The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-12-18

The Van Ness Case.
CiacuIr CeuRr, WASHINGTON, Dec. 10, 1916.
RBBUrrIso rEsrInoNY roR THE PLAINTIFF.
The counsel for the plaintiff fled objections to the
ruling out Of testimony to sustain Mrs Fowsrs char.c.
for veracity and act forth that they held that the
whee tenor of the evidence Of the defence had been to
brand with perjury and fraud the character of this wit
ond as being party by her testimony to the al
legged conspiracy In this case
The counsel for the defence entered their reply, sub
stantiay that they had testified to such particulars
AS to Mira Fowler though they had asserted the case to
be Of this infamous character.
sAsroHD hATrrseLI tscn of Thomas Mattingly> call
by the agent for the estate OF General Van Ness and
heard conversation like that which the two Brches
ing Married There was one word said about itnot
word went OF to get drink of water, and came
IL. on: ~ordno sr word
Mr. TREE, Of the ciy post oface was again examined
Mr. HAnysr FowLra callsd.-I am not q connection of
Mrs Corners family from his personal observation,
the wnsss bore testimony to the good character Of Mrs
heard doubted. and would not doubt il self
DR.. McWILLiAMs recalled knew the plaintiff when
she lived at the Navy YsTd at tie time her husband LETT
psrston from her husband [PsPer read, dated 1929
commencing Mrs Conner a govsrnessl This is my
however. but it is my writing; physician Of the
family, and never heard of, anything in my visits
not know Where they lived till lately; but ever since
have had no reason to doubt her chastty gave, not
long ago. certificate Of good character Of Mrs. Fowler,
Rev Mr.. stmrsos, Of the regular Baptist denomina-
on sworn-Testined that Miss Serena Conner and Miss
Virgins Fowler were members OF his church, and
teachers the Sabbath school Obec,ions raised but
they overruledl Never heard any thing prejudi
c, to the character Of those young ladies for veracy
Mr. WIN MANN, OF the same church, testified to the
effect.
Mr. OrrLEr also deposed that he had never heard Miss
Mr.. WM. McNAMEL was called to show that there was
record Of lcence for the marriage secretly per
formed in Mrs Corners house by the Rev. Mr. Ketchum
Ths was TO show that he had psrpetrstsd ian unlawful
act Ruled out. a. not strictly rebuttins testimony
Mr. MAss. keeper Of 2 store on the avenue testified
to Miss Serena Corners purchasing trunk Of him in
sa3 This to shsw that this purchase bore out the
fact Of Miss serenas having to Philadelphia at the
time Of the alleged marriage of the plaintiff with Gen.
Van Ness Conversation for that occurred at that
time. objection made Ruled outl
the handwriting in the Philadsphia letter to be Gen
Van Ness'. He then ask cd to state what was bis
knowledge OF the character Of Gen. Van Ness for cha
Mr BsApLrr objected.
warm debate followed. chiefly between Mr.. Carlisle
and Mr. May the first against touching the character of
the dead the second in vindcston oil the Of
the plaintiff. The crowd in the court evidently
deeply interested by the eloquent speeches Of these two
The Csusr remarked that they could not the rsle
Of all this to the point at issue and thereupon
Mr. BRADLEY proceeded to more practical view oil
The CouRr ruled out the testimony proposed to be
he coun.s Or The plaintiff ieS exceptions against the
decision
Mr. Resrysor walk light was called to prove paper
be in the hand writing Of Gen. Van Ness, which the
for the plaintiff considered explanatory Of Mr.
rhrocp's evidence. Mr. Robinson also approved the
hand writing the Philadelphia envelope genuine.
dis pute nsxt followed upoR another point Of tss
msny proposed TO- be brought in in explanation Of
Of Mrs. Cenner's letters hIe Mr.. BRErr wished 10
prove that the letter of Mrs. Conner, applying Gov.
Ven Ness for money to and vis her child and to aid
its support not written to get money, stated
the face Of the letter to orewsru the Governor that
there was heir about. and that II there will,
he Governor had better produce it, or else that ths said
heir might in for the whole estate, the Of
he widow Of the deceased Cen Van Ness. This, Mr.
Brent argued the real motive In this letter. and
with this view he wished Mr. Mohun to testify that Mrs
Conner did not want money at the time she wrote this
letter for monsy.
The Couar said II appear Cd to them that the object
Of the plaintiff counsel was to prove that the letter
was Q fraud.
Mr. Bassr dsnisdthat this his object Her object
was 10 meet the sxigencies of the case.
The CouRr ruled out the testimony.
Mr. KsxsEDy, Of the CITY post once, was called TO tes-
ty in regard TO manps' and way letters" and post
consent Of all parties, the court adjourned