The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-10-01
CONVENTION OF NEW YORK

SECOND DAY.
The Episcopal Diocesan Convention of New
York, re-assembled on Thursday morning. After
the usual religious exercises, the annual address of
the Provisional Bishop was delivered in the
morning. He took strong ground against the par
tition of the Diocese. feeling himself abundantly
able to do the work of his episcopate-the visiting
of his numerous parishes being, as he termed it,
"only Summer recreation"
On the conclusion ofthe address the balloting for
the various Committees, &C., was proceeded with.
The following gentlemen were elected
Provisional Deputies to General Convention.-Rev.
Joseph Fl. Price, d. D., Rev. VIM. l.. johnson, D.
D., Rev. John /. Tucker, D. D., Rev. Joshua
Weaver, Cyrus Curtiss, ESQ.,, Hon. Jonas C. Heartt,
George t. Strong, Orlando Meads, ESQ.,.
Several reports from Committees having been
read, the Convention took recess till I P NJ.
At the Evening Session the motion to refer to
Committee petition offered by John JAY, asking
the Convention to take grounds against the revival
of the African Slave Trade, was rejected almost
unanimously.
DR.. Vinton then rose and offered the following
resolution:
Resolved, That this Convention, of the Diocese of
New York, do hereby respectfully request the
House OF Bishops to remit the judicial sentence un-
der which the Bishop of New York is now suffering
disability or to modify the same so far as to desg
nate the precise period of time, or other specific
contingency, on the occurrence of which the SEN
tence shall cease-or by any other process"
DR.. Vinton rose and said he was about to address
the Convention on subject which had hitherto
agitated the minds of them ala subject of great
interest IN the Church and in the world-it was
that of asking this Diocesan Convention to request
the House of Bishops to exercise according to the
canon IN that case provided that remedial action
by which the sentence of suspension on the Bishop
OF New \ DIRK shall be terminated and cease; or so
modify it. according to the expression of the Canon
as they IN their wisdom may see fit by mentioning
the term to which, or the exigencies in which it
should be remedied. The Reverend gentleman pro-
ceeded to argue from examination Of the canoni-
cal statutes this question, and urged on the Con-
vention that it was their duty as loyal Churchmen
to have the measure of the punishment in Dr. On
derdonk's case pronounced; and spoke feelingly of
the repentance evinced by the Bishop during his
fourteen years of secusion and for the cause which
had led to his suspension, and wound up with a
touching appeal.
DR.. Vinton, in conclusion, related the parable of
the woman taken in adultery, and asked was it not
in the very spirit of Christ, their Master and the
Head OF the Church, that they, as Christian men
and brethren, should restore this aged man to the
world, after his sin, which was not to be compared
with thai the woman, had been expiated by so
many years of repentance.
Quite lively and excited time followed and a
warm debate took place, during which some little
llleeling was manifested, and considerable cross
firing of sharp remarks was kept up on both sides.
Dr. Hawkes. said he would make few statements
of the facts in this case. He said it was a long
time since he had heard that the Bishop was pen,
ltent. He then tried to satisfy himself of the fact
and then thought it best to bring it before tn
Church. He thought it due to the Church,
and also to the Bishop. Then he was with
out any communication with the Bishop. He
told the Bishops friends he thought three things
necessary. l. The Bishop should acquit his broth
er Bishops of any blame. 2. He should acknowl-
edge that be deserved censure. And, 3. The open
penitence of the Bishop before God and the Church
These things the Bishop agreed to. Afterward, a
memorial from the Bishop to the House of Bishops
was drawn up, and sent to him (Dr. Hawkes. and
by him shown to several clergymen. DR.. Hawkes.
said that after this he consulted with Drs Kino
Anthem, and Eigenbrodt; and all measures were
agreed on between them. At last, they agreed to
cease all further operations till meeting of large
number OF clergy, to get general opinion of the
diocese
Bishop, it should be stated that he was in favor of
any act of mercy toward the Bishop. In fact he
said one objected to the act of mercy but to the
n ode of showing it. DR.. Hawkes. said his only OBJ
ject was to show mercy and do all he could to have
justice done to ALL He had felt it his duty to do all
he COULD but he determined to do it with Justice to
the Diocese, and all else concerned. The press he
said, at this point had misunderstood the case and
the subject was beginning to the worst feel
ing OF poor human nature; and under those circum-
stances it was thought that calm hearing could be
had it thought best to let the subject rest for
time and they had received letter from the Bish-
OPP concurring in this opinion. 1t was under these
circumstances that all action in the matter was ar
rested for the time He did not think that the
Bishop thought they had in any way abandoned
the case. He (Dr. Hawkes) was ready and anxious
yet to do all he could in this matter if it were pos
sible.
DR.. Tying said he thought it due to himself, to
the community, and to some other persons, to say
few words. DIR. Hawkes. had called on him in
July and brought before him this subject. He was
much astonished at the time, but he was grati6ed
at the same time. But, two aspects of the case
presented themselves; there was not only his own
feelings, but there other interests to be con
sidered. He had written letter to Dr. Hawkes.
saying that the peace of the Diocese first to be
considered, and if Bishop Onderdonk would give a
pledge not to interfere in the management of the
Diocese in any way, he would be glad to do all in
power to aid this memorial of the Bishops This
opinion DR.. Tying said he still entertained after sew
eral other communications with DR.. Hawkes.; he
thought it indispensable to the peace of the
Diocese that Bishop Onderdonk should leave all
the management of the Diocese to Bishop Potter
1t was afterwards told him that the Bishop would
probably agree to such an arrangement. He had
with great cheerfulness signed the memorial, and
had no desire to take it otfnow. He was satisfied
at the time with the Bishops feelings in the matter,
and he was fully satisfied now. He had personal
Interview with the Bishop, which only added to his
assurance of his penitence. However he felt he
could go no further till he had consulted with the
Provisional Bishop and more fully with the laity.
He did thus consult, and after that felt if there
other interests at stake. In consultation with
his clerical brethren and after receiving the letter
OF Bishop Onderdonk, with regard to arresting the
progress OF this matter he had agreed to it, though
he was not exactly satisfied with himself in so do
ing, considering his conduct in the case He had
tried to do what was right; he had entered into no
conspiracy, and no man could suspect him of such a
thing. He felt certain the Convention would JUST
fly him in his act.
DR.. Anthem also made personal explanation of
his share ofthe matter, but developed no further
facts in the He thought that the Bishop
should resign completely before he could give his
aid to any such object.
Dr. Tying read motion which he had received
from the Provisional BIZ hop in this matter, and
DR.. Vinton also read note from Bishop Onder-
donk.
The Provisional Bishop said he had not word
to say; he preferred other persons should do the
talking.
The Convention adjourned till nine o'clock thi:
morning.