New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-10-21
From the Newark Daily Advertiser,
TeGtimOnv Of Rev lr. Chapne

Testimony OF Rev. Dr. Chapman
To all the other full and conclusive proofs urn.
ished by the neighbors OF Mr.. Clay, including
the clergy and officers of tho churches Of all de-
nominations, and of both parties too of the utter
groundlessness of the base ISLANDERS which have
been industriously circulated by the Loco. Foco
press concerning his private character, we now
have the pleasure to add the written testimony of
our honored friend, the Rev. DR.. CHAPMAN, of the
Episcopal Church. In this community, which
enjoyed the pleasure Of personal intercourse
with this distinguished divine during several
years of his ministry, we need not add that his
testimony is entitled to the fullest possible degree
OF respect and confidence. And it will be seen
that he has enjoyed the most abundant opportun-
ity of an intimate and thorough knowledge Of
the subject upon which he writes.
No man, in fact, "has had better opportunities
to observe Mr.. Clay's habits and to study his
character. DR.. Chapman long resided at Lex
ington, was pastor of the Church where Mr.
Clay and his family worshipped, and was for ten
years not only personally acquainted with Mr.
Clay, but in the habit OF constant intercourse
with him, and intimate in his family" Now
read what he says of mis- personal habits and
baseneas, naGgnity and wickednese of degane.
mere party purpose, the gross ISLANDERS which are
here so conclusively refuted.
1t is proper to add that this letter from DR..
Chapman is in reply 10 letter from D. w. AL
word, Esq. of Greenfield, Mass. and that the cor
respondence originally appeared in the Gazette
of that place:
WORCESTER, Sept IS, 1874.
DEAR Sir: Your unexpected favor of the 2lsi
instant, did not reach till The 24h, and the pre-
cent is she first leisure moment have had for a re-
ply. L, relates the personal character Of my od
TREND and psrishoner, The Hon. Henry Clay. The
iapuia,icus, to his prejudice, you reduce 10 these
I'VE; desiring MY testimony IN regard 10 EACH
LAT. Nc. Clay has been chsrged with being q no.
torious gambler. Is This true7
During the period Of my residence at Lexington,
ii such has been his practice Il could scarcely have
escaped general observation. But nsver knew or
heard OF his being there addicted 10 games Of
hazard. On the contrary, while fellow member
with him OF tins Board Of Trustees Of the Transyl
vspia University, remember that, depecaing The
evil effects OF horse-raciDg upon the minds Ofyouh
he introduced memorial 10 the Legislature OF Inc
State pra. ing that il might net be allowed 10 take
place within ten .nilss OF Lexington: which, after
some iorciole remarks upon his part, was unsni.
mUusiy adopted by the Board.
I'd. He has been ohare cd with being an ha5taal
profane swcarer. Is this truel
cannot say that have not heard this inhnmty
ascribed TO hun while at Lexington. II Is one Of
the beeetins vices OF the age, and Kentucky is not
exempt rom its guilt But during MY long inter
course ;cih ban. at his orn house at nine a, the
houses Of our mutual friends, and eis tchere, though
tcnrm and aminaottd discussions cere Frequently
had, an yetumabie 10 rec0Aect that u single pro-
faae expression euer fell from his lips.
Sd. He has been called common Sabbath
breaker. Is this uuel'
The offence neper heard imputed 10 him at Lez.
ingt0n. My personal knowledge OF the subject IS
iinlled to The house OF Gcd, where Mr.. Clay's de.
pertinent was always marked by the s,riclest deco
rum.
'4th. He has been charged with being cruel
master 10 his slaves is this uuc =
Ask them, and you will have the nobest iestimo-
ny TO his kindness and humanity. So far from cru
city, have always understood that Mr.. Claws err
ror III respect 10 his servants. excessive laxity
and Indulgence.
5th Is MIR. Clay man generally prohiga,e and
corrupt in private liiel
He bore no such character in Lexington. His
probity was unimpeachab!e, and his freedom from
libertiue habits uaS nscer, 10 my knowledge, called
in question.
These, my dear air. are all the inquiries contanedin
your letter, and have answered them with perfect
frankness and sincerity. In my orn opinion Mr..
Cl0ys RaS been almost exclusive dero-
ton TO the ,mtsrests Of has country. 1t has been 100
much the idol o; his heart. If he had served his
N'Se W,
such torrents OF obioquy as we now witness, would
nave been poured upon his honored head. But
am no political partizan. No political gatherings
are attended by me. Without even adopting all his
views OF national policy, only speak OF MIR. Clay
as my former neighbor and friend, as truly high
minded and patriotic citizen; only deplore that our
public journals OF all parties religious as well as
POLITICAL are 100 much given the spirit of detrac-
ton.
Permit me also, in conclusion, to remind YOU tina,
several years have elapsed since nv residence in
Lexington, and that no less than ten clere ymen. and
upwards OF thirty lay officers, Of the various church
es now Aourishing in that city, have recently given
testimony 10 the moral worth and standing Of their
distinguished fellow townsman. Some few of these
ara old acquainIsnces Of mine, and are gentlemen of
acknowledged piey. The almost confidence may
therefore be placed in their ,indicaion and mas
much as am BY no means ambitious OF appearing
in the public prints, it may IN your Judgment, and
in that of my worthy friends in Greenfield, entirely
supersede any supposed necessity OF circulating this
communication in any other than the written form.
-, .'s'.' JUL ''''''D 'NO G. i. CHAPMAN.
STEAMER FAlRPoRr BURNED.-Thc Cleveland
brought intelligence last evening of the loss OF
the steamer Fdirport, by fire while lying at the
dock IN st. CLAIR river, some FIVE or six miles
up The fire broke out on Saturday evening, in
the cooking department, while nearly the whole
crew were absent on shore. When passed by the
Cleveland she had sunken down to the waters
edge. Buff Com. Tuesday.
SENTENCE OF DKATn--Thomas Barrett was
convicted at Worcester on Thursday last of the
murder of Ruth Houp h,on, and senteneed In be