The New York Herald Newspaper, August 22, 1874, Page 4

4 NEW YORK HERALD, SATURDAY, AUGUST 22, 1874.-TRIPLE SHEET. MOULTOV'S MESSAGE, ——— Beecher’s Triumphs in the Fight. -<nonariiaiitannes BOWEN’S MACHINATIONS. Beem 2 OE te Full Story of Tilton’s Dismissal from the Independent. A TERRIBLE PICTURE. seateaninonte Elizabeth's Confession, Retrac- tion and Prevarication. o BEECHER’S SORROW Desperate Efforts of Mutual Friends to Save Him. Family Squabbles and Mrs, Hooker’s Free Love Fancies. & BROTHER’S OPINION. The Rev. Thomas Beecher Sees No Hope for Henry. veut “HANDS OFF, UNTIL HE IS DOWN.” Hypocritical Communications to “Quiz” the Public. A MOTHER-IN-LAW’S SPECIALTY. SOM A Letter from Elizabeth to H. W. B. Whieh Shocks the Mutual. Follies and Tilton’s | noth out the truth’? should now be fully de- clared, I give to the public, therefore, the statement IT had prepared to bring be!ore the committee, with- out che alteration or addition of a sentence and scarcely a word—certa:nly without the change of | @ single syilable—since | read Mr. Beecher's state- ment and evidence, or because of tt. ‘This paper 1 withdrew (rom the committee when becore it in @ last despairing effort for peace, at ‘he earnest solicitation of some of Mr. Reecher’s friends, and with the approval also of some of the mos! valued of my own, Ido not now give it to the committee, but to the public, because its prodaction concerns myself rather than the principals in the strie, It 18 | Made for my own protection against pudtic accu- | sation and not toald e1ther party to the contro- versy. For the neodiess and cruel necessity that now so imperatively compels tts production I have the most profound grief—or which there is but a | Single alleviation—vameiy, that the disclosure of the facts at this time can scarcely Work more harin to him whom | at first tried to befriend by wisnholding tiem from the public than they would | Neve caused bim in January, 1871, when, bat for my iferference, the public most assuredly would have been put in possession of the whole truth, ‘This publication, to which Mr. Beecher forces me reuders fruitiess ‘our years of constant and sin- cere efforts to save him, It leaves him and Mrs. Tilton in almost the same position in which I found them, excepting in 80 iar4s their own late disingenvous untruthiuiness in their solemn state- ments may lower them im the estimation of the | worta. | until some portion of the published evidence of | L reserve to myself the right hereafter to review the statements of Mr. Beecher in contrast wita the facts as shown by the documents herewith sub- joined and others which I have at my hand—the | prodaction of which did not seem to be necessary | Mr, Beecher demanded contradiction. | | FRANCIS D, MOULTON, STATEMENT OF FRANCIS D. MOUL- GRNTLEMEN OF THR COMMITTEE:—I need not re- | peat to you my great, very great sorrow to feel | permission of the parties, to put before you the | obliged to answer your invitation, and, with the | eXact facts which have been committed to me or come to my knowledge in the unhappy affair under Investigation, In so doing | shall use no words of characterization of any of them or of incuipation | of the parties, nor shall 1 attempt to ascribe | motives, save when necessary to exactly state the fact, leaving the occurrences, their acts of omis- sion and commission, to be imterpreted by them- | “seives. In giving conversations or narrative I, of course, can in most cases give only the substance of tne first and will attempt to give words only mana which this letter should make—namely, that he shoutd. for reasons which he explicitiy knew, imme- diately cease from his ministry ot Plymouth chureh aud retire from: Brookl ‘The first deatt ot the letter did not contain the phrase “for reasons which he explicity knew,” and these words (or words to this eifect) were incorporated in a second, at your motion. You urged turthermore (amd very ¢m- hatically) thatthe letter should demand not only Mr. eecher's abdication of his pulpit, but cessation of his writing for the Christian Uniow & ‘pont on which you were overruled, — This letter you presented to Mr. Beecher at Mr. Freeland’s house. Shortly afier tt 7 tion You sought an interview with me in the editc # of the Brooxtyn Cadon. during which, wil ntable emouon in your manner, your {1 with rage. you threatened with a’ oud vot | if Lever shoutd intorm Mr. Beecher of the statements which you bad made concerning his adultery, or should ‘compel you to adduce the evidence on which ugreed fo sustain the demand for Mr. Beecher's Withdrawal from Brooklyn, you would immediately de- prive me of my engagement to write for the Independ-nt | and to edit the Brooklyn Union, aud that tn case I should | ever attempt to enter the offices of those journals you | would have me ejected by force. I told you that | should inform Mr. cror anybody else, according to the | dictate of my judgment, uninfluenced by any threat | fom my emplover, You then excitedly retired trom | my presence. Hardly had your violent words ceased ringing in my cars when f received your summary ices breaking my contracts with the Independent aud ¢ Brooklyn Union To the foregoing narrative of facts | have only to add my surprise and regret at the | sudden interruption, by your own act, of what has been, on my part towards you, a taitbful Arapdship of fifieen years. Truly yours, THEODORE TILION. | _ In this letter I have omitted the sentence quoted as the words of Mr. Bowen, after the words, ‘as nearly as 1 can recall your words, that’'—simply desiring to say that it containea a charge of rape, or something very nearly like ravishment, of ; 4 Woman other than Mrs, Tilton, told in words | that are unfit to be spread upon the record, but, if desired, the original ig for the inspection of the | comunittee. MRS. TILTON’S CONFESSION. On Friday evening, the 30th of December, being | the night of the Plymouth charch prayer meeting, ‘Tilton came to me and said, in substance, that by bis wife’s request he had determined to see | Beecher, im order to show to Beecher a@ coniession of his wife of the intercourse between them, which he (Tilton) had never uj to that time mentioned to him (Beecher), and the fact of the confession, of | which bis wife had told him tnat she had never told Beecher, although her confession had been made in July previous in writing, which writing he (Til- tov) had afterwards destroyed; but that his wife, fearing that, if the Bowen accusations against Beecher were made public, the whole matter would be known and her own conduct with | Beecher become exposed, had renewed her con- session in her own handwriting, which he handed to me to read, which was the first knowledge I had ofits existence. | ‘Tilton did not tell me how his wife came to make | the confession in July, nor did Lat that time | or ever aiter ask. Indeed, | may state here, once for all, that [ reirained from asking confessions of | the acts of all the parties lurther than they chose to make them to me voluntarily for the purpose for which Twas acting. | . Tilton wanted me to go down and ask Beecher to come up and see him at my house, which I did. Isaia to Mr. Beecher, “Mr. Til on wants you to come ana see him at my house immediately.” He asked, “What ior?’ L[replied, “He wants to make some statement to you in reterence to your relations with h‘s family.” He then cailed to some one in the back room *o go down and say that he should \ ot be at the prayer meeting, and we went out to- ether. It was storming at the time, when he remarked, | “Phere is an appropriateness in_tms storm,” and asked me, “What can lao? What canIdo?” I aid, ‘Mr. Beecher, 1 am not a@ Christian, but if you wish J will show you how well a heathen can | Serve you.” We then went to my house, and I ; Showed him into the chamber over the patior. | where Mr, Tliton was, and left them together. In thas ¥ When they so hnpress themselves upon my mind | about an hour Mr. Beecher came down and asked if as to remain in my memory, and of the latter only so much as seems to me material. Liave known Mr. Theodore Tilton since 1850 in- timately, in the kindest relations of social and per- | sonal friendship. I have known Rey. Henry Ward Beecher since 1869, and then casually a8 an ac- | qguamtance and an attendant upon his ministra. tions upto the beginning of the occurrences of which [ stall speak. TILTON AND BOWEN'S DIFFERENCES, Since Mr. Tulton’s valedictory, as editor of the Independent, on the 22d of December, 1870, 1 in- ferred that there had been some differences be- tween timself and Mr. Henry C. Bowen, the pro- prietor, out learning that Tilton had been retained THE $5,000 EXPLAINED | 4s contribator to that journal and editor of the The following is the statement of Mr. Fragk D, Moulton, which has been so long earnestly looked | for, and which has been generaliy considered as ikely to be the final contribution to the literature of the Brooklyn scandal, now before the public under 80 many diferent forms of exposition. Lic. whale TO THE PUBLIC:— Ibecame a party almost accidentally in the un- happy controversy between Mr. Beecher and Mr. Tilton, [had been a friend of Mr. Tilton since my boyhood, and for Mr. Beecher [ had always enter- tained the warmest admiration. In 1870 Liearned for the first time that Mr. Beecher had given Mr. Tilton so grave a cause of offeuce that if the truth should be made public a great national calamity would ensue. that the scandal would tend to undermime the very fonndations of social order, t0 lay iow @ be- peficent power for good in our country, and blast | the prospects and bligut the family of one of the | most brilliant and promising o! the rising men of I believed | Brooklyn proprietor, I Union, of which Bowen was also supposed that although I had been a frequent visitor at Tiiton’s house and tad seen himself aud Mrs. Tilton uader all the phases of social intercourse, I had never heard or known of tue slightest disagreement or unkindness existing between them, but bad be- lieved their marital relations were almost excep- Uonally pleasant. On the 26th of December, 1870, being at Mr. Tilton’s house, he came home from an interview with Mr. Bowen, and told me with | Some excitement of manner that he had just bad | aconterence with Bowen, and that ia that inter- | | view Bowen had made certain accusations against | Beecher, and bad challenged him (Tilton), as a | matter of duty to the public, to write an open letter, which Bowen was to take to Beecher, of which tre showed me the original draft, which is as follows :— | (FIRST DRAFT—MARKED ‘‘a.""] December 25, 1870—Brooxtyy, Henry Warv Beecner:— Bu {demand that, for the reasons which you ex- | pliciti minisir: Of Brovsiyn as a residence. (sugned) THEODORE TILTON. Tilton explained that the words “for reasons which you explicitly understand” were interlined at the reqaest of Bowen, and he lurther stated Lhat he told Bowen that he was prepared to be- lieve his charges because Beecher had made im- roper advances to Mre. Tilton. ‘surprised at this asked him, *‘What*’ when he replied, ‘Don’t ask understand, you immediately cease trom the the generation. This disaster—as I deemed itand me;I can’t tell you.” I then said, “Is it possiie still regard it—I determined to try and avert. For nearly four years I have lanored most assidu- cusiy to save both of these men {rom the conse- quences of their acts, whether of unwisdom or Passion—acts which have already seriously in- volved them in a neediess and disastrous quarrel, which is made the pretext of pouring on the com- munity. a food of impurity and scandal deeply affecting their own families, and threatening Jike a whirlpool, U not stified, to draw into its vortex | | you couid have been so foolish as to sign that let- ter on the strength of Bowen’s assertion and no: have Bowen sign it too, although, as you he was to carry it to Beecher’ He answered, “Mr. Bowen gave me bis word that he would sus- tain the charges and adduce the evidence to prove them whenever cailed upon.” 1 said, “I fear you will find yourself mistaken. Has the jJetter gone?’ He answered, “Bowen said he would take it immediately.” J afterwards learned from Beecher that Bowen had done so, because on the Ist of January following Beecher gave me the copy he received, as I find by @ memorandum made at the time on the envelope, and J find bya the peace of mind and good repute of ahost of _ later memorandum on the envelope that the origi- others, More than all, | Saw that, because of the | Nal drait was given to me by Tilton on the sth of “transgression of another,’ innocent children would be burdened with a load of obloquy which Would weigh most heavily and cruelly on their | young lives. All these considerations determined me to take an active part in the transactions which have since become so notorious. ‘This decision involved me in great anxiety and | jJabor, for which the hope of saving these interests | could be my only compensation. Even that re- ward bas now failed me, and instead of it an at- tempt is made to throw on me a part of the shame aud disgrace which belongs to the actors alone. One of them, wnom I have zealously endeavored to serve, hag seen fit, witnall the power of his vast influenc? and matchless art as a writer, to visit on me the penalties of his own wrong doing, atthesame time publicly appealing to me to make known the truth, as if it would justify his attack on me. (feel that the failure of my exertions has not been owing to any fault of mine. I worked faith- fully and sincerely, under the almost daily advice and direction of Mr. Beecher, with his tullest ap- probation, confidence and beaming gratitude, un- ti, as I think, in an evil hour for him, he took other arvisers, I have failed, and now, strangely enough, he seems to desire to punisi me for the sad conse- quences of the folly, insincerity and wickedness of his present counsellors. , Mr. Beecher, in nis statement, testifies that he brought on this investigation wituout my knowl- edge or advice, Even while mourning what seemed to me the at- ter unwisdom of tais proceeding, I have done all I could honorably do to avert this catastrophe. [ have kept silent, although I saw with.sorrow tfit ‘this silence was deeply tpjuring the friend of my boyhood, Prompted by a gense of dutv—not to one only but to all the parties involved—I denied the united | and public appeais made to me by Mr. Beecher and Mr. Tilton to produce the evidence in my possession; partly because I felt that che injury | torore, thereby done to Mr. Tilton was far less calamitous than the destruction which must come on all the interests I bad for years tried to conserve, and especially on Mr. Beecher himsell, if { should com- ply with this request, WHY MR. MOULTON SPEAKS. But I stated clearly that in one emergency I should speak—namely, in defence of my own integrity of action if it should be wantonly assailed, 1 left Mr. Beecher untrammetied by the facts in my hands, to defend bimsei!, without the necessity of attacking me. By the published accusations of Mr. Beecher af- | that ne ought not to remain a week longer, in his pul fecting my characjer,, my own self-respect, the | a abo advice of friends and public justice make 1tim- peratave that “the truth. the whole truth an | | } | by his knowleage that same month. I insert here the following memorandum of the facts above stated, made at the time, giving the hour when it was made :— Baoostrn, Dec. 26, 1870. ‘Theodore Tilton informed me to-day that he had sent a note to Mr. Beecher, of which Mr. H. ©. Bowen was | the vearer, demanding that he (Beecher) should