Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-11-05
The Bourbon Questfcn--Au Old story
Rsvived-Testimony of Rev. DIR. Vim

The Bourbou QuesftoD--Au OLD story
R'vived-Testimony of rev. DR. Vim
tom
AT "a meeting Of the Brooklyn N Y } Histori-
cal Society held on Thursday evening. the R,v
DR. Ninton rre>ented. with Interesting detail.
some very valuable matter relating 10 4 subject
which a few years since proved OF striking inter
esI-the fate OF the lost D,uphin of Frsnce-in
which connection The late Rev. EIeszer Williams
Who died about three years since. and who WAS
thought to be the veritable Louis XVII, was
brought prominently before the public.
DR.. Vinton prefaced his remarks by saying that
he had noticed in the hall of the Society por-
trait which bore the inscription in quotations,
Rev. E!eszer Williams, the lost Dsuphin, Louis
XVII" He had been thus prompted to Iay be
tore the Society facts which have for several
wears been in his possession, but which, owing To
their peculiar nature, he had been restrained from
IN king public.
Dr. Vinton held in his hand two dsgucrreo-
types which he. in the course of bis remarks. pre-
scented TO the Society. Que of these was picture
from lie of the Rev Eieszer Williams and the
other portrait OF an old Indian halt breed, "Ske
nondoah o Brien"
Mr.. Williams hal been an intimate acuuaint.
ance of De- ViDton, and the latter remai ked
while accompanied by him they visited the resi-
dence of Mrs. Commodore Perry at Newport,
some years ago. They were one day engaged in
viewing valuable work OF French portraits. EN-
cravings. etc. one OF which struck the gsze of
Mr.. Williams with peculiar force-he appe ared
much startled and actually trembled with fear.
he soon explained. in fact. THAT face his been
the subject oi my dreams for years--dreams of
terror" The picture which produced this siDgu
lar effect was that of Simon Graud, into whose
custody. history informs Us, the Young danph'n
Was placed TO be put To death Documents SUBJ
stanliatiug the remarkable circumstance named
are numbered with those presen ed to the Society
last ey enIng.
DR. Vinton then related another remarks bic
circumstance. tending prove the identity of
Mr. Williams Said he
While in this city several years since. the Rev.
Eleazer Williams was invited by myself to take
part in the services OF my church (Grace Church J
No announcement OF his purpose To be present
was made. IN order To avoid any degree OF sensa
ton attendant upon his name, and the circum
stances under which it had been made public u
that time Mr.. Williams attired in the service
robes, assumed his appropriate position at the
de~k. and the services proceeded without evident
recognition by the audience
After chusch however, Dr.. Vnton was ap-
preached by gentleman who related a remarka-
BILE cir umslanve which had taken place IL
SEEM that member of the family Of the Duke
OF WurtemDurg, who sas travelling in this coun-
try incog at that time 1853. CHANGED to be at
the church on the occasion in question. aud when
Mr. Williams entered from the side room and
walked to the desk, he, viewing the clergyman
with fixed gaze, exclaimed with emphasis:
"Why. who is that? Certainly that is a Bourbon
face - "a remark of similar meaning.
The stances were then discussed between
\ lew individuals, among whom were DR.. Vinton
AMI the foreign traveller, when, tor reasons which
will at an early day be publicly announced by
Dr. Vnton, al agreement was made to confne
the facts themselves. The death of Mr. vii.
liams. however. has, as Dr. Vinton said last
evening dissolved whatever compromise he had
entered upon touching the subject
| Another circumstance equally important, ms
| constituting one of IA Series tending To prove the
identity of the Rev. Mr.. Williams as the verita
| be long lost Bourbon was related To DR. Vinton
| An old Indian half-breed, aged, at the time OF
mention, some ninety five years who for wears
had been wanderer through the country. for n
time gaining livelihood by basket making
in the city OF Philadelphia several years
since. when a gentleman acquainted with Mr
Williams, who also WAS sfjournng in that city.
mentioned the latter fact TO the Indian. and asked
him il he had any know ledge OF such a person.
who had long resided with the Indians The
Indian. whose name was SHENANDOAH Brien,
ut once recognized the man by description.
and Immediately introduced to Mr.. Will
lIams
The old Indian at once recognized him. al
though the latter did not recall Shenandoah to
mind. Shenandoah, whose knowledge Of French
good. testified that he recolIected that Mr.
Williams. when child. was brought from France
bv two F, enchmen, and that he was about seven
wears of ace at that time
Mr Vinton closed his remarks with the ex.
preston of his conviction that the Rev E'etzer
Williams in reality the lost Dauphin Louis
XVII.
On motion Of Mr. Spooner. the thanks Of the
Society extended to Rev. DR. Vinfon for
the valuable matter furnished, adding an urgent
request that he would prepare a narrative, setting
forth the facts in detail for publication
DR. Vnton signiiei his acceptance of such
invitation. provided the gentleman mentioned as
member of the family of the Duke Of Wurtem-
burg gives his consent.