The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-04-15
CHARLES O'CONOR.
Mrs. Forrest Tells What She Knows and
Thinks Of His Action.
SHE DEFINES HER POSITION
What Parke Goodwin Remembers Of the
iE DEFINES HER POSITION
What Parke Goodwin Remembers Of the
Introductory Interview in 1851.

Charles 0Conor addressed to the Bar Association
Tuesday night various attempts have been made TO
woke from Mrs. Forrest better known now as Mrs.
Catherine N Sinclair some expression Of her opinion
IS 10 the article Of contemporary which called out
The memorial, and also OF the memorial ITSELF These
attempts have met with but little success, Mrs Sin
clair having, it is said refused most ques-
tons addressed TO her by 'ntcrviewers," laughed at
some without replying and responded to others in .
vague way. A reporter OF the Brooklyn Argus must
have been more PERSISTENT than any or hts pro-
tcssional brethren who preceded him In her
Examination, or Mrs Sinclair. when he met her,
moro communicative mood than she had been
since the recital by Mr.. 0Cono However II may be.
he seems to have successful than the Others
and last evening published tho following In proof of
this:-
representative Of the Argus called upon Mrs. Sin
clair yesterday and had long interview with her
The subject Of tho differences between herself her
lormer counsellor, Mr. oConor The lady spoke re-
mctanty, and before conscnting to answer question
explained that the publication in the Times
was accidental She said was
listed BY gentleman vn from the Times olco
with Mr.. O'Conor. Learning from him that the Times
Intended to print something concerning tho case
made brlof statement giving the plain iacts very
much regretted that publicity to DO given the
matter, and at my request my brother naw, Mr. Sod
ley, called AT the Times office, Mr.. Jones, and
secured from him promise that nothing should be
printed until further investigation had. Mr.. Jones
was called suddenly to Washington by telegram and It
was owing to this accident that the matter found
way into print"
REpoRrER--There is an impression that Mr. sedey is
Mrs sIScLAIR--Yes and think Mr.. O'Conor wrote
under that impression Mr.. sedley has direct
indirect connection with that paper He is at present
engaged IN writing book.
REroRrER-Dd you understand ut any timo during
the progress OF your litigation with Mr. Forrest that
you
for his services, whatever the final result?
Mrs. SiNcLAIR--l did not In support Of that denial
have much TO say, but prefer to wait in the hope Of
possible investigation
REroRTERI understand that about the year 1851 you
wrote communication to the NEW, YORK HERALD,
stating that your championed by Mr. OConor
without fee or rewardy
Mrs. ST. 4LAIR-That is true. II about in this
The HERALD printed an editorial III relation to
the sul nMmating that in the end tho lawyers would
get all tho money, matter what should he the issue
OF tho suit Mr., Chase pleased with this He
said that should rciute the OF the HERALD.
Vas anxious TO do So and Mr. Chase brought me tho
draft OF q letter which copied and the HERALD,
and IN which stated that Mr. 0'Conor defended me
and prosecuted my sut without hopo expectation Of
REpoRrxR-Mr. O'Conor conjectures that pccuniary
embarrassment connected with the 'Fonthill" estate
prompted Mr.. Forrest to bring SUIT against your
Mrs SxcLAIR-You will excuse from discussing
the case from that standpoint l cannot imagine why
Mr. O'Conor, with his intimate knowledge OF this case
should have advanced any such theory
REroRTER-ls the reason assigned by Mr.. O'Conor
the cneY
Mrs. SINcLAIR--lt is not
REPoRTER-It Is stated in some circles that after
leaving Mr. Forrest you took refuge with Of your
sisters.
Mrs sNcIAlR-Thc separation between Mr. Forrest
ARRANGED DELIBERATELY
by ourselves IL was mutually agreed upon months
before II took place Finally, when the time came
Mr. Forrest escorted to the residence OF Mr. Parke
Goodwin, where for long time made my home with
my friend, Mrs. Goodwin, who is daughter OF William
Cullen Bryant
REroRrxR-Is Mr. O'Conors statement OF his &C
count and its settlement correct?