retire irom the pulpit and quit the city of Brooklyn. The letter was an open one. i. ©. Bowen knew the contents ef it, | and said that he (Bowen) would sustain Tilton in this de: mand. 3:45 P. In a day or two after that Mr. Tilton called on me at my house and said that he had sent word to Bowen that he was going to call on Beecher within half an bour or shortly; that Bowen came up into the office with great anger and told him if he | should say to Beecher what he (Bowen) had told him concerning his (Beecber's) aduiteries he would dismiss him trom the Ji ‘Tilton told him that he had never been influenced by threats and he would not be in the present case, and he subsequently received Bowen's note of dis- missal. What those charges were and the account of the interview will appear in the following letter ad- | dressed to Bowen by eee bearing date the Istof | January, 1871, which also gives in more substance and more detatl what Tilton had said to me im the two conversations which I have mentioned :- TILTON TO BOWEN. Brooxurn, Jan, 1, 1871. Mr, Henry Sie—L rey ing iy two contracts—one with thesndependent, the other with the Brooklyn Union. With reference to this act of yours I will make a plain tatement of facts, It was during the early part of the rebeliion (if I recol- lect aright) when you first intimated to me that the Rey. Henry Ward Beecher bad committed acts of adultery for which, if you should expoge itn, ite would be driven from his pulpit. From that time onwara your refer. ences to this subject were trequent, aud always accom. Bowen :— panied with the exhibition of @ deep-seated injury to your heart in a letter which you addressed to me trom Wood- stock, June 16, 1865, reterring to this Lp you saia:— “Tsometimes fee\’ that [ must break silence, that l mast Do longer suffer as a dumb man, and be made to bear a load ot grief mu vnjuetly, One word trom me-would ¢ & revolution throughout Christendom, I had almost ou know it, * * You have just a little of e fromthe great volume in my possession. 4m fot pursuing a phantom, but solemnly over an AWIl reality.” ne unde rseorings in this extract are your own, Sub- sequently to the date of this letter, and at frequent in- tervals from then till now, you have repeated the state. ment that you could at any moment expel Henry Ward Beecher from Brooklyn. You have reiterated the same thing not only to me but to others Moreover, during the year just closed your aliusions to | the subject, were uttered with more feeling than here- prpoding and were tot uufrequently coupled with vour empl jon that Mr. Beecher ght wot tobe allo to oceusy & public position as a Christian id preacher and teacher. ‘On the 26th of December, 1870, at an interview in your house, at which Mr. Oliver Jobnson and i were prevent, you spoke freely and indignantly against Mr. Beecher ‘as an unsate visitor among the families of bis congrega- von. You alinded by name toa woman, now a wid whose husband's death you had no doubt was hi Mr. Beecher had maintain her an improper intimacy. You avowed your edge of several other cases of Mr, Beecher's Moreover, asif toleave no doubt on the mind of either Mr. Johnson of myself, you inlormed ws that Mr, Beecher had made to you a confession of his gate and had with tears implaréd your forgiveness. After Mr. Johnyon re- tired trom this interview you related to me the case ol a woman whom you said (as nearty asT r parioe rt jtal of the tale you were fall of & During your recital of the wards ar Beecher. You said, with terrible emp! alteries. You immediately suggested that a made upon him to quit his sac teered to bear to him such a demat open ‘etter, whielt you would present to him with your swe rend and you pledged yoursell to sustain the de. the differences , were not personal or unkind. Upto that time, | 3 80. t Plymouth’charch, and that you quit the cuy | and the Union. | d last evening your saaden notices break. | | me if I had seen the confession of Elizabeth. said | had. Says he, “This will kill me,” and | asked me to walk out with him. I did so, and we | waiked to Mr. Tilton’s house together, and he wentin. On the way he said, ‘Ts is aterribie | catastrophe; 1 comes upon meas if struck by | lightning.” He went into Tilton’s house and I returned home, Within an hour he returned to my house, uouse again together and I walked with him to his house. Tilton remained at my | house while Beecher was abeent at Tilton’s house, | and when he returned there was no conversation | between them. When we arrived at Beecher’ house he wanted me to stand him in this | emergency, and procure @ reconctiiation if pos- | sible. 4 told him 1 would, because the interests of | women, children and families were involved, if or no other reason. That ended the interview that nigbt. During this evening nothing was said | by Beecher as to the truth or falsity o! Mrs. ‘Tilton’s confession, Bor did he inform me that he had obtained from her any recantation of the patcnaion, which I aiterwards learned he had jone. | _ Ireturned to my house and had some conversa- tion with Tilton, in which he told me that he had | recited to Beecher the details of the confession of | his wife’s adulteries, and the remark which Beecher | made was, “This ia all a dream, Theodore,” ana that that was allthe answer that Beecher made to him. I then advised Tilton that for the sake of his wile and family and for the sake of Beecher’s family, the matter should be he! quiet and hushed ap. The next morning, 98 1 was leavin, | home for business, Tilton came to my bouse an with great anger said that Beecher nad done a mean act; that he had gone from that interview of last | Right to his house and procured from Ehzabeth @ recantation and retraction of ner contession. | He satd for that act he would smite him; that | there could be no peace. He said, “You see tbat what I have told you of the meanness of that man is now evident.” Tilton said that Beecher, at the interview of last night, had asked his per- mission to go and see Elizabeth, and he told him he might go, which statement was confirmea by | Beecher himself, and Beecher left him for that pur- | pose. I said to Tilton, “Now, don't get angry: let | us see if even this cannot be arranged. | willgo down and get that retraction from him.” I was then going to my business, so that I was unable to go that morning, but went that evening, saw Beecher, and told him that I thought he haa been doing @ very mean and treacherous act— | treacherous, first toward me, from whom he wanted help, in that he did not tell me on our way to his house last be what he had procured from Mrs. Tilton, and that he could not expect my friendship iu this matter unless he acted truth- fully and honorably toward me. I further said:— ‘Mr. Beecher you have had criminal inter- course with rs. ‘Tiltony you have done great injury to Tilton otherwise. Now | when you are conironted witn it you ask permission of the man to again visit his honse, and you get from that woman who has con- jJessed you have ruined her a recantation and re- traction of the truth for your mere personal saiety. That won't save you.” | BEKCHER’S SEXUAL RELATIONS, | At thatiaterview he admitted with grief and | sorrow the tact of his sexual relations with Mrs. ‘Tilton, expressed some indignation that she had not told him that she had told her busoand, and thatin oe oe of being in ignorance.of that fact hehad been walking upon a@ volcano—re- fering. to what be bad done in connection | with Bowen and with reference to Tilton’s family. He said that be bad sympathized with Bowen, and had taken sides with him as against Tilton, im consequence of stories which were in circulation in regard to him, and especially of | | one specific case where he had been iniormed | | that Tilton had had improper relations with a woman whom he named, and to whom a letter from his wife will make a part of this statement, | and nad so stated to Bowen. And he told me that | he would write to Bowen and withdraw those | charges, and gave me the rough draft of aletter | | which he wrote and sent to Bowen, which letter ) 1s here produced, marked “C.”’; BEECHER TO BOWEN. ROOKLYN, Jan. 2, 1871, My Dear Ma. Bowrn—Since I saw you last Tuesday I have reason to think that the only’ cases of which I | spoke to you in regard to Mr. Tilton Were exagverated in | being reported to ue, and I should be unwilling to have anything I said, though it was but little. weigh on your | Mind in @ matier so important to bis welfare. I am in- formed vy one on whose judgment and integrity 1 wreath rely. and who hus the means of torining an opinion bet- | ter ae any of us, that he knows the whole matter rk, about and that the storios are not true, and that the same is ‘the case with other stories. 