The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-05-24
Court OF General Sessions.
Before the Recorder and Aldermen Griffin and Oakl
TRIAL OF JAMES ARLINGTON BENNET on A CHARGE


MAY 23-The cour. room was crowded this morning
with spectators brought together to witness the pro-
ceedings in this novel case
Joseph C. Ashley, who the stand when the
court adjourned on Wednesday. resumed his place
witness and proceeded with his testimony -
lie said Bennett came to the Office on business with
Mr.. Byrne: l him, and understood he wanted
to borrow money on bond and mortgage and un-
dertook to obtain it for him; L frequently engag-
ed in business Of the Kind, and got n commission
remuneration for my services. Q.-What was the
form Of your expression to Bennett when you first mem
toned the subject Of the collection of the claim held
by person out West A.-As near as / can re-
collect said to him. Thompson tells me that there
is a man living at his house, who Is interested with
another out West in claim for pretty large amount
against gentleman in New York. and if he could
get General Bennett to take an interest in il, he
(BenneD could get the usual commission 1 also
told him. "ss 1 have been informed, that this man
amount of the claim was net specified. neither was
the form nor person mentioned; the watches spoke
Of yesterday in the possession of Mr. Byrne who
redeemed them from pledge; MIR. Bennett never knew
Mr.. Drury in the matter; | never Bennett and
Drury together as to what said in reference Mr.
Phillips Yesterday, / meant to say that he my
counsellor; / was indebted to him for professional
services and threw all the business that could into
his hands acted as an agent or runner for him and
he generally allowed me n commission on what bust
ness procured for him. ted kind Of commits
sion merchant, rather a commission lawyer. The
witness said he had some statements to make in re-
ference to this case and with the permission of the
court, he would 60 and make them; he said. Mr.
McKeon and Mr. Graham sent me word that they
wanted the whole truth in relation to these matters
now know who wrote that note, and who wrote the
anonymous letters.
The Counsel for the prosecution objected to testi
mony in reference to the anonymous letters as they
had not been offer ed in evidence.
BY the Recorder-Q Did James Arlington Bennett
note was enclosed) A.-No. Odd he know it
written? A.-No. Odd he make that note, A
No; I know of certain concessions of Thompsons in
reference to that note there is certain popularity
about handwriting; IL Is the same persons face.
and seldom be forgotten the capitals recolect
perfectly we'll the is aud lis are Thompsons
s-examined-I first that note in Mr.. Byrno's
hands on the 10th Of November / was not present
Corrella ii Bennett sworn II am the prisoners only
daughter; have one brother. he Is In court; he is
younger than myself; my mother is not living; she
died year ago last December; have resided at the
residence Of my father on the Bath road; there Is
small house on my aher place. was rented on the
last of june Thompson came TO it on the 18th of
July; saw Thompson before he to live
there that was when he came 70 l?ok at IL; saw
Ashley, thea never saw Asbsy bafora, Z hsa nsvar
seen Drury before Thompson family consisted OF his
wife. and four children: he left the house the 7th
81 December last; since my nothers death my IA,
myself we had sometimes two and sometimes three
donestcs 1 have seen Thompson at my fathers
house several times; saw him there once, when my
father from home; saw him coming down stairs;
this about two weeks after he (Thompson) came
there my father usually kept his letters his table,
the floor in his room; they were frequently
lying open; II was in the morning that Thomp-
son; he was coming down stairs my fathers TO Dm
was on the second story; my father became ALARM
ed he told Of things which Thomp.
son had said relating to himself; did not believe
what heard; thought Thompson wa. boastiag.
Q.-Aiss Bennett, was Thompson watched Ayes.
there hostile feeling between my father and
Thompson; my father began to be afraid Of him when
Thompson told him that he and Drury about to
poison him to get his property there state OF
apprehen and alarm the part OF my father aud
the family watch was kept to see that Thompson did
not fire the premises
Daniel L nibry sworn--I reside in Brooklyn; am
president Of the Atlantic Bank; know Mr. Bennett
have known him for fifteen or sixteen years; / saw
some account Of the charges made against him
heard anything dvrogatory to his character he was
generally considered an eccentric man
communicative In Brooklyn; Mr. Bennett lives
at New utreeht the accused did not Keep an account
at the Atlantic Bank.
