The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

NEWPORT, July 29. 1771.

Last Saturday Se'nnight, Capt. St. Croix arrived here from New-York, with whom came Passenger a Person who called himself John W. Arnold, and was conducted by Capt. St Croix to a House of as good Reputation as any in Town where he took Lodgings: at which a Gentleman boarded, who had a Bag of Gold in his Desk; which was opened by said Arnold last Monday, from whence he took the Bag of Gold, and carried it to one Husted, who came Passenger with him telling him he won it at gaming the Night before, and desired he would keep it for him, as he was bound to Boston, and was afraid to carry it lest he should lose it again;--Next Day the Gentleman missed his Money, and, from Several Circumstances, Arnold was suspected and apprehended, when he confessed the Crime, and Enquiry being made of Husted, who was at work with a Shoemaker, he produced the Bag of Money, and appeared to be innocent of the Method by which Arnold came by it. The Gentleman who owned the Money not having kept an exact account of it as he put it into the Bag could not certainly tell whether he received the whole or not, but imagines there was the value of 100 Dollars missing; the Sum remaining amounted to about 520 Dollars.--The Gentleman, being over persuaded, declined any further Prosecution, and 'tis supposed the Robber made the best of his Way to Providence and Boston; where perhaps he may attempt the like Villainy again.