140 not wish any reply to this. I thought it only due to justice ‘thi ruly yours, (Signe yon W. BEECHER. Mr, Beecher told me that Mrs. Beecher and him- self, without knowing of the confession of Mri ‘Tilton to her busban: been expressing gr sympathy toward Mrs. Tilton and taking aD ac- tive interest with her against her husband. I said, “Mr. Beecher, 1 want that recantation; 1 | have come for it.” “Well,” sald he, ‘what shall 1 | do without it?” TIreplied, “J don’t know. I can tell-you what will happen with it.” He asked, | “What will you do if I give it your” I answered, | “Ll wil keep it a8 I Keep the confession. If you act honorably I wil! protect it with my Ite, 1 would protect the other with my life, Mr. Tiltor that confession this morning, and J said, ‘I will never give it to you; Pa shall not have it from my hands | until | have exhausted every effort for peace.’” Mr. Beecher gave me back the paper, the original | of which I now produce in Mrs. Tiltoo’s handwrit- tug, marked “D,” as follows :— ‘MRS, TILTON’S RECANTATION. \ December 30. 1870. | | Wearied with importunity and weakened by sickness, | L gave w letter incuipati fri | Beecher, under ass difficulties between now revoke, ersuaded to it, almost for state ot mind. | regret it and recall R. TILT i} gy Tesprper Pout ruin uae bas alwa, pene me in manner becoming « Christian and a gentleman. (signed) ELIZABETH R NLTON. | , Aiterward Mr, Tilton lett with me another letter, | Gated the same night of the recantation, December 30, Dearing on the same topic, to ne kept with the apers, Which was in his wite’s handwriting. It ts bere produced and marked “E,”' as iollows:— MRS. TILTON’S RETRACTION OF HER RECANTATION. DrCEMBER 30, 1870—Midmight. My Dean Hussaxn—TI desire to leave with you before | going to sleep a statement that Mr. Henry Ward Beecher | Called opon me this evening, asked me if I would detend WM Against Any acevsation In a council of minster and I repited solemnly that | would in case. the acca Was doy other person than my husband. He (A. W. B.) dictated a letter which I copied as my own, to be ase! | by hin as against any other accasgr except my hus bund. This letter was designed to vindicate Mr, Beecher agamest all other persons save only yourself. I wasready letter in your hands addressed to iim, dated atrack him dead and ended his usefull December 8.7” Tcgglt And T both are pledged wo do our best to avoid pub city nt a speedy end to ail further anxieties. Affectionately, (Signed) PLGA BETH When I went home with the recantation I found Tilton there and showed it to him, his surprise and gratification that t should have ‘asked for | ened) Bs tly Mr. Beecher has never offered | tognve him this letier because he said with pain that my | | | { | | i { i | | { | very foolish it would have deen tn the morning to have proceeded angrily against Beecner. 1 mude another appeal for peace, saying that, notwith- standing great aiMculties ap| ed in the way, if they were properly deait with they could be beaten out ofthe Way. le expresged his willingness and desire for peace, MOULTON IN BBECHER’S STUDY, When I saw Beecher [| made an agreement, at his request, to go and see him on Sunday, January 1, Lwentto his house in accordance with the engagement. He took me into his study, and theo told ine again of his great surprise that Elizabeth should have made the confession of his criminal commerce with her to her husband without jetting tum (Beecher) know anything about it, making his destruction at any moment possible, ana without warning to him, He Nee Pee his great grief at this wrong which ke had done a8 a minister and friend to Theodore, and at bis request I took pea and paper and ue dictated to me the following paper, ail Of which is in my bandwriting except the words, “I have trusted this to Mouiton im con- fidence,” and the siguature, whica latter are in prensa Itis here produced and marked LETTER OF CONTRITION. Brooxtyy, Jan. 1, 1871. (In trust with F. D, Moulton). My Dear Frixnpy Moucrox—I ask througn you Theo. dore ‘Tilton's Jorgtveuess, and Lhumble myself betore him as 1 do before my God. He would have been a bet- ter man in my circumstances than I bave been. I can Ask nothing except that he will remember all the other hearts that would I will not plead for mysell, 1 even wish I were dead; but others must live aud sufler, 1 will die before any One but myself is implicated, Ail my thoughts are ranning toward my iriends, toward the poor child lying there and praying with her tolde: -hands. she “is “guillless—sinned against; bearing the trausgression ofeanother. Her torgiveness [ have. humbly pray to God that he may put it into the heart of 1 x Supane so forge ri ai fi ave trusted Luis to Moulton in confidence. Gigned) id H.W. BEECHER. ‘This was intrusted to me in confidence, to be shown only to ‘Tilton, which Idid. It had refer- ence to no other fact or act than the coniession of sexual intercourse between Beecher and Mrs. Til- tou, which he at that interview confessed, and de- nied not, but confessed, He also at other inter- views subsequently held between us in relation to the unfortunate affair unqualifiedly contessed that he had been gulity of adultery with Mrs, Tilton, and always in a spirit of grief ana sorrow at the enormity'of the crime he had committed against Mr, Tilton’s family. At such times he would speak with much feeling of the relation he had sustained toward them as pastor, spiritual adviser and trusted friend, His sell-condemnation at the ruin he had wrought under such circumstances was full and complete, and at times he was so bowed down with grief in consequence of the wrong he had done that he threatened to put anend to his ite. He also gave to me the letter, the first draft of which, marked “A,” is above given, in reference to which he sald that Bowen had given it to him; that he had told Bowen that Til- ton must be crazy to write such # letter as that; that he did not understand {t, and tnat Bowen said to him, “I will be your Iriend in this matter.”