The New York herald., 1877-10-23
THE COURTS.
An Important and Acrimonious Suit
Nearing a Close.
FINDINGS OF THE REFEREE.
Money as the handspring to Matri-
monial Ventures.
SEEKING ANNULMENT OF LIFE SENTENCES.

The suit briefly cataogued on the Supreme Court
before the different branches OF this Court during the
past seven years. and which has attracted considera.
bic interest both from the character of tho persons
and tho interests involved, has at length nearly
reached termination In 1912 George w. Platt and
Nathan G. Patt formed partnership under the firm
name Of Platt Brother. The hrm carried on two
distinct branches of business, ono tho jewery and
fancy goods business, at No 20 Maiden lane, and
the other the refining and assaying OF gold and silver,
at Nos. and Liberty place. In October 1860,
George W. PIats excess OF capital in the business
being very great his BROTHER Nathan c., to equalize
The Of the brothers, transferred George
the refining business and partnership real es
tate. Nathan Patt at TINS time President Of the
Artisans Bank and the complications resulting from
his connection with this bank and the office of Cham.
berain OF the city were such that he forced 10
tire from both positions He also became financially
embarrassed ana was compelled to retire from busi-
ness. Consequently, in May 1861, George and Nathan
agreed to dissolve their business connection and
Into by which George Platt took what assets oil the
Mrm there were at valuation then agreed upon.
death there was no complaint made by him in relor
ence to the transfers OF October 1860 or 70 the dsso
luton Of the partnership IN 1867 an action was com
Commissioner William h Martin as their attorney,
70 set aside these transfers and dssoiu-
ZION on the ground that they had been
procured by tho undue influence and fraud
D George w. Patt on Nathan G. Plat 1t was about
two years before the plaintiffs served their complaint
and not until December, 1872, that they brought their
action TO tria. The trial before Judge 4. J..
Fanchcr. then on the Supreme Court bench, aud re-
suited in judgment Tor the plaintiff, setting aside
The transfers ol October 1S60 and the dissolution of
May, 1851, on the grounds stated by the plaintiffs
their complaint, and ordering accounting by George
W. Patt oi all assets OF the firm vi Patt Brother
May 23, 1861 This accounting has been proceed
ing before Eugene h. Pomer0y during tho past
three years, and he has just made his re-
port. The referee finds that there Is due George
W. Platt, on The accounting $45, 00O He
also says that alter hearing the witnesses, aftcr
csretui examination ol the testimony aud OF the trans
tGons TO which his attention has been called he has
been unable to find one scntla of proof of any fraud
injustice or dishonesty the part OF the defendant
but tha on the contrary, The accounts themselves
tho result show conclusvely 10 his mind that in all
respects George W. Plat has been perfectly upright
and honest, has treated the property winch ho
had charge with great and diligence and has
throughout willing 10 account Tor It's entire proceeds;
and iurther, that tho estimate Of the value OF tho
assets made in 1861 above the mark, was more
than was realized. Two OF the plaintiffs were ex-
ahmed on their behalf before the referee.
These were William II. Platt and Nathan G.
Plat. William "a. Patt has boon the active plaintiff
in the case and was the witness apon whose testi-
mony Judge Fanchers decision principally based.
As to him Mr.. Pomery reports that he scompletely
incapable OF telling the truth under oath whenever
his interest 10 opposed thereto, and his testimony
referred to the Court that It may lis alleged
falsity The testimony oil Nathan Piatt Is reported
20 be equally unreliable, 'because he speaks OF
ters he could not know about makes assertions
beyond human possibility" The report will shortly be
presented for confirmation. William r. Martin ap-
peared for plantin, and 5. p Nash, Francis Herman
and Edward s. Clnch for defendant