The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-03-11
There is No Doubt but Money Has Been
Used, but / Decline to Give You any
Statement Was Mrs. Put
MANS Legal Adviser"
A PROTEST FRsM MERCHANTS.
What They Said to q Her
aid Reporter.
ruJnam's Brother to Present the Petition
to Governor Dix.

The merchants OF Broad Beaver, South William
ana Pearl streets greatly excited over
statements made by william l.. Allen, butter
merchant, 81 Pearl street, that money has been
paid to Mrs. Avery d. Putnam for signing the letter
to Governor Dix. The report circulated rapidly
and was soon the sole theme Of conversation in
the Produce Exchange. reporter of the HERALD
called upon William L. Allen to get his statement
OF the alleged bribery.
REPoRTER-Mr. Allen. it is asserted that you are
cognizant OF the fact that Mrs. Avery d. Putnam
has been paid SIS 900 by friends OF Foster to sign
the letter which has been published.
Mr.. ALLEN-There is no doubt but that money
has been used, but as Mrs. Putnam is full cousin
OF my wife must decline to give you any statement
Tor publication.
REPoRTER-lr money was used by whom was it
furnlshed9
Mr.. ALLEN--The money came from a rich relative
Of Foster.
REpoRTER-was not $500 good deal OF money
to pay for such a letter.
Mr.. ALLEN-I acted as adviser for Mrs. Putnam,
and must decline to say anything further.
REPoRTER-Do you think, then, that the letter
had any effect with the Governors
Mr.. ALLEN-It certainly should not have any
more weight than from any one else. Personally
am in favor Of hanging Foster; but my family
relations are such that must decline to talk fur
ther.
william A. Covert, of the firm of W. A. Covert 4
Co., No. 6s Pearl street, was next called upon and
stated The statements OF Mr.. Allen in regard to
the payment Of money to Mrs. Putnam have been
made directly by him to myself, as well as to
number OF other men here in the neighborhood,
each and every one of whom are willing and ready
TO make affidavits to the facts. Mr.. Allen stated
to me that negotiations with Mrs. Putnam
had been begun by the friends of Foster
more than one year ago. AS relative
I was called in as adviser. Mr. WILCOX, OF
the Wilcox Il Gibbs Sewing Machine Company,
went on to Providence to negotiate with Mrs. Put
nam; he acted as the go-between through which
the compromise consummatea; the first prop
psitiOn presented to Mrs. Putnam was agree
ment to educate her son. Mr.. Allen declared that
he had advised her not to accept any terms
unless money was offered. He advised her to
ask $4,000, and not to take less than
$4,000. He also advised her not to sign any letter
until the money was paid into her hands. He
stated also that he had been absent for some time
and did not know exactly what sum was paid, but
was certain that it was not less than $4,000. In
TACT. he went so far as to say that he might have
promised to use his influence with Mrs. Putnam.
MI. Allen concluded by saying that snow that Mrs.
Putnam mad received the money he did not care
who knew the story" Therefore do not have any
hesitation in making this statement.
Mr.. Austin G. Putnam, brother to the murdered
man, here entered the office OF Covert h Co.. and
affirmed that he had been told the same story by
VIM. l.. Alien. All were astOnished at Aliens re-
tcence after the manner in which he had previous
iy spoken OF 1t.
Mr.. George HOLSTER, of HOLSTER h Chamberlain's,
No. 90 Broad street, was next called on. lie con-
Grmed IN every particular the statements made
by Mr.. covert and Mr. Putnam, and said that Mr..
Allen had repeated the story to him.
Mr.. Hurlburt, OF Hurlburt & Sons, No. IS Pearl
street, made the same statement to the HERALD
reporter, with the additional item that Mr.. Allen
had told him privately OF the negotiation more than
Dne month ago.
H. Henneberger, former partner Of Avery ID. Put
nam, also stated That Mr.. Allen had told him the
same story In general All OF these will stand ready
TO make atlidavits to their statements
PETITION FROM THE MERCHANTS.
The following petition was on Saturday AFTER
noondrawn up and circulated for signatures
To His Excecncy, john DIX, Governor OF the State of
New York
We, the under signed, in consideration of the unhoy
employed to defeat the ends of justice in the
ocWliam Foster condemned for the murder Of Mr. Put
lures. petitions and letters 10 your Exccllency de-
eide only points of law and evidence such the
rupting influence of money has not touched
H. Hennebe 6S Pearl street; william Hurlburt
SON. 65 Pearl street; s.etson, gr 2 Pearl street.
street; A. A. Plat, rs Pearl street; Ben amin +.
Dominick. 90 Pearl street; BENJAMIN r. Tuthll, 19l
Duane street; William L. Allen 81 Pearl George
b. barley, 10 Pine street; Edward A. Sewer, 40 Pearl
street; L. +. Card, 81 Pearl street: J. NJ Atwatcr
street; William p. Robbins 50 Pearl street; W. L. Pres
ON "a.