? He then made a statement which Tilton had made to me at my house of the charge that Bowen had made to him (?ilton) ; said that Bowen had been very treachercus toward Tilton as well as to- ward himsel!, because he (Beecher) had had a re- conciliation with Bowen, of which he told me the terms, and that Bowen hud never in bis (Beech- er’s) presence spoken Of or referred to any allega- tion of crime or wrong-doing On his part with any woman whatever, He ave me, in general terms, the reconciliation, and afterwards gave me two memoranda, which I here produce, which show the terms of the reconciliation, The first is in the hanawriting of Bowen, containing five items, which Beecher assured me were the terms which Bowen claimed should oe the basis of reconcilia- tion. It is as jollows, and is marked “@” :— BOWEN’S TERMS. First—Report and publish sermons and lecture room talks. Second—New edition Plymouth Collection and Freeiand’s interest. Third—Explanations to church. Fourth—Write me a letrer. Fifth—Retract in every quarter what has been Said to my injury. The second paper is @ pencil memorandum of the reconciliation with Bowen in Beecher’s hand- writing. giving an account of the affair. It is Marked ‘H,” as follows :— RECONCILIATION WITH BOWEN. About February, 1870, at a long interview at Mr. Freeland’s house, for the purpose of having a fuil id final reconciliation between Bowen and Beecher, Mr. Bowen stated his grievances, which were aU ettner of a business nature or of my treat- ment of him personally (as per memorandum in writing). Alter hours of conference everything was ad- justed, We shook hands. We pledged each other other to work henceiorth without jar or break. I said to him:— ‘Mr. Bowen, tt you hear anything of me not in accordance with this agrsement of har- mony donot let it rest. Come straight to me at once, and | will do the eame by you. He agreed. {nthe lecture room I stated that all our differences were over, and that we were friends again. This public recognition he was present and heard, and expressed himself as greatly pleased with. It was alter all this that [ asked Mr, Howard to help me carry out this recon- ciliation, and to call on Mr, Bowen aud to remove the little differences between them, Mr, Howard called, expressed his gratification, ‘Then it was that without sny provocation he (Mr. Boweu) told Mr. Howard that this reconctlia- tion did not inciude one matter, that he (Bowen) “knew that aboat Mr. Beecher which if he should ik it would arive Mr. Beecher out of Brooklyn.” Mr. Howard protested with horror against sucn a statement, saying:—“Mr. Bowen this is terrible. No man, should make such a statement unless he has the most absolute evidence.” To this Mr. Bowen replied that he had this evidence, and sald, ointedly, that he (Howard) might go to Mr. eecher, and that Mr. Beecher would never give his consent that he (Bowen) should tel! Mr. How- ard this secret. Mr. Bowen at no time had ever made known to Mr. Beecher what this secret was, and the hints which Mr. Beecher had had of it led him to think it was another matter, and not the slander which he now finds it to be, In that interview Beecher was very carnest in his expression of regret at what had been done against Tilton im relation to his business connec- | tion with Bowen, and besought me to do every- thing I could to save him from the destraction | which would come upon him if the story of bis | (Beecher's) intercourse with Mrs. Tilton should | be divuiged. In compliance with the directions of Beecher, January 1, 1871, 1 took the paper marked “#,” which he had dictated to me, to | ‘Tilton, detailed to him Beecher’s expressions of | regret and sorrow, spoke to him oi his agony of jor the sake 0! the children. sented. I 10und him writing the letter to Bowen of that date, which I have pefore produced, marked “B.”” had with Bowen with a the Independent to be editor of the Brooklyn Union and special contributor to the independent @t @ Salary of $100 per week, with another salary of equal amount for his editorship of the Brooklyn Union and a portion of the profits. Copies of these contracts { cannot produce, because th papers were delivered to Bowen aiter the arbitration of the controversy of which lam about to speak. These contracts provided that they could be ter- Ininated by mutual consent or upon six months? notice, or upon the death of either party, or at once by the party who wished to break or annul them pay.ng to the other the sum of $2,500, Tilton inststed that that sum, with bis arrears of salary, was justly due him, and that he should bring sult against Bowen unless he settied, and he gave me an authorization to settle his affairs with Bowen, which paper Igave to Mr. Bowen when I went down treat with him, retaining this copy, marked ‘*1?:— MOULTON’S AUTHORIZATION. BROOKLYN, Jan. % 1871, Mr, HO, Bows = 1 2 on to act in my bebalt in full settlement my ac counts growin out of my contracts lor services to the In dent and the brooklyn Daily Union. “algned) yn OA OTRO, TILTON. Acting in the interest of Beecher, I told Tilton that this controversy with Bowen, if possible, should be peacefuily settied lest it might reopen the other matters relating to Beecher’s conduct in ‘Tilton’s family and the charges made by Bowen against Beecher, To this Tilton assented, giving mé the authorization above quoted. At my earliest convenience | calied upon Bowen at his oMce upon this business, telling him that 1 wanted him to settle with me, as [ was authorized by Tilton by this letter (handing bim the letter) to settle for the breaking of the contract witl editor of the Brooklyn Union, I also banded him an article written by Tilton for the Jndependent, which he (Tilton) claimed was in ance of his contract, which article was subse- Piseeld returued to Tilton by Bowen through me, owen said that he did not consider that he owed tracts—that he had terminated them, having, in his opinion, sufficient reasons for so doing. “Well,” J said, ‘Mr. Bowen, your contracts are specific.” He said he “knew they were, but they pro- between the parties.” I replied, iff substance, that the arbitration only referred to differences between the parties as to the articles to be puo- lished as editor and contributor by Tilton and as was a fixed sum as penalty jor breach of the con- tracts, ‘The interview terfinated with his refusal to settie the claim J demanded, which refusal I re- ried to Tilton, advising him still nor to sue owen. ‘The following correspondence is with reference to my meeting Mr. Bowen on this business. The letter marked ‘J 1" is my note to Mi, Bowen, and his reply, marked *+J 2°:— MOULTON TO BOWEN. Buoogiry, Jan. 9, 1971 Mr. Henny ©. Dean sin— would state 1! detained at h to the interes we talked that you nt interview with you, I oe Of illness t hawe been reat im port irs about which should meet at an early it moment, if you ‘will call at my house, No. 14% Ctinto; street, L khail be glad to see you at any hour convenient to youirsel! to-morrow. Truly yours, F. J. MUCLION, BOWEN TO MOULTON. 90 WiLLow street, Broox.yn, Jan. 10, 1871 Sm—I am not very well myself, but will try to cail at your house Thursday evening at eight o'clock. Tam en gaged to-morrow evening, [can go this evening it you will inform me thatit will be convenient tor you to see me. U AR learn Ht vou to the pestary I will see ju On juraday evening. ery respectinily, ote F. D. Movutom HENRY ©. BOWEN “WE PLEDGRD OURSELVES TO Gov.” In pursuance of this correspondence we met at - my louse and entered into negotiations about the settlement of the contract with Tilton. At tbat been able to get it, and I then showed to him how | time. during the interview. | snowed Howen the He told me ee atree Chan aatate | Which I hope will accord with vour judgment and kind i | Tilton a8 contributor to the /ndependent and as | vided for arbitration tn case of any differences | to Bowen's conduct as publisher, and that there | | Bowen. I here produce it, marked “K" :— mind, and again appealed to him to have the | whole matter kept quict, if for no other reason, , To this Tilton as- | | me, and I begged him to withhold it from pubtica- art perform. | | was first signed by Bowen. ‘Tilton apy money at all for breaking the con- | | erime of any kind against Beecher.” | seemed, on the contrary, abashed and dejected, and | Save a special letter of January 1 of Tilton (which he, Ti- ton, had placed in my hands to use in ac- cordance = with my ‘own discretion), —here- tolore given, marked “B.”’ Bowen, during the Feading of the letter, seemed to be much excited, and at only one point of the letter questioned the accuracy of its statements, which states as follows: “that alluuing by name to a woman, Dow & widow, whose nusband’s death po doubt was hastened by his knowledge that Mr. Beecher had maintained with per av improper in- tumacy.”” ‘To that ne said, “Ididn’t make that al- lusion; Mr. Tilton made it.” 1 went on to the close of the letter and finished it, when Bowen said to me, “Has Tilton told Beecher the contents of thig letter?” Treplied, “Yes, he has.” Said he, “What shalil do? What Isaid at that interview was said in contidence. We struck hands there, and pledged ourselves to God that no one there preseat would reveal ‘anything there spoken. said to him, ‘It would be an easy mat- ter to confirm what you say or prove that what you say ia faise. Mr. Oliver Johnson was there, and {have submittea this ietter to Mr Johnson, in Mr. Tilton’s presence, and he tells me that there was. no obtigatory confidence imposed On any Of the parties concerning anything said at this interview, save @ special pledge, mutually given, that nothing should be said concerning Mr. Beecher’s demonstrations toward Mrs. Tilton. Mr. Jonnson also says—and this coniirms what you say in regard to one point—namely, that tne allusion to the widow was made by Theodore Til- ton, and that you said you nad no doubt that her husband’s death was caused by his knowledge of her improper intimacy with Mr. Beecher. Quoting your language, he says that you said, ‘| have no doubt about it whatever.’ Mr. Johnson also Says that your statements in regard to Beecher | were not intimations of his adulteries, but plain and straightiorward charges of the same. He Says that you said that you knew of four or five | cases of Mr. Beecher’s adulterous intercourse with women. Mr, Jonson says also that you at that toterview plainiy declared that Mr.’ Beecner had confessed nis guilt to you.” | also said to him “Mr, Tilton states that you sald, ‘I can’t stand it any longer. You and 1 owe a duty to society in this matter, That man ought nor to stay another week in his pulpit. It isn’t sale for our families to have tim in tis city.’’? I also said to him :—Mr, Jonnson also states that at the interview of Decem- ber 26, at your house, Willow street, you volunta- rily pledged your word to Mr, Johnson that you would take no turther measures ip regard to Mr. ‘Tilton without consultation with nim (Mr. John- son),,and that you tad said substantially tae same thing to him peoriousls, during private conversa- tions between you and him.” | then said to Bowen that I thought he was a very treacherous mau, and for this reason that I knew he had hada reconcilta- | tion with Beecher—or rather | was intormed of it— which Was perfested in the house of God, and that within forty-eight hours from that time he had avowed to Mr. Howard that he could if he chose drive Mr, Beecher out of town. I told him, further, that | wag also informed that, prior to that recon- ciliation, he had made no charge against Beecher characier to cher, but oniy behind his bac’ and I sata, ‘Mr. Bowen, | have the points of settle- ment between you and Beecher tn your own hand- writing, and there ts no reference to any charge of Mr. Bowen mace no denial of these assertions of mine, but in reply to my question, “What do you say to these charges which you have made agaiust Beecier’ he declined to say anything about them, but r peated the question, “Whatcan I co?” Lanswered, “Tam not your adviser; I caunot dictate to you what course you should pursue, but you have done great injustice to Mr. Tilton and to Mr. Beecher and you ought to take the earliest meaus of repair- ing the injury. I should think it would be but just for you to restore ‘Tilton to the Zndependent, but I don’t believe he would go back if you'snould offer itto him.” His reply was, “How can I do that now?” [told tim t didn’t know; be must ind a way to settle his own difficulties. He again expressed his willingness to arbitrate the ques- tion of money between himeelf and Tilton grow- ing out of the contract, I told him that Ll would not arbitrate; that a plain provision of the contract provided that he should pay what I demanded, and he must fulfil it. Mr. Bowen rose to leave, and said before leaving, whenever | wanted to see him he would be happy to come to my louse and confer on this subject; apd he did, on several subsequent occasions, visit me at my house when- ever I sent for him to consult on this matter. The means I have of giving 80 accurately the conversa- tion between myself und Bowen as to the conver- sations had with Tilton and Oliver Jonson are | that prior tomy meeting with Bowen, as I told him, { had an interview with Oliver Johnson in the presence of Tilton, where the whole matter was discussed, and & memorandum of Oliver Johnson's statement, in which he gave bis recollection of the interview oi December son Were present, was taken by Tilton in short hand in my presence, and copied out at the time in Jobnson’s presence, which memorandum has been in my possession ever since, and from which 1 read each statement, one alter the otner, to Mr. OLIVER JOHUNSON’S STATEMENT. Atthe interview of December 26 (Willow street, No 9) Mr. Howen voluntarily pledged his word to Mr. son that he (i. ©. 8.) would take no further measures in regard to Mr. Tilton without consultauon with Mr. Johnson, Mr, Bowen likewise had said substantially the same thing to Mr. Johuson previously during private conversations between these two persons. ‘There was no oblizatory confidence imposed on any of the parties concerning anything said at this interview pledge, mutually given, that nothing should be said concerning Mr. Beécher’s ‘demonstration toward Mrs. Tilton. m Mr. O. J. says that Mr, Bowen's statements in regard H. W. B. were not intimations of H. W. B.'s adulter- i straightforward charges of the sume. . stated thi ‘mew four or tive cases of Mr. dulterous intercourse with women, J. says that H. C. B. at this interview plainly de- clared that H. W. B. had confessed his guilt to 3 H.C. B.—I cannot stand it any longer. You and owe aduty to society in this matter. That man ought not to stay another week in his pulpit. [tis not safe lor our families to have him in this city. ‘The allusion to the widow was made by T.T.. and H. C. B. said ue had no doubt that ber husband's death was caused by his knowledge of her iniproper tutimacy with H.W. B. “I have no doubt about it whatever.” To e an end of the statement as to the con- troveray between Tilton and Bowen, I! jurther state that various negotiations were had between Bowen and myself, which resulted finally in an ar- bitration in which H. B. Claflin, Charles Storrs and James Freeland were referees; that there was very considerable delay arising from my own absence South tn the early spring on account of sickness, | Mr. Bowen’s absence during the summer, and Til- ton’s absence during the Jail and winter on his lec- turing tour; so that the arbitration did not ter- minate until the 2d of Avril, 1872 This arbitra- tion was determined upon by me and my determt- nation given to Mr. Ciufin in the following note which Isent, marked "K 2) MOULTON TO CLAFLIN. BRooKLYN, April 1, 1872, My Dear Mr, Crartin—After iull consideration of all interests other than Theodore's, 1 bave advised him to arbitrate on grovuds which he will explain to you, and wishes toward all concerned. Cordially yours, FRANCIS D, MOULTON, Tilton and Bowen and myseif appeared before the arbitrators, and all made statements, In ‘Tilton’s statement was included the letter marked “B,” before given, which he had pnt into type, which act influenced me to consent to the urbi- tration in order to do away with the necessity for its publication. After juli hearing—nothing hav- ing been submitted to the arbitrators except the business differences of Tilton and Bowen—the arbitrators made an award