Writer Julian Hawthorne Promotes The Stock Sales That Got Him Imprisoned For Fraud

JULIAN HAWTHORNE (1846-1934). Hawthorne was an American writer. He was imprisoned for mail fraud related to questionable stock sales in 1913. TLS. 1pg. March 21, 1910. A typed letter signed “Julian Hawthorne” on his personal letterhead. The missive likely concerns the fraudulent stock sales for which Hawthorne and his friend William J. Morton were imprisoned in 1913. “Dear Sir:- Now that you have read the little ‘Solomon’ story – which you have done, since you are reading this – you naturally want to know what is the object of it all. I wrote the ‘Solomon’ booklets in order of it all. I wrote the ‘Solomon’ booklets in order that we might make each other’s acquaintance; and what I have not to tell you will more than reward any attention you bestowed on them. I know something of you, because you have read them: and you know something of me, because I wrote them. Here is a 12-page document, on the composition of which – to render it as concise and explicit as possible – I have worked more than a month. Unlike the booklets, it is not in the least imaginative; nor is it designed, like them, to amuse you. It is straight business all the way through; and if you give to its study as many hours as I have days to its preparation, you may profit more than by anything else of the kind ever brought to your attention. Not without weighing my words and realizing my responsibility do I say, that the opportunity here offered you to make a great deal of money at the expense of very little, and to be, in the meanwhile, secure from loss, is such as seldom occurs to the most fortunate investor. But the allotment of shares is in three parts, the second part costing more than the first, and the third more than the second; you can buy today two shares for the same money that one will cost you next month. Each division comprises one million shares. And I have this good reason for knowing that the three million shares will not last long, - that about 1,000,000 shares have been bought up in one week by a score or more of my friends who happened to learn of the flotation while the reports were being printed. The full reports, covering upward of 60 pages, are, as you will observe, ready for distribution. But the enclosed statement quotes enough of them for ordinary purposes. I shall, of course, be glad to send you the reports – but let me point out that – to make it possible for you to participate in the present allotment, you let me have your subscription by early mail. I will accept it, subject to your examination of all the reports, and conceding you the privilege of recalling it any time within twenty days. Sincerely yours, Julian Hawthorne”. The letter is in very good condition, with toning and other faults, and is encapsulated.