Democratic banner., 1846-08-24
WILL OR NO WILL,
VI ARIA GE OR NO MARRIAGE
WIFE OR NO WIFE.

IVA w. Wv
WIFE OR NO WIFE.
Some time in March last, Gen. John P.
Van Ness, of this city, a gentleman well
known throughout the United States, at
one time a member Of Congress, for a num-
Der Of years Mayor of this city, and at the
time of his death, President Of the Bank of
the Metropolis, diedintestate, leaving large
fortune. Shortly after his death, Gov. c..
P. Van Ness, brother of the deceased, dhd
principal heir to the estate ,lahd late Collec-I
tor of Customsat New York, obtained letters
of administration upon the estate-frst
having sworn that he had made due and dill
ligent search amongst the papers of the
Gen. and had discovered no will. An ad-
vertisement Immediately appeared in our
city papers Of the relatives ofthe family in
New York, Offering a reward to any n
who would furnish evidence of a will, SUPP
posed, by the advertiser, to have been made
by the General.
Rumor now says that another Richmond
was in the field, viz:--The unio,c If Gen.
Tan Ness, mho in her oacn name and as
the guardian other son John Z. Pan Ness,
jr. claimed ALL the propertyj For some
time it was uncertain who was the widow,
as no one ever heard, knew or imagined
that General V. N. had married or even
thought of marrying since the death Of his
esteemed lady some months since. Finally
it was announced that Mrs. Mary E. Con-
nor, as she has been called here for the last
ten years or more past, laid claim to the
widows's mite of the valuable estate. Sol
have gone since then; no will or ev-
idence of will have been produced, and
the administrator has attended to his duties
such. But, early last week, a distress
was levied on Mrs. c. or Mrs. V.N. as the
case may be. for rent. (she having lived iu|
a house belonging to the Gen, and consid-
cradle r mt being due, } by the administra-
tor. A writ of replevin was Immediately
by the lady in the name of Mary T..
v. N. v.--and the goods were replev-
The next day (Friday last) a petition
was fled by the lady, accompanied by sew
eral letters (nine in number said to be
to her both before and since the
marriage. These letters all speak the most
affectionate language, and are dated at Phil
adelphia and washington. Those Of the last
dates call her smy dear wife" Sc, and
speak fondly of"our son" &C., The petit
ton sets forth that they were married in
in August. AS BY a person
whom the General addressed as "Mr. AL
derman" that the General obtained a GER
tifcate of the intention to 'afix it TO his
will" that the cause Of the marriage being
kept secret was the unwillingness Of the
General to make known. his marriage to the
world, and because he could not introduce
her to his family as his wife without produc-
ing much displeasure. The petition conclude
with a prayer that the administrator
be cited to appear before the Court and
show cause why his letters should not be
revoked and granted to her the widow, as
is entitled to by law. The last prayer
was granted, and Gov. Van Ness was CT
ted to appear on Tuesday last he did appear,
and the court was set for the second Tues
lay in August, SO as to enable all parties to
be prepared.
The letters are said by the party in pos
session of the estate to be forgeries. 1t is
supposed an issue will be made out in the
Orphans Court, where ajury will have to-
whether the General left a will or widow,
Or both, and ifhe did, where and what the
will is a7d who is the widow.
Eminent counsel have been engaged:
Hon. George NJ. Dallas, Vice President of
the U. S., Col r NJ Lee, of Philadelphia,
H H Dent, Of Washington, and others, ap-I
pear for the lady. Messrs Cox and Car
isle, are the only counsel for the Governor
whose names I have heard.
The result of this affair is of greatest in
to a number ofpersons who have pur-
real estate from the General since
this marriage, as stated took place; as in the
of the lady's success in establishing
her claim, she will be entitled to her dow
er therein. twill also affect certain grants
made to churches and other societies, by
the General.-[Washington correspondent
Of the Bait. SUM-
Ii+A gentleman recently travelling in the
called to a boy, where does this road go
%, my lad?' Well l don't know where it goes,
but it's always here VIXEN l come along
E7.they smoke so much in Holland, that when
, party are in q room, and any one present is
the waiter goes around with a pair Of
AI