Mrs. SiScLAIR-No.
Mrs SIxcLAIR-l have.
KEPoRrER-Wil you permit thcir publication?
Mrs SIScLAIR-I must respectfully decline doing so
br the present
REpoRrEM-Mr O'Conor intImates that YOU were
prompted by some one 10 make the statement which
Mrs. SNcLAR-I have already stated that the pnbca-
lion was matter Of surprise and regret to II
not in my opinion, question Tor the pubic discuss
Il is matter strictly between Mr. OConor and myself.
had expressed
NY OPINION OF MR. o'coxoR's ACTION
TO very few OF my relatives and friends but
never with the slightest intention OF making them
public Mr.. O'Conors fee was paid eight years ago.
II had desired TO make my grievance known 10 The
public have had ample time 10 do SO, but such was
REPoRfEa Mr.. O'Conor states that he was called
into the case by Mr. Nelson Chase Of the rm OF How
land Chase
Mrs SIScLAIR-Mr O'Copcr was interested in the
case and knew all about II before Mr.. Chase had any
idea OF being connected with the suit The lawyers
who wore nrst interested constituted the firm OF
REPoRTER--Mr. O'Conor says that sno supplement-
nry proceedings or the like instituted =
Mrs SINCLAIR That is not correct Supplementary
proceedings were instituted and there records and
evidence in abundance to prove There is one point
not ques.ion-I never have qucstionedMr, o'Conor's
legal right 10 exact liberal fec in this case. qucs-
ton is as TO his moral right Viewed in that light
there Is NO legitimate ground which regard
his action in complimentary or dcfcnsble light. Mr.
CConor has been very many times bitterly attacked
during his career but this Is the first that be APP
pear. in print with defence denial II my state
mcnts arc 50 mmatoria aud unounded he says they
KEroRrER-What further do you intend to do In the
matter?
Mrs. srscLAR-My action VIII be regulated entirely
~ the
COURSE BY rHK BAR ASSOCIATION
RxPoR1ER-If requested by the Investigating Com
mittee 10 appear, will you lay documents before them
and furnish evidence support OF your statements?
Mrs SlsCLAR-Most assuredly. Mr.. O'Conor de-
is studded with statements which | do not think the
pubic will accept wbeu full Investigation shall have
been had. The "frailty Of human memory" may pos.
siby account for some OF Mr. O'Couor's statements,
but il will not account for all Of his assertions.
Al this point in the interview Mr. Henry Scdey en-
tered Mrs Snclairs parors and the took
more general iorm Mr. Sediey expressed himself as
being opposed any formal statement by Mrs sinclair
at this time, and advised the lady TO withhold docu
upon the until the Committee of tho Bar Assoca-
lion had Indicated the course they intended TO pursue
Mr. Scdcy sprItedly resented the imputation that nc
had been Instrumental in giving Mrs sncairs state
ment 70 the Times and expressed surprise that tho
letter he had written TO Mr. OConor marked : pri-
vate" had been gwen 10 the public Mr.. scdIey has
theory In regard 70 the publication ofhs letter which
may possibly be made public IN connection with the
full presentation OF Mrs Sincair's case.
LETTER TO TIM HERALD
The following the letter referred 10 IN the foregoing
Interview having been written ny Mrs. Forrest 10
the cdltor Of tho HERALD in lb5I:-
10 JAMES GORDON BENNETT, Esq -
DEAR SIR-It Is intimatcd IN to-day's HERALD that
Mr. Forrest aud myself havc been obliged 10 to
the stage 70 obtain means Of paying counsel As 10
myself this mistake. have never paid one cent
20 nv attorneys or council They Know my inability
lcuded without fee reward, or the hope OF IL
from any quarter. except my promise TO pay them at
iulufe timc if should chaEcc to be able.
know OF motive that actrates them in doing 30
much, expending much and sufferIngso much In my
brha except their conviction OF my purity and their
generous zeal in behalf OF dcfenccIess woman
Justly assailcd.
have not answered impuations against myself In
statement
remain, dear sir, most respectfully yours