The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-11-13
OR Albany C.rr,.penden,,.

OUR Ak01ny OOrTespOmOo8OSs
ALBANY, Nov. Q, 1854
OsCton O. 10 Ae Sosssdres Of Mind G DHti,sgssisAei
Ls1s-Hsy Weaaa-He FyckI~~ess in Choosing Aosnss-
~ Preference for Negro, DC. &c.
Daring the last OF years the public In this city
vicinity and In remote portions of the State have
heard much and seen some Of the singular transactions
q one lady residents possessing great wealth. Her
sc,ibutons to public institutions science have boon
. exceedingly LIBERAL abundanty beyond all prece
dent and withal SO generously and cheerfuy bestowed
MAJ excited the greatest admiration amongst her fellow
sikisens here, well with the leading scientific men
Of this country The large space which this lady for
few past years, and does in great still
py the public mind, induces to present few remi-
uecences Of an interesting Charles Dudley was
spreminen and successful merchant in this city half
sspsury since, and retired at early period with an
ample competency Some thirty years since he inherited
tbe ulle and estate OF English nobeman near rea.
sse which he disposed Of upon going Manchester and
sbtanDg possession. He Mayor Of this city
,Ae Congress Of the United States and held other pub
b positions to which he called by his fellow czeus
BE not calculated for statesman, fitted for
yhy popular assembly, though he possessed mind
kghy cultivated aud OF the finest specimens of
humanity that ever graced our city or State.
About twenty years since he died, leaving no issue,
JsvsiDg large portion Of his estate 10 his
sepbews. In his own right he was worth twenty
ave thirty thousand dollars. Thomas W. Olcott Esq
intimate and valued confidential friend, his ex
scutor.
Mrs. Dudley, in her own right Inherited from her
lher, The owner OF large landed estate, which
Ne time OF her husbands death was not very productive
Mr. ocot also had charge OF her four years
when he retired and she selected Mr. Harmon Panpelly
her sole agent Mr. p held the position years.
during that period increased her from twenty
ssoosagd to thirty foar thousand dollars per anuum
When Mr., retired her computed at some
hing like $40 600. He superseded, Mr.. olcott
again appointed as her agent, who again retired after
service OF about two years, when Charles A. Mann aud
Miller OF Utica, were selected by Mrs Dudley Those
gentlemen renamed as her agents during the short time
Of about mouth only when account of some Of
acu, they retired and she appointed in their stead her
sxn negro waiter by William Dietz, 10 whom she
saye fun power OF attorney, 70 SELL dispose Of purchase
properly, erect buildings, &c.
During se last two years something like two hundred
dollars have been expended in the erection OF
block Of the most magnificent dwellings In the city
most exe nsve OF which she has conveyed TO her
relatives and the remainder OF them, believe she has
also disposed Of ~ similar manner by deed, or WILL or
snerwse. Her coored ageat has obtained from her, IL
alleged property to the amount Of nearly twenty thou
sand dollars
few years since she donated twenty five thou
sand dollars to the Albany Observatory institution
snen Just rearing INTO existence This contribution
lated the OF the institution and they adopted
name OF the Dudley Observatory, in honor of the lady
who SO generously aided with her liberal Suisse
suen when the great Inauguration occurred this
sny Mrs Dudley contributed the further sum OF ifty
oasaDd dollars to the Observatory in aid OF the nj.
yanoemept of the noble science Of astronomy This noble
charity given without the least solicitation from
d The trustees professors managers of the 0bserva-
1ry elected the most enthusiastic encominms from the
kends throughout the city State and country
No doubted the sanity of her mind while making
ese liberal donations for the benefit OF Every
her credit for the wise disposition OF this
princely estate ami highly appauded her for the
interest she manifested the great OF science
all felt grafed that the institution she so literally
provided for should bear her name through all future
eme AT thus time there rested not the least suspicion
with regard the strength Of her mind the profound
OF her intellect Her legal heirs, however have
ssru,nized her movements very closely being extremely
ieaous Of her charities and donations especially with
she gifts to her coored agent attorney and conadant
Some eight ten months since Mr.. Rltger Blocker
Miller, of Utica, nephew Of Mrs Dudley, applied to
Jsdge Robinson Of this city for injunction restraining
her from dposing Of her property under the charge Of
pcompetency manage her affairs. Mr.. Beecker OBJ
Hned the affidavit Of two Of most respectable and
competent ply sicians-almost her neghbors
Who stated that they confident from conversation
and other facts that she totally incompetent TO Judi
siously and economically administer her affairs. Mr..
Miller sustained the physicians by his own afida
VII; but while the Judge preparing the papers
instruting a commission 10 inquire into the facts
the aforesaid Mr.. Miller suddenly withdrew the
application. The controversy relating the manage
nent Of the Dudley Observatory this period
ing interesting aspect, Mrs Dudley was advised TO
take ground against majority OF the trustees ana select
cd this identical nephew this aforesaid Rniger Blocker
Miller her chief counsellor in the mater. This gen.
tleman presented her with paper for her signature,
which Mrs Dudley alleges she understood TO be power
OF attorney in the Observatory matter though at short
subsequent period will devsng her estate large por
Aon ~ Mr.. Mlers children-containng her signature,
vas found recorded in the Clerks Office in the county OF
Oneida.
Very recently other heirs in expectancy OF the Tbbes
hmly, residing Troy doubling the soundness OF her
mind, applied Judge Gould for commission to inquire
that she highly excited and indignant when she was
Informed Of the Of the Aforesaid deed that she
omedatly executed power of attorney " George It'd
belts of Troy aud Erastns Corning Jun, OF this city,
with authority aside said deed that counsel was
employed, a complaint drawn up. when suddenly she
sent them revocation of said power OF Attorney aod tie
deed now stands uncanceed unrevokcd md operative
showing vacilation Of mind rreconcabe TO correct
sdmn,str alton Of her affairs. They also alege that the
e0ored man has obtained a remarkable ascendancy over
her. that, in addition his regular salary, be has within
short time received from her by g more than sixteen
thousand dollars worth of property that she is
feeble, tickle and inhrm Of purpose, her memory
she does not remember from day to day
the passing occurrences OF life, is utterly ncapa
Die Of intelligent judicious OF her 50
is perceived that the contention the Blocker
and nbbetts branch of heirship.
E said that before Ruiger Blocker Miller OBJ
hined the deed or will, devsng 70 hs children
property 10 the amount of seventy -four thousand
dollars, he the said Rutger, believed her ncompe
tent, and was the Of procuring from Judg,
Robinson commission to test the quality Of her mind
But these suspicious readily vanished after her signature
projected TO certain document Now, the oihe
branch of heirs, embraced in the Miller instrument
charge her with feebeness Of mind ADD nieriorty Of
telect and have succeeded 10 obtaining the apponnen
Of commissions 10 into the charges alleged agans
her. Judge Willard, OF Saratoga, is the head Of tn
commissioner highly worthy impartial and honest jury
We believe the above 10 be simple state mentof fact
Teat the lady and the immense property which
legal representatives most eagerly seeking after
Mrs. Dudley Is now veTging upon four score years ha
been cripple during several years, ana Is physically IN
capable of helping herself Her great age together witt
her enfeebled bodily health, render il certain that bel
spirit must become disembodied long The contes
which has arisen, being in the hands of lawyers,
not likely 10 be terminated during her lifetime and IL Il
likely than otherwise that the controversy amongs
her heirs will absorb the entire estate before either sd
Wal yield.
The United States Capitol.
IFrom the Washington Constitution, Nov. II
throughout