Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-03-15
A WORD or EXPLANATION.

"A WOkD OF EAPLANAIION.
Whereas, Statements in relation to the cir
cumstances which led to the seizure of DIR. A.
Vandusen's liquors, by Maine Law search
warrant, on the 9th of February last, which are
entirely erroneous, and reflect upon the charac-
ter of the Rev. Mr.. BoLKs, Of the Dutch Church,
in this village, and tend to injure the cause Of
the law, have, as we are informed, gained a cir
culation and credence in communities where
those acquainted with the facts can not correct
them and disabuse the public mind in regard to
Them
We the undersigned, members Of the Town
ship Board, who made the complaint upon which
said search-warrant issued, deem it to be due
to Mr.. BoLKs and the cause we are aboring to
promote, to correct those statements by giving
the real facts as they are; and our object in do
ing this, is to do simple justice to those concern
ed, not to injure any one.
Soon after the law came in force, DR.. A. VAN
dusen sold some liquor to sailor, and was i'm
mediately reprimanded for it by one of our body,
and he excused himself by saying that he had
it was mistake, and not intentional on his part.
This explanation was satisfactory, and we suf-
fered that violation to pass, upon condition that
he implicitly obey the law for the future, and
sell no more. This he pledged his word and hon.
or to do. Between this date and the issuing of
the search-warrant in question, frequent CON-
plants or reports came to US that the Doctor was
violating the law, by selling liquor, and we saw
persons going to and from his drug store, under
such circumstances as led us to strongly suspect
that those reports were not entirely unfounded.
On the 9th Of February one of our body was
informed by Citizens prominent business man
of the place, that Dr. Vandusen. had probably
sold some wine to the Dutch Church for sacra-
mental purposes as he had been applied to for
it, but refused to sell it, like law abiding citi-
zen, directing the person to the Town Agent
for it. Enquiries were instituted, and it was as
ceItained that he had sold gallon Of MADEIRA
wine TO the Rev. Mr.. BoLKs, for the purpose
aforesaid, on Friday or Saturday morning pre-.
vious. Also, the Town Agent was at home at
that time, and had the article in question and
would have sold for that purpose; therefore,
there was no necessity for the violation of the
law by DIR. Vandusen-contrary to his former
pledge. Mr.. BoLKs did not inform of this sale,
and had nothing to Go with the complaint, or
even know of it until afterwards. We were all
Of the opinion that were this sale Of wine the
only instance of the violation of the law, by the
Doctor, it would be best to let it pass unnoic-
ed but as he had violated it to our knowledge,
once before, and as we believed, for the reasons
already stated, that he had done so repeatedly,
we all united in the complaint for the warrant
believing that by SO doing we were perform
ing duty due to the law, the public welfare,
to ourselves as officers and law abiding citizens,
on the most ample provocatons.
After the seizure the case was adjourned, at
our instance, to the 9Th of February, at O.
clock P. NJ, to give Dr. Vandusen ample time
and opportunity to exculpate himself, and save
his liquors from destruction, if he could But
this he did not even attempt to do. We have
since learned from Mr.. BoLKs that at the time
he applied to DR.. Vandusen for the wine, he
supposed him to be the proper person to sell it,
and his acts in the matter were in good faith
We now submit these facts to the judgment
Of candid public, and leave it to decide who, if
any one, is deserving Of censure in the matter
believing that Mr.. BoLKs will be acquitted of
any unfairness towards DR.. Vandusen.
Moses B. HOPKINS, Supervisor.
HENRY GRIFFIN, Justice of the Peace.
JOHN w. BARNS, Township Clerk
Grand Haven, March s, 1854.
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