The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-15
ONE or GEO. wAsHINcToN's LETTERS.

consnIs, has been revoked by the President
ONE OF GEO. WASHIMGTON'S LETTERS.
Action for It's Recovery by the City Au-
thDrities-A Revolutionary Relic i'm
Court-The Common Council OF New
York i'm lisa and 1s68-Thc City Re
cords-Interesting Testimony. &r.
SUPREME OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES 3.
Before Judge Foster.
FEB J4.--7Ne Mayor, de-. Of Nco York de- Wsnc
Lent Elijah X. Bangs, Andrev NJ Aercin cnl Wdi,cm
s. BcLen-Ths case excited considerable interest az 10
involved the right Of title autograph letter OF the
lustrous George Washington written TO the Mayor ana
Common Council OF New York in the year 1888. This
letter in response to series of complimentary
resolutions and address transmitted mt that time the
Father Of his Country by the municipal authorities
The for the nations independence had just
cluded, and all eyes turned upon Washington in
grateful enthusiasm the great leader who had
cessfuly conducted the campaign Recognizing this
fact, our city authorities thus complimcnted him IN
grateful remembrance OF his brilliant services
The facts ins the case which led to yesterdays suit
appear to be as foows:-In December 1884 at a
ing of the Common Council, held at the lmshouse in
this city, the address and resolutions adopted and
after forwarded to General Washington enclosed in
gold box. At subsequent meeting OF the body,
held the I'd Of May. 1855, at which Mr. James Duane
then Mayor presided the letter in response was read
and ordered to be placed on e Last year this letter
put up Tor sale in the aic0n of Messrs Bangs
Merwn Co.. and Knocked down TO Mr. De Witt G. Lent
for 81 050 The letter sold among large collection
of literary works. autographs and valuable records
property Of Mr. John Allen, deceased This sale OF
tables brought about $40 000 and conducted under
the direction of Mrs. Margaret Stewart daughter and ex
ecutrix OF Mr. j. Allen who was her father Next morn
ing after the sale Mr. Lent returned the letter
toneers thinking, it Is said that the price he paid for
was too high The Common Council being appriscd OF
the existence of the letter. and the facts in the auction
sale commenced suit for its recovery. and hence the
trial of yesterday The following is copy of the let
To THE HONORABLE MAYou, RECORDER, ALDERMEN Asp
HNENi receive your address and the freedom of the
city with which you have been pleased to present in
Distinguished honor. have claim TO- The following
stronger language than master of convey my sense
of the obligation in ADEQUATE terms,
To have had the good fortune, amidst the vcsstudes
long and arduous contest to have known
country and that my conduct should have the approba
ton and obtsned HE asconae reward OF the state Of
cated) be ascbed the effect Of Divine wisdo
situation whilst ortitade and patience they SUSTAINED
and 10 the liberal sentiments and great exertlons Of her VIZ
TS s rsees than >" b ey f ns %ns tn. m.v hours
Of anxious solicitude which all Of us have had as pleas
them were distressing and must console us for past suffer
pray that Heaven may bestow its choicest blessings
your ety. that the devastation OF war In which Won found
beneficial may your citizens hat
examples Of wisdom and lberay as shall have tsnacny
to strengthen and give Permanently to the Union a. home
all my desires. GEO. WASHINGTON.
X Hackett and Mr. vnndcrpocl, conducted the case on
the part of the city. Mcssrs T. X. Bangs and John
Sedgwick appeared for tho defendants.
Mr. OGorInan opened the and stated the facts,
coqucntly alludng TO the incentives which prompted the
New York Common Council Of l7s4 to pass and forward
the address and resolutions TO General Washington He
concluded by remarking that there defence sub
mitted by Mr.. Lcnt-the suit only defended by tue
fauctioncers.
rtsrINoxy or MR. yALySTyE CLERK OF pnt COMMON
COUNCIL.
Mr.. d. T. Valentine Clerk Of the Common Council,
the first witness examined He testified that he has
held the position Of Clerk TO the Common Council of
New York since 1915; held the position OF Deputy Clerk
from 1885 up the date Of his promotion; hal Ia his
possession minutes of the Common Council from the
year 1850 10 the present time.
Mr. Hacket here read from the minutes OF injecting Of
the Common Council Of December p 1854 in relation tn
the address and resolutions passed complimentary to
General Washington. Counsel also read the minutes OF
meeting of May ,, 1885, containing the letter.
Mr. Valentine. cross-examincd by Mr. Bangs-Had
charge Of all official papers communicated to the Com
mon Council: a great many communications came the
Board that did pass through his twilness) hands;
number OF them went to the Official printer
LINT
De Wilt C. Lent. OF the defendants testified that
he bookseller in this city, knew the firm of Bangs,
Mcrwin Co.; attended sale at their place Of business
May Of last year. the articles pui up for auction be-
onged 70 John Allen dcccasr became the purchaser of
letter of George Washington Tor which he bid $3.50
Mr.. Hacket here produced the catalogue OF The sale
which described the nature and value Of the letter in
question.
Cross examined goods sold all exhibition
the letter before put up for sale: took away
after the safe but returned next morning Mr. Ncr
win; had been sued for the price by the auctoneer
Mr. Bangs moved for dismissal of the suit ON the
ground that there evidence Of the letter being ia
s Az Tina Snss'''''' '' ''''''' N'''' "
Judge Foster denied the motion.
rnrxoSy ~ Mr. x4nwts
Mr. Merwn testify a. 10 being an aucioneer sold the
letter oil General Washington " Mr. Lent who iournra
IL next mornings received II from MIRA Stewart ~ the
execntrx Of her fathers esae the sale occupied si-'en
days.
TESTIMONY OF rrS. STEWART
Mrs. Margaret Stewart was the next witness called
She testified the fact of placing collection Of books
and literary records the hands or Bangs Merwn Co.
for SALE received them under her fathers will hsd seen
the letter Of General Washington in her fathers posses
sion for thrtyyears: her father was resident OF this
city for wears; he lived nj No IL Vandcwaicr
street. he was house agent In his younger days
and transacted business for years before his
died he very fond of collecting books and literary
antiquities; him exhibit the letter different
sons; never heard who owned the letter before her
Cross examined Witness was nny-four years Of age;
have the letter now IN my possession Witness here
produced the original letter from her pocket which
handed around Among the counsel others present,
| being examined with much interest aud curioxty.)
Mr. John b Moreau was examined and testified TO
ing known Mr. Allen and seeing the letter In his house
Mr. Charles MORGAN also testified to having seen the
letter in the house Of Allen ten eleven years ago
This closed the case, and after argument by
counsc, Judge roet charged the jury on the law anu
facts when they retired After about hours deiibcr-
alton they brought In a verdict Cor the paIahs for
81 050, which virtually hands the letter the city,
| The case viii probably be appealed
| Police Intelligence.
| DESPERATE CoNDucroH--BE STARS SEVERAL oP
MS PASSENGERS.
very serious disturbance occurred in one OF the
cross town rail of Fourteenth street and
Fourth avenue, about o'clock yesterday morning
which resulted In the stabbng Of several passengers by
John Lyon, the conductor appears that the latter got
i a "a Of