The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-04-05
A EEMEHTo OF TIE REBELLION.

Brief Episodai History Of the Yankee Tnvcn.
tor In Observation-Disclosures from the Frying
Fan Into the Fire una Cher Msasps-Nof
Stated with Confederate Currency and
suing fer Gold.
One OF the many unfortunate anu sad entail
ments OF the late war OF the rebellion Is the multi
pic.ty OF litigaiions in Courts. In point
is that OF suit brought by John II. Lester against
the Union Manufacturing Company OF Richmond,
Va. The suit was brought before Judge Barrett OF
the supreme Court.
THE FACTS OF THE CASE.
Shortly before the commencement OF the war
Mr.. Lester went from Brooklyn to Richmond Va,
taking some machinery and other appliances Tor
the manufacture OF sewing machines ana planning
mills. Some OF the machinery was modelled alter
his special inventions, ana claimed TO possess merit
beyond any OF IKE character IN use. Though
going from Brooklyn. Mr.. Lester is n native OF
Massachusetts, and possessing evidently a good
share OF Yankee ingenuity supposed TO be specially
Indigenous 10 this section OF the country. The
Union Manufacturing Company were highly pleased
with Mr.. Testers machinery and readily entered
into negotiations to turn to profitable mutual
account the products OF his genius Very good
success followed the manufacture OF these imple
men,s OF peaceful industry. At length the war
broke OUT and instead OF implements OF peace, the
implements OF war. Mr.. Lester could not help this
All that remained for him was to sell out his ma
chinery and interest THIS was IN the beginning OF
December, 1863 lie valued his interest at $S2SS0 OF
IN gold, and the company, as alleged In his coLaplalt
agreed to pay him for IL $4,000 III stock vi the COM
pany. THIS he says not paid. few days later as
he further AYERS he was compelled 70 sign an agree
ment to take 600 In Confederate money FOR mis-
interest, and discontinue suit he had commenced
against the company. check Tor TINS sum was
gwen him. The
PLEASING ALTERNATIVES
" N him nj
shoulder musket and 20 to the front or go TO
LIBBY Prison. Having got the check however, he
equitable adjustment OF his CLAIM wh.n the war
was over Here another dilemma met him. lie
or ne could not get out OF the company win whole
skin. He saw but one way TO
GET OUT OF THE SCRAPE.
He consulted With the reOel authorities and en-
tered INTO an arrangement-a mere pretence, how.
ever, on his part Ito 80 rs agent OF the Confederate
governments TO England TO buy arms for them.
With this understanding ho got a pass readily
through Inc rebel ilnes put was captured INSIDE OF
General Buffers lines: o Me here se got possible
He was captured as rebel agent, court martlalled,
me As ANU wnes Of h,
is only the witness ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Butler
thought he had $4,000 IN gold aud Went for him.
released AZ the instance oil the United states gov
eminent. The war ended and he
WAITED HIS OPPORTUNITY
to bring suit against the Union Manufacturing Com
pany. Mr.. Kent, the president Of the company,
coming 10 TINS CITY on WISH, summons ana com
pialnt were served on him. and thus came about the
commencement OF the suit here. lie claims never
to have received cent Tor his interest, ana brings
suit for $780, 600 In gold. At the time the check IN
question was given, 1t was shown that $25 In Con
tederste money was worth 81 In gold. The defence
was that the settlement agreed upon was obtained
through no coercion on the part OF the company,
aud that in giving the check they fuhed their par
OF the contract. They iurtner say that the value
his interest did not exceed @300U0, ana deny that
they agreed to pay him Tor IL $4,000 IN the STOCK OF
the company
Considerable testimony was taken and nearly two
hours occupied IN summing up. Tue Judge gave 9
very bret but com prenenSive charge. lie enJolncd
on the Jury particularly to discriminate between
any acts Of the Confederate government looking to
coercing and holding In Guress the plantin ana the
acts OF the defendants.
Tie case was given 10 the jury at three r. M, but
at haf-past five they had not agreed on verdict.
They were ordered 10 bring q sealed verdict.