The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-10-15

Bishop D~ans's Presentmeut.
The Solio-inE is a pspsr addressed nv the Com
Ditiee. representing the piocess OF New Jersey,
T. the Bishops assembled upln the presentnsnt of
tie Bishoa of New jersey. Mt Camden
10 TIE Right REVEREND THE BISHOPS OF THE PRO.
rEsTAhT kPIsooPAL CHURCH, ASSEMBLED UPoS
THE PREsEsIMEsT OF THE RIGHT RgvEgeSRD
GFoRsE poANE, BISHOP OF THE DIoCsss oFNrw
JERSEY
RlGHr RkvERFSD FATHERs:-
The Convention Of the Diocass Of New Jersey, ut
M adjourned meeting, held at TIE city of Newark.
On the fourteenth day of July last, receive and
set upon the report Of committee appointed az
the annual convention, held on the last Wednesday
m May preceding, to make full investigation oil
aa the charges which had been preferred against
ne Bishop" adopted the following resolution,
wa
Resolved That 8 commit offour clergy and three
ssBmi,,ee and The accompanying evidences b-fore the
Court appointed for tire ia OF the BHhop If this Do
and hat snch committee present written repre-
yertaop behalf 81 this convention setting forth ts
s~psetuly urging the Right Reverend Bi.hops tn con-
dder whether apart fiom all abstract questions of
yovc AZ viii BE- wsS Or ufI or for the peace o' Gods
sbu-ch toPrccced further upon the charges laid before
tAsm.
The undersigned were appointed the committee
under his resolution They have annexed hereto
the report and evidence referred to therein
In the further discharge of the duty assigned to
thsn, The committee are conscious Of the serious
sponsbihty they have assumed, and the deep i'm
partance OF the subject they instructed 70 dis
large majority OF the representatives of the
clergy and laity Of New Jersey have declared that
snrb grave ana momentous rights Of the docsss
involved IN this prssentment as TO demand that they
be stated to your body
To you then. as bearing the chief office in the
Holy Apostolic Cburch-to you. as constituting the
highest and NEST solemn tribunal nov kao~o TO
eur branch OF that church, We, your brethren in
fsith and hope address, behalf of the docess Of
New jersey this its earnest and dutifal represen-
tssiop.
We woald first call your attention to q statement
af action of the this m
In the year lS4c. at a convention of the d,ooess
tbsn Assem- oled resolution offered for the ap
pois'ment Of u committee TO investigate the truth
Of various reports alleged TO prevail, ir oe aching
TIE honesty ana truth of the Bishop of the oiocess
The only reason suggested for the adoption Of
this resolution. was. that rumors existed affecting
his cha Tacter, ap6 that they had been embodied in
an snony nous article n public print
The convention refused o act upon such ground
refused to treat the fame of the Bishop and peace Of
die dioeess as matters of sub light moment as to
pisce them at the mercy Sf every idle report of H.
DOrsrce epmity, But it was then distinctly
svowed by those who most strongly opposed the re-
solution. that they would urge the convention to
act, whenever any responsible persons would aft
Their names 10 written charges involving crini
pS)ity.
Two succeeding annual conventions of this do
esss we're held without n renewal of the subject.
The ohurcbmen of New Jersey had right TO sup
poss shat The intent TO institute canonca inquiry
VAS abandoned.
On the 18th OF March, 1852, a special convention
was held IL was called TO consider and express it's
iaJg mont upon the subject Of letter addressed by
three right reverend preates to the Bishop OF the
diectss Restricted by the terms of the call, and
ssnon OF the Church in this doceSs, to acton upon
this einite matter the could go no fur
sber than to declare it's continue confidence in the
pptightness Of the Bishop, and to affirm on behalf
OF the convention OF this diocess, that il had
been ready to investigate charges duly made and
preeented y
I, is unquestionable that the conventions were
lot called upon by any provision of any law to in
fnfa .t,tsn nvst tna H..
sem cd In formal, definite shape 1t IS unienable,
that 10 have volunteered such an inquiry without
that prerequisite, would have been uujust,
7-eetdented and uubecoming. IL is equally clear
that, woen charges duly attested and youched for
were exhibited the duty became manifest and i'm
pcrative They were called 10 perform it well
ior the redemption of their pghtsd faith as for the
klflment Of their canonical obligation.
