New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1846-12-04
The Van Mes. VIII Case.
.respondence Of The Tribune.


WARRINGTON Wednesday. Dec. =, l5i6.
This morning the twelfth day of the Van Ness case
was commenced, about the same number OF audi
tors being present the morning being fine and tenn
perate and the interest gradually increasing.
Mr. Reese clerk in the Philadelphia Post Office.
was recalled and new cross examination took
place on the part OF the plaintiff. bat nothing
elected during the new inqusition. Some inqui-
ries we're made OF witness as 10 conversation be-
tween him and Sir. Morris Postmaster OF New
York, at Coemans $. in which he was about 10 make
Il remark Oh some testimony, when he.&aS check
ed by Mr.. Morris. He stEtee! that severa!
persons were present-Nlr German. Capt. Dewey.
Mr.. Thomas, aud others-and that Mr. Morris warn
ed me after taking me into another room, that
there were persons present who weuld repeat
what was SAID. Had seen Mr.. Bradley last even
ng extract the figure from the back OF Philadelphia
letter with solution OF cnusc, potash and oXalc acid
Stated that there space enough for the Introduction
OF :, in the impression the envelope, concerning
which he had been previously examined.
Richard iSDiHh examined-Had known General
Van Ness since lsW Had been associated with him in
the Bank oil the Metropolis since lc39. Had always
found him kindly disposed willing accommodate his
opinions those Of others but firm when he had come
TO IA decision. Knew his writing iamliar!y as he
knew that OF any person but he had not sufficient conf
dence in his Judgment 10 permit him TO swear pos
lively the subject On inspecting the letters pre-
scented to him. he gave il as his own opinion that al
though in greater less degree there similarity
the hand writing OF the General he would not have
been willing in the way of business to have received
any of them as genuine. From these he excepted lew
letters the authentic character OF which (havns nothing
To do with the case) could not be disputed his est-
mony referred 10 all the letters file in the Orphans
Court well number of others produced lie had
been examined MS to these letters. by Mr. Dallas and
Col. Lee. and as soon he saw them although from
what he had heard he had expected to find them genr
inc, he and came 10 the conclusion that they had
suspicious appearance and that he would not nave been
disposed to receive them as genuine.
Gross. Grdmlgcd-Ha d been often deceived as 10
the genuneness OF signatures but Judged more readily
from the body OF the writing than from an isolated sig
nature. Would not be positive as 20 signatures In
signing bank notes he had Il uniform Etsle Had seen
Gen Vun Ness during his sickness but not until the
Tuesday or Wednesday preceding Called on the pre-
vious Saturday but did not then see him. Tie died on
the next Saturday. Saw him twice q day during the
las, three four days At his first interview had very
short conversation with the General asked him II
there any matters he wished attended 10 he
spoke TO some small notes which he wished attended
to- Told him my object wa to him and 10 relieve
him from uneasiness. Asked him II there were any
other matters of Importance 10 be taken care OF he
began TO talk rather ncoherenty. Spoke OF 20 OF 30
branches OF his familv-and OF 4UUV-out dld moi say
10000 what. Asked him whether or not he had made
will He became excited and replied Mr- Smith, am
going to de shall be up in three or four days
Told him sincerely hoped i, would be wish
ed than did snd begged him 10 understand that
only asked the question with view TO render him any
assistance the arrangement OF
answered that his property was taken care OF Ne
marked that no one mere capable OF doing II than
himself Never heard that plaintiff csme 10 the house
Re. Examined The day before the Generals
death, witness in the room kept rs the Generals
Office Saw hs, his papers Were loosely scattered, and
his all Open ard very nuch exposed Suggested
tina. they should be locked up and seal put upon them
The family consented the papers We're collected the
drawers and cases locked and the seal OF witness was
nut on them Subsequently Miss White brought him or
sent 10 him papers she had taken from ms vest
pocket and small key which belonged 10 around table
stnndng in the office Between the day OF the death and
the funeral OF the General search was inside IN the
drawers and 10 lind will Ms II was supposed there
would be some direction as the funeral but nothing
like swll could be found. Witness acted Tor the mem
OF the family who he knew would be left destitute
ii will should not be- found Al the residue OF the ties
timnny of witness related family which ap
peRred 10 have relevancy 10 the case
n. ), COfS proved that he had been Tor above
twenty years the personal and professional friend OF Gen
Van Ness Did not hear OF his Illness until the morning
Of his death Assisted in the search for will, without
had many years ago prepared will Tor the
signature OF Gen Van Ness from draft furnished by
hrn The will signed. and when witness n lew
wears ago spoke the General OF the necessity Of alter
ing il suit the altered condition OF his property and
his family the General evsded the subject saying he had
a very good draft OF Witness by which he could make
one out very well.
j " C0rlsSis testified that he had lent book on
wills Gen Van Ness and had mentioned the subject o,
will to him. but there nothing important in his les
timony.
M MGury, President OF the Bank Of the Metropolis,
and Mr. Boyle Director of the Board OF Directors les
tiled their belief tha. the letters puTporns 10 be written
BY Gen. Van Ness, were not genuine productions.
" Thorp wss then called and examined as 10 the
printing press.