The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-01-04
THE REBEL ATTEMPT TO BURN NEW YORK.
MARTA Before the Civil Authoritics--In-
tcresting Examin ation-ComPiicity OF
tho Prisoner with Kennedy, &c.
UNITED STATES coMNIssIpNEK's oFFllE.

UNITED STATES coMMIssipSERs OFFICE.
Before United States Ccmmiss oner Osborn
The OF Robert Martini charged with being OF
the parties who attempted to burn the hotels OF New
York in the winter Of 1864, was brought UP yesterday
before United States Commissioner Osborn ire prs-
oner was defended by Mr. j. Larocque and General
WHITAKER OF Kentucky, and Assistant pstiic, Attorney
S. @. Courtney conducted the tho pert Of The
government
o, H. Mcdonald was the first wtness. He testified
follows:i resided at No. Union square az tbe tine of
the hotel res saw the prisoner for the lrsi time
my store; he was IN company with man named VII
Hams; presented letter Of Introduction 10 from
my brother W. J.. Mcdonald Of Toronto; cannot lind
the letter al pres n it Pile letter Of nircduc
ton hc General Tenor of IL merely Introducing The prs
oncf a. Mr. Maxwell, stating that be visited New Y@.
bn.ircss had not seen my brother for long time;
was not then connected With Tho rebellion; had but
scented The letter; tins was about the end of October
rccollertthe fires in the city; saw Martin and Williams
the next day my store; they told they going
to STAY in the city for short time and asked me which
was The better method, for them to board OF TAX
aS0% a ngess Ss,os ,SSm , N the e upper ss .
occuIicd II three wecks; / saw but lit1o VI
them; he only visitors that called on them
Stanton, eaa Kennedy. aud Chensn; the prisoner is
store small black leather yals.s; he asked
me 70 ,ako charge Of them on the day Of the nre they
given 10 chief detective Young; was introduced ns.
Chenauit and Kennedy at the Belmont Ho.sl by Nay
well the latter never ftid anything about these
not SEQ any Of the party since the fire except Car
tain Kennedy. In the carly of January; s,w him
ut Police headquarters, whC,c was under arrest, Mr.
Chen.ul boarding at the Belmont Hotel md
Introduced 10 him; he nsyer told ne VINO they were;
thcughI they were young men on business the Belmont
Hotel Is next tho HERALD oilcc; the reason Martin
signed Coz leaving The ,ali.cs with that hey
going to Philadelphia and would DO absent Tor
few days; took package of gold, which TO Owed
from Martin on the day Of The lire, and got Nj. Perry
book per- 70 put In the safe OF my store took
The valisrs down 10 my boarding honse Tie day II
the ire, hod previously taken rooms from Mr.
Hcmpson; the mkt morning read account
or ,be fires ~ tie HEi.n and that day brought
TO No. 800 Mulberry street, where l renn nod fosr
months; Martin did not tell me how much gold there
in tho raessse hia frs, arrival az my honec he
n altos him 10 deposit gold my safe
introduced him the bookkepccr who ell tbe e,d
in leather bag, and placed in the safe Martin never
tod me any ol ms business oevef said ne was Con
Ge,ierate vdiscr.
Ja.cb q Martin, having s,en sxsnsAed tesliisI: 81
reside In New York, st No 275 West Fortyth stree
have FOR fifteen years. know the prisoner; mot bin FIRST
in Toronto. in December 1894; camo in when
taking With W. L. Mcdonald no else present.
there w general ccnversa ion between but nothing
specific; nothing regarding the fires in New Yors met
him but once IN Toronto, net Kennedy and ,hsnan,t
IA New York and Toronio saw both in Tor Mo a. tho
time saw The prisoner there; met Williams also, in
both these places and At The xims tine about week
after the iree.
At his point the adjourned 10 FRIDAY AZ W.
c','ock A. ".