The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-02-01
10, "a. U.,.. . Easter. J..y.ai.


Ma. EprroR In your numbers Of Jan.
llth and Jan. 25th, have noticed certain
articles from Elder Vim. p. Merrill, Of the
Free Will Baptist Church, in which he is
evidently much excited in a matter that APP
pears to many but " trifing affair " after
all. He first publishes u correction from
Mr.. Haines, Of this city, in reference to n
certain report, and rs he fails TO obtain n
like article from the Congregational minis
ter, the Rev. Mr.. Gould. he charges him
with circulating an " unmitigated and ma
licious fllsehood," in having stated some
thing 10 friend, which had been told him
as truth, by another friend.
As | am personally concerned in this mat
ter, (beIng member OF Mr.. Samuel Merrill's
amily,) and the individual who frst named
the circumstance TO Mr.. Gould, feel il my
duty TO correct any wrong impressions which
may have been made in consequence OF HI
der Merrill's statements. The facts are sim
ply these -
On the evening of Dec. 18th, 1855, Rev.
Hiram Wilson came to our city for the pnr-
pose Of procuring funds to aid destitute
fugitives from slavery in Canada.
lie was directed by our former minister,
(Nlr. Parker,) to call on our Mayor, ID. Z.
Somes, Esq, who, as a sympathizer for the
oppressed, would afford him assistance on
arriving here. But Mr.. Somes being absent,
he next called ON Mr.. Gould, and after stat
ing the object Of his mission, made such re
quests as were readily granted. Mr.. Gould
kindly recommended him TO the hospitality
Of friend, gave him the names of persons
likely 10 assist him, and as he was 20 30 ON
Journey the next morning, he babe Mr..
Wilson God speed in his work. The man
came to our house late in the evening, with
note from Mr.. Gould, and the next morn
ing he desired TO know where he could find
persons most interested in behalfOf the slave.
Among Others, and as foremost, we direct
cd him To Elder Merrill, as one deeply SYM
pathizing with the oppressed, and Of whom
we then had a high opinion. At the close
Of the. day, Mr.. Wilson returned to our
house for the night, having dined with Mr..
Somes. We inquired Of his success, and If
Elder Merrill assisted him. His answer dis
appointed US; stating that she was doing car
penter wors, &c" One Of the family ex-
pressed surprise at this, and regretted she
had ssnt him there, as he did not do 10 much
for him as Mr.. Gould; another said he iras
more talk than do, and made other remarks
to the same effect. Mr.. Wilson did not cor
rect any of our impressions, but said :" it
was often the case"
The next morning he was anxious for some
ono TO go round with him, but he made no
mention of Elder Merrill, Though the FL
der stated at our house that he offered 20 90
that day.) After Mr.. Gould's return, Ical-
led at his room ON other business, when he
inquired in reference 20 Mr.. Wilson's sue
cess. then related TO him the facts as now
stated, and the qualification our family felt
in the part he had taken to aid cause
which he did not profess greatly TO magni-
fy. Ii was natural for Mr.. Gould 20 speak
Of hhis 10 a trend, and more especially nat
ural, that he should feel gratifed with the
view that Mrs. Merrill, with her anti-slay-
cry principles,) had taken Of the subject.
What was said to Mr.. Gould, was prcri-
ously stated TO Others by members Of the fami-
ly, with no unkind feelings towards Elder
Merrill.
When Mr.. Gould received note from
Ed. Merrill, charging him with circulating
an Gntrtlth, and calling for correction, he
could do no more than kindly refer him to
US, TO give the correct information.
When called upon by Elder Merrill, we
denied having made certain statements to
which he referred, but told him what our
impressions were. And though we were
ready to admit that Mr.. Wilson never said
that he was " saving WOOD" " turned n
cold shoulder" &C., &c., yet we did say
that he h,ff The impression with US, that Ed.
Merrill was rather Indifferent To his object,
and did not do as much for him Us Mr..
Gould.
AS the persons were then present who had
previously spoken Of the matter, they told
him To whom, and for Irhat reasons they re-
lated IL, Whieh ace think he did not forget.
And now, notwithstanding the letter
which Air. Wilson has written, by the re
quest of Elder Merrill, we do not find our
opinions changed in respect TO the nature of
the impressions we had previously formed.
IL is not easy 10 see what Mr., Gould has
10 do in this affair, more than many Others
who have spoken Of the same thing.
That Elder Merrill had perfect right to
do rs he did in relation 10 Mr.. Wilson's oh
ject, we do not deny, rs every one must ex-
ercisc his own judgment in relation to these
matters. But the right to take " neigh
Dor " to the task, setting him among "the
mcddling bipcls Of this city, who are the
gormandizes Of peace and innocence" VIC
do deny.
This is all we have TO say in the case-wc
have written both to yindicatc ourselves and
our worthy minister, Us il Is certainly prop
or we should do. Not that we tremble for
our characters in this affair, conscious Of
intending to injure no one, but rather to
render 10 all men their due.
SAMUEL L. B0YNT0N,
in behalf Of tie Merrill Family.
Jan. 2jth, lSi6. ~