The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-14
Tho Van Ness Cnae.
CIRCUIT Counr, WASHINGTON, Dec. u, lsls.


TrsrIMoSr SoR THE DrFEScE CONTINUED.
THE CouRr gave their opinion this morning upon the
to wit the sdmissbility of the testimony of 10
prove the bad character of the petitioner this cause
for twenty years back and the consequent improbable
with the petitioner with this knowledge in his posses
sion. 60 The Court, however. said there must be
tsst it was deemed relevant 10 the cause.
Mr. bsApLkr somewhat in detail, again presented the
Ppcston Of the testimony he proposed introduce to
the matter In hearing and urged its relevancy to the
cause.
Mr.. MAY said that as the whole question had bean
thoroughly debated yesterday he should waive any re-
ply He wished th' judges, however, to repeat their
Judge MohsrLI did So accordingly in brief that evil
doncs OF general reputation of the plaintiff prior the
alleged marriage WITH Gen, Van Ness, was competent.
The question continued under the discussion,
wnen the Court desire that the case 20 forward
Mr.. BsAsLEY called for Nr. Hill
Mr. BRrNr-Wat lttl g, Mr.. Hill, desire to have
this decison in writing. Judge M. proceeded to write
the opinion of the Court; while, on the call Of Mr..
Bradley,
Mr.. Hill again took the stand II was some twenty
i've years ago that the plaintiff married to Mr..
was said he LEFT because Of her incon.anc, eyerV
body pretty much in the neighborhooa wore OF the
opinion that she continued in that of life, and
mas so continued down to the present time.
BY Captain EAsBr, Zone OF the jurors Ibid not about
that time report prevail that Conner had communica
tedn malady TO this plaintiff, his wife, which
easily reubdsd
WIrSKss-No, sir.
Captain EAssr-well, did, sir,
Mr. BnApLEr-Wel sir. We shall examine you as q
witness.
Crosss saminstisn of Mr. HuL-Yes sir, the report
at the Navy Yard that she lewd and unchaste
woman. As far as | know Conner a sober and in
dutrious man; never heard Of General Van Nesss
In connection with hers till this affair Of the suit
Captain GODDARD, Chief of Police, swornTestined to
the general impression that for number Of this
plaintiff has had the character Of unchastc woman
never heard don't rscollect of having heard the
OF General Van Ness mixed up with hers until after his
death
MIR. BROWNING, merchant tailor, L. s. Hotel sworn
Dspossd 10 general reports he had heard against the
character OF Mrs Conner but had heard sbou, the
Of some other persons.
Crsss-eraminston-Never heard the name of General
Mr.. BRiscoE, merchant sworn-Knew Gen. Van Ness;
frequently bought things my store; about the time
Mrs Conner moved to Missouri street (some three years
ago) | went up TO see the General, and he asked me
about his tenants in Missouri street. and among the
Mrs. Conner; may have expressed some surprise that
Mrs Conner should be Of his tenants there's he said
she had got the key to look at the house. and the
thing he heard, she in the house; he said he had
said that the way she got there; have known Mira
Conner for many years; when have met her in the
street or in my store; think say she has berne
the character an ndiscreet and unchasts
mani the General said afterwards nj another time, she
had paid so advance for the rent of the house.
Ma CLARK (of the firm Of Briscoe and ,ClarkJ sworn
Stated conversation with Gen. Van Ness respecting
the payment ofthe $40 rent paid by Mrs. Conner.
Mr.. rsAnsoS Qumberman) sworn.-I have known Mrs
Conner for fifteen sixteen years; had lived in her
nsghborhsod when abe lived at the Navy Yard far
Is Know she has had the character Of unchasts
Is that she las not seeon. any N: s
eec.son IN which he had seen the plaintiff sittng In
Mr.. Ph.sLsr stopped him. You must only give the
general report, not what you saw yourself
Crgssers,stred by Ma. bsrNr-t was NJ the houss of
a nsirhhor whose wife had died; some nsuhbor, vera
called In 70 set mp and x the corpse for burial and Mrs
Conner was there never heard Gen. Van Ness name
mixed up with hers till very recently.
Mr.. Gro. MArrrNsLv steamboat sgenO sworn-Hsd
known Mrs. Conner for many years; ner reputation for
charity has for long time been very undesirable.
CTesteraninsd Never heard the name Of Gen. Van
Nsss mixed mp with the character Of the lady till late
have him 60 into Mrs Corners house, but sup,
he he wa n vi In
Mr.. EpwAso SrMss (wine merchanD swor-Of late
years has heard want Of chastity imputed TO the pe
toner IN this cause; while she lived at the Navy Yard,
for eight ten years after her husband left her. did
net hear anything said against her; think abe kept
Crosrezaninsd- knew Of nothing against the chastity
OF Gen. Van Ness though he particular specl-
men OF virtue heard him say in ocusr way that
ne was long time getting his rent of Mrs. Conner
Mr. JoHS 4. TKwkRs (of the City Council) recalled
Il remarked whom I the stand before that had
seen man looking like Gen. Van Ness, walking with
Mrs Conner and her daughter He perhaps trarht.
er than the Geners he looked like the Governor
man me Generals at distance he might have been aken
spring or Of 1915.
Mr Bs.pLst read acontract batween Gem. Van Mas
and Micnaei Okeahar for lot adjoining Mira Conners
the purchaser was examined in connection 10 shew that
iee g. sep,smoer YIN lss, date of the contract the
plaintif in this cause set up exclusive claim 10 the
property where she lives, &C " ~
Mr. BsADLEr had other deeds, &c, TO prcssnt
Mr.. bRrrr-They will be admissible AZ sny tina air
Captain k,ssr OF the jurors, sworn.-ststed his i'm
preston that at the time Conner ls his vile n Was "a
ported that she had LEFT him bs1suse olive know not
howt express IT, except "a the words Of the Juror HIM
self OF sickness attributable the lswd lifs OF con-
ser Tes worthy Csftss. knew nothing against DE