Alexandria Gazette

ASTOUNDING DELINQUENCY.—The people of Peoria, Illinois, were greatly astonished on Saturday night last, on learning the fact that Mr. Orin Hamlin, very recently a resident, as he had been for a number of years, and than whom no man enjoyed a higher character for integrity, had committed one of the most highhanded breaches of trust that has occurred in these times of moral degeneracy. Without further preface, we enter, at once, upon a relation of the facts.

Sometime in the past spring, Mr. Hamlin obtained a contract upon the Central rail-road at or near Dixon, in this district, of which John Dixon, Esq., is the commissioner. He proceeded to work accordingly, and was believed to have an excellent job. At the expiration of a few weeks, and when he had done work to the amount of $4000 dollars Mr. Dixon being then at Springfield, attending a meeting of the board of public works, Mr. H. came to Peoria to meet him and receive a portion of his pay. On seeing Mr. D. here, the latter told him he had not obtained as much as would pay all the contractors, nor more than enough to pay those whose claims were older than H's; but that, on the 1st day of July, he would have $11,600 in the Bank of Illinois at Shawneetown, (the loan dating from that day) and told H. he would have to send him after it. The latter expressed a decided unwillingness to go; but on Mr. D.'s urging it, he called to mind that he had 2000 bushels of corn to dispose of, then stored at Pekin, and considering that he would have time to take it to Cincinnati before the first of July,—Shawneetown being directly on the route,—and thus doubly serve his interest, he finally concluded to go. Mr. Dixon gave him a check accordingly, payable on the first of July, for $11,600, and Mr. H. taking in his corn at Pekin set out on his journey, while Mr. D. continued on to Dixon, much gratified at having effected an arrangement so agreeable to his feelings and wishes.

After waiting a reasonable time beyond the 1st of July, and hearing nothing from Mr. H. he began to feel uneasy, and came down here in the hope of meeting him on his way up, and thus relieving his suspense. He arrived here on Friday of last week, but could hear of nothing to abate his anxiety. On the succeeding night Mr. Smith Gilbraith and Mr. James H. Dixon, the latter, son of the elder Mr. D., and both residing at Dixon, arrived here post haste from the latter place, having made the journey,—90 miles,—in one day.— They brought a letter which had been received from Hamilton on Friday, directed to Mr. D. at Dixon, and which conveyed the astounding intelligence that he had betrayed his trust and absconded. This letter as follows:

LOUISVILLE, July 15, 1839.

Mr Dixon:

Dear Sir—I take my pen in hand to inform you of an event that you little expect. I proceeded in relation to the draft as you directed me, deposited it and took a certificate of the same, and called on my return and got the money, but was obliged to leave the boat for want of time to get it. After drawing the money it struck me that I could make a first rate speculation by going back to Louisville and buying up Mineral Point money, Cairo and Dubuque, which was selling at a discount of five to ten per cent. Accordingly I started on a boat up the river (forever to my shame be it spoken,) and on my way there I got engaged in playing poker for the first and last time in my life for money I got a hand I supposed to be the best in the pack, and commenced betting, and my opponent backed me up until we had got up to eight thousand dollars, and then called me, and to my astonishment and ruin, he held the best hand, whereas mine was but second best. Judge of my feelings at this time. It nearly turned me mad. I resolved in my mind during the night what was to be done. Return I could not, So I resolved to send for my family and leave the country, until, by the means of the balance, I could return and pay you; which if the Lord lives and my soul lives, shall be done as soon as any honest business will enable me so to do. I hope you will let my work all be measured and give me credit for per cent. and all. and let my brother know to what extent I am deficient. "It is better for the labourers to lose a part than you all. You will not hear from me again for some time. I intend leaving this country altogether, for some length of time; but you need not be afraid but what you will get the money some time not far distant; for I swear by the holy Evangelist that if I am permitted to live, I will earn the money, and pay you every farthing. But for the sake of my connections do not be harsher with my character than you can help, to sustain yours; for I do believe I am still honest (but have been very imprudent,) and you shall yet say so if I live." It will be useless to follow me, for my plan for leaving is so well executed I shall leave no traces behind, for I could not look an acquaintance in the face again until all things are righted. I have sent for my family, but have concealed all this affair from them. They will be here to-day or to-morrow. My business is all arranged in regard to my private affairs, which is not in a very prosperous condition; nearly all mortgaged for about half it's worth, which I expect will have to be sacrificed. I am afraid you will lose your office by my imprudence, but if you do I will try and make you amends for it, for the works are short-lived: for there is eight millions of Illinois bonds thrown in market in Europe, without a prospect of getting a dollar. With regret I bid you adieu; and when we meet again I am in hopes you will have good reason for a return of your friendship, which has been so grossly abused by your—I don't know what to say—

ORIN HAMLIN.

Pursuit having been determined on, Mr. Gilbraith and James H. Dixon readily engaged to undertake it. Expecting a steam-boat (the Home) next day, they waited its arrival, and were thus unexpectedly detained till Tuesday morning, when they took passage, the elder Mr. Dixon setting out for home at the same time. The best wishes of our citizens accompany the pursuers, with the earnest hope that they may be successful in recovering the money.

Mr. Hamlin had some property here and at Dixon, which has been duly attached. Perhaps $2000 dollars may be realized from this source, and his rail-road contract may yield $1000 more, so that not more than half the amount of the check will be finally lost, should the pursuit prove unsuccessful. The state can in no event be a loser, as Mr. D's. resources are ample, tho' it is feared the loss. in his declining years will exceedingly embarrass him. No blame attaches to him for a want of proper foresight or prudence in the transaction. The character Mr. Hamlin had hitherto borne would have been a sufficient voucher for his integrity with the most fastidious of our citizens, not one of whom would have hesitated to trust him for any amount. Altogether it is one of the most unexpected and extraordinary delinquencies that has ever come to our knowledge,—Peoria Register.