1T that special convention ned on the 18th March,
1852, when that body thus shut up from the
tine consideration OF al matters but the which
had been mentioned in the call. solemn pledge
-as given that AL investigation should be had. The
ANNUAL convention was to assemble on the 10Th May,
when they would bave an opportunity to redeem the
pledge Yet it is worthy of remark, that III pledge
WIS lot regarded; and that before the time for the
assembling Of the convention, action was taken TO
procure a Trial. We feel that herein q wrong was
ssDe TO the aiocess OF which she may well complain
In this connection. We may also refer 10 the lam
gusge Of the first letter which addressed by TIE
three presenting bishops to Bishop Doane They say,
vita JUSTICE and in strict accordance with The
tEg OF the canoDs, and tbe spirit OF a ancient law
HAT 1T is only when diocesan convention refuses
to institute inquiry, (Which the convention of New
Jersey have never 6one) or neglects TO do for TOO
long period" they can be expected to interfere.
Now the only period which elapsed after the charges
we're 6rst brought to the knowledge Of tho conven.
ton in such form that they could entertain them,
tall the investigation was begun, from the Epe-
DIAL convention in March to the annual convention
IL Nay. Could the case then have arisen of which,
because OF cur too long neglect others we're called
10 interferel 1t is evident that it had not and
the diocess is, so far, without fault.
In accordance with their duty and their pledge,
the convention, which assembled on the 18th May,
having learned from the address of their diocesan
that charges were preferred against him, not only in
the paper which was sent originally with the first let
ter, 70 which we have referred, but IN second psper
which purported TO be presentment of Bishop Doane.
did promptly adept among other a,t, the folio wing
psean ble and resolution:-
Whereas, The exhibition Of charges in paper signed
BY three bishops of the Church ustcs this convention
oonitenily with its avo~ed principles 20 proceed In the
matter and urnishes the irst aud only occasion
which any convention Of New Jersey has had toe op.
p<atunIy Of exercising It's solemn duty and clear right
NM the canon for the trial Of bishops to investigate
the hIst instance accusations against the Bhop And
whereas Ths ntioD while it atrms the entire
ecnsdence in the purity and integrity the Bishop which
has heretofore declared IL conscious OF the greyous
r1org ar0 N consequence Of keeping such charges hang
Se over hun, and .iie iocess, therefore.
Resolved, That committee OF seven lay members OF
Gbs convention be appointed by ballot. open nomins
tpr 20 make full inNestigstio Of all the charges con-
ared in the aforesaid paper that the committee proceed
With diligence in the discharge Of its duty aud Mat II
report 10 adjourned meeting Of this convention
The report of this committee was presented to the
Convention of the diocese, Of the I4h of July last
was accepted, ald resolutions were adopted, OF
which The following Copies
Resided That the result of the investigation and the
evidence nov n before tao Convention renew and
sr Dgthen the confidence heretofore expressed in tho in
tPrity Of the Bishop Of this dioc. and in our opinion
fniy exculpate him hoaa any chaSgs Of crime CT nmo
ra'ity made against hiia
Resolved That the Convcntisn Of New Jersey has
es,ijed tina DUTY whcb previous conventions have
rrs their readiness n fuld Of making full search
irt end hone+t quiry Into any allegations against the
bi.bCp when formally brought before il, upon definite
ciays es and we appeal the Church large rsty
declaration that II has been performed faithfully and
kr-the fear Of God
TIE resolution 6rs. beroin stated, and under
which ve address y6s, Wis also then passed
Nc have rreteutod this historical detail OF the