New-York tribune., 1878-03-30


The contestant in the case gave some additional
testimony, and the counsel for the defence waived
cross-examination.
TALKS WITH THE COMMODORE.
There was little change yesterday III the air,
the crowd the and the regular attendants at the
great will case Ex-Iudge Black absent, however.
In the morning French governess employed by Mrs
LaBau was called to the stand. Che was fuli-faced
Frenchwomau, with tilted nose and ye-brows that
flew upward slight prOvocation. she was dressed
wholly black and her answers to the nerprete ter
iu hoarse voice. with lavish gestures Her evidence
waSmainy the gallant conduct Of the Commodore
during visit to him and 4s interest in education and
~ ThersOr contestants counsel angcized 1t, Mr.
Tear" In the afternoon Mrs. Helen s. Clarke, mag
petic physician gave much amusing testimony She was
dressed plainly in black aud her replies with much
drectness but in low voice she was said TO he Ill Her
account Of the Commodores heaven and saliva
ton created great laughter especially her reply that nc
could build railroad better than he could play on
harp" Another witness Charles p. Currie. kept an
elaborate diary and was exceptionally strong dates
He did not have Chance 10 exhume many facts from
the diary
AT the opening OF Court, Irs. La Ban was recalled to
NE stand.
proposed to show that William II. Vanderbilt said to
Mrs La Bau They have got the story about that /
promsed Cornelius q million of dollars :" Mrs. La Bad
replied You did promise him million OF dOllars for
worlds opinion you caDuOt anord 10 De less generous
and YOU must also be generous with your sisters" t
then added, DO you not call gift of 100000 gener
Gus ~ Mrs La Bau said. Under the circumstances
1onot" At this time Mrs. In Bau also said. IF you
carry out the agreement with Cornelius will waive any
objection to the WILL" but he declined to accept the
ohar These offers were excluded.
O.-What was your mothers treatment of Cornelius
Excluded.
Odd yOu hear your mother make any statement TO
your father about his itreatment of CornehUs3 A
Yes
Mr Lord propose to prove that Mrs Vanderbilt said
TO her husband, when this witness was about sixteen
years OF age hatred dislike OF Cornell Us arises
from the fret of his afction," and that he made 10
response. Excluded.
Q-Do you know that your father easily influenced
BY falsehoOds about his cnildreni A.-Yes
o-Did you hear anything said about this Ayes.
Objected to.
Mr. LorC-I propose to show that Mrs. Vanderbilt said
to the Commodore in washiugtOn-place prior to the
war, that william would make him believe anything
against his other children. The Commodore made no
reply propose to show that Mrs Vanderbilt said
at the same time You intend give all your money
10 William" Excluded.
The witness-My mother died in August, 1868. Then
ibid not know Mrs Crawford the present Mrs. Van
derhit; 1 first knew them by sight year after the
marriage Nv mother died at the home of Horace +.
Clark The Commodore At Saratoga at the time OF
her sckness he arrived few days before her DEATH
Mr LOrd-I offer here 10 show that ldst before BIS
first wfe's DEATH the Commodore was visiting Niagara
Fais win Mrs Crawford and her daughter. Excluded.
o-Do you know whether shortly after your mothe''s
death Mrs Crawford and ser dughter came 10 1--we al
your fathers house Objected 10 by MI Clinton.
Ihe surrogate-Ths would seem 10 indicate that he
had influence over them, not they over him.
Mrs Vanderbiit, the Commodore became very intimate
with Mrs Crawford and the daughter: that they lived
OF his houses free OF rent and at his own expense
day OF the funeral be sent deucaces TO them
children and went to see them that after they
came to house. from that time they had strong
ny cncn-The fact Of their residence at the house
wellmown; but living In the same cily. or tpe same
house. proves undue Influence. Ihls collateral e'-
dence is entirely Irrelevant .-o -
through many years; that II began year before MS
wfe's death. How much 1t was forced on by the dean
of his wife the home Of son-inlaw, one cannot tell
Putting together previous intimacy secret marriage 10
Canada, and the persistent watch these Nohen main
tanned his sick bed shows strong huehce over
ExJTdee Comstock--I feel very much inclined 10 de
this as infamous and gatultouS 1ra.,uoi INA @ Va
not the slightest relevancy to the case IRON he peg
evidence or offer Of evidence, 10 prove tbst any human
being much less Mrs; Crawford, or Mrs wander pit e1
The SurrOgate-There seems to be an ausenc1 OF mo-
were parties n consprng to give the bulk of the prop
erty to William II. Vanderbilt
The Surrogate excluded the evidence.
Mr. I0r,l-I also offer prove that son OF Mrs Craw
ford received the Commodore during MS illness
sl5oOO0 and that no record was made OF IT, Excluded
Mr.. Clinton-I waive crossexamlnation.
Mr. Lord-Does the counsel mean TINS & to De hnai
which to make the meaning palmer to the com
Three times he waived crosse Examination before the
other counsel could believe III his slnctily linen the
US should the witness be recalled the counsel VIII
lose all clam to Teexalnine'
"REMINISCENCES OF A GovERNEss
The French governess employed by Mrs. La Bau was
then called Her name is Maria Charlotte Briee dc
Beaureguard. testified through Mr. Trayuor the in
terpreter, as follows:
was born in Paris came to this country June o
le74 instruct Madame La Baus chld VISite9 the
La Bau; lady was reading letter TO the Com
modorc; she remained there about ten minutes
SSd"'S sad conversaSon ,S1Ti with the Commodore.
going 10 estabIsn-lhe Vanderbilt College he was max
ina plans IL; the letter about this subject the
after Commodore took NY hand ana CONQUERED
pSnsns %s sG y SIiGs hse II ana Maa@e L. Ba much IS
Say. This is our mother" l said, III broken Lnggiishi
gave second sigh. lie showed all TINS portraits
~ this room ali IN another room and one Of ~ lhlers.
fully he was preserved for on old mans then told MI
him (the CommOdOre) remarkable man. the
Commodore. fsising his hand to his head, SAID
am an Ola man . nov "" ne sb @ 1 n amy Ga9es
teri lie replied, Now my health is very bad" lie
sued on a. Tierss wonderful preservation OF his acul
ties. Tue Commodore was very expressive with his
gestures. with much polileness ne showed me his own
portrait SAYING It Tas PAINTED al Sy a agy the Lac, 3 5 por
Commodore took me into ali tie oAer rooms on that
showed me, with certain degree Of pride, his safe
which was bedroom be told me al the end OF the
Wait that lie Was glad and 10 often as
could; was there least hour and balf; never
him after that.
BRIEF TESTIMONY BY VARIOUS WITNESSES.
After the recess Jacob Hayes testified I have been
banker and broker twelve years this city; had
transaction with James H. Barker, who claimed TO act
for Commodore Vanderbilt
Mr. Lord said he proposed TO show that the Commodore
borrowed 100000 from the witness ut per cent but
nf,erxard refnsed 10 pay moro than per cent. Ex