The New York herald., 1865-07-06
The United Service Petroleum and MINI
Ing Company Case.

TESTIMONY OF Mr.. 0E0. q. HASTINGS, ETC.
This case was called before Justice Dodge, at the
jefferson Market Police Court yesterday afternoon at
three O'Clock. The prosecution represented by
Assistant District Attorney Bedford and Mr. Banks and
the accused parties represented by Judge Stewart
and Mr.. Field.
George G. Hastings was cross examined by Judge
Stewart on the contained his affidavit and
tilted az follows:-I first made the acquaintance Of
Colonel Mann in his Office, between the
10th and 18th Of April last; think / introduced
myself, but Nj. Kellogg had been speaking 70 Mann
about IT, and prepared the way for the introduction;
made inquiry of Mr. Kellogg Secretary, in relation to
the Affairs of the company; Mr. Kellogg advised me to
speak to Colonel Mann. as he knew about the off,
of the company than he did; Mr. Kellogg told
that the company formed OF army officers principally
and showed the circular; he said that OF the
subscribers had paid in their subscriptions and all at the
rate and on The same basis don't remember that
he said II a valid and n safe Investment but he
inspired me with the impression that II was my i'm
preston that he spoke the truth did not apply
for the secretaryship Of the company; ! spoke To
Colonel Mann about the company, and he gave the
same statements Kellogg; ] spoke 70 him about
the trcasuryshp Of the company but no, about the
cept it, provided would become stockholder Of the
company; he said the secre,aryshp would become va
cant by the resignation OF Mr. Church; received notice
subsequent y thnt elected 10 the rcasuryshp and
accepted the Office and hold IL now; don't know OF
my own knowledge that Colonel Mann's statements in
relation 10 the condition, &C. Of the company, were
fse the prospectus was Issued at the time that sub
sobed; read it, and inquired of divers persons in rcla
ton 10 the statements set forth in said prospectus;
I inquired Of Colonel Mann, and examined the deeds,
leases and accounts &c, OF the company saw sheet
fair not; they were fair apparently in form,
but did not make very detailed examination OF them;
saw some deeds and some leases which purported to
cover all the property except the Atlas county propcry
any the lands represented by these papers
have knowledge OF the real estate OF the company,
and don't know whether II is worthless or not; have
uO "a N
landsI have never seen them; am in possession Of no
facts about the matter only what was represented TO me
by Colonel Mann; have no personal knowledge OF
the truth falsi,y OF Colonel Menns statements
the subject the reputation Of the men
comprising the company led 20 believe Col Mann as
their rcpre~enve: know that he represented the
pany the same as know that you addressing Judge
steward ARE lawyer have not been extensively In
the oil business; have bought interests In oil com
rarrs--one In California and another IN Kentucky;
The former ls called The California Oil Company, and
located In the Southern part Of California; the other Is
located somewhere IN Kentucky, don't know exactly
where: Mann told that VI the officers except
the Secretary would receive any compensation; put in
& 900 and paid II In two payments OF $500 each;
don't know whether u was my own suggestion
or ColoDeIs Hillard Kellogg that should make the
AFFIDAVIT but am satisfied TO take the responsibility;
thought ha, in Of criminal or other proceedings
against Colonel Nann that the affidavit would be ntces
sary some papers were drawn for civil suit but was
never brought; am not aware that the civil suit has
been abandonedl think II Will be brought yet; am
lawyer by profession.
o what material fact has Colonel Manu- stated 20 you
In his original statements TO value OF property, &c
that differs from his subsequent s,aiemeDtsf A. He
told me In his original statement that lie
had subscribed ten thousand dollars in money
and had paid u TO the company; don't know
whether any present or not but pre-
sumo there wcre he said he had also paid In, think
eighteen thousand dollars for himself and his family;
am sure that he said he had paid Ia the ten thousand dol
ars he said he bought for the company nearly OIL the
real ostate In bis subsequent statements he has inform
cd me-or shown mo the PAPERS which informed me
showing that piece Of property In Ohio known as the
Grafton Tavern property owned by him for mum
ber years. he has since stated 10 me that his stock has
been reduced 10 Ave thousand dollars az was more
than he could carry and he allowed others 10 come In
and take portion Of ~ these statements caused me
10 doubt his Hrst statements and lost confidence In
him. his statements and accounts showed me that some
Of these pieces Of property were not paid for that he