Daily Alta California, Volume 1, Number 209, 28 August 1850 — LOCAL MATTERS. [ARTICLE]

. LOCAL MATTERS.

TRIAL OF JUDGE MORRISON FOR MALFEASANCE. — The trial of Hon. Roderick N. Morrison (Judge of the County Court) was commenced in the District Court yesterday before Judge Parsons and a jury. For the State appeared Calhoun Benham, Esq., District Attorney, and ExGov. Smith; — for the defendant, Gen. John Wilson, Col. John B. Weller and Edward Norton, Esq. The information charges Judge Morrison with wilful and corrupt misconduct in office; and that he offered to receive a bribe — said bribe to be the consideration for a decision in favor of Joseph L. Folsom, in a cause pending between Joseph Henriquez, Public Administrator, and said Folsom. The prosecution opened the case with the following testimony: Wm. H. Ranlett, being sworn, stated that he was an architect by profession, and that he has resided in this State since January last. He then proceeded as follows: On the 1st of April I proposed to Capt. Folsom to lease from him a piece of ground on the corner of Battery and Bush streets; the bargain was closed on the next day, and on the 3d of April I was put in possession. Shortly afterwards I called on Capt.Folsom, and asked him what price he would fix upon the lot. He replied $45000, but to realize immediately he would receive something less than that sum. I proposed to purchase the property myself, and the matter rested here until the arrival of the June steamer, when, having received a letter from a gentleman in New Jersey, authorising me to purchase the property, I again called upon Capt. Folsom, and he partially assented to let me have the lot. On the 2d July I saw in the newspapers the account of the Public Administrator's having taken the Leidsdorff (Leidesdorff) estate into his own hands, and on the same day Capt. Folsom called at my office, when I asked him what would be the effect of the suit which had been instituted by Mr. Henriquez. He said he did not know. I then referred to the lot I had proposed purchasing, and he replied that he could do nothing about it, as his hands were tied up. On the same day or the day following Capt. Folsom again called at my office, and I suggested to him that as I was acquainted with Judge Morrison I would call upon him and ascertain if I could obtain from him an opinion as to whether or not I could safely purchase the property. I accordingly found Judge Morrison, in one of the rooms of the court house, and told him what I wanted. I asked him if he would give me an opinion about the property, or whether he would refer me to his partner in law. He replied that he had no partner in the law at all, but he would see what could be done, inviting me to call upon him the next day, when we could talk over the matter. The next day I again called upon Judge Morrison, and again told him that I desired an opinion us to whether I could safely purchase into the Leidesdorff estate. He said that I had better employ counsel, and that it was a delicate thing for him to give an opinion in the matter. I told him I was unacquainted with counsel, and asked him to recommend me to some lawyer. He said that if I would call on the following day he would consider the subject. We had an interview the ensuing day, and he advised me to go to Mr. Dwinelle. I declined, Mr. Dwinelle being retained by the Public Administrator. Two interviews followed, the Judge advising me to go to Mr. Dwinelle, as he was a very safe man, very close in his counsel, and as tight as a drum. I consented to see Mr. Dwinelle, and the Judge gave me a letter to him, saying that he would be in his office at 8 o'clock precisely on that evening. I went in the office, found Mr. Dwinelle, and gave the note written by Judge Morrison. This note he burnt as soon as he had finished reading it. I explained to him my business, which was to ascertain whether or not I could safely purchase into the Leidesdorff estate, and that I desired an early opinion, as I intended going to the states in November, and I wished to make immediate improvements upon the property. Saying that it was a very important case, and that he wished to consult some one, his partner I supposed, he said that if I would see him the next day he could then give me an answer as to whether he could give me the opinion I desired. I told him that I would not mind giving $4000 for an opinion so that I might go on and improve the property, and that if there were any other little matters outside I would not mind another thousand. I saw Mr. Dwinelle the next noon, and asked him if he had made up his mind so as to give me a safe opinion, an opinion such as the settlement of the estate would coincide in. He said it should be a safe opinion if he gave one. I asked him what his fees would be. He replied "as much as you offered me last night, for myself, an equal amount for Mr. Holland, and double the amount for the Public Administrator." I asked him if he demanded $16,000, and he said, "Yes, $20,000." I asked him what the Public Administrator had to do with his opinion. He said the $10,000 was to be in lieu of prospective fees in the event the case was not settled. I told him I could not give him so large an amount, and he replied that