The Virginia Gazette

June 29. Last Wednesday Night, the House of Mr. Thomas Perry, Watch-maker, on the Dock, near the Merchants Coffee house in this City, was broke open, when all the Family were asleep, and near Seventy Pounds in Gold and Silver Coin taken out of his Desk : There was also a Bundle of Paper Money in the Desk, which was left ; and such Boldness was used in the Robbery, that the Street-lamp was taken from the Coffee house for Light, and left in Mr. Perry's Entry : Three Clocks in the House were stopped, and it is supposed the Watches were aimed at, but they were all happily carried into the Bed-room. The next Evening one Edward Lee, a young Man from Virginia, of a mean Appearance in Cloaths, and who had not been here but about two or three Days, going into a Tavern near the Whitehall with some Seamen, he drank pretty freely, and made a great Show of Money: which occasioned some Suspicion; whereupon he was advised to give the Money to the Landlord, to keep for him 'til next Morning; when Mr. Perry was sent for, and acquainted with the Matter; who thereupon described a Purse of Gold, and a Number of Pieces of Silver, so exactly, as put the Matter beyond Dispute they were the same; upon which the Fellow was immediately apprehended and committed to Jail. On searching of him, there was also found a Number of Pinchbeck wash'd Buttons, which Mr. Perry exactly described, and produced others of the same Sort. So that if this Fellow has no Associates in his Villainy, he may possibly reap the Reward due to his Labour alone.