Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-06-11
TO THE EDITORS.


the subject of Spiritual Manifestations except under
the proper signature of the writer This is right Let
this longer be carried from masked bat
teries" have desire to engage in public discus
SION But whatever do publish shall hesitate to
put my name to.
Ihave complaints that in my letter in the
Intelligencer gave facts from which drew my
illusions That is But stated that both the moral
and physical manifestations which had received
the astounding character Some Of the latter class
are given in letter to Mrs WHITMAN which has been
published in the New York Tribune. l enclose you
copy which respectfully request you to publish in the
Ineigencer that those who wish may something of
that class Of manifestations and have the opportunity Of
explaining the source of them.
Very respectfully, yours, N. P. TALLMADGE
BALTIMORE, TUESDAY APRIL u 1853
DEAR MADAM / seize few leisure moments while
detained here short time business, give you more
extended account of the Physical Manifestations to
which alluded in aformer letter. In this shall
conne myself those which purport come from the
spirit of JOHN G. CALHOUN
have received numerous communications from him
from the commencement Of my investigation of this SUBJ
iect down to the present time. Those communications
have been received through rappng mediums writing
mediums, and speaking mediums. They of the most
extraordinary character In style and sentiment they
would do honor to him in his best days on earth.
After the arrival Of the Misses Fox in Washington city
in February last, called them by appointment, and
at received communication from Calhoun then
wrote down and propounded mentally the following ques
ton
you d any thing (meanng physical manifesations)
confirm in the truth Of these revelations and
move from my mind the least shadow Of unbelief?"
To which received the following answer:
AZ will give you communication on Monday at "a o'clock
Do not fail to DO here will then give you an explanation
"JoHS C. CALHOUN"
1t is proper here TO remark that all the communion
tons referred in this letter made by Calhoun after
a call for the alphabet and raped out letter by
letter. and taken down by me in the usual way They
made in the presence of the Misses Fox, and their
mother.
called Monday the hour appointed and received
the following communication:
my friend, the question is often put you Whit good
can result from these manfestaionsP wiz answer it:
at i to draw mankind together in harmony, and convince
skcpdes Of the Immortality Of the soul JOHN c. CALHOUN"
This reminds me that in 1850 at Bridgeport in the
presence OF other mediums among many questions put
and answers received the following the answer
purporting to come from w. Z. CHASSNG:
Q-what do spirits propose to accomplish by these new
manifestations?
ATo unite mankind and convince skeptical minds Of
the immortality of the soul"
The coincidence in sentiment Of the answer Of j. C.
Calhoun and of w T. Claiming in regard TO the object of
these manifestations is remarkable and worthy Of parti
cuar notice. The concurrence Of two such great minds
whether in out Of the body subject expressing
fail TO command the attention Of every admirer of
exalted intellect and moral purity.
During the above communication OF Calhoun the table
moved occasionally, perhaps foot first way and then
the other After the communication closed oil moved
back from the table from two to four feet that
touched The table Suddenly the table moved from the po-
stion occupied three four feet rested few
mens and then moved back to its original position Then
again moved far the other way and returned to the
place it started from. One side Of table was then
raised and stood for few angle Of about
thirtyve degrees and then again rested the floor
usual.
The table was large heavy round table al which ten
dozen persons might be seated dinner During oil
he" movements 10 person touched he table any
After seeing it raised in the manner above men
toned had the curiosity to test its weight by raising il
myself / accordingly took my seat by it. placed my
hands under the leaf and exered much force as was
capable Of in that sitting posture and could raise it
particle from the floor then stood up in the best posi-
BILE position the greatest force took hold of the
leaf and still could raise il with all the strength could
apply then requested the three ladies TO take hold
around the table, and try altogether lift H. We lifted
upon il until leaf and top began TO crack and did not
raise 1t particle We then desisted fearing we should
break the table then said "Wi the spirits permit me
to raise the table - took hold alone and raj sed il with
out difficulty! After this the following conversation
ensued:
q Can you raise the table entirely from the floor, A. Yes
q. viii you raise with it1 A. Yes get The square
The square table Of cherry with four lepsa large
sire teaab II brought out and substituted for the
round one the leaves being raised took M on the
centre the three ladies sat at the sides and end their
hands and resting upon IT, This OF course ndded 10
the weight TO be raised namely, my weight and the
weight Of the table Two legs Of the table then
aUOut HOur, ana then the other
twoegs raised to level Of the first ate ,hoe
table rds suended he about sz inches 1Jovs he foor
While thus seated il could feel gentle vibratory mo-
ton as If floating in the atmosphere After being thus
suspended IN the air for few moments, the table was
gently let down again to the floor!
Some pretend TO say that these physical manifesto
tons are made by electricity should like to know bv
what laws Of electricity known 70 table at one
time ryeted as i were 70 the foor against all the force
that could be exerted 70 raise it and at another time
raised entirely from the floor with than two hun
dreds Of pounds weight upon it?
At subsequent meeting Calhoun directed me TO bring
three bells and guitar. brought them accordingly
The bells were Of different sizesthe largest like small
sized dnner-bel He directed drawer to be put under
the square able put under bureau drawer bottom
side up t directed the bells 10 be placed the drawer
The three ladies and myself seated the table with
our hands and arms resting on it. The bells commenced
ringing in sort Of chime Numerous reps we're made
rs If beating time 70 march The bells continued 10
ring and chime in with the beating Of time The time ~
the march was slow and solemn. Ii was beautiful and
perfect The most fastidous could not detect anv
discrepancy in II.
The nps then ceased and the bells rang violently for
several minutes bell then pressed on nv foot ,ov
ankle and my knee This different times repeat