New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1855-07-04
CURIOUS SLAVE CASE


Bro- Ts - osS pvnoyuf. xss ~
An interesting trial wss opened yostsrdsy sasrness
neyrc-trader, No. IS Oliver St, accused ronas Ma
tbews, we'll known and highIy-vspeced cisisea, Of
having given bis slave girl Fanny Watkins forged
free paptn for herself and her sister Susan.
Bartlett informed rs that he parchased Fanny twho
girl Of sixteen years Of ase) from the man Ben-
MIS- who u al present In prison awaiting bis rse TOR
The CRIME OF murder. II s stated that abe Is nearly
white. Bartlett said TO Us: she u the bestIooking
. giI IN ~. Louis. have been offered 81 200 again
!" and again for her, but would not let her 20 for
thai"
Mr.. Matthews pleaded not guilty. j. L. Gillespie,
Esq, appeared for the defense.
Tie first witness called John w. Frakes one
of the Police Officers who arrested him. He said that
st about o'clock yesterday afternoon he saw Fanny
going down Mainst. He aecosted her and asked her
where she going |" To see gentleman" she
said. He questioned her further, and at length,
although unwlingy her part, ascertsined that abe
was going 10 Mr. Matthew's store, which s situated
on Mainst. between Market aud Walnut He advised
her not TO 60, and said that Mr. Matthews would
"get her into scrape" yer. How" she asked
why said the Policeman, I've got wind Of that
man; be Try 10 set you TO run on, and II you Try
that You'll get good whipping and be sold down
South. Sh. answered thar there no fear Of that,
and len him. lie aud a star called Simmer, then
went down to the Police Office and after sitting there
about three iourhs of hour returned toward whore
they had met her before They met Der again going
in he same direction. Frakes said he thought he
would watch her; turned down an alley; ard entering
an adjoining yard placed himself in position from
vhi,h he could see every Que and every thing IN Mr.
Matthewss store. Simmer on the contrary, followed
them and stood the store door 10 every
thing that passed within. The girl Fanny, and her
sister or companion, Frakes affirmed, entered the
store and after conversation with Mr. Matthews,
he raw that gentleman write sheet OF paper and
give il 10 Fanny. lie gave card also, 70 OF the
gnls; be couldn't swear to which Of them. rhe girls
eft he ran round and me, them; called for Summers
assistance and proceeded 10 search Fanny. She made
some rcsis ance he said but he finally got the paper
out of h-r hand. II wac rumaod up, iast she bad
held il in her hand. The is copy Of IL;
osy jacob Kasht q s. Loa!', state ofNi.
further Of valuable rendered. me hs Fanny
nd ssss sssS & Of ess, aud slaves have hereby
1b AID Fanny and Susan Watkins now ssvesy are
this G forever zee from al further servisade slaves
nom my heirs eSteutors and Asssas iot
Given under my hand this the list day Of Jq.e is,A
"Witness: Gales JOHNSTON. JACOB MCKNIGHT"
This paper as persons acquainted with Mr. Mat
thewss hand declare, bears no resemblance Whatever
TO his style of ptnmanship.
On cross-exemiDauon the witness acted very rude
". He was standing within yard Of Mr. Gillespie,
vet lie rel eatedly, and whenever strong question
was asked, exclaimed: SRI and pretended not TO
hear it, although he appeared to have no difhcnlty
in hearing Justice Allen, who spoke less distinctly,
in lower tone and voice, and from foui times the
distance.
Frakes said he had been told by Bartlett some days
before 10 keep n watch on MIR. Matthew's whom he
euspeCteu 10 he an ADOHllOltt Amy
went down to the store, he and his fellow star"
simmer searched her in Barilet's Office, aud found
no PAPERS on her. When she came out, on the con-
rary the alleged forged pass, produced IN Court was
found on her.
Rartett told us tina; the girl Fanny had frequently
said TO him that Mr.. Matthews trying to induce
her to run away. a. first" he said 81 di Int pay
"any attention to herr wouldn't listen to her; but
"she came day after day and said the same thing and
$50 suspected him at Last" He represented TO us
that Fanny was searched before she left his Office, and
thai nothing found Oh her. lie said that no be-
leved that this was not the first time Mr.. Matthew'S had
been "playng the sane game;" he believed he had
given free ia, TO two slaves of HE, Sam and Matt
Who had escaped within the last six weeks-Mat only
ten days ago.
Of Yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Matthews vas asked II
he could give bail in the of ,ooo Two gentle
men instantly offered tlcmseves-Danici Williamson,
Esq.,, was accepted. -
Mr.. Matthews and his security are well known and
universally esteemed citizens. Mr.. Matthew's has been
extensively engaged III business in ST. LOUIS Tor upward
of ls yeoIs.
Thus far no evidence has been produced TO Grimm
ate the gentlemen accused. II the girl conspired TO
entrap Mr.. Nathews-supposing him TO be guilty OF
The clarge-what motive was II that induced her 70
resist Frakes when he asked her for the alleged forged
Iafsl If Frakes searched the girl, as he alleges be
fore she went out of Batletts Office, what induced
him to advise her not to go to the store when he met
her in the sireet7
Again, how could Frakes swear to the identity Of
the paper taken from her, when he mus. have lost
sight of her in coming from the rear OF the store 70 ar
rest her, after be says he saw MIR. Matthew's give
paper TO her He acknowledged that he did not search
The girl Susan how therefore did be know that she
had not passed the forged pass to Fanny
These points alone will prevent verdict being rem
dered az anst Mr.. Matthews by that wise maxim Of
the law which says that very doubtful ,ircums lnce
shall be construed in favor of the person accused The
identification of the writing alone could clear him
tie other points failed.
But the strongest and most damning evidence in
favor of Mr. Matthews against bis aceusers b yet TO
be told Mr. Williamson stated us add Is ready 20
give us bis affidavit that the witness Frakes in bis
presence offered TO tear up the alleged forged pass
Mr. Matthews would give him 81 900.