, 1841-07-31
July e6th, l84l.

Having seen an address to the Public,
from NJ. J. Noyes in which he has seen fit TO
introduce the name Of my Father, the late
WIN. Stephenson ESQ.,, with the apparent in
teniion of lessening in the public estimation
what his family and friends had considered
the well earned fame OF an honest citizen,
and an upright public officer, l have neces-
Sariiy paid some attention TO II, and am pre-
vailed with, by that natural sensiiiveness
with which a son should watch the reputa-
ton Of a father, to make som charges, it
contains the subject Of q few remarks-al-
though considering the source from which
they come many may think it unnecessary.
Mr.. Noyes says in substance, that a charge
against him for exacting illegal fees preferred
in the year 1889 originated with the late
Judge Stephenson, that when the charge
was first mentioned 10 him, (Noyes) by the
county court, Judge Stephenson was shown
to be labouring under mistakes, and misap-
prehensions-and was personally excited in
his manner towards him Mr.. Noyes-that
the language Of Judge Stephensons letter TO
the Auditor, was sufficient TO strike the
mind Of every reader-that in fact no real
ground Of complaint ever existed and that
no charge would have been made against him
n, but that the late Judge had become per-
sonaIly disobliged with him-that Judge S.
had intended at one time TO institute a prose-
cution against him n. for making those char
ges, and only abandoned that intention,
When upon an examination into the matter,
he became satisfied in his own mind, that he
had Inexperienced the case, and that his
accusation could not be sustained,-and that
before Judge S. death, he became perfectly
satisfied that the charges were not true, and
so stated to different individuals. ]. is a
consolation 10 the family and friends Of the
late Judge S. to be able TO say without fear
of contradiction that his general character for
integrity and uprightness, through a long
and useful life, much Of it spent in posts Of
public trust-was never yet assailed, or
who have themselves been brought under
suspicion of official or moral delinquencies.
Charges Of unworthy influences, and cor
rupt purposes coming from such a SOURCE
coming from on individual. liable to more than
suspicion Of delinquencies cannot be enti-
tied to the respect which would attach to a
reffutation--they can only be considered with
contempt. But there are some other Of the
assertions in the address Of Mr.. N. and in
the certificates Of MI. l.ovlace and Wm.
Penix, of his intentions to prosecute and the
reasons for abandoning that intention, and
Of his changes of opinion before his death,
not affecting his character, but which would
become a duty if his views Of the subject
had really been changed which it may be
necessary for me to notice as conclusions
are evidently intended to be drawn from
these asserted changes-which if they had
not taken place would of course be fallacious.
l resided with my father before and during
hislate sickness-hea at all times told me when
speaking upon the subject, that the charge Of
Mr.. Noyes against the county in the year
1889 of S4e,46 for services in relation TO
county revenue was illegal in his opinion,
and that Noyes ought to be prosecuted
therefor, that he was always in favor Of the
prosecution in the Court but was overruled
by the other J~udges-but that his opinion
remained the same as well after as before
the order Of the Court to pay back most
of the sum allowed-and | do know that
he remained until hls death under the full
conviction Of the guilt Of Mr.. N. in making
those charges as he frequently expressed to
me. heard my Father say that at the