Alexandria Gazette & Advertiser

Cambridge, January 7th, 1824.

Another charge of Robbing the Mail.

Richmond, Jan 13—Solomon Bellew, the sub-contractor and carrier of the Charlottesville mail, has been arrested, examined before the mayor of this city on a charge of robbing the mail, and committed for trial before the Federal Court in May next. What adds to the surprise and regret is, that he has been a mail carrier for nearly twenty years, has hitherto borne an unblemished character, and has a large family dependant upon him.

The principal circumstances are these: A few days since Mr. Sterling Crump, of this city, received by a private hand from his correspondent at Lovington, Nelson county, a letter enclosing the half of a $100 dollar Virginia Bank note, and appraising him that the other half had been sent him by mail. On enquiring at the post office, he found that the Charlottesville mail had arrived, but no letter for him! He stated the fact to Mr. A. Robinson, jun. the paying clerk of the Bank of Virginia, left with him the marks of the half note he had received, and requested him to keep a sharp look out for the other half.

On last Friday night the mail again arrived, but no letter: and on Saturday the other half of the note was presented to the Bank for payment. The clerk's attention was immediately drawn to the circumstance—the marks were compared—the sundered parts completely corresponded. The man who presented the note at the bank was S. Bellew, the carrier of the mail. At Mr. R.'s request, the bearer accompanied him to Mr. Crump's, and another comparison made of the half notes.

A police officer was sent for: Bellew meanwhile requested permission to retire into the back yard, which was perfectly close. On his leaving it, the privy was searched—the scraps of some letters were found—a packet or two which had never been opened, with the post-bill enclosed—a large letter which contained bills of exchange, which had been opened and re-sealed—one not opened at all, which contained 60 dollars in notes—in fact, some 18 or 20 letters in all, in different condition.

Bellew was conducted to the police office on Sunday, and examined before the Mayor, at the request of the Chief Justice. He was committed to jail, to answer the charge of robbing the U. S. mail.

Enq.