Year: 1873

The counsel for the proponents and con- |
sestans the matter of Mr. Greeley's wills assembled
before Surrogate Coffin at White Plains, yesterday.
ghe proceedings we're opened by Judge Hart who sad


the Court please this protracted and dissgreeable
litigation is about drawing 70 close have desire
Fevel in the lnArmites OF any man living dead We
lsve believe exhibited spirit Of Cancellation from
re beginning TO the end of this When were
SSormed that the rights Of the younger daughter OF Mr.


@seeey oOntended for conceded, as far as we
sSew how, everything could We gave at once
teed Of undivided half Of that property to the
yennger daughter, though the counsel stung by my
eide perfectly satisfied that the will OF 1872 gave
her all that we could give her by any deed, and
he was satisfied not only Of his own Judgment
and opinion but after consulting with Of
the most eminent lawyers in the country, that q
eoncesson of that description would tend TO peace II
was then suggested that Mr. Greeley had relatives who
entitled under the will Of 1871 to that which they
would not receive under the will OF 1874 and
eeded TO those relatives everything they asked They
gave release discharge in full so that objection to
the will OF 1872 was removed. We then understood
that the Childrens Aid Society resolved solemnly
1T Of their meetings that they were not
participants IN the litigation; that they did not
direct ask it, for, though they did not renounce
their clam, we afterward consultation out of
court with the friends Of these young ladies
deemed 1t wise TO make further effort TO arrange this
business, aud supposed that 1t had been arranged.


An eminent gentleman Of the press, who is now for his
health, in one OF the Southern States gave to under


stand that arrangement had been made with the
that would terminate this litigation. But IL
seems there was misunderstanding between them
did not understand that arrangement
that gentleman understood 1t, and he lie away, and
have not had opportunity to confer with him to
might he said upon his side OF the question


We have had from time to time adjournments, and
believe each adjournment conference has been
had every effort has been made to bring this matter TO
spcaeofu determination Our efforts have not hitherto
proved successful.
Esyine .,ryen TO bring this TO close Oh some
ord be satisfactory the friends o; these


spne ladies' we have determined to bring 1t to close


whether the terms be satisfactory or not Inc business
of counsel this has been difent because many
friends of daughters Of Mr. Greeley exhbiVd great
anxiety concerning their welfare and interest Ihere
are some who desire should htgate this case at
all hazards and they will not be satisfied with COM
promise. Others urging as strenuousy 10 pe0oo


distinguished gentlemen and warm personal friends Oh
Mr. Greeley urged to proceed with this litigation
while we were about 70 bring IL TO termnauon' ana
saggested the employment OF Mr. Evars as counsel ia
the case. There no objection on the part
Of those who represented the Misses Greeley, for Mr.
gyarts would not only have been received, out, as
.ounsel would have been needed. His partner, MI
Choae appeared at the last hearing Of this and so
lar from advising further struggle he coueurs with us
IN the opinion that this litigation should be ended The
eounsel are and concur fully on the subject
ge think tins business ought to be terminated Ii is
terminated: not that shrink from having every act
IN the life of Mr. Greeley from his birth to his death,
brought before world. II is my honest opinion that
afu development Of everything affecting Mr. Greeley
would be better for him and for his memory,
provided we could folly and fairly present It ;
but that was impossible. No two men view the
same thing alike, and 20 the same
conclusion upon certain state Of facts One person
would say of Mr. Greeley that be fell into peaceful
Iumber another, as witness upon the stand said'
He fell back into stnpor" Thus the same act s
rfhad hy
points view One would say that when he was on q
Tree and said " OIL! OIL" 1t was evidence OF IN
tanity and another would say that with foot that
Vas panful having been hurt long ago. and happening
10 be placed in painful position be would necessarily
erV Ont OH Under these circumstances we asked
she daughter of Mr. Greeley who presented the will OF
1871 for probate and wbe has been here from time 70
nine worn ana weary returning every day to her couch
10 seek repose asked her what to do and after hear
ing Of our last meeting and reading in the newspapers
the report OF the proceedings she addressed me this
note; ,~ ~ 70, oo


JUDGE HART am 50 much u aifesseG pas 9y a tne
report OF yesterday proceedings AZ MHe ,h tsus @ Ia 81
must beg withdraw from contest wneh our our, op-
onents ore determined shall be wsged over my father


tG1 tSe R0 @e@cT SEgP Which, infinitely dear to me to
g desecrated With best wishes 70 yourself Mr. Mel
All made on behalf of myself and sister cnr,,nv


L remain, very truly yours, IDA L. GREELEY


ioin my dear sister In sentiments of this letter.


GABRIELLE GREELEY


In pursuance Of the instructions in that letter. con-
tipued Judge Hart withdraw not only as counsel,
hut we withdraw in behalf Of client, the pro-
ponent Of this viii Of 1872 How far the infant may
withdraw Will with her counsel TO say 1t s
.ogeested that should state that her withdrawal is
substantially effect, that decree should be entered,
admitting probate the will Of 1871 Now, in the spirit
sf the woman mentioned in the Holy Scriptures, who,
ben II was suggested that her child should be divided
Asunder, preferred TO give her infant TO an entire
stranger proponent abandons this case, and leaves
70 you gentlemen, wbo presume, will act worthy in
The conduct OF their sacred trust the conduct OF this
business because would not draw from their report
those infrmtes which should sleep and sleep forever


Mr. Choate-I should like 70 say word with reference
20 the position the Cbdrens Aid Society. supposed
that some positive position might be taken by that
sOcjety which would have contributed TO this
peaceful settlement OF the litigation over the
wills OF Mr. Greeley, aud 1 did apply 70
them 10 positive action, either TO renounce
the legacy altogether in view OF what was believed 70
be the impaired condition OF Mr. Greeeye estate or TO
say that they would not renOunce, or TO come to some
agreement order 70 promote the complete settlement
of the matter They, however have not felt 1t their
night duty 70 renounce the legacy, or 70 make any
specific agreement about 1t, and the result OF all
nv negotiations with them was communication
received rom them on ss!ur1ay, m sat s' ben
impaired In value since the making OF the VIII OF le


Sss .ss nss p e 1 Cs@s to the sssy
proposition not at all satisfactory and OBVIOUSLY So


des for public charity out OF the surplus Of his estate
and should turn out as was MI Greeieys idea when
ss not too much for his children it would not be right
that that legacy should be insisted on may be under
sSw not based q PTediSatsd upon 90. that sSs
motive has been that their fathers ashes may rest In
peace, and that the iDfrmities and eaamiees which
overwhelmed him in the last weeks OF nus NE may moi
be made the subject Of further public investigation and
M WiIhamsIti is known to the Court wen as 70
IA he nth aida hat ne