whom they asked, if he had any publick securities to sell?--Mr. C. answered in the affirmative, having then notes with him to the amount of 250l. which they agreed to purchase, and give 15s. hard money on the pound, and invited him to a publick house in Smithfield--On their arrival at the tavern, one of the party exhibited, to appearance, a large sum of money, wrapped in papers, and marked--After counting out the amount of the securities, one of the sharpers proposed to Mr. C. to play at cards for the money and notes, which he declined, assuring him he did not know one card from another--Finding no persuasions could tempt Mr. C. to play, the sharper offered to play with one of his comrades who accepted it; during the game one of them asked Mr. C. to cut the cards; this he likewise refused, the sharper offered him a dollar to cut them--upon this consideration, Mr. C. cut the cards, and received the dollar, which he repeated two or three times, when the sharpers cried out he had lost his securities, and immediately swept the table of them; mounted, and rode off--stealing at the same time a Loan-Office Certificate, which belonged to another person, and was in Mr. Campbell's pocket-book.--The fellows were committed to gaol, and the notes recovered.