The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-07-18
The Pacific Mall Steamship Company
Frauds.

TIE ExANfNArIoN oFeFREDKRIc HOFFMAN, pxsrypn
The examination into this case resumed YESTERDAY
morning before Justice Connolly at the jefferson Market
Police Court. Immediately after tho court wss opened
Justice Connolly said he wished 10 correct msstatment
which had appeared in Of the Sunday morning pa
pers, TO the effect that the prisoner, Holman,
confined other prisoners situated would be- that
he allowed TO be almost at large and free to go where
he liked In just &c to himself no was called upon 70 re.
flute so uniounded satement-one entirely unsupported
by facts, and dcrogatory 10 him personally and 10 the
administration OF justice, SO far as had come with
ems present would publish the substance Of his remarks
upon the subject.
Mr. Doyle, counsel for the accused said no would have
To be as brief as possible in his examination of the wit
nosses in conseq OF the utter inability oY his client
10 aid him in the line OF defence necessary tho occa
sion.
Francis skiddy cross examined-was director Of the
Pacific steamship Company since 1853, and sometimes
during that period hc had acted as presiden, pro tenn
O. DO you know the Of all the books kept by the
company which they record transactions with regard TO
stock A. Yes they are, the transfer stock book the cor
tcae book and the ,ock ledger tacse are all the books
which record their transactions on stock.
e. Al what period o the year are tho officers elected
A. In October or November each year.
y Who we're the officers elected In November, ls5ss
Aw H. Aspnwall, W. II. Webb Chas, a. Davis. Chas. H.
Russell Sama Comstock, W. II. Dav.dge j. w. Raymond
Fancis skiddy ard +. W. Wooicott, these wero
and Mr.. Raymond Vice President. The prisoner, Hoh
man, was then Secretary, and Sr. Bancroft Treasurer
they elected TO office, With tho exception OF
Raymond, who succeeded % vicc President by
Howard Potter; Holman remained rs Secretary Of the
company Witness then gave the names Of the clerks aud
other persons employed in the general work OF the Office
1t was in January last that Mr. Merchant appointed
Cashier; he is now Secretary in place OF Mr. Hoffman
q DID tho company keep day book, journal or tick
er or any book OF that kind TO poto the transaction vi
stock A. Tho transfer book used for the purpose Of
scepipg records OF stock Q. Did they keep any book
showing who entitled 10 dlvdentsf 4. Yes, the dvi-
dend book was kept for that purpose Y. Did they
Liam hrs,Ef Ia. htah fnp1p psipr,
the number Of shares held by each stakeholder? A. Yes
there stock list mado out n, the demand of tho
Board any time they desired IT, @ Would stock lists DO
made out any particular timer A. Yes prior to clcc-
lions such lists would be made out IN order 10 ascertain
who rero entitled to vote q AZ what time of tue year
did tho company make dividends A. think in tho
second weeks OF May and November hut they have mao
extra dividends in August. y do the company keopa
OF tho Board of Directors, and of committees OF the
Board. q. Who KEEP. the mIhutes' A. The Secretary.
4 Can you tel the dates a. which the capita Of
answer positively without reference 10 thc books.
u Whnnover tho law permitted an increase OF capital,
Subscription Subscription SosS Is KEEP, eor this paT
poser o. How many subscription books kop, in Tho
ference to the amount Of stock issued upon what know
ledge did you srcahl A. From an examination Of the
books made by myself and in connection With the frcsl
dent and III ectors Of the company.
