600 Page – American State Trials 1918 Volume X Leo Frank Document

Here is the translated text as follows:

568 &X. AMERICAN STATE TRIALS.

August 19,

A complaint had been made on June 9th to the Commissioners of the Alms House and Overseers of the Poor of New York City, stating that they were charged with the support of a certain bastard child of one Lucy Williams, and that one Alexander Whistelo, a negro, was the reputed father of the said child. The negro appeared before the Magistrates on June 10th and pleaded not guilty to the charge. After hearing witnesses, the Magistrates disagreed, and the case was brought to this Court for decision.

Mr. Vanhook represented the prosecution, while William Sampson, Jacob Morton, and Mr. Nitchie defended the prisoner.

Mr. Vanhook addressed the court, highlighting the two points that had been drawn into doubt and had occasioned the reference to the decision of this Court. The first was whether the witness was to be believed, and the second was whether the fact she swore to was possible. He observed that although many witnesses of learning and experience in such subjects had been called to give their opinions for the satisfaction of the Court, he believed it to be a matter on which technical knowledge could not throw much light. He argued that each of the members who composed the Court were as well able to form a correct opinion as any professional man. The woman had already sworn positively, and evidence of opinion that went against her testimony should be disregarded.

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Notes:

- **New York City directory for 1808:** P. C. Van Wyck, counsellor and recorder, 1 Wall Street; and Samuel Van Wyck, attorney and counsellor, 53 Partition Street. The Van Wyck Genealogy (1912) lists Pierre Van Cortlandt Van Wyck (son of Abraham Van Wyck and Catharine Van Cortlandt), born about 1780, and married to Alice Young. He served as Recorder and District Attorney of New York. See 1 Am. St. Tr. 675, 685. 2 Id. 787.

- **New York City Directory for 1808:** There are two entries for Vanhook: “Wm. Vanhook, Attorney,” and “Isaac A. Vanhook, Counsellor.” The latter was Colonel of the Fifth Regiment, New York City Volunteers. See 2 Am. St. Tr. 203.

- **Morton, Jacob:** Born in New York City, 1760; member of the New York Assembly, 1795; Justice of the Peace, 1797; Colonel of the New York State troops and a Brigadier General in the War of 1812; died in New York City. See 1 Am. St. Tr. 63.

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