New-York daily tribune., 1866-04-03
THE METEOR CASE.
Further Examination OF Witncsses-Mc'
Keuna and Other Witnesses Examined
Tho Case 20 be Continued To-Day.

The testimony in the case OF the United States
agains, the steamship Meteor was continued before
Jadge Belts yesterday.
Judg, Belts Informed the respective counsel tha.
since giving lis decision on Friday last that Secretary
Seward letter TO Mr Dickn,on sufficient to es-
tab,ish tho fact that war existed between Chill and
Spain, lie had consulted several agthoFiieSand his
opinion had been confirmed.
Mr. Dickinson said that since last Friday he had re.
ceiycl the Official notification from Washington from
the Gillian Minister 20 Government of tie existence
Of war between Spln ant chm.
Judge Belts said Mr.. Dickinson opli. az the proper
time produce that Document.
Mr. D.ekns son said that he had consulted various
Authorities and had cone 10 the same conclusion as
the Court and that AZ the proper time he would put the
Ministers notification IN A. additional evidence
Mr Eyarts madc the same objection 90 thls notihca
iOn being received a. evidence that he did before.
= gnof Benz. Nicuna Mckonna testified: will an
swcF no questions that vii! have tendency 10 crim
nate ma.
Mr. Courtney said he had rsh, 10 have thc witness
answer 'he questions pa! % hG particularly as to his
being q resident Of Chill
Mr. stoDghion. who Is acting AZ conn.ei Tor Mehenns
Ia the "Torpelo case" objected 10 having his client
forced 20 any questions which would establish
fact eliminating himself OF bearing on the Torpedo
Judge Belts said tho witness should answer all ques
tion. put 10 him. II could be shown that ne would
criminaie himself by doing 20.
The witness then resumed am resident Of Chilli;
left that place Oct. J. 1855, am now member of and
Secretary 10 the House Of Deputies OF Chill
Mr. S,oughton took exception 10 this mode o! examn-
ing the witness.
Judge Betts said he could no. exclude the testimony
OF a witness account OF surmise OF there being
possibility that what be might Say would have The effect
Of inurng him In another AT present lie saw no
proper foundation for objection.
Witness continued was appointed confidential
agent OF Chill FOR the United states previous to my de-
patture from Chill The witness then refused 10
the question Of Are you now holding that position "
Mr. Stoughton road from "Greenleaf on Evidence. 10
show that the witness could not b. compelled 20 answer
questions Of tie nature OF those which he had already
taken exception 10.
Mr. Dickinson said tha, I, would be new thing In
criminal law b put man on trial from inferences 80
FAR removed from tic facts Of the charge made against
him the differences In this case were removed rom
the main charge made against Mckenna ~ the "IoF.
pedo" case The fac. Of this mal being Cbillan and
holding certain position under the Chilian Govern.
meni would rebound 10 his credit rather than other
wise far those facts are concerned. thcy have no
tendency to crimuate the Witness It Is what lie may
have done in that capacity not the simple fact Of bis
being Chinm and holding position under that Gov
ernment that would criIninate lin.
Judge Bets adhered to his former decision,
Mr. McKenna then testified that he still held the po.
siton Of confidential agont to the Government OF Chilli
l have my appointment with me.
M. Stoughion-1 think he should decline to produce
II.
Mr.. McKenna-I have no objections to produce IT.
Will produce IT, provided tn, Court require IT,
The Court-I shall refer to the conscience OF tho wit
whether its pfoIlciion word eliminate bin or
Witness-My conscience will not allow me to pro.
duce IL DO rot fear justice. but fear the law they
are generally opposed.
o Have YOU received any other documents empow.
ering you 70 act in this country IS agent for Chill A.
was Secretary Of tbe GILLIAN Legation but no.
accepted by the Secretary OF State.
Lewis j. Kirk was sworn aud testified; am In.
spetor Of Customs; I made an examination OF tue
Meteor at her dock. before tho seizure; there was a
large quantity OF coal board; saw gentleman on
board who claimed to be the first officer
o. State wha. the mate said 10 you what was on
boerdp (Oblected to. and question withdrawn).
n vxr.a mt hw .Hn -.
port on the vessel informed she was going to
Panama and that there was al excessive quantity Of
To MI. Conrney-I asked tie mate where he was
going to- he said TO Panama and that he expected TO
be back In year; asked him II he would take pas
senger; he said that would depend on tho quantity OF
whisky the passenger would bring asked him there
were any arms board aud be said there l2
To Mr. Eyar,s-The idea OF asking him II he would
take passenger originated With myself AS thought
the oyernment would send an officer out.
The manifest Of the vessel Of the 29d OF January
1866 was then put In evidence.
Charles L. Wright was then sworn and testified:
have been ship.broker for seven or ei ght
wears; I saw the Meteor in last November; II
know Stephen Rogers and Benjamin Vicuna Nc |
Kenna; saw Rogers at hi. honse nwest Thirty
at. In December. and saw MeKenna few days before
the seizure Of the vesseli / had conversation
with Mr.. Rogers on the subject OF the Meteor;
had conversations with other parties on the sub
before ouus mr. they syrCn Called a On me-
about the purchase of the vessel; Mr. Rogers
said they had authority 10 negotiate for the purchase OF
Ss ys; M sssn o % S
up some and let him know. He called on ne the next
day and gave him the names of the Ericsson. Cum.
berland, Georgia and Meteor. Next day he brought
down McNich0l, aud Conkng. They said the Meteor
was tie one they wanted. and seat Dispatch 70 my
brother who was ,Len In Boston on vis 10 call on
Mr. Forbes and ascertain the price. THIS Is ettcr
adarA.sed hy w " H. y. FoEbeA aud J. M. korbes