This concluded tho cross examination OF tho witness
and upon his testimony counsel said he hoped to be able
IN base bis defence ~ his client
Samuel q. Ogden cxamncd.-Q You eyamnci the CON-
sny books at their rcqsest in reference 10 this mat
books you examined? A. The transfer boo. tho
certificate book, tho stock ledger anG tho dividend book
q DID you examine any loose papers in addition 70 tho
boksY A. Yes; examined powers OF attorney subscrip
ton lss, and certificates os surrender; Iuado in
sono instances comparison 81 tho ss Of the company
with brokers who dealers IN tho stock q How far
back 90 you carry your esamhatonI A. To November,
1865 Y Nbsn did you make your examination? A. [
commenced j. on the 17!h or 18th Of Nay las but IS
not yet concluded O. Have YOU made written reports %
the company on tho subject? A. No, haze made
verbal reports; sent in Urlttcn rciprt - ths
Committee on Organization IN which This s'lcst
WIS referred TO- .. What brokers' accounts IA you
compare with the company boo,lR 4. ludlow r. outg,
A. g. Norwood, Jaines A. Drake 4 ca. aud l. Civ.ge:
LIDO not remember any others q. From vi olA JA
You obtain tho surrendered certificates and the power of
attorney referred 20 by you when making yor VXana
=. How many dircrcDt entries have yop examined and
verified" a. cannot state exactly, but there aUYc-
ratonf A. cannot say; hdcpcnds entirely mon ro1nts.
a. Do you tako up aud verify every entry hack ~ No
Nembr, is1o or Is your examination conducted by trag
ing oat individual tfasacoisy A. take up each account,
going back % Now Ds, and trace Up % the proson
time @ What proportion Of the accounts have y6r
through! A. About seven -oigtls. q. Have you r..
turned any Of tho books 10 tbo Company A. mover
too, any away carry on the examination 40 tic oce.
Direct cxaminai o--Besides tho maieras have men.
toned examined letters IRON prisoner " Ionlas, ld
some checks and acCJun.s.
> Tho witness dhouas) was not nrcs,nt, and crinsa
under the directions OF the Court, tho rrhf
examine han al some future time, II 70 should be thought
necessary.
n.
to attend TO give evidence, but t3 prosecution were CON
tent 10 rest their at this stag,
NJ. Doyle addressed the Court With regard The con
dillon II the cecscd, and the ne e7ty that appa
rcnt from he general appearance " hid being zdintcl
70 bail In The prisoners present state il was utterly
him in preparing his defence, aud he would be compel
Ell 70 depend upon the company ~ examine the bcos.
&C. whch would require a considerable tIno % 10. /
He had no douht when his client was Wa.
stored q hcath, al was som"whst recovered from fbr
ef,c's OF tho prhois narcotics Which be had 81
crsoDc 10 vsc and which bad indeed led ~ hl pa sent
peiiion, hc had no doubt bnt he Wolld elicit FROM i
him suc material flcts would entirely do avs With
IN Nicw u tho rrisonor's weak geath would O, the |
amount Of bail ~ 6nre which Would Cnablo his friend.
% iInd security Tor hi appearance.
in This rDssvr by his sonse olJ4sl s dls ~ III com
munity IN whore behalf he was thar % administer ns
iicc Beorc fixing amount 81 bal hc wond roguirc
he would dispose OF toe matter before him BY puill Ia
Usual questions 10 the accused before comm inient.
Tho prisoner who had hitherto occupied scat rof
vrapt UP in his own thoughts snipayng no attention
hstsver ~ what MAS passing before him, lci ~
'hair..t Me table when he Was inIcrIoe.tei foows
reference TO the charge here preferred against youio
Illegal issue q ROCK belonging 70 the Pacific NAL steam.
hip Company. What is your ramc,
Prisuner--ny name IS Frederick Hoffman.
Y How old are your A. Between twenty niue snd
thirty, SIR
Y Where were yes horus A. In TIC city Of New York.
q Whore DO you livcg A. In the city Of New YORK
u Wha, is your occupation, A. Clerk.
v Have you anything ~ say, and II ", what relative
the charge here preferred agaInat your A. consider
myself not guity--not guilty, sir.
On a second Charge charge Of fcrgcry-coausrl
usrestei that Tie questions and answers
honid be rut on The record. When the prs |
opcr heard that the second charge vas
r forgery, he, IN an undof tone. exclaimed "inanuen
be discussion on the question OF bal resumed AMI
naily Justice Connolly fixed the amount at s.00OV. |
200 for each oniDce, which, on cslulaton, b. fund
anted some tiJ 900 VI the amoant vi the defacEion
LEGGED against Tho prisoner. The not Gsy
ommtci, and further examination y fixed for JhLrs-
ay morning uest, az t1n O'Clock.
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