The Patowmac Guardian, And Berkeley Advertiser

Never (says a correspondent) was any species of atrocious villainy more prevalent in any country than that which is at present practised in the United States, of altering and counterfeiting State Certificates, and other public securities of different denominations.

A gang of villains, generally well dressed, are merely employed in travelling through the country, imposing upon unguarded people; and in many instances to the great detriment, if not total ruin of the honest farmer, or other unsuspecting persons.

A mode of counterfeiting is said to be now practised by those infamous wretches so completely answering their purpose as almost to baffle a possibility of detection. Their secret, however, is fortunately discovered, which it is hoped, will be one great step towards disappointing those pests of society in future.

The following may (among numerous other instances) be depended on for a fact: a farmer in Morris county, (New-Jersey) had a State certificate of 600 dollars, which two or three persons, unknown to him, made overtures of purchasing. Having, by the farmer's consent, examined the certificate, and made their observations thereon, they took their leave, promising to call again in few days and talk with the owner further about purchasing it-- They accordingly returned, bringing with them a false certificate of the same date, value, &c. and so nicely executed, that in passing it back and forward among them they took an opportunity of making an exchange, and thus imposing upon the unfortunate proprietor a counterfeit security for the true one.