that Mr. Bowen should pay Tilton the sum of $7,000, for whic he (Mr. Bowen) drew his check ‘Whoo the spot and tue con- tracts were given up to him. Alter the above settlement & paper, which has since been called the “tripartite agreement,” was signed by Bowen and Tilton, Beecher signing it subsequently. The inducing cause to this arbitra- tion Was the fact that Tilton had commenced a suit against Bowen and prepared an article for the Golden Age, in which he embodied his letter (marked “B”) to Mr. Bowen and a statement of the circumstances. He submitted that articie to tion. J also brought Beecher and Tilton together, and Beecher added his entreaties to mine. To pre- vent its publication and close the suit, Which might work injury to Beecher and others, | agreed to sub- mit Mr. Tilton’s claim to arbitration, to which I had been invited before by Mr. Bowen, but which Thad refused, as before stated. in this interview between Beecher, Tilton and myself I said, “Perhaps we can gettie the whole matter if] can see Mr. Claflin, for Claflin knows Bowen well, and unde! da the importanve ot all these iuter- ests.” Beecher said he would send Clafin to me, and [ might confer with him upon the matter. In consequence of this Mr. Clafin called on me and we conferred #ou the matter, and subse- quently the arbitration was agreed upon. At the conclusion of the arbitration the parties signed the “tripartite covenant,” which was drawn w (as I understand) by Mr, Samuel Wiikeson. It In the forniin which it was first drawn it bound the parties to say nothing of any wrong done or offence committed by Beecher, and fully exonerated him therefrom. Alter Bowen had signed it it is was handed to Tilton to sign, and he refused. He was willing to sign an agreement never to repeat again the charges of Bowen, saying that if for no other reason, if the matter should thereaiter ever come to light, it would appear that there had been something be- tween Beecher and Mrs. Tilton, and it might be used a8 evidence to the imjury of himself and family, a8 weil as of Beecher, ‘and, therefore, tt ‘was not for the interest o1 either Tilton or Beecher to sign it in the form first proposed. No copy of that “tripartite covenant” was confided to me. Appended to this covenant and made a part of it ‘Was & Copy Of the prooi sheet articie for the Golden Age, 80 that it might be kpown exactly to wh: scandal it reterred, How that “tripartite cove- nant” came to be published I know not. Asa part of that setilement it was arranged that ‘hilton should write a ietter to Bowen, to be published in the independent, with certain comments to ve made by Bowen. The original draft of these, in dui} recantation and witharawal of all charges and matters of difference between Tilton and bowen, is herewith produced and marked “L"*:— RECONCILIATION OF TILTON AND BOW! Turovone 11-70 We nave re friend: ved the following note from an old Ornice of tmx “GoLney AGR,” (Original date plotted), New Yous, April 3, 1972, Hexry C. Bowes, feq.c— Ny Dean sin—1n view of misapprehensions which T lately found existing among our qatual friends at the We touching the severance of our relations in the jendent ani the Brooklyn. Duion, I think it would ‘| call, let it be there. both tor your sake and mine, if we sbonld, cea iy while our polt jogical dit y id theol: and wilt probably widen, yet that all other Gisngreements (30 fet ne we, fo have, been blotted out in reciprocal friendliness aud Aud sil ‘Truly yours, neti It Is 40 long since Mr. Tiiton’s pen nas contribut tha Inder that we give to lis beief note his old and o to whieh his honest purposes, his manly character, and hig. unstained integrity elicit from all who know him weil. The abuse and slanders heaped upon bim by some ua- friendly journals have never been countenaniced by the Regresting his on) abundant rahe a Indepen Adminisiration, we nevertheless wish Derity to the Golden Age and its editor. The above proposed card was sabsequentiy ana voluntartly changed by Mr, Bowen into @ still stronger and more friendly notice of Mr. Tilton, After the tripartite covenant was signed tt came to the knowledge of Beecher, as he tnformed that Bowen was still spreading scancals him, at which he was angered and proposed te write Bowen a letter stating the points that had been settled in their reconciliation ana a; mn and the reason why Mr. Bowen’s mouth should be closed in regard to such sianders. I find among my Dapers a pencil and ink memorandum of the statements intended to be embodied in that lette: which was submitted to my judgment by Beecher. It ts in bis handwriting and is produced, marked “M."" It reads as tolliows:— BEBCHER’S STATEMENT OF BOWEN’S SETTLEMENT, i. That he aliowed himselt to listen to unfounded rumors. if. That he never brought them either (1) to me @) nor in any proper iuanner to the church; (3) thathe only whispered them, and even that only when he had sowe businessend in view. I. ‘hat he did not himselt believe that anything hat rred which unfitted me tor the utmost trust showam. By continuing for twelve to fitteen years a com- picuous attendant at Plymouth church. ith me ax editor ot the Independent. 4) BY continued publications of my sermons, &e, making the privilege of doing so—even as late a8 the lola edd at Freeland’s—one of these points of settle- men @) By asettlement of all dificuties at Frectund’s (and a reconciliation which Was to lead to work together), in which wot @ single hint of any personal immorality, but every item was huriness es 1¥, Asa result of such agreement (DL was to resume my old ity at his house, @) To write him a let uld give his amily to show that I had y i @) To endeavor to remove from him the coldness aad frowns of the parish, ax one who had injured me. 3) Acard to be published. and which: was published, xiving him the right to put in the Jndeveadext sermons und lecture room talks, &¢, () I was invited to go to Woodstock and be his guest, as I was at Grant's reception. V. Of the settlement by a committee whore record is with Mr. Clatiin I have ‘nothing to say. Tdid not see Mr, Beecher during the whole process, nor dol remem- her to have spoken with him since. Vi wethe suree of the statement that he did not himsety hetieve tat T had done anything immoral which should aflect my standing asa wan, a citizen and & minister, ius. trated by the toregoing facts, is demonstrated by his cou. duct when he dd believe that Theodore Tilton commit ted immoralities, his dispoasession of Tndependent, his ig numinious expulsion from B. U., his retusal to pay bum the salary and torieit of contract. Asa part of this transaction Beecher sent me the following note, mared ‘*N”:— BEECHER TO MOULTON. Monpay. My Dean Frieno—I called last evening, as agreed, but you had stepped out, On the way to church last even- ing [ met Clatin, He says 8. denies any such treacher- ous hisneri ies, and is in a right state. mentioned my proposed ietter. He liked the idea. I read him the dra(t of it (in lecture room. He drew back and said better not send it, fasked him ir B, bad ever made him statement of the very bottom facts; if there were any charges [did not know. He evaded and intimated that if he had he hardly would be right in tetl- ing me. [think he would be right in telling you—ouzbt to. ae hot sent any note and have destroyed that prepared. The ai point to avoid is, to an appeal to church and then a council. Tc would bea conflagration and give every possible chance tor parties, tor hidings and evasions, and increase an hundred-told this scandal, without healing anythiug. I shall see you as soon as I return. Meantime [ confide everything to your wisdom, always have, and with such success hitherto that I'bi full trust tor fucure. Don’t fail to see C. and have a full and confidential talk. Yours, ever. From the time of