Argument of John Cochrane, on Behalf of the Proponent; In the Matter of the Probate of the Last Will and Testament of James P. Allaire, Late of New York, Deceased, Before Edward C. West, Surrogate of the City and County of New York, October 11 and 12, 185 (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1860. Excerpt: ... cipally, to the reviewing of some portions of Mr. Beebe's speech, and the evidence which he produced here to sustain that extraordinary combination of malevolence, falsehood, perversion, and scandal. "A production, sir, so absurdly inconsistent with fact and probability that it can not be accounted for, except, perhaps, upon the hypothesis that he was carried away by his natural impulses, and his hopes of personal gain beyond his means, ability, or expectation of proving; or more probably, perhaps, he had imagined from his knowledge of his clients, who were also to figure as his witnesses, that they would have been swift enough to have kept up with him And they certainly have shown themselves to be of that class known as "fast vntnesses;" but they soon run themselves down, for, like their cause, they were not sound We shall also refer to what we have proved in opposition to their statements, as well as to their own self-contradictions; presenting, as we proceed, a brief review of the facts of this case as they have actually occurred, from which it will appear that these contestants have no right in any way to attempt to bar the probate of this will; that they have all been comfortably provided for by the testator in his lifetime; and that if they are now "poor and destitute," as they allege, it is the result of their own wasteful extravagance; and to remedy this condition, no relief can be obtained by fraud or force from this estate, because, to use the language of Mr. Allaire himself in relation to these very contestants, "They have got all they are ever going to get " We shall now, with your honor's permission, proceed with our review. James P. Allaire, the testator, departed this life at his late country residence at Howell's Works, in Monmouth Count...