American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1846-12-10
Correspondence of the Baltimore Clipper,J


WASHINGTON, Dec s, SAG.
The Yam Ness Case The bona fde " WILLIAM
HatIacc." 1t will be recoIlected that in the
commencement OF this case, two witnesses from
Baltimore, Mrs Drew, and her daughter, Mrs.
Durkee, testified to Gen. Van Ness having
been in that city in 1913, when Mrs. Connor
was in-laid, and gave birth to a daughter, pas
sing under the name of "Wm. Wallace" and
representing the lady as his wife. This may
be necessary by way Of calculating the follow
ing testimony of
MIR. Alex. Lee, Broker and lottery vender in
Washington, who deposed that he knew Gen.
Van Ness-saw man in the fall of 1910, ma
med VIM. Wallace, who resembled Gen. Wan
Ness very much-the gentleman told witness
that VIM. Wallace was his name and witnesses
impression is, that he boarded at Mrs. Cennor's,
who at that time kept boarding house on l-2
street below the avenue. Had seen him fire.
quently walking in the street with Mrs Conner.
He was about the size of Gen. V. N; stopped
like him, but was little taler,-and was a
larger man with full red face. He said he
resided in the West, but witness can't say what
State. He often come into witnesses office TO
purchase lottery tickets, and has had his name
endorsed on the back of them, by which means
witness got to know his name.
Cross-examned by Mr.. Brent never saw
VIM. Wallace in Gen. V. Ms carriage, and in
ferred that he was boarding at Mrs. Conuor' IS
from the fact that he was walking with her
almost every day. He resembled Gen. V. N.
so much that he might have been mistaken by
some for him, though witness never mistook
him for the General. He was q very good
match for the old Gen. any way. DIR. Files,
whom witness had seen, and who is now dead,
boarded at Mrs. Connor's at the same time
can't recollect seeing Wallace with any other
person than FiIles-believes Wallace was O
land agent or something of the kind-knows
one other person here, Edward Branch Robin
son, who knew Wallace. Some three weeks
ago it was, witnesses first mentioned the like
ness of Wallace TO Gen. V. N, when the let
tiers signed VIM. Wallace in this case were first
published.
MIR. VIM. T. Jones, had been in the Wash
ington Post Office, and had also been a mail
agent previous to the coming in Of the prev-
Gus administration. Could not state particular
ly up to what day, but the books would show.
Witness testified as to the making up of the
mails, SC, and thought he could recognise the
handwriting of the clerks in the Washington
Office. Envelope which had enclosed copies
of the Orphans Court letters to the defend
ant handed him. The figures on it think
are those of the present clerks. 1t is the duty
of the mail agent between Philadelphia
and Washington to stamp all letters which
come to his car; the mail came on three
times day, but the mail agent but once, SO
that letters dropped in the cars which the agent
did not accompany would not be stamped. All
letters ought TO be stamped somewhere. Wit
ness don't recolect ever finding loose letter
dropped in his pouch whilst agent with the
post-mark stamp on it, but if he had he should
certainly have put his stamp on it also. The
witness detailed many particulars as to the send
ing and carrying Of way-letters.
DR.. VIM. B. Jones, fthe post office, testfi-
cd also about the closing of the mails, sending
Of way and other letters, &C. Some two or
three years since there were more letters sent
by miscellaneous routes in this loose way than
now. 1t sometimes happens that letters put IN
after the mail has closed, have the rate and
day stamp put upon them, and yet don't &c
\ upon the way-bill or register. The witness
mentioned one instance. Mr.. Jones had beer
mail agent-if he found letter in his boz
with the post office stamps on it, he would moi
put his Railroad stamp on it also, though h'
would enter it on his way-bil and register
Witness testified as to other particulars, bu
nothing of moment was elected.
Thos Mattngly, residing on land belongin!
to Gen. Van Ness estate in Alexandria coun
ty, sworn. Don't recollect saying at the tim
distress was levied upon him by Mr.. Carlin
with Mr.. Birch and his son present, that an