Rhode Island American And Gazette

From the N. Y. Journal of Commerce.

Fortunate Discovery.—About two o'clock this morning two of the watchmen who were standing on the corner of Liberty and Green-streets observed two persons about midway in Green-street, who appeared to be stooping down as if concealing something under the stoops of a house. In a minute or two they approached the watchmen, inquired the time of night, and walked off. One of the watchmen remarked that he would go and see what they had been doing, which he did, and found two silver spoons lying on the pavement. He ran back, and communicating what he had discovered, they determined to apprehend the fellows. One of the watchmen advanced cautiously towards them, and suddenly laying hands on both, 'a regular battle ensued. One of the villains being armed with a large knife, made several desperate thrusts at him, which cut his clothes and one of his hands severely. The prompt arrival of the other watchman led to the capture of one, but his companion, a stout, athletic person, by taking to his heels, succeeded in making a temporary escape. The watchman followed the direction he took, crying "stop thief," and the fugitive finding that the watchman was gaining upon him, set up the same cry, under a hope that the stratagem would relieve him from further trouble.

The watchman in the vicinity of Washington and Liberty-streets, hearing the alarm, and seeing no one in advance of the fellow who was so busily bawling "stop thief," conjectured that it was a false pretence, and determined therefore to put a stop to his career. As he seized hold of him, the fellow commenced a furious assault, and though the watchman was not more than half his size, yet he distributed his blows with such dexterity that in the course of a minute or two the fugitive lay extended at full length upon the pavement. He was accordingly secured, and with his companion was conducted to the watch-house. The watchmen then commenced searching along Green-street, and under the stoop of the house where the prisoners were seen standing, was found a bag nearly full of silver spoons, silver forks and other articles, which they subsequently ascertained had been stolen from the store of Floyd Smith, No 12 Maiden lane, which had been entered by picking the lock of the front door.—The entire value of the property taken was $73, all of which was recovered with the exception of two silver watches. The names of the villains are James Boyd, alias, Hall, and William Quin. They were both examined this morning, and fully committed for trial.