Office I am in the asserting department; DIETER
shown cannot say whether the stamp this Il the
genuine stamp OF the Ottawa post ofhce many stamps
made in this city for other Offices
Robert o. Curry sworn-T the pastor of the
Reformed Protestant Dutch Church at New Utrecht;
Mr. Bennett held pew In my church about three years
during the first part Of my ministry; I have been
pastor q the congregation about Is years; visited
his family but did not often him. never met him
but once heard anything against his character
up 10 the time Of this charge
Cross examined Il do not recollect the time he
went to Illinois; saw him just after he returned
from the west understood he had been among the
Mormons; think he told mo he went 20 Nauvoo.
Thomas y. strong, pastor Of the Reformed Dutch
Church at Flatbush sworn Il know Mr. Bennett; have
known him for some twenty years: have never heard
anything against his moral character up to the time
Charles O'Couor. Esq I avn a member Of the bar
In this city have met with and known a man called
One Eyed Thompson: I met with him in about - or
~ am whs her he had ever occasion to write
letters 10 me- was acting at the time in hostility 60
the cause which he had espoused THE counsel here
proposed to show by the witness the crafty aud pecu
liar character Of Thompson. This objected to by
th. prosecution. and ruled out by the Court
Peter G. Cornell sworn reside in Brooklyn; my
place ef business T. New York; have known Mr.
Bcnnet for twenty years. prior 10 these charges my
impression was that his character was good he was
Gross. cxaminsd-I attended hi, lectures some
twenty years ago, have had no business with him
since
Charles Lott sworn.-I reside In the town Of New
ttrecht my farm adjoins that u Mr. Bennett. have
resided there nine years know Mr. Bennet's family
know the house on Bennet's place where Thompaon
lived; never saw Thompson TO know him. I rcmem-
her when he moved into the house; II about the
Of harvet time. am Justice Of the
Peace; somewhere about the first Of November Mr. 4
Bennett came over TO my house and told that he 4
believed We hsd very lad man in the nbighborhood
he meant hts tenant. Mr. Thompson; Mr.. Bonnet I
hibitcd hostile feelings towards Mr Thompson: no 4
complaint was made against Thompson 20 me. as a
Whenever Mr. Bennett told me ANYTHING Il
seriously believed u; considered him man OF pro-
bty should think Mr.. Bennst's house was some
thing like hundred yards from Mr.. Thompsons
Crofscxamined-The conversation between myself
and Bennett took place about the Let Of November
Thompson LEFT about month after that Bennett
never gave information TO me whereby could. ne a
take action against him. Ne said Thomp-
ION was engaged in countcrfciting. lie said Thomp-
'on showed him bill dill not understand Bennct
" making any specific charge against Thompson. 1
visit MIR Bennett sometimes have seen strangers at
Bennets house. do not know Ashley nor Drury. |
never saw Thompson to know him Till saw him Ia
'ourt ct Brooklyn
Direct rcsumed-I never took accmplaint in a crmi-
ial case In my life Mr. ncnnet Is given TO study
he has observatory top at his !
iousc don't know that he has telescope; he told me
thompson had threatened 60 burn my house. and he
vas afraid that he would burn his own. (Bennct's y
lcnnct told me that Thompson had showed a $50 note
hat he Chompsoa) said altered one he said he
lad been 60 Chatham street 60 inquire about II Idont
nov that Bennett made any complaint AGAINST
thompson. from which could take action a nagis.
rate I Should think Mr. Bennett might he considered
N evcitabe person 7 should think he would be made
fraid by a person threatening him.
The counsel for the defence here proposed n prove
he conduct Of Mr. Bennett the occasion Of the death
4 his wife The prosecution demanded that the c0un.
FL for the prison should the grounds Of the
cfencc. Do they mean TO set up insanity asked the
counsel
Mr. Clark do not think Mr. Bennett exempt FROM
moral and legal responsibility. will his defence be
ested on that ground desire 10 show his peculiar
harscter IL required the peculiar character Of Hen
et and the peculisrities Of Thompson TO get this
1 am nov willing that these anonymous