The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-06-07

| had reference, cannot perceive by what code of
morals, or upon what principle of honor, you or
illis, are at liberty to give publicity to the fact
| 10 whomsoever / alluded, | did it in a manner
which placed it utterly out of the power of the
Pubnc 70 suspect any one person in particular;
but because you were party to IA transaction in
winch Mrs Coddngton was concerned, you pro-
claim that she is the female pointed at Willis fol-
lows itup with publication to the same effect and
now legal proceedings are instituted upon your most
extraordinary affidavit; and which, whether Mrs
Coddington be or be not the party alluded to- must
inevitably seriously njure her character. Whether
your conduct has been honorable or just, whether
you can reconcile to your sense ofrght thus to sao
hce an injured lady, to aid in bolsterrg up the rot
tenness Of such character as n. Il. Willis leave
you to determine. So far | coHcerned,
wish to say, that the person does not live who has
ever heard me say intimate directly indirectly,
that Mrs Coddington is the lady to whom alluded
in my publication Nor does the being live who has
ever heard me breathe suspicion even, against the
virtue of Mrs. Coddington, or the purity Of Mary
lnman. Even now, deny that you have any-the
slightest grounds, for assuming that had reference
to that lady In my publication. But whether you
mad or not, your being party to inducing the pub
lie to believe that referred to her. and your now
spreading upon record transaction which, but for
you AM Willis, would never have the light, is
most unpardonable-not to use a harsher ter n
1t is not for me to divine your object in thus drag
ging Mrs. Coddington before the public. If your
aim is to screen Willis, or to draw from me any
facts or circumstances, calculated to expose tho
lady implicated in my publication, you certainly
uestineu 10 encounter SlBnal tallure While as
suming that you intend no injury to Mrs Codding
ton and that your purpose is to have the letters Of
Mrs. Coddington taken of, l propose frankly
and promptly, to meet your object without exposing
Mrs. g. The application to the court, names Mr.
ANDREW WARNER, or some other responsible person.
ms the receiver of the letters in my possession IL
this application be made in good faith, then all
you have to do is to withdraw all the papers, and,
in your presence will deposit the letters for safe
keeping in the hands Of the Rev. DIR. y y .,
with instructions never to permit them to see the
light unless they she uld become necessary as test
mony in court of justice.
Whether you do or do not accede to this proposal
depends entirely upon your object in getting up this
proceeding You knew that if it was object to
have the letters referred to, deposited for safe
keeping with third party. 1t only necess ary to
have intmated such wish to me, to have insured
my acquescenee in it. But this you have neglect
ed to do /; and, instead, have dragged Mrs. Cod
dington's name into court, and placed record
tranfaction which, but for you and Willis the
world would never nave heard of; and all, tn 1T
you might, by your affidavit, boter up tie char
acter Of one who is disgrace to his species.
Yeur affidavit is utterly at variance with the truth;
and this shall conelesivey show in my answer.
Whether this is the effect of treacherous memory,
or whether II is part Of the game by which Willis
II TO be sustained, will not pretend to judge.
But II 4 am to answer the complaint of Mr.. and
Mrs. Coddngten, based as it is, solely upon your
affidavit, shall certainly defend myself from your
assault. so far as the placing the whole truth
record will accomplish that purpose. With that
view | shall state
meeting with Mr. Willis, which was to compel him
to procure the necessary testimony upon which you
could institute proceedings against Mr. Csddington
for a divorce Aou informed IN