The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-10
THE MATsELL INVESTIGATION.

The examination into the nativity of the Chief Of
Police was resumed yesterday in the Mayors office
before the Police Commissioners. The room was
crowded, as usual, and the Mayor, Recorder. and
City Judge took their seats at four oclo *, when
ar. Brady called the first witness for the defence
John McKibb sworn-I know the Chief OF Po-
lice; proposed him member OF Freemason
lodge; think this was in the year ISIS; the name
Of the lodge was York Lodge-the same TO which
he Atwood belonged; I don't remember that
stated his birthplace in proposing him; Mr. Matsell
never told me he was born in England; never said
he was born in England, to anybody.
Samuel Smith sworn--f reside in williamsburg:
knew the mother Of the Chief became acquaint-
ed with her eight or nine years ago; was well &C
quainted with her; she lived with the Chief and
died there; she used to tell me where her children
were born; she said some Of her children were born
on the east side Of the town and some In Broadway:
George, she said, was born in Banker street or
merry street, or somewhere on the east side Of the
town.
Cross examined by Mr.. Noyes-I became &C.
quainted with Mrs Matsell through Mr.. Sweet, VIII !,
married Mrs. Matseiis daughter; Mr. Sweet lives in
New York now, near Forteth street. believes
have not seen Mr. Sweet for three or foar months
don't know that HIS wife, Mrs. Sweet, Is living;
never heard that she was dead; her husbands name
- Joseph T. Sweet, and he "a now, believe, Super
intsudent of Streets; knew Harry Matsell, who is
IN Iowa now; he is the Chiefs brother be was Con-
sul 10 some place IN South America have not seen
him since he went to Iowa; knew, also, Augustus
Aatsell, who is now dead knew him here, and he
was clerk In so;ae ore os the public Offices; knew
also Mary Matsel, sister TO the Chief; she married
Mr. Finn; have not seen her for a long time;
aow her daughters last week in their store in Will
namsburg; Mr.. Finn cad Mrs. Finn are both living,
believe; this is ali the family | knew don't
think l knew Susan Natseli; Mrs. Matsell used to
talk about the birthplace O. her children in connec-
bpr roar hat hinfx orlI
killed In going in among thieves and villains; her
tax was after George was Chief and about eight or
nine years ago.
Edward j. Shandiey sworn-I am Deputy Clerk
Of the Marine Court; | have been connected with
the court for twelve or fourteen years; these two
books now shown arc from the records of the Marine
Court Of this city. (Two largo volumes were then
Mr.. BRADY am going to offer these in evidence
and show that the name George w. Matsell in this
INDEX, has been changed by turning the lis into IFS
and tearing out the page from the volume, which
this name in the index refers to. (Ths was
amjned by the Commissioners, and found to be ex-
actly as Mr. Brady represented it) This was vol.
Mr.. Brady now offer volume No. Of naturali-
cations, and will read here the naturalization of
George w. Matsen. MIR. Brady then read the natu-
ralization of George W. Matscl dated the 10th OF
May, 1927, and page ls9 of this volume, and
signed John B. Scott, Judge Of Marine Court. On
this page was the following marginal note: /" Re.
corded on page TIA of vol 81 the same page torn
si0neFs.
Mr. Shandey, cross-examined-My attention was
called to this destruction OF the records about two
months ago. Judge Mccarthy, was examining the
books, and supposing be was looking for this as
sisted him, and be run his eye down the
page and saw this name and exclaimed: Here
is the naturalization now" we opened yOlame No.
first and here found the reference to volume No 81
upon turning TO page TIA Of volume 5, ] saw il was
missing, and then turning TO the index j saw the
name had been altered; Judge Mccarthy told me to
be careful of the books; had never seen these en-
tries before; had never had any conversation with
the Chief about them before this discovery: during
che past year l have seen Others examining these
books; have seen Alderman Drake examining these
books; also my brother, Michael Shandey, Jr., Mr..
vultee and some one from the County Clerks office,
and others; don't know how that leaf disappeared;
there are two clerks III our office: for the last two
years there have been three; there is access to
ths books after office hours they are not locked up
This Court ceased to nataralize persons in ls4s;
have not examined for any papers connected with
the naturalization Of Geo &c w. Matsel; have not
examined for any preliminary declaration Of inten-
lions.
To J. 7. Brady know Stephen H. Branch aud
Alderman Briggs; have not seen either Of them
in the Marine Court, to my knowledge; the books Of
this Office open to the public generally; this pa
per il certified copy oil the entry in tue nataralza
sion volume n 3, given in October, 1866
Stephen H. Branch recaled.I commenced 70
make enquiries about Mr.. Matseil in March last;
have only been actuated by pubic interest; was
membe Of no society at that inc but have since
become o member of society to eject aliens from
office; since ] commenced these investigations,
have done nothing but look after Matsel George
II. Purser and r. b. Connolly; was born in Rhode
Island have paid NY own expenses 80 far; i have
worked my own passage: no one has paid my ex-
penses; am counsel in this case secretary and wit
ness. too. (Laughter) have not beel paid far
thing for my services; have supported myself;
bless you, have estate in Rhode Island that
brings me In twelve shilings or two dollars week.
it consists OF houses, real estate and bank stock.
uaughter.) ] have examined records in various
places In reference to he birthplace of Mr.. Matsel
don't think / understood the naturalization laws
wher commenced this investigation; didn't care
for the naturalization laws; this was the first alien
case ever had; didn't know they were passed by
States; went into half dozen courts in Phnade
pha to loon after Mr.. Connolly's NATURALIZATION l
have lived off ana on here ever s'nce was eleven
years Of age; have not heard of any Complaint
OF the way aliens were nataraized in the Ma
rine Court originated the idea of going
TO Europe / don't expect to be paid
5y she Common Council for my services; intend
to make the government present Of my services,
and the money have expended from my private
purse; the borrowed money expect the govern
ment will pay but ii it will not will pay 1t myself;
have never had any personal acquaintance with
the Chief Of Police; was walking along, one even
ing, with McLenehau, OF the HERALD, and he
stopped and passed word with the Chief, and then
he and walk on to the HERALD Office; l have no
thing against the Chief OF private character; /
don't know that was ever in the Marine Court;
that document about my visit to England got up
myself; no one helped me- iouho the Drahuon
register In an iron chest whe it kept, accord
ING 10 law, and where it has been for ages; the
chest was about three feet wide and high; Mrs.
Num- took these books from the chest; she then
went down stairs and ex AHMED the books; l was
nervous when got the book; was alone during
all the examination: believed then and now that
the Chief had been eagued with lot OF public vii
lans and you believe it, and the city believe it, the
papers have stated it. and good citizens believe IT;
WAS arrested for pecados in.youth. for debt while
In college but was never arrested ior crime; be.
ueve that the Chief Is yard; have always heard
this; Alfred Carson told me the Chief was coward
never saw the Chief in the discharge Of his official
duties when saw the registry of George Matsetls
name In Brandon, did exclam Good God, Is it
Dossiblelr and said great deal more; every good
American ought to wish him out Of Office; don't
believe that you, Mr.. Brady are a good American
at heart; no political organization employed me; |
reside now In Twelfth street, with Mr. Kinsley; |