perhaps Captain Folsom would give something towards it, and I had better see him. I left Mr. Dwinelle after telling him that I did not think Capt. Folsom would pay any thing, as he felt confident the estate would come into his hands. I then left Mr. Dwinelle, saying to him that there was an end of the matter. I have not spoken to him since. In one of our interviews Judge Morrison told me that I might depend upon any opinion Mr. Dwinnelle might give as being to my interest. I saw Judge Morrison the evening after my final interview with Mr. Dwinelle, and told him what had passed between us. I told him that Mr. Dwinelle had demanded $20,000 for an opinion in the case. The Judge told me that if the case went on, the public, administrator would receive much more than that sum, as there was no knowing where the matter would end, and he advised me to pay therefore. Mr. Dwinelle had told me that his opinion and the decree of the Court would correspond. I had two or three other interviews with Judge Morrison. On one occasion he was very angry. He said that Captain Folsom had purchased part of the Herald to lampoon him and his Court, and that if Captain Folsom or any body else said anything against him or his Court, he would put them in jail in an hour. [Witness produced notes from Judge M., requesting interviews; one of these notes referred to the County House, and the witness stated that the other note had reference to the piling of a lot near Mission street.] In our interviews no mention was made of the County House. It was understood that we could talk about the matter and do other business at the same time. Judge Morrison said that Captain Folsom had better give two or three of his fifty vara lots than have the decree go against him. The fifty vara lots referred to were in California street, and were worth about $50,000 apiece. The Judge thought the estate yielded about $60,000 a year; and he said in so many words that I had better get Mr. Dwinnelle's opinion. Having told him that Captain Folsom would take the matter to the Legislature, he replied that the Legislature would not meet for six months. I asked him what would be the decision in case an appeal was taken to the District Court, and he said that Judge Parsons would probably give a decision similar to his own. The Judge also said he thought the estate was escheated to the United States on account of the bastardy of Leidsdorff. I procured the papers from Captain Folsom, and Judge Morrison looked at them, remarking that there was an important paper which he did not know of before. After reading the papers, he said his mind had changed as to the escheatment. All this conversation was before his decree giving the estate into the hands of the public administrator. The Judge said they were d— d bad papers to come into the hands of a public administrator. Judge Morrison had said that it was a delicate matter for him to give an opinion in the matter, he being a Judge of the Court. I said to him that I did not see why the public administrator should receive $10,000 , and that if he (Judge M.) would give the administrator a suit of old clothes, a couple of hundred dollars in money, and four or five weeks board, it would be enough for him. The judge made no reply except by a laugh. [The witness here announced that he felt too unwell to proceed further at present, having been ill for two weeks with the brain fever. A recess of two hours was then taken, but the witness not appearing, the counsel proceeded to other testimony.] Capt. Joseph L. Folsom. — Shortly after Judge Morrison's accession to office, I was informed through Judge Geary, that he, (Judge M.) wanted some of the papers connected with the Leidsdorff estate. I accordingly called upon Judge Morrison, and exhibited to him all the papers I deemed material for the purposes of the Court. Shortly afterwards I received a note from Judge Morrison, informing me that he had granted letters of administration to the public administrator, and requesting me to give up all the papers connected with the Leidsdorff estate. I again saw Judge Morrison, and asked him what he intended in do in case the papers were turned over to him. He said he was not advised as to what course he should pursue, and seemed to avoid conversation on the subject. I told him that I desired to make a courteous reply to his letter, and if he intended to place the estate in the hands of the public administrator, I should decline giving up the papers. He said he was not advised as to what he should do. In the early part of July I had an interview with Mr Dwinelle in my office. He said that some indirect advances had been made to the Court, respecting the Leidsdorff estate. I told him that no such propositions emanated from me, and if they had been made they were without my knowledge or consent. He continued as if seeming to doubt me, and said that I ought to keep my own counsel, and that in matters of

