As his explanation will hereafter appear in full, suffice it here to say, that he threw the entire responsibility upon a stranger whom he accidentally met in the Harlem cars. The story was told with much apparent frankness, and a gentleman passing along who knew the lad, and confirmed his statement as to his connection with a prominent law-office in New York, he was allowed to go at large, under a promise that at an appointed hour on the following day, he would call on the Brooklyn post master, explain the matter more fully, and put him in possession of facts which would enable the officers to arrest Jolliet, if that was thought best.
The appointed time arrived, but the young man did not. A rather voluminous package of papers, however, was sent as a substitute. These papers are so well worded, and so formally drawn up, that I will here introduce two of them verbatim. The reader will bear in mind that they are the production of a boy only fifteen years of age:—
New York, January 26, 1855, 12, M.
Post Master, Brooklyn, L. I.
Dear Sir:
Being detained by important court business from attending to my promise given to you yesterday to be at your office, I am obliged to write to you. I enclose a statement of facts which I think sufficient to get a warrant. It is sworn to by me before a Commissioner of Deeds of New York, authorized to take acknowledgments for the State.
I saw Mr. Jolliet yesterday evening. He does not suspect anything. I told him that the mails had not arrived when I was over to Brooklyn, yesterday; and, in course of the conversation, he told me he would take a sleigh ride to Snediker's on Saturday. Therefore, it is important you should get a warrant, and take him upon that day. He also told me he would have a white sleigh, a white robe, and a cream-colored pair of horses. You can easily know him. I will be over, if no accident intervenes, to-morrow, say about 11 or 12 o'clock. I tracked him to the Manhattan bar-room in Broadway, but could not find out his residence, as he stayed too late. I think he is connected with a gang of rascals who have made this kind of rascality their special business.
I am acquainted with the District Attorney in this city, and have thought of getting him to bring the case before the grand jury, and get a bench warrant out in New York against Jolliet, in case you should think it advisable.
Meanwhile, I will remain still about the matter until I hear from you again.
Yours, very truly.
Annexed is the statement of facts alluded to above:—