The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-12-12

NasnNGroS, Dec. 8, 1919.
Tie Koseuisko Lac Case-.qrsument Of ds Hon. Re-
rerdy Johnson.
During the last three Saturdays, including this,
circuit court engaged in hearing arguments upon
the demurrers to bill which the heirs of Gen Koss
ciusko fled time in September, ls4s. Mr.. Muir
bury and Major @. Tochmsn argued during the frs
two Saturdays the former for the demurrants the lat
ter for the heirs of Kosciusko did not hear these
gentlemen, but those who heard them became very in
terested In the case, upon hearing Major Tochman's
dsfs nee for the heirs, which, told clear,
able, and gained him much credit.
To. day a number Of our citizens aud myself we're
entertained by listening to a rich and eloquent argu
ment Of the Hon Reverdy Johnson who IL associated
with Major Toehmsn, as counsel Of the heirs. The
Gen Koscuisko, in 179s, brought to this country,
from Poland some fourteen hiteen thousand dollars,
and left them in the hands Of Mr.. Jefferson who un-
drtook to invest them in certificates OF the govern
ment and TO send to koscusko, in France, the div-
dends interest every year, which he did regularly
during the lifetime OF kosriusko. After the death OF
kosciufko this fund had Co be- employed by Mr. Jefer
son In purchasing educating aud iberans tho negroes
amongst his own, suoh as Mr. Jeiersos might have
chosen. Kosciusko died In 1871, In Switzerland, at
soloure and MIR Jefferson havag declined to execute
the trust letters of administration granted to
ID L. Lear, and after his death to Col BomfJrd with
the will Of 1893 annexed b. when the disposition Of
the fund made for the benefit Of the negroes Kos
ciusko subsequently made another WILL In 1905, by
which he bequeathsd portion OF that fund TO Mr..
Armstrong, ArmHtrony a
third will In 1915 at soloure, In swi zersnd By which
he disposed tosundry persons his property which no
possessed In France and England This last will he
declared his last will, aud revoked, In terms,
all wills aud codics which be might have made pre-
viousy but be left undisposed OF the fsnd which be
brought Co and left ia this country In the hands OF
Mr. Jefferson This fund aacumuisted to some - 900
o5 coo dollars but out OF IL only $50 dollars In the
stock Of the Bank Of wasnin ktOn assets into
the hand. OF the present administrator de boas non OF
Kosciutkos estate the balance, amounting to about
s5s.oCo, had been collected and wasted by Cot Bonn
f.4I he al aIpatt rHa hair. Of
ciufko claim the whols estate under the statute Of
distribution, and filed bill against the admiuis-
traitor de bsnis Of ko-ciusko's estate. against
the administrator 81 Col Bopf0r1 the deceased almi-
pistrstor of Kosciusko estate, and the suretes
TO the administration bonds IL Col. B0mford praying
fer discovery, account and distribution II Kosciuskos
estate This bill demarred 10 by all the defend
Kosciusko's estate, who hled answer Ia shich he
scknowledged that only S5bs0. IN the stock Of the
Bank Of Washington came to his hands.
The objections alleged In support 81 the derurrers
10 the jurisdiction. for maltifariOusness and
some others the form Of the bill Mr. Johnson re-
futed them nil most ably and successfully all the
lawyers who heard him, fsJ; aud Ia Witch aud all
others who were present fully concur. Ina conclusion,
a. motives the counsel who formerly employed
by the heirs; but IL IL greatly To be regretted that turrg
hrty-two years the heirs of koscusko could not OBJ
tain justice la the American courts. lie said. that
their N the objections raised sustainable
would be more remote from conclusion than q any
time before, IL Is due TO the memory OF kosciusko
(coptbued Mir Johnson thst his heirs IL they the
heirs Of him who In all the after periods Of his life from
the time OF the struggle Tor American freedom Till his
death, showed his unlimited love for liberty-whose
merits in country elevated him from the rsok
Of captain to that Of geneawho shed hts blood the
battle fields for the freedom OF his aud the inds
pepdence Of country-wh who at Vienna In 1915, re-
Jected, indignantly, the friendship Of the Czsr Aexan
der because the position he took with regard
lsnd-who during the French revolution did not
change his principles u IL dse to the character of
such man, that bis heirs may receive what due to
them In this country; and not be delayed any longer
by American court OF justice Those who hold their
money, whoever ,hey are should consider q moral
duty not TO withhold longer BY unreasonable obec-
tions what is due from them. Mr. johnson expressed
hope that this Court will be prompt In administering
justice TO his clients.
After Mr. johnson set down, II was agreed that Mr..
Richard s. Cox sban close the argument for the de-
murrants on Saturday.