The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-29
THE SPIRITUAL DELUSlON.
The Other Side or the Doughty Case
from the Pittsburg Gazette, March 20
THE SPIRITUALISTS.

short time ago the Gazette during the absence Of the
Eastern paper charging srs French (Wel known here as
medium for what claimed to be ssspirtual mani
festators, y with having swpdled Mr.. Q. Doughty
Taylor, Of this city, of several thousands Of dollars by
means Of alleged communications from the spirit
world As Mrs. French had maintained . good reputa
ton among citizens previously ano is highly spoken
Of by many Of citizens who personally acquainted
around our city--and therefore publish her reply
thereto in another column. 1t very full and
plain statement of the matter, and is verified by her
affidavit.
SPIRIT RAPPINGs.
As duty to myself, IN justice to my family and
friends the of spirualsm beg leave to call
attention the following plain statement facts, and
thus dsabuse the public mind of false and malicious
large circulation with various versions and comments,
through the public press charging With fraud and de-
ception, ard CALCULATED to bring odiu upon great and
good
From early period Of my life have been the sub
ject Of impressions which until recently, did not under
stand, but which ] believe spiritual. Many
facts are familiar to those who have known init
matey and abundant testimony be furnished a. to the
cted with the Methodist Episcopal Church, in
which, for fourtt have always taken active
fact that l medium for spiritual manifestations
and con muncstions This phenomena was unpepular
with he masses. Nediums charged by puloit and
press with collision, imposture and various epthets.
naturally shrupk from notorety; but believing in my
soul that these manifestations from the spirit world,
and that God in this ege permitting his ministerug
spirits TO leak to they did IN the days OF the S
vor and belle wing that it duty fhe Great Spirit
wied it, TO submit to being used medium for the
good OF fellow threw doors open without
charge to friends and acquaintance who sought t. Judge
for themselves of these manifestations Nor have ever
received cent for these IN cations have
has been asserted delivered lie ture this sub
iect Since that time up 10 the present few friends
have continued to Inv esrate with this great subject
Through me, humble instrument, communications
given. am magnetised without the agency Of any
earthly OPERATOR and without voltion my part. Nor
do coming out of this magnetic trance
have airy recollection Of anything that has been said
been received through during past year. Most of
hese in the han Of those to whom they given
II in Of these there Is single which the
purest mind may read or which show collision
fraud which does not teach the holy doctrine of
Il challenge It's publication to the world. AS God whom
reverence and adore my judge solomnIy declare if
this be not spiritual know not what it is was not
permitted to enjoy my seclusiop, however Ny name
be1alded TO The world, branded with iAfamy
charged with deceving and destroying the happiness Of
family Long Island, aud consgning its bead, Mr.
George Doughty, to lunatic asylum. Ny acquaintance
10 this family commenced some fifteen months since
PRODUCED TO Mr. Doughty by his sister in law Mrs.
Taylor in this city where Mr.. Doughty and daughter
we're Witt Some months later. was urged by Mrs.
Taylor and other conn. cons to visit the family on Long
Iland. did not with to go-could not leave my chill
dren or the business in which then engaged and
which at the time yielding large profit. They
miy essential .eryice-that Mr. Doughty was wealthy
and that pecuniary should lose nothing, &C. &C.
had remained in This city up to this time One member
Of the family suffering with cutaneous disease
P on my and o. which sns died two
was attacked with the came dsease, and In rapid
succession every member in the family, except the
youngest child remained with them almost alone flor
neehboTs and friends feared to approsch treating and
curing them msgnetealy their certificates will show
When left. sealed package handed to me- which
instructed not 10 open until reached home. In the
presence Of husband opened 1t, and TO surprise
ted making making n. squa With his other children
-four in NUMBER in valuable estate Both my husband
and myself resolved to reject and return said p.psr
were made TO the plea Of affection and services
rendered TO Mr. Doughty and family and up to very
styling me daughter and sister All that have ever re-
ccved BY the knowledge and of the family
Also that other valuable property rendered to me
which did not and would not receive Feeuniay
any better on at this moment than would have been II
had never met the family. The charge made that my
last visit to New York in February last received large
sums from Mr. Doughty. ir utterly false. And that he
made frequent or attempts to commit suicide after
last him, and previous 70 his returning his family
do not believe Isaw him last Wednesday February
o. On Saturday the 10Th, Mrs Doughty and her sonln
law, Mr. Hsllack called on me. Mr. doughty was not
then insane. They admitted that they had left him at
and We'll Mr.: on this ID
and consent, and that she entirely satisfied and
that had received nothing than had Deserved
loved and esteemed ever And that Il any Of her
family had said acted otherwise IL without her
law knew that expected TO start for home on Monday
This can prove. Wednesday following (vz the 16th)
she wrote me- directed to Pttsburg In this she does not
speak Of attempt At suicide Many Of the facts con
tanned in these letters and the requests made suppress
for the sake Of the family, and because do not
believe that Mrs. Doughty Ia party to or has
any knowledge Of these publications out ready
hibt all should II become necessary n ypdca my cha
racer. During my last visit New York saw no evi.
denee Of insanity in Mr. Doughty, do believe he is
nov insane (uness be the subject of slavery, and
on THIS subject there are many others equally insane,
insanity II be That spirtualism s chargeabe In any
degree with unsettng his mind do most solemnly az
firm do not believe, but that the contrary its ten
ency to calm and sooth him. and he 10 this city
where could occasionally see him, should have no
Tears Tor hi. sanity. In conclusion, although have Of
ten been the subject persecution and msrep
ton Am unconscious OF having wifully or know
lngy committed immoral act, Of Intentionally In
juIing any human being and that there ia act Of
my life fear TO hare published 10 . scrutnisng world.
J. FRENCH
fty n Pihsnng, " Before ne, Alderman in and
for city personally appeared Mrs Elizabeth j. French
ard Tho being duly affirmed, saith that the facts set
forth 10 the foregoing state men. just and TO the
best of hsy knc~ledge and belief T. y. FRENCH.
Sworn aed fnts,.rjbcn THE 1oth dav Of March a. ~,
1853. ,. BrfFxAsTFR h1dernsn