the tripartite coveuant nothing occurred to disturb the relations be- tween Beecher, Tilton and Bowen, or einer of them, so far as I know, until the publication in Woodhull & Clajlin's Weekly of an elaborate story concerning the social relations betweem = 5 Beecher, Tilton and Mrs, Tilton. After that Publier appeared it ain came to the nowledge of Beecher that Bowen was making declarations derogatory to his character. nw was followed by the publication of the trt- partite covenant,” which Beecher informed me ‘Was Gone by Mr. Samuel Wilkeson, and also that Beecher was not a party to its publication nor knew anytmiag about it. ‘There a(terward ap- eared an account of an interview between Bowen, it B. Clafin and Mrs. Woodtall, published in the Brooklyu Zagle, m which ao attempt was made te obtain from her any letters which she might have showing that Beecher was guilty of criminal con- duct, which attempt fatied. Whereupon Beecher addressed mg the following note, which I here pro- duce, marked “N 2" :— BEECHER TO MOULTON. T need to see vou this evening any time til half-past ten. Can you make appointment? Will you call ag 124, or shall” At whut hour? Tyend Clatiin’s levter, Keep . ADS by telegrap! |. W. Yy shhail take te 74 Hicks and ahoulii you I shall take tea at Howar. Or I will go round to your rooms, Want to show you « proposed card. 1 also produce a letter of Claflin to Beecher of Juve 28, 1873, which was enclosed with the above, marked “N 3” :— CLAFLIN TO BEECHER. New Yorx, June 28, 1872, My Dean Mr. Bexcurr—I have yours It was dis tiy understood that the call on Woodhull was en- tirely private and not to be reported. I told Bowen Woodhuil had no. letters: from you of the least conse- quence to him or anybody else, and I was entirol, dled iter the Interview that ( was entirely right, { weat there at Bowen's earnest solicitation, knowing it could rou and might satisfy him, as 1 think itdad. Tt faith to publish the meeting. All present must have been disgusted at the utter lack of what Woodhull professed to have, but could not produce. ‘Truly your triend. H. B, CLAFLIN. P. 3.— Wish you would cail and see me if you pass tue store. Iam aiways in at abouteleven A.M. H. B.C. Beecher, when we met in pursuance of his note, produced to me @ memorandum of a card which he proposed to publish in the Kagle, and which he submitted to my judgment and gave me leave to alter the same as! thought fit. That paper ts herewith produced, marked “N 4”’:— BEECHER’S PROPOSED CARD. Brookiyn, June, 1873. Ihave seen in the morning papers thal appiication has been made to Mrs. Victoria Woodhull for certain tet ters of mine supposed to contain information respectam certain inta:nous stories against me. She has two basi- ness letters, one deciiving au invitation to a suffrage the other declining to give her assistauce and all letters of mine in the hands of any other persons. they have my cordial consent to publish. will only add 1m this connection that the stories and ra- mors which have for a time been circulated about me are grusaly untrue, and T stamp them in general and, io particular as utterly false. 1saw the editor of the Brooklyn Eagle at hie office, and alter consultation with him tae cara was publisned as follows :— To THs Epitox or tae BRoonuyx Eacur:— Sik—In w long and active life in Brooklyn it has rarely happened that the Zagle and myseif have been in ac- cord on questions of common concern to our fellow citizens. Iam for this reason compelled to ackuowl- edge the unsolicited confidence and regard of which the columns of the Zugle of late bear testimony. I have just returned to the city to learn that application has been made to [Mrs.) Victoria Woodhall for letters of mine suy in information respecting certain infa ast me. (I have no objection to have ‘ate, in any way it decins ft, that Mrs. Wood- ny other person or persons who may have let ters of mine in their possession have my cordial con- sent to publish them. fn this connection {and at this Hime) f wil only add that, the stories and rumors which haye, for some time past, been circulated about me are Hata and Lee pe im general and in particalar as utterly (um \. ectful Signed) HENRY WARD BEECHER, In order that the emendations made by myself and Mr. Kinsella may be observed at gee i have enclosed in brackets the words which are nos in the original, I¢ will be thas seen how much of this card was the composition of Mr. Beecher, and how much he relied upon the judgment of others in its preparation. J would have submitted this card to Beecher before publication, but he was absent. For obvious reasons { beld myself excepted {rom this call for Poe ee @s was well understood by Beecuer. I now nothing further of the relations of Bowen ahd Beecher in this connection which is of impor. vance to this inquiry. I have traced them thus far because that controversy at each stage o! it col unnally threatened the peaceful settlement of the trouble of Tilton and Beecher, an account of which 1 now resume. Another curious complication of the relations of the parties arose from the publication by Mrs. Woodhull of the story in her journal. It is a mat- ter of public notoriety that Mrs. Isabella Beecher Hooker, the sister of Beecher, had espoused the cause of Mrs, Woodnull on the question of woman suffrage, and had been accused still further of adopting her social tenets. Beecher's relations to Mrs. Tilton had been cot municated to her. This had been made a subject communication from Mrs. Hooker to her brovi and, after the pubiication py Mrs, Woodhull, Mrs. Hooker addressed the following note to her brother, Which contains go full and clear an ex- position of all the facts and circumstances that I need not add a word of explanation. 1 pro- duce Mrs. Hooker's letter to Beecher under date of November 1, 1872, marked re MRS, HOOKER TO BEECHER, Hanrronn, i Dea Beotuee—In reply to your words, * believe in that woman,” &c., Jet me sa; ersonally I have never heard a word on tt i when, nearly @ year ago. 5 heard that whe city she anid she had expected you to introduce her at Steinway, I wrote her # most indignant and Naas letter, to which she replied in # manner that astonnde ime by its calm assertion that she considered you as true a triend to her ag] myself, " is letter (0 Mr. Tilton, asking him to sho oy st and 10 write me what it a! id nor returned the letter to we acony of it at your service. Meg RUENEY: , Aller that, “om re. trom Washington, went io Mrs. to spend sunday. At Jersey City I met who had come on in the same train with and who urged me in a hasty way not harm was in bat ney I ne fo bring Mrs. Stanton over, on Monday for a suffrage consuliation as (0 spring convention. er assertion of the friendship between you, ineeting you occasionally at Mr. Moulton’s house think this is the name), 1 thought [would put this te test, and replied that it T'could be sure of seeing you wt the same time I would come. She promised to secure you Il possible, and { fully meant to keep my apnoimt- iment, but on Sunday I remembered an appointment at New Haven, which 1 should miss if I stopped in Neer York, and so | passed by. dropping ber a letter by the way. Curiously enough sister Catherine, who WAS stay- ing at your house at this time, sald to me here, casually, the latter of that same week, “Belle, Henry wel over to New York to see you last Monday, Lead es find you." Of course my inference was that Mrs. either had power over you, or vou were secretly frie During that Sunday Mrs. Stan @ preciaely what Mr. Tilton nad said to her, when in ihe rage of discover, he Hed to the house of Mrs, —, and berore tl narrated the story of his own infidelities as comieseed te his wite and of hers as confessed to him. She added th Rotlong ater abe wend la Mr. Moultoa's and met Fou comme Remembert dof hee