The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1853-03-22

Mexico did you see themi
Ans. did. before they went into the countr,
and on their return.
Ques Did you understand that DR.. Caroline
was in ths country, and that bis two friends wer
with him before your arrival at Vera Cruz!
Ans. heard in Vera Cruz that two friends wer'
with bin.
Cues. How long were you in Vera Cruz before
you embarked?
Ans think was there two days.
CUES. Did you not understand that DR.. Gardi
ner and his two friends were there before you wen'
on board the Trent?
Ans. did.
Cues. The people talked about his being on
board the Trent, and you were prepared to meet
the Doctor therei
Ans. Yes, sir; but should have known him il
had not heard of his being there.
Cues: You were prepared to find Dr. Gardiner on
board the Trent?
Ans. There is no doubt of that. had under
etood he was there, and expected to find him.
went from Mexico to Vera Cruz with the commits
soners, but did not go into the country with him.
Cues Were you required to come here last
spring?
Ans. Mr. Letcher spoke to me about coming; /
could not come, and declined.
Mr.. MAY. Did you know any other person but
this in Mexico as Doctor Gardiner?
Ans never knew any one as DIR. Gardiner but
this one. Isaw his brother two or three times in
Mexico. saw him when was with Mr.. Slacum,
and before that time saw him In October, 1851
just before went up with Mr.. Slacum. l saw him
again in San Luie. TWAS in the month OF Novem-
Der or December that saw him in San Luis Potosi;
and saw him after that in the city of Mexico. /
saw him in San Luis when Mr.. Slacum was there.
CUES. You stated no person aided you in identi-
flying DIR. Gardiner on board the ship; were there
not others on board that ship?
Ans. There was number of persons on board;
also alarge number of officers, and ether people on
board the English packet
CUES. Was he alone by himself when you identi-
fled him?
other persons near and about him. identified him
from among them.
Cues Do you consider it dsreputable business
in Mexico to keep monte table?
MIR. BRADLEY objected to the question.
Mr.. FENpALL said that Mr. Wright had been
asked if he had not kept monte table in Mexico,
the object of the question being to discredit him
by showing that he had been engaged in dsre
putable business 1t was but just that they should
be allowed to show now that keeping monte ta-
BILE was not considered in Mexico disreputable
business.
Mr.. CARLISLE thought that it might with equal
propriety be asked of witness who had gone to
Turkey, and kept his dozen concubines while he
had wife at home, whether that act was consid-
cred disreputable in Turkey This was a trial of
George A. Gardiner, and this question, whether it
is or is not disreputable in Mexico to keep monte
table, has nothing to do with this case. This case
was to be tried here by an American jury, upon
an American standard of morale, and not upon
Mr. MAY considered it but right that the
United States should be allowed to show that in
Mexico it is not considered immoral or disrepu.
table to carry on this business. Mr.. Wright did
not carry on the business here; but in that coun-
try where the highest digntaries of the land civil
and religious, perhaps engaged in the business
without forfeting their positions in society. He
never saw much difference between those who
play with gamblers and the gamblers them
selves, provided the latter play fairly. In England
it was we'll known that high dignitaries of the
church saw nothing disreputable in horse racing,
fox hunts, and card tables, while here such things
would be out OF place in the occupation OF cler-
gyman.
Mr. BRADLEY said that Mr.. Wright was an
American, was born in New York, and could not
shield himself with the excuse that he brought
up in country where these things were familiar,
and where the customs and habits of the people
sanctioned the keeping of such gambling estab.
lishments. This jury was sworn to try DR.. Gar.
diner, and no evidence on any other issue was adj
ness whose character had been impeached; the
way to do it was to call witnesses prove his good
character.
Mr. FENDALL rejoined.
The CoURT. 1t is proposed to ask this witness
if it is considered in Mexico discreditable to keep
a monte table, which, understand is species of
gambling. The question is objected to on various
grounds Among them that it is collateral. and
would lead the court to other issues in which they
are not engaged. There is force in that remark.
q
Mexican, man brought up IN Mexico. it might
be admissible although collateral but it refers
to a man brought up in America, do not think
the evidence is admissible. / do not say it would
be admissible if it was the of Mexican.
That question may come up, and lido not say any
thing now one way or the other about it.
Mr.. BRADLEY. What were you paid tor coming
to the United States witness in this case?
Wines. was paid, before l left Mexico, one
hundred and fifty dollars, to pay some necessary
expenses-some debts. Mr.. May paid all my ex-
penses to Washington, and / have received from
Mr. Wallach that which be said was legal to pay
think the sum of one hundred and eighty dollars
since my arrival.
CUES. What time did you arrive here?
Ans. arrived here on the seventeenth of Janu-
airy last.
Cues. Was there any arrangement except that
you we're to have your expenses paid?
Ans Mr.. May said that the Government did not
expect me to sacrifice my business, and to lose all
my time; that the Government would see me COM
pensated for loss of my time and necessary neglect
of business.
Cues. How much did you receive during the
year 1851 for your services?
Ans. think the gross amount is about S 500
exclusive OF my expenses, which the Government
betrayed.
CUES. understand that YOU had no other ar
rangement with the United States except that the
Government did not expect you to come here at a
loss to you in your business?
Ans. That ia all
H"eS' NotuiuS III the way OF QaInagee!
Ans. No, sir.
Cues. How did you ascertain the sum of money
you would have made, had you remained at home,
so as to charge for your services!
Ans. suppose Mr.. May knew what my business
was and what ought to be paid; lived in the
same house with Mr. Black, the American consul:
ne and occupied the came house; he occupied the
front and myself the back rooms; we eat at the
restaurant; we each paid our own rent for the
house, though we occupied it jointly; worked
with Mr.. Smith; was his clerk, or secretary and
translator; Mr. Smith speaks the Spanish Ian guage
well, but does not write it we'll, and acted as
translator and secretary.
CUES. You are also teacher of the art Of draw
ing
Ans. am, and also engaged in painting.
Cues. Had you constant occupations
/ Ans, had.
The witness then asked if he could leave the
stand and remain in the court, which was granted.
Benjamin E.. Green, s,porn.
/ was secretary of the American Legation in
Mexico; went out in August, l643; l reached
there in the early part of September. remained
there about six months secretary; afterwards
remained Acting Charge d'Afaires in the absence
OF General Waddy Thompson. left in the early
part OF l54S-being there in all about eighteen
months.
CUES. Did you see George A. Gardiner, the ac-
cused, in Mexico at that time?
Ans. saw George A. Gardiner in the city of
Mexico frequently.
Cues. What as his business or occupation?
Ans. That of a dentist. ! never knew that he