The New York herald., 1862-02-04
Court Of Gencral Sessions.
Before Recorder Hoffman.


FER 3.-Ihc February term Of this court commenced
this morning. Recorder Hoffman presiding. The Clerk
called the Grand Jury pane and tho following gentlemen
TO discharge the duties OF the Grand Inquest
during this month
stephen Hyatt, Foreman. Francis Leland,
James s. Aspinwali. Maltby q. Lane,
John w. II. Aymar, lothian Post,
Edward S. Clark, George W. Powers,
William b. Clark, Samuel Rayn0r,
Edward Fox, George d. Rockwell,
William c. Heath, James NJ Raymond,
Robert j. Hubbard. William Rhinelander,
J. Woodward Haven, Nathan A. Sutton,
James NJ. Halstead, Alfred A. Valentine,
Mortimer W. Hamilton. john D. wcch.
The Recorders charge brief and consisted Of tho
enumeration Of the various statutes which he Is
PEELED bring before the attention OF the Grand Jury
Hc said there were very few prisoners awaiting ndct
ment the last Grand Jury having disposed OF most Of the
cases against parties charged with crime. Tho Grand
Jury retired TO their rooms, after which the Petit Jury
called and number attempted to get excused. but
the Recorder exercises considerable sricness and will
not any gentleman unless he furnishes, under
OATH cd reason for not assisting in the administration
OF justice.
The trial OF cases was then proceeded with, the arst
Indictment disposed Of being charge Of grand larceny
preferred against II en- smith, girl OF the town, who
tried and convicted Of stealing $50 in money from
Stephen Brown, Of the steamer Hammona, ON the 10Th
Of january. The jury recommended her to mercy and
the Court in view OF that, imposed the lowest penalty
the law allowed, which was two years in tho state
prison.
Crherne Drew was placed OH trial. charged with at
tempting TO take the life OF Hattie Reilly, of No. 134
Division street, the 18th of January, by sabbng her
in several places. The jury rendered verdict Of simple
assault and battery and in view OF the fact that tho
prosecuting witness aided by another woman had beat
her violently the Recorder mitgated the punishment
by sending her 10 Blackwes Island for sin months
THE FORT GANsEvooRr rRorERry-Jss. n. INDICTED
COMPLAINT OF ALDERMAN pn
Among the batch Of indictments brought in by
the Grand Jury Of the General Sessions at the
January term Of the Court which closed on
Saturday Edward s. Gould, Foreman, was an in
dictment against James II. Taylor for attempt at
bribery. The complainant, Alderman Isaac Dayton
OF the Ninth district appeared before the Grand Jury
aud testified that on the lOh OF November 1861, lie was
approached by James b. Taylor the alleged Of the
property known the 90 Fort Gansevoort property -
with offer of S5 600 money with intent influence
his opinion in reference to action upon this paper the
Bjard of Aldermen in tho technical language of the
Indictment, with offer OF money, as reward or
compensation for his vote and influence in promoting
his Official capacity, the purchase by the city Of New
York from said James B. of the said Ganscvoor
property, contrary to the honor and dignity OF The Board
OF Aldermen and the laws of tho State of New York.
Soon after the indictment brought into Court Mr.
Taylor apprised of the action of the Grand Jury by
the reception of warrant issued by the District Ator-
ncy, and quietly appeared and gave bail in the sum Of
81 600, Charles W. Baker becoming his surety IL is m
dcrstood that application will be made an early day
to quash the Indictment II the counsel for Mr. Taylcr
fail in securing this District Attorney Hall will rrob,
bly, bring the case on trial as soon as ho can when
doubt interesting Developments will bo made rcla
tive to how business is transacted in the city Hail.