The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-07-02
Police Intelligence.
SECOND DISTRICT POLICE COURT.
Before Justice Stuart.

Before Justice Stuart.
FoRGER1Es AND FRAUDS ON THE GENERAL CO.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OF WITNESSES, ETC.
On Wednesday afternoon the investigation com.
menced in the matter pending against VIM. Merri-
hue and others, who alleged to be implicated in
certain fraudulent operations, by getting up false
papers and documents on claims from heirs of de-
ceased volunteer soldiers who died in Mexico during
the war. These fraudulent claims were discovered
in the Department of the Interior, at Washington,
in the form Of land warrants and pensions, large
number Of which have been paid, possibly to the
amount of near one hundred thousand dollars. In
some cases less than three or four different per-
have been presented to the government for the
same claim. 1t seems The way the business has
been done in this wise: copies of the pay roll have
been obtained, and perfect description Of the de-
ceased soldier in that way elicted but in order to
collect the claim, it was necessary to manufacture
| widow, mother, father, sister, or brother. In
many cases widows have been exhibited, although
the deceased was never married; fathers and
mothers brought to light who had been dead years
ago. Hence it was deemed indispensable by the
government officers to take such measures as, in
their judgment, would put stop to any further de-
predations Of the like character. At the opening Of
the court the case Of VIM. Merrihue was called on
Mr.. Edwards appeared for the prisoner, and Mr..
John w. Latson for the government. Before pro-
to know who appeared as counsel on either side. Mr.
Latson said he appeared the attorney for the GO
vernment. Mr.. Edwards, in reply, said he was coun.
sci for Mr. Meirhue, but protested decidedly against
the authority of Mr. Lason acting counsel for the
government and if he acted in that capacity he
would certainly insist to some written authority
from the government giving him the power. 1t is well
known, your honor is well aware, that the govern
ment have their officers to prosecute such mat
tiers. Mr. Hall, the U s. District Attorney he would
say. is the proper person to appear here and not
counsellor at law. On the other hand, if this
prosecution by the people of this State, then Mr..
Blunt the District Attorney for this county, would
be the legal prosecutor He most decidedly protested
against this kind of outside counsel.
Mr. Latson, in reply, remarked that he had per-
feet right to act as counse-he had been especially
deputed to conduct the prosecution, at least as far
as bringing all the evidences before the magistrate;
and further, that if Mr.. Edwards could exhibit any
law whereby counsel were prohibited from acting on
the part of the prosecution, he should like to it.
Justice Stuart decided to allow Mr.. Latson to act
as the attorney for the government. The investiga
ton then proceeded.
Mr.. Richard NJ. Heath was called, and sworn and
examined as to the documents brought on by him
from Washington. This paper, marked GA" re-
cognise as one of parcel Of papers brought by me
from the pension office to this city.
COPY OF PAPER.
State Of Nep York City and County Of Nep York.
Before me personally appeared Phoebe Hoffman, to me
known and having been duly sworn did depose and say
that she is the widow Of John Hoffman the identical per-
no aprivate in company u, Louisiana Mounted
Volunteers commanded by Captain Lewis and who died
at Pueba, Mexico, the eighteenth day of January
184S that she still remains the widow Of said John Ho
and makes this declaration to obtain warrant for
hundred and sixty Of land part Of the bounty
N''''''N PHOEBE HOFFMAN.
Sworn before me, this third day of July 1850
VIM. III. GRIswoLp, Commissioner Of Deeds.
State of Nelc York-City and County Of New York ss
Before me- personally appeared Abraham Gardner and
Joseph Newlan, two credible witnesses and to me per-
sonally known and having betn duly sworn did depose
aad say that Phoebe Hoffman above named IL the
widow Of John Hoffman, the identical person who
private in company T. Louisiana Mounted Volunteers,
commanded by Captain Lewis, and who died at Pueba,
Mexico, the 18th day Of January 1S4S; that said
deceased about FIVE feet eight inches in height OF
light complexion, brown hair and gray eyes, and was
born In Bucks county PennsylyaD and butcher
by occupation and about thirty five years Of age that
said deceased was married TO Phoebe IIalack by the
Reverend Nathan Pennington Of the German Reformed
Church the 10th day OF june 1882 that they were
present at said marriage, and signed the certificate
thereof that she still continues the widow OF said
deceaged that said deceased had three children all OF
whom now dead; that his said widow resides In
Hague stree, in said city Of New York. and has resided
there since tho death II her said husband and that they
are dis'nterc'ttdin the above application
/ ABRAHAM GARDNER,
I JOSEPH NEwLAN.
| sworn 70 before me this third day Of July, 1850
WM. VI GHiswoip. Commissioner OF Deeds.
Attached to these documents the certificate OF the
County Clerk, setting forth that w IL. Griswold was
| duly authorized TO administer The oath as Commits
| sioner Of Deeds.
document by the United states government at WASH
ington
Mr. Edwards.--Oh, that won't do. Prove the
forgery You can. We are not 10 be sent 10 prison
on hearsay testimony
Mr. Latsou-XcL, now offer this peuer IA land