well desire such a spot, where apples, pears, pomegranites, melons, and grapes, and every variety of fruit can be cultivated with the utmost ease, and the least possible degree of labor. As regards grain, wheat and barley will yield at the rate of 50 bushels to the acre, with certainly one half the labor requisite in the Atlantic States. Wild oats, as in almost all the fertile regions of California, are of spontaneous growth throughout the entire valley. I have eaten of all the roots (to say nothing of the "yarbs") and vegetables raised here, and in point of excellence, I unhesitatingly assert that "they're ekilled by none and excelled by few. During my sojourn I visited General Vallejo's estate and inspected his newly laid out gardens and his bath house. The former is truly splendid, and the latter replete with every imaginable convenience and comfort known to luxury and refinement. The taxable property of General V. in this county, as shown by himself, is very large as he owns in this county about 100,000 acres of land, upon which are houses horses, sheep and cattle too numerous to mention. What he considers a fair estimate of his property in this vicinage is $141,394.00. Several enterprizing artizans, and in fact almost all descriptions of mechanics are much needed at this point. In coming into this valley a traveler would first notice the entire lack of that first rudiment of civilization, a barber's pole. Of theatres, bull fights and model artists, as yet, there are none. The principal diversions are horse racing, fancy balls and gambling; which latter, I understand, is considerably on the wane. On the evening of the 22d a grand ball came off, which exhibited the rustic dances of "Hoosier" origin in quite as interesting a light as its most ardent admirers might desire. But to fly from these rural themes — a horse thief named Robert Stevens, was arrested a few days since, but succeeded in making his escape the ensuing day from the custody of the sheriff. He fled to the city of St. Louis, where he succeeded in stealing another horse with whom he eloped upon a "lope." A reward has been offered for his apprehension. And now, fearful lest I might have already exceeded your patience, I have the honor to subscribe myself, . Yours, ARAB.

such importance third parties should not be confided in. In the course of the lengthy conversation which ensued, Mr. Dwinnelle said there was no appeal from the County Court; that the administrator would have the control of the estate, and that some person, probably a banker, would be appointed receiver. He said that the estate could be placed in my hands in twenty four hours if I willed it. He said that if I had any advances to make, I should make them to him. I replied that if he had any propositions to make, I would hear them, but that I did not mean to place myself in the light of a criminal, nor do nothing illegally. He replied that he hoped I did not consider that he would be engaged in a dishonorable purpose, to betray me. He said that he would consult his partner, and see me again. He returned the same afternoon, without being able, as he said, to see his partner, who was engaged, I understood him to say, in the Court, he therefore was unprepared to make any direct proposition in reference to the matter. I told him he could see me the ensuing day, and make such propositions as he desired. I did not see him the next day. I saw Mr. Ranlett from time to time, during his interviews with Judge Morrison, and I asked him for a brief statement, in writing of what had taken place. It was upon this statement that I based the publications over my own signature, of a letter which was published in the Herald, on the Monday following my final interview with Mr. Dwinnelle. My counsel, Messrs. Yale and Peachy, advised me to this step. I have no interest in the Herald, I never told Ranlett or any body else to make any propositions whatever in my behalf. I did say to Ranlett when the $20,000 proposition was alluded to, that I would not give one farthing, but that if the Court fees amounted to $50,000, I would endeavour to pay them. I would not give anything which could not appear as a legal charge. I had forbidden Mr Ranlett, (when he proposed seeing Judge Morrison in the matter) to use my name or compromise me in any way. Cross-examined. — I have known Ranlett since December; he is a tenant of mine. He did say at one time that he would give $5000 to ascertain the legal right of the parties. When Mr. Ranlett proposed purchasing into the Leidsdorff (Leidesdorff) estate, I understood him as acting for Mr. Hill of New Jersey. The value of the Leidsdorff estate is variously estimated at 160,000 and over. I consider myself in the capacity of owner and agent of an interest in the estates, not administrator. Since I took charge of the estate, I have paid debts to the amount of $40,000. [A card, which Captain Folsom exhibited, and which served to refresh his memory, was in the handwriting of Dwinelle. It contained the memorandums — "Trip to the West Indies," "no picayune business," etc., a memorandum particularly blind except to the initiated.] SUPERIOR COURT. — In this Court, yesterday, judgments in favor of plaintiffs were rendered final in the following causes: Noble & Hammell vs. Edward Carey, for $3225; Wm. Blackburn vs. Joseph S. Buckle, for $630; Eben Niles vs. J. G. Bryant, for $821; Caughley & Bromley vs. Gaylord and Buckley, for $1543; Sancher Brothers vs. O. D. Ouviera, for $220; Solomon Ronstaun vs. Edward R. Myers, for $636. RECORDER'S COURT. — His