The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-11-22
The Case OF Gen. Van Ness.

on the increase Many Who thought the srrant
humbug, now begin TO believe that there 10 in sober
reality
Mr. G,onor MArrrSeLv was the first witness exam
ined He knows where the plaintiff lives and Gen.
Van Ness visit the house frequeny the carriage was
there often; sometimes the General would stay two
three hours the house on Missouri street and up
derstood to be owned by Gen Van Ness the visits CON
tnued while witness lived in the neighborhood within
twenty-five feet of the plaintiff.
Mr.. FARRAR, who keeps q bowling alley on Missouri
street. six lots from where the plaintiff lives tes
tilted that he saw Gen Van Ness visit Mrs Corners; has
seen him 60 IN his carriage end foot, but At
night the last time he him February it was
avery cold day; he called young man, who wished to
was three or four weeks before the General died; he
walked round the corner, and back again.
Ness does not know to the contrary; thinks it was
boarding house but won't be positive; don't recollect
ing there thinks he saw other Carriages there once
Mr.. BRApLEr:-To distinguish the Orphans Court let
ters from the others suggest that they be marked
MIR. CARLIsLE.-Better say O. X, which will mean Or
phan's Court.
Mr. unssT.very well. OK. means oil Korrect /
position to laugh but rowns of the criers prevented
| an outbreak of merrinentl
The letters were marked to distinguish the SERIES
| when
Mr.. MURRAY rs-called-Letters were handed to
him for examination So far belief goes he said seve-
raj OF them were genune-the dated December 80
ls46, looked genuine. He is bank director and pre-
dictated his belief the signature; would have taken
bank note with such signature that to the letter
| without doubt.
On the crosexamination the counsel for the defend
ant desired notes Of the Bayk of the Metropolis to be
| handed to Mr.. Murray for comparison.
The counsel for the plaintiff would consent unless
the rule should work both ways.
The court decided that comparison might be made on
| the cross examination
the defendant handed Mr. Murray notes. pointing out the
difference between the signature to the letters and
signaed but if had been brought 10 him contain
ing signature like that TO- the letter. he would
taken il. If there was any doubt he would look to the
hng up lie believed the signature Of the letter to be
that Of General Van Ness
signature should 60 to the jury. Mr.. Coke remarked
that there were nine letters claimed be in the hand
writing Of General Van Ness, from beginning to end.
Col Gardner declared that not one genuine Mr..
Rossdnle said that looking merely the signature he
might take them to be genuine the third witness (Mr
alone The body Of the letters should not 90 to the ury
they were not proved.
MIR BREnr, for the plaintiff remarked that In the case
Of deed though ii was written by scrivener, the sig
nature being genuine makes the whole genuine.
The learned gentlemen sprung up brief discussion,
Mr. BRADLEY observed that the letters could not be
read to the Jury but by permission of the Court the
Court was satisfied the letters evidence they could
| 60 to the Jury.
The Court decided that the papers were offered in evil
prove the signature. The signature being proved ge.
nune the papers would go to the jury, although Gen
II the other party prove the signatures to be forgsr
then the body, ofcourse is worse than nothing
The letters, nine in number which had been filed in
the Orphans Court were then read in evidence to the
jury, and they are as follows wiz
| i.
My Dear NJ II am doubtful whether will be able To
60 from home next month but do be unhappy you
may rely on my word and honor that will make you
my lawful wife before many weeks l now very much
regret that have delay long, but will be all right
have been night and dav for month or two past
in Alexandria So as can get this there will 20
to you Your very afectonate,
LrrrER2
| Dear Mary-why make yourself unbspnv7 , 7 know
persons do not talk suppose you have suffered
much mai lir;u e.
you. and our child children, by and by have given
you the house and lots occupy, and constantly
You and iSsyn ySa a ap %
principal heirs to my property Now don't complain
but will be with you this wsok-the particular day
JOHN 2 VAN NESS.
N B. The copperplae press of mine, which is in one
Of the rooms at your house. will have removed
| WASHINGTON, July ls, lsa5
this week tried to get TO your house. but could not
shall 60 to New York to arrange business there
adelpha, arrange matters Their if you can
get eady by that time, you must meet me in Phadcl-
drop letter in the post oce there for me- and tell
me where you are at, and will 60 to you If you
with .s in s With hoy
wishes to return with me- will you before CO. if
you 60 before | go, i you cannot 60 with me.
~ JOHN ?. VAN NESS.
| LETTER4
| PHILADELPHIA, July %, l945.
Dear Mary am here, and find matter can be ar
ranged here just as wish it, will certainly make
you my legal wife, oto Now York this evening to
morrow mornng-will be back here the 5th or 7th of
next month, and will expect to you here on my
return that may then make you my lawful wife. II
you get here BY the M 60 to some good boarding house
eor, in the post Office and tell where go you
win not be able to stay but short time with you
john Evan NESS.
| Addressed Mrs. M A. Conner, Philadelphis, Pennj
LETTER..
PHILADELPHIA, August 1s45.
Mrs. NJ. Al N-Dear IL now am just starting for
| ashington, d until you hear from me again don't
write, as may be from home / will write to you as
soon as get home, and send you what promised you.
! am new your own husband,
This letter had been postmarked 80 but the figure
was subsequently erased. II addressed Mrs NJ. A..
| Van Ness, Philadelphia, Pa
| WAsHISsroN CRY, August, Is45.
Mrs v. N.-Dear Mary returned home safe and WE'LL
and hope this will find you the Enclosed in
| gin you have the note you asked for. Write SOON
NJ B.Be particular in all the purchases you ma have
@ ct Whatever you may want. You shall always have
what money you may want for the comfort and support
Dear wife, as ever, am ever yours
| JOHN r. VAN NESS.
| LETTER Z.
| WAsHireror, 30 Dec. ls46.r
| My dear M-You have returned home, and have, /
hope left little one WE'LL have been teo ell to
60 from home this day. as intended to will
go out, and then will 60 to you. If not there
| by noon tell me in letter note, by your boy, how
| you left your child. will you soon Your afec
| tionate husband, JOHN P. VAN NESS.
Addressed Mrs Connor, Missouri street. Washington
[+Ths is the date "ls46" General Van Ness died in
| March last
| February 49, 1876.
Dear Mary.-I tried yesterday to get to your house.
but could not make ii out-write TO Mrs say to
her that pledged myself to pay monthly II advance
every three months for the nursin attention. board &C.
&c. Of your child andexact of her to pay every careful
and maternal attention the child whilst she may have
Il with her that you and will 60 child next
month"; and she shall have her next quarters pay, &c in
advance" She will, presume properly construe our
arrang Enclosed in this you have the note you