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TIIE TIMBER CASES.The first case culled yosUrday morning, in the largo category now pending before the U. S. District Court, waa that of the United SlaUs vs. Roswell and Edward Canfield. The dofend-anta in thU cautc, by Jaa. A. Van Dyke and O. V. N. Lothrop, maae application for continuance, and upon that motion read the affidavits of Edward Canfield, Samuel Potter, Jno. M. Loomis, H. A. Mitchell, Brown, Dickson, Secor and Meara.We had expected to lay before our readers the contents of these several affidavits, but after they were read and filed they passed into the hands of Hon. Geo. E. Hand, U. S. District Attorney, who declined to allow us the perusal of them. The affidavits disclosed a stato of facts, which is not peculiarly creditable to the officers concerned.The affidavit of Loomis shows a settlement of Loomis and Ludington with Willard, a payment of $6,000 to Willard, nnd a payment of $500 to John Dudgeon, who promised to use his influences with Willard to take the $5,000; Willard having demanded $ 10,000. This affidavit shows also the discharge of Haynes, the agent of Loomis Ludington, who was held under arrest until the money was paid.Canfield’s affidavit shows the payment of $3,-000 to Willard and $300 to John Dudgeon, paid to influence Willard to take the $3,000 ho having previously demanded $10,000II. A. Mitchell’s affidavit sets forth that ho is U. S. Dep. Marshal for the State of Illinois, and that he had papers in his hands for the arrest of the Canfields, and the statement of Willard to Mitchell, that the Canfields had settled and paid *3,000, and were not to bo further prosecuted, with a direction to the Marshal not to serve thepapers.The other affidavits on file showed an attempt, on the part of Willard and Durkee, to induce different peraon» who stand indicted, to testify against and help commit the Canfields, under the promise of reward for so doing, nnd under a liko promise that the indictments against them sho’ld bo dismissed if they did so.The affidavit or deposition of Meara, shows a sale of a large quantity of shingles nnd shingle-bolts, from Willard to Dudgeon, nnd a sale of the same from Dudgeon to Meara, and payments by Mears, in part to Willard, and in part to Dudgeon.All the affidavits show tho assumption on the part of Willard nnd Durkee of a power to exercise influence over the District Court, and to hold to trial or release such parlies as they might see fit, a power which has been contuineliously assumed, without a shadow of foundation.We are under obligation to His Honor Judge Wilkins,and to W. I).Wilkins, Esq., tho efficient and gentlemanly Clerk, for their politeness in enabling us to report tho proceedings in the cases here enumerated.After the proceedings named above, the case of the United Stntes vs. John Iiudiman was continued upon affidavits and tho trial of Win. Thomason proceeded in the following order:United States vs. William Thompson—Hand and Frazer, for Government; Van Arman and K Patterson for defence:—Indicted for cutting timber on Government land, on town 8 N., R. 15 W., bo i and s i of ne J-, and »w i of no f. 1st count charges him with cutting 5000 pine trees.A warrant for contempt was issued against William D. Durkee, of Manistee, n U. S. witness —3 St. at large 492,1831.Names of Jurymen.—John K. Pugslcy, Jon. Shearer, N.W. Wortley, Marcus Wassemsn, Rufus H. Darling, S. B. Newton, Barney Earl, Horace B. Williams, Daniel Goodnow, David A. Woodward, Thos. F. Glenn, David Gilbert.Judge Hand referred in opening to tho treaty of Chicago, Aug. 29, 1821,7 St, at large, 218. ceding land between Grand River and St. Joseph Sept. 19, 1827—7 St. at large, 305. Treaty of Chicago, Sept. 7, 1833—7 St. at large, 442.— Treaty of Washington—7 St. at large, 491; ceding all the country from Grand River and Hudson Bay river to tho N. E., N., and N. W.Alonzo Ii. S(ncnslt;m, sworn—Lives at Crockery Creek, Ottawa Co., Michigan; knows tho land described in indictment; tias lived in tho township 3i years, on section 15; does not know on what section of land defendant’s mill® were on; town of Crockery is 8 N., 15 VV.; knows defendant Thompson, has known him 4 years and more; never saw him cut timber on section 15; pine timber was cut in 1852 by different men; I knew one of them; don’t know their names, one waa Mr. Field; witness cut some; don’t know any more; three or four others were cutting; tho trees were cut into saw-logs, logs were drawn to Thompson's mill.The conclusion of the evidence and of the trial, will be given to-morrow.[Detroit Daily Inquirer 17th.N’lrHm.As of Rtiksiaw—A towerinff nlume
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Grand River Times
Grand Haven, Michigan, US
Wed, May 24, 1854
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