Carlton and George Wells on the other for the apportionment of the
property of Comstock & Co. Brothers, which was valued at about $25,000
or $30,000. Subsequently, while this litigation was dragging on, Lucius
found a more satisfying opportunity to press his quarrel against his
brothers. This arose out of his belief that they were taking his mail
out of the post office.

On May 26, 1851, one of the New York newspapers, the _Day Book_, carried
the following item:

United States Marshal's Office--Complaint was made against J.
Carlton Comstock and Geo. Wells Comstock, of No. 9 John Street, and
a clerk in their employ, for taking letters from the Post Office,
belonging to Dr. L.S. Comstock, of 57 in the same street.

Dr. Comstock having missed a large number of letters, on inquiry at
the Post Office it was suspected that they had been taken to No. 9
John Street.

By an arrangement with the Postmaster and his assistants, several
letters were then put in the Post Office, containing orders
addressed to Dr. Comstock, at 57 John Street, for goods to be sent
to various places in the city to be forwarded to the country. The
letters were taken by the accused or their clerk, opened at No. 9,
the money taken out and the articles sent as directed, accompanied
by bills in the handwriting of Geo. Wells Comstock. Warrants were
then issued by the U.S. Commissioner and Recorder Talmadge, and two
of the accused found at home were arrested and a large number of
letters belonging to Dr. C. found on the premises. J.C. Comstock
has not yet been arrested. It is said he is out of the city.