The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1845-12-02 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD,

SIR,—Having observed several mis-statements in the
Mercury of the 28th ult., relating to the pretended con-
version of the late Bella Lewis, of Jubilee-street, in West
Derby township, I have to request. as a favour, and in
justice to the survivors of the family, that you will insert
this short statement of truth, signed by the father and
mother of the deceased, after reading it over to them, in
the presence of witnesses.
I forwarded a letter to the Board of Guardians, at their
request, on the 25th ult., having made a verbal report to
them on the 18th, and was desired by one of the guar-
dians (Mr. Smith) to procure the name of the ptiest,
which I could not in time for the report. On the day
last named I saw two ladies (Sisters of Charity) belonging
to a convent in the neighbourhood, who had come to visit
my patient by request of the priest. I tour eously re-
quested them to see her in my presence (and not, as the
Mercury states, " they said it would be well to bear it
from herself"). I asked Bella Lewis, "Do you acknow-
ledge }ourself a Catholic or a Protestant?" Answer—
" I was baptized and brought up a Protestant; I am one
now, and will continue so as long as I live." "Do you
wish these ladies from the Convent to see you again, or
to instruct ,ou ?" Answer—" No ; I am satisfied with
(the Rev.) Mr. Anderson, and wish to see him again."
The ladies appeared satisfied, and, I believe, did not see
her again.
Bella Lewis informed me, without my asking ber about
it, that she bad suffered much ill treatment from her
husband because she would not attend the Roman Ca-
tholic chapel, and, to preserve peace as much as she was
able. did not for a long time attend any place of worship
at all ; and that she had only remained quiet during the
ceremony of extreme unction on the 23d, because she
was in fear of her husband (her mother having been sent
out of the: room); that she neither consented to it nor
responded. She was perfectly sensible, and said she had
suffered very much from excitement, and bad no one to
appeal to for protection against it.
Her father denies ever going for the priest, or attend-
ing to give any evidence with him, or for him, at the
Workhouse.
Her mother denies ever fetching the priest, and her
father denies saying " John, you had better fetch the
priest."
This contains all I know, or can collect, of the matter ;
and my applying to the Board of Guardians OH the sub-
ject at all, was to solicit their advice and protection for
the Protestant public in c ses of illness.
I never in any instance interfere with the creeds or
sects under my medical charge, or make any difference in
ordering requisite necessaries, or in the distribution of
lood or fuel, which have been entrusted to me for some
years as one of the Low-hill Charitable Fund Committee.
I am, Mr. Editor, yours very respectfully,
CHARLES BUTLER GREATREX,

22, Moss-street, West Derby, Dec. Ist, 1845.
N. B.—Annexed is a confirmation of the foregoing facts,
signed by the father and mother of deceased, as also by
witnesses who have heard it read to them.

We, the undersigned, have heard the above letter read,
and, in the presence of witnesses, certify that it is a state-
ment of facts, and that she died in the Protestant faith.
THOS. HUGHES, father of Bella Lewis,
JANE HUGHES, mother of Do.,
St. Jude's-place, Jubilee-street.
WitnessJ HENRY HULME, Surgeon.
JANE WARING.
December Ist, 1815.