New-York tribune., 1872-06-19
THE COURTS.
THE TILDEN-BUTLER SUIT.
MORE ABOUT THE SEIZURE OF THE NASSAU
EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENSE.

THE TILDEN-BUTLER SUIT.
MORE ABOUT THE SEIZURE OF THE NASSAU
EVIDENCE FOR THE DEFENSE.
The suit of Henry A. Tilden against Benja-
min P. Butler was resumed yesterday before Judge
shipnan in the United States Circuit Court. George
Hunnswell the former owner Of the Nassau, ques
TONED by Gen. Butler in regard TO his connection with
the alleged seizure and testified as foows
When was brought into your Office in New-Orleans
you asked me what would take for the Nassau said
her Won wcnld seze her for The Government remarked
that y)ur brother had just offered me $4,000 Tor nye
eghs of her. and thought u was hard Tor you 20 tano
her away from at your own price, you then told me
that Ied. and nat your brother had never offered me
that reped that your brother had not told me mus tns
he had made that offer, though he never said
he haddOne so to me; Mr. Bue was with me when /
gave ne for the Nassau paid MT Buell. t%ohrds noG 1a
Nassau made for Henry A. Tden-s0000 on one occa-
TO Mr. yan Wioke part pa yment for his interest in
her. bu lie would not accept 1t, though do not know
why.
Gen. Butler stopped at this point to consult the Dis
trict-Aforney, when Judge shipman asked him TO go
on. as here other of great urgency which
we're Waiting 10 be tried, and he had idea, when he
took u, the case that it would take long, Gen. But
er remarked that for his part he would have been just
as vel satisfied IL he had never sued [Laughter
The witness continued
Iva at that time q partner Of Henry a. Tilden, and
had an interest in the Nassau; when was sent for
to eooe 10 your Office, after you seized the Nassau,
cane and you told she not it for the purposes
for which she intended, and asked me II wanted 10
buy Ter back, and said you would give me but hye
minues In which TO decide / raised the money In
shorttlme and when about to hand you the check
you sd that QuarteTmaster wanted her Immediately,
and could not have her; as was about TO leave the
ofce,I said thought that you had sent me On Whd
gooseehase."
Gen Buter-And it must have been very short
"wildgoose chase" for you say only gave you five
MINUTES. [Laughter.l
Mr. Deyln OF counsel for the defense then opened tho
case fc the Government In the Of the address
he said:
As for the caumny and reproach heaped upon Gen.
Buterand his brother, win that had the winding
up tAe affairs OF the late Andrew Jackson Butler, and
instead of peing worth millions the prosecution would
have you believe, he died bankIupt hs estate would
not pay 80 cents the dollar Gen. Weze telegraphed
TO Gen Butler that the expedition which he making
in the lakes OF Jusana required one more boat an0 mat
the only he knew OF that Wonld answer the purpose
eled. In view OF this telegram Gen Butler sent Tor
the owner Mr. Hunnewell, and stated to him that he
wished TO purchase his vessel the Government wished
her The result Of that interview you have heard
GEN Butler never knew until this trial began that his
brother had any connection with the Nassau. We
shalt prove 10 you by meOntr0VeruDle esu-
mony " Cen tna u9 $ a,d haR was sonony GsehaTged
from service account OF misconduct The Nassau
was seized i'm July ls62 as bockaderunner the
was brought up in this very building and she was con-
demned. and pronounced by committee OF the most
pny ShRpas %s aeTWaTd sod under the
after due notice had been given, for $4,000.
Chas. II. Haswell testified; have been acquainted
with steamers since I52s was chief engineer OF the
United States Navy for 16 years. in August 1862
examined tine snip Nassau thoroughly and decided that
she was worth not than S22O0O OF S25OOO she was
bnit in 1851 that year examined perhaps 500 vessels
Henry Van Wrinkle testified: nave resided IN New
York for three years; went down 10 EewOrleans in
command of the Nassau in August ls69 on the
way from New York 10 New-Orleans we sprang leak
ana were detained in Port Royal for 10 days; was In
strcted believer the vessel over 10 Mr. Buel on Ger
tain conditions; negotiated with Mr. Buell. and no one
else: the first time saw bI. Hunniwel was when ne
came in company with Mr. Buell., when Mr. Buell. pur-
chased the steamer OF me; 1 agreed with MI
Sutphn one OF the or the steamer, TO denver
his share over to Mr.. Buell. when L got To New
Orleans had deal OF trouble to get the purchase
money out OF Buell., and IL Was not until after mad
threatened TO return 90 NeyYOrk that he deposited
$500 as security his purchasing her; before lne Dill
of sale gwen Buell. put gang OF men on 10 con
vert the steamer into tOwDoat; tOd Bue that II no
did not buy the other portion 9 the boat according to
attempted 10 see Gen Butler about IL he would have
Inc arrested he said that INTENDED to take her over
10 Agiers 10 have her altered into tOw-bOatJ but
would not let him until he had paid me.
Can't. Pu1er testified: / was ON your lGen Butlerst
during the year 1902 in the latter part OF that year
went with a hagOf-truce boat across Lake POntcnaf
train | was in command; during that voyage Alf;
Wiege grossly assaulted officer. and was cOnelled
him. which did, ana brought hm 10 YOU you
confined him in close quarters; this Mr. Wlegcl Whom
refer man who testified here yesJeiuay'
The case was then adjourned until IL a. M to-day.