The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-06-03

Letter from Thomas Warner, on the Torpedo
ExplOsion-Ths Truth Coming out 1t Last.
The truth is mighty, and will prevail This il q
correct moral and philosophical axiom, and the
history Of the famous torpedo stool-pigeon mys
teres, and the calm but irresistible way by which
the truth and the real perpetrators are coming out
resembles the unshanging operations OF the grea
laws of nature.
On this very important matter, We have received
| a very remarkable letter from Thomas Warner
ESQ., ls City Hall place, purportng to be reply te
certain sworn statements, made by Ashley, IN the
Court Of Sessions at the last term. This letter, in
connection with the very striking evidence giver
before Justice Osborne, last week, on the exami
nation of One-eyed Thompson, throws good dea
oflegal and moral light on the torpedo mysteries
their purposes, character, and probable termina-
ton. Here is Mr. Warmers letter.
NAY 80 1880
JAMS GonpoK BENEFIT, Esq.
In the Herald newspaper, a few days since, You
published an AFFIDAVIT. which purported to have
been sworn by Joseph O. Ashley, and In which
myself which were utterly and entirely false,
and especially the statement which imputed to
torpedo box, Tor the purpose OF numbering my wife
The day before the affidavit published by you, Mr..
MeKeon sent for me, and put the affidavit in question
into nay hands and requested me to prepare an sfda
Wit contradicting the contents of Asheys adsvit
far as knew the same TO be untrue made such an
affidavit immediately and was informed by Mr.. Nc
Keen ii should be used publicly in the Court OF Ses
sons, the next day. But the term Of the Court has
expired and it has been used, any statement
made publicly of its contents Of my denial Of the
foul charge so fouly and falsely imputed to me; not
withdrawing that have twice or thrice applied to
Nj Mckeop, on the subject, and once spoke to your
attorney, Mr. Galbraith, who said he was sure you
would readily permit any contradiction Of mine to re-
ceiye as wide circulation through your columns as
the original libel had received and so have doubt
you will be ready to do for beg to assure you that,
in question lin way complain of the course of the
Herald towards me- in relation to that attempt to tako
my life.
But you viii perceive that have remained for
several days under that gross imputaton without it's
having been in any way denied publicly, notwith-
falsehood
Now, sir rely on your oft proclaimed desire to
do justice to all parties and ask you to do me justice
in the columns Of your daily Herald, in such way
you may At either by publishing my full and une
quvocal denial the perjury committed by the convict
Ashley, or by publishing this letter. or by publishing
copy Of my affidavit which if you desire it, shall be
furnished you for that purpose.
Yours respectfully,
Mr.. Warner is correct in believing that our de-
sire is to do justice to all paries-o aid the inno-
This point and principle being conceded, what
Warner and what are the facts in the business
Let us see.
The statement against Thompson, in the torpedo
crime, and duplicating Warner in it, was made,
and sworn to, by Ashley, in the regular proceed
ings of the Court of Sessions, about ten days ago.
Here is the passage -
That deponent also gave which he derived
nom the statements Of said Thompson to deponent,
viz that the torpedo for which Samuel Drury in
dcted, was manufactured at the request Of Thomas
Warner, to kiln his wife, that Sylvester Mount
the uncle of said Thompson made the box. and that
said Thompson hed the same with explosive matter;
son in reference to said torpedo was you have 70
pull the lid do 80 slowly but when you the blaze
run like the devil and let the old woman have III that
deponcnt verify believes the said statements made by
Thompson to deponent, concerning said torpedo are
true. J. G. ASHLEY.
sworn this 18th day of May 1850 in open court
HENRY vANDERv0ORr, Clerk.
This is the statement sworn to by Ashley, which
Warner, in his letter, and as witness on Saturday
last declares to be false, and that Ashley has COM
mitted perjury in making such statement. This
is very direct charge but let US see what the
other witnesses before Justice Osborne have said
on this very matter.
During the examination in Thompson's case, no
fewer than eight tritnesses, every Of them per-
fectly unimpeachable, and having no connection
fact, namely-that he, Taompsor, declared and as
serted that he had made tie torpedo, and had sent
IL TO Farmers. Here is the list-
wALsIrIs Fluiss. ............ .Canandaigua
CORNELIUS WALror. ........... do.
BrsJAHls Ghuo. .............. do
Jrssr PArnrrsos. New York.
WILLIAM II. BsRnrR. ........... do.
JACKSON BUMsTrAp. do.
CoRoLLA ii. BrSNrr. ........... Long Island
hhSAhht SthtlN. no.
Several of the same witnesses, also, add that
Thompson said he had done so at the reques, of
another person, sometimes calling the other person
"a Understanding a" NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
"Wamer," and anon warren as remembered by
the witness. This evidence proves conclusvely
that Thompson had made 10 others like decla-
ration which Ashley swears he had made to him.
MIR. Warner, therefore, has ground to charge
Ashley with perjury. The only question Of vcracity
on this point that arise, is that between One
eyed Thompson and Thomas Warner himself On
this point the important question is, which speaks
the truth Thompson or Warner7 This can only
be determined by an accurate estimate, or chemical
solution into their original elements of the moral
character of each; and If this were a question of
practical chemistry, perhaps Onc-eye, with his
acids end alkaes, could do the job; but as
il is mixed question Of morality, law and religion,
il is filter for judges and jurors to determine
il, than for great chemists or wonderful lawyers
The impressions Of Mrs Warner and her son, as
disclosed the trial Of Drury certainly aid and as
sisi the declaration Of Thompson-that the torpedo
had been intended for Mrs. Warner alone, as a sort
Of bouquet present, on the first rosy week Of the
merry month of May, &c, nc.
All this only tends to indicate the general cond-
ton Of the torpedo mystery at this stage Of the ex-
aminstionand the probability that the guilty ones
arc developing themselves fast enough. There can
be no doubt Of the indelble impression which has
been made on the public mind blythe startling tes-
mony Of eight witnesses, from different aud oppo-
site quarters Of the State, all concuing in the sam.
statement, incupating Thompson in the guilt Of
the torpedo crime. Two or three, or four others.
could be given, II necessary, who would add fresh
testimony to that already taken-but Mr. McKeon
reserves them for the Grand Jury or the trial
l g. =. =.