Ypsilanti sentinel. [volume] (Ypsilanti, Washtenaw Co., Mich.) 1843-1900, 1847-03-03
Public Meeting.

At meeting of the Citizens of the Township
of Ypsilanti and vicinity held agreeable to
public notice at the Larzelere Block, Gen.
3 JOHN VAN FOSSEN was chosen Presi-
dent, Doct. ]. FAmcHlLD, of Ypsilanti and
JoHNHoFF OF Superior, VicePrests, and John
Starkweather appointed Secretary.
On motion of Nathan Comstock, commit
tee of eight were proposed to draft resolutions
expressive of the sense of this meeting, the
following persons were duly chosen said COM
mittee.
Francis Clarke, julius AIovius, Prince Ben
nett, John Mccormick, Delos Slovenian, T.
o. Hill, G. n. Skinner F. X. Rexford, who
after short absence returned with the follow
ing which were unanimously adopted.
Whereas it is proper for the people in Gov
eminent like ours to assemble together to de-
liberate and express their opinion upon all sub
jects that agitate the public mind-and where
as all violation of the principles of sound NOR
atty and public justice ought TO be punished
in proportion to the enormity of the offence
And whereas Doct. Thomas Blackwood stands
charged by the confessions of the late Henrietta
Bagly, attested by her oath duly administered,
and confirmed by her dying declarations with
her seduction under circumstances of gross
aggravation in violation of the rights of hospi-
tality and of professional confidence which has
resulted in her death: And whereas, the la
mented death of his victim has interposed, we
fear an effectual barrier to his conviction of
this offence by the laws of our country, There
fore be it
ResoIred, That the circumstances of this
case are such as to render it not only proper
for our citizens to assemble and express their
opinion of his guilt-but that it is the imperi-
tive duty of all who regard the claims of So
ciety, of domestic peace and the cause of NOR
atty and virtue distinctly to express their indg-
nation at such conduct.
ResoIred, That the evidence before us is such
as to force conviction upon our minds thatDoct.
Thomas Blackwood, resident of this village, is
puilty of the crime of seduction and adultery
which the statutes of this State, on conviction,
of the criminal punish by Imprisonment in the
penitentiary.
Resoired, That the course pursued by Doct.
Blackwood in reyoking the agreement to sub
nit the question of damages into which he had
voluntarily entered to the determination of three
diainterested men, affords another strong link
in the chain of evidence of his guilt already but
too perfect.
Resoired, That we must either believe the
dying declarations of ruined woman hereto
fore sustaining an irreproachable character, cor
roborated as they are by circumstances in the
conduct of the accused, nearly sufficient in them
selves to convince us of his guilt, or take the
simple denial of the person accused.
Resolred, That the latter we cannot take, but
are constrained to believe the former.
Resolced, That in the opinion of this meet
ling the surest and best way to punish those
guilty of crime like this where the law has fail
ed to perform its Office, Is, to spurn the wretch
from our houses, our employment, our conf
dence and our intercourse; and by every peace
able means to show him the contempt in which
characters and crimes like his, are looked upor
in this community.
Resolved, That as peaceful, lawabidng
law-respecting community, we discountenance
and reject all those efforts at violence to which
popular connections too often give rise.
Resolved, That we believe it to be the duty
of every good citizen who values the security
of domestic rights, to use his influence to bring
the culprit to justice who has thus wantonly VIC
lated the law of God and Man, regardless o
the peace and happiness of a bereaved family
and of that religion which he processes.
Resolred, That we extend our heartfelt sym
pathy to the bereaved family of Mr.. Bagley an'
hereby pledge him our aid and support if there
still remains any possibility of bringing hin
to justice.
Rssolred, That the proceedings of this meet
ing be signed by the officers, and published
in the Ypsilanti Sentinel, and the Detroit ant
Ann Arbor papers.
JOHN VAN FOSSEN, Pres't.
JOEL FARcHILD, Vice
JOHN HoFF, Presidents.
JOHN STARKwEATHER, Sec'y.