The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-09-19
THE ST0vER.poRTER CASE.

the ST0vER-P0RTER CASE.
Compficated Legal Fight-Testimony OF
Solicitor Wilson, ~ the Navy Depart
ment--fS0nxls, COmtracts, Prisoners,
Councillors, and OAscers Generally, and
the Offices they Perf0rm-Absorbing
Time in Jefferson Market Court, &c.
The Above cxse, which has 1guged heretofore in the
papers the SsoverPorter Porter Slower case, and
whose incipence, we believe originally lay in Uncle
Samuel's Brooklyn Navy Yard-it has wandered sDme-
up again for investigation before Justice Hogan at
Jefferson Market Police Court, yesterday. The
adjourned from 2sh July, evidence that date being
adduced indicating clearly those who read the HEEALo
OF the Goth that Mr.. II. d. Slower ex-government
contractor felt aggrievcd, in the first instance at
being confined in Fort Lafayette, under i'm
putation "cruel and unnatural" as such usually
arc; and, in the next place, he was hurt by
the fact that he had to institute a public
lawsuit with Of laws legitimate children all in
order to get back certain moneys he professed to have
paid to Mr. d. NJ Porter for his services in setting the
captive free; arguing 1t Is presumed that 'thc cap
ves ultimate freedom did not necessarily and Of right
involve the outlay IN question.
The trial has already invoked fair and potent
Miss Howard and Colonel Olcott-and yesterday the
special solicitor of the Navy Department the Hon. Ma
thanel Wilson, appeared tho stage witness for
the prosecution and the progress OF the trial developed
aspirations high the Columbian tripod Of Noah-Nep
tunes father HIMSELF the venerable Gideon, being
tually drawn into the family councils.
There lawyers of course, for and against They
looked sharp at each other and quered intensely their
weary subject. Most of the time was occupied by u
cross examination OF Mr. Wilson by counsel for the de-
fence and this ceremony long, sharp ard hot deci
sivc the most sklfu thrusts being most clevery
riad MI hath vana avtd
Is very proper thing that In the intellectual exercise
both won.
MR.. WILSON'S TESTIMONIAL TILT
Mr.. Wilson q resident of Washington knew Mr..
Porter, the defendant authorized him to receive
money from Mr. Slower; lived eight years in Washing
tom met Mr. Porter on the 9th OF July, 1854; met Mr.
Slower at that time
By counsel for the defence-whst the charges
and specifications Slower convicted in Phadcl-
phia2 Opposing counsel objected. No records
then exhibited to prove he ever was convicted. He
could not force man to stutfy himself He could not
force Stovcr's witness to denounce crime against
Slower with which the records present did not brand him.
Defence-Tho Slower has sworn he was mmured
falsely, and knew it, We have right, Judge, to prove
their man Infamous and well do It, To oppose us in
this is monsrously absurd that cannot consent to
argue II. wish the witness to answer my question
His honor ruled in favor of the rights claimed and the
testimony accordingly went on.
Witness remembered only one OF tho several charges
and MISUNDERSTANDING the government; record
is CUSTODY OF Mr. Boes, Navy Department; part OF
sentence 70 pass two years In prison; there were
or three other points witness could not remember
had official connection with Slower; Slower never
asked witn TO act as his COUNSEL Porter In his behalf
did make that application while witness WINS acting as
special counsel for the Navy Department and attending
court martial trials Porter had been counsel for Slower
sought through witness permit to visit his clients prison
witness gave him letter TO General Dix in early June
Porter wrote for witness TO call at his Offices did SOL
with his relations Navy Department. presume Score
tary Welles gave permit on his letter.
Counse-what conversation did you have with Slower
regarding the cost Of procuring his releaseS A. viii
answer that and give the facts When heard sus
picious rmors set about getting the real facts and
will tell them. called by invitation upon Porter met
Slower; did not tell him he was arragned and could
avoid III said charges were preparing for delivering in.
going on that way; the bill will be figured up TO maxi
num- II will be paid by Navy Agent; not whole face;
percentage of goes as consideration TO those who have
letting of supply contracts; suspected Slower had boon
getting good many of them; knew his clerk Brown
had or; knew when in prison he was guilty OF one
fraud but had not low opinion Of him for all that.
q In your interview with Porter did you express de-
that Slower and Brown should turn STATE evidence
AGAINST as sure N on o. s wsh To-
all information they had, 10 have II at com
mand for any heard Mr. Brown was sagacous bust
ness aud disguised with sover and Henderson
Q Did you havo Slower enter into bonds "a q con-
dtion Of release II for the benefit Of the gov
ernmens A. We drew two bonds; one was secured by
Sovers brother did not like tho security the second by
Mr. Monroe FOR did accept that, though thought
|. was not legally valid Potter said !, was all right he
government; twerc we'll TO have these men bound "
appear In any contingency.
was c,mpos said II object TO himself TO get
Slower out he wanted TO Quit being his COUNSEL advised
witness as brother professional 70 have ittle 70 90
against Henderson anybody Stover's testimony;
had interviews with Porter did not saw that release
dependent his tstovcrs turning against Hender
son; think Porter could not have been more jealous
in any one particular than he always was In Sovers in
rcs he had Stovers books and business c0nccrns he
frequently stated that had moneys belonging Slower
probably $1,000; hnd idea that extensive swim
dies quantity and quality OF goods were perpctrated;
charges against Henderson proceedod somewhat on these
deas thought that Slower could expose the working ma
chnery well ~ anybody.
sover had been certain Of release; Porter called
witness solely 10 have II In hasein less than ten days.
there was an outside oral understanding regarding the
bonds and that TOO was for the good or the government
and by Mr. Porters suggestion witness assured ample
protection n Slower and Brown would only answer all
proper questions honoraby truthfully fully and fairly
satisfied slower would tell mo tho truth about mat
ters had sanction Of the government wished 70 have
them ready on hand for any us particularly for Hcnder
son; remember riding in Fourth avenue car with Porter
never talked Of money; never talked OF his making a
present 10 witness lady; ten thousand dollars
was never mentioned rcpudissed in toto and in
secsid &c, all such picayunish ideas although
prcoents would not In ordinary times be per rcpugnant
70 witness; but government obligations would not to
crate that don't think Miss Howard ever wrote OF
spoke TO Porter asking him 70 take stoycrs business
gion Of presents, &C. the witness meeting all such legal
advances with sword In hand aud torch In tho
other. On the whole nothing Of serious import was
TWO BffLErs IN FINALE.
great deal In the aggregate was said and noted, and
more apropos cast may be impaired 10 the cshmony AZ
the trial progresses.
Copies Of two letters addressed by D. NJ Porter TO Hon
NJ Wilson we're handed that gentleman FOR Identification
He did not remember them One dated New York June
1s saying that no tired u writing 70 tho Aston House
thar Brown has book w<h dates and figures &c that II
he only could get Brown would gct any amount OF bail
for him and that he awaited his advice, being ready TO
20 To Washington II necessary.
The other relating particularly to the release wc
Ngw York June ~. 1894
sR-I enclose you very rough draft OF bond which
suppose to be what you desire. have limited Il 10
criminal charges and proper lawfu tribunal which II
ought 10 DO in otherwise irrelevant matters might BIO
il very full in other respects Please send down this
afternoon and say when We shall start Out TO the fort
morrow and who Will on the part q the govern
ment I want TO know this, as will have carriage
ready nj my Office viii have the bona executed by
the suretcs aud signed by sovcr at the fort Please
give this particular attention. and also let bo have the
" o NJ PORTER
Hon. N. WILSON
F,,th.r accumulation I'm tho case Uaa adjourned tr