Honor Judge Tilford entered into the examination of a large number of cases yesterday — most of them, however, of a trivial character. A dozen suitors, charged with mutiny on board the Danish ship Judaven, were remanded into the custody of the captain of said ship. Domingo Garcia, charged with assault, was sentenced tv two days imprisonment. John Simmons, on a charge of larceny, was held for trial in the Court of Sessions. Charles Fries, for assault, was sentenced to pay a fine of $30 and to give bonds in $500 to keep the peace. TESTIMONIAL. — The presentation of a silver pitcher to Messrs. Delmonico and Treadwell, by the shipmasters of this port, took place on Monday. The pitcher bears this inscription: "Presented to Messrs. Siro Delmonico and Joseph C. Treadwell, of San Francisco, U. C., as a memento of kindness and liberality shown by them to the meetings of Shipmasters, at their house on the 17th and 20th of August, 1850. Plus meruistis." An appropriate address was delivered by Captain Muran, in behalf of the shipmasters, to which Mr. Treadwell responded. A SNUG BERTH. — In the course of debate in the Board of Aldermen on Monday evening, the enquiry was made if Capt Keyes held his office as engineer for the construction of certain wharves, from the Board of Aldermen. Mr. Selover replied that when the wharves were contracted for, the old council also entered into a contract with Capt. Keys to superintend the building of the wharves at a salary of $1000 per month. He considered the contract binding, he said, no matter how long the completion of the wharves was delayed. THE CHINA BOYS. — His Honor Mayor Geary, on behalf of the Committee of Invitation, have sent to Vice Consul F. A. Woodworth an invitation for the "China Boys" to participate in the obsequies of to-morrow morning. BENEFIT FOR SUFFERING IMMIGRANTS. — Mr. Rowe has set apart the receipts of his Circus on Thursday evening next for the benefit of suffering Immigrants. The attraction which he offers is sufficient to fill the house, aside from the worthy cause to which the proceeds will be devoted. . From Sonoma. We have received from an esteemed correspondent the following letter from Sonoma. We think it will repay perusal. The writer is perfectly au fait and is by no means a Munchausen. . SONOMA, Aug. 25, 1850. MESSRS. EDITORS: — Desirous of ridding my shoes of the accumulated dust of San Francisco, and relieving my lungs from the enforced inhalation of the same delectable compound, on Monday of last week, in company with several ladies and gentlemen, I embarked on the beauteous, fast sailing yacht Panthia, for this truly delightful vale. Of our aquatic excursion I do not now feel competent to render a description, but time may "a tale unfold," yet without any possibility that the promulgation or importation thereof would . — "Harrow up thy soul, freeze thy young blood; . Make thy two eyes, like stars, start from their spheres; . Thy knotted and combined locks to part, . And each particular hair to stand on end, . Like quills upon the fretful porcupine." We arrived at the embarcadero of the "City of St. Louis," on the following morning, and after partaking of the hospitalities of the St. Louis Hotel, an unsurpassable dejeuner a la fourchette, we bade adios to the "city," and departed for the Pueblo, — some on horseback, some in carretas, and myself, happy situation, between two of the fair sex in a rather small buggy. If you imagine my situation to be like that of the "gentleman in a peculiarly perplexing predicament," you are mistaken — I could conscientiously exclaim, "Je suis content." Of this valley, in which I whilom was a two year's resident, but to which I have been a stranger for an equally long period, I can scarcely speak. The uncultivated fields now teem with the result of agricultural labor; the town has undergone surprising improvements, wharves having been constructed, bridges built, streets improved, and here and there the cottage rearing its head, betokens the existence of that true blessing, the social endearments and comforts of the domestic hearth. The unpretending town has grown in this short space into a city, over which a Mayor and Council exercise their functions. How great to me is the contrast, when a few thatched jacales and the massive, crumbling, dilapidated walls of the Mission were alone there to greet the eye, the latter bringing back historical reminescences of ancient Rome. From the situation of this spot and an intimate knowledge of its agricultural capacities, I am confident that a hundred thousand dollars could be invested with safety and profit, either for agricultural or manufacturing purposes, or in buildings, in Sonoma. A never failing stream of water courses through the entire length of this delightful valley, on the banks of which are now many pretty cottages with splendid gardens, rejoicing in every shade of floral beauty. Two mills have also been erected upon this stream, and are in successful operation. Of the home features of the country, so varied and exquisitely beautiful are they, that I feel myself incompetent to speak in adequate terms. The whole is one beauteous parterre where Flora appears to have striven to outdo herself; and the horticulturalist might