Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1872-10-18
from our Late Edition Of Yesterday
The MAIIHEwS DECISION.
The PresS,'ery'' Formal n n rah'

The following is the paper formally adopted
by the Presbytery, in the Matthews case -
At a stated meeting Of the New Castle Presby-
terry, held at Newark, Del on the Goth of
September a communication was received from
the Rev. H. Matthews, stating that a false,
malicious and criminal charge had been preferred
against him by woman, formerly living in his
family, as a servant, aud asking that a thorough
Investigation of them be made by the Presby-
terry. In compliance with this request COM
mitteo Of investigation was appointed, consisting
OF Rov. John Patton, ID. d, Rev. j. l.. NallAn-
digham, Rev. ]. II Johns, and Elders Hugh
Steele and ]. Y. Foulk. The committee after
thorough investigation, made the following
report
1st.-That the charge against the Rev. H.
Matthews rests only on the declaration and oath
Of the woman, who has accused him, unsup-
ported by any eorrobOrating testimony or cir
cumstances whatever.
2d-That her testimony was utterly unworthy
of evidence or regard, for the following, among
other reasons, because her previous character
was proved by her own admission and the testi-
mOny Of respectable witnesses to have been loose
as to her own conduct, and false and slanderous
concerning others because her testimony
against Mr.. Matthews destroys itself by being
positively and materially contradictory in it's
sworn statements concerning the times and cir
cumstances Of the criminal acts, which she
charges upon him, on the one hand she swears
that these acts were limited to three occasions,
all within period of six weeks. On the other
hand, with equal deberation, she swears that
| they extended to many occasions during period
| of two years because her sworn declarations in
| which she charges Mr. Matthews with having
/ gone with her to Baltimore, to find boarding
| place, have been proved by many witnesses TO
| have been false and without foundation, four OF
| five witnesses testifying that she was brought to
| the place by hack driver from the Railroad
depot, and that no other person accompanied
her. or came to the house to see her during her
| stay.
In all their Investigations the committee have
| not met with any circumstance, act or word
/ proceeding from Mr.. Matthews which involves
or even seems to involve him in any approach
even to criminal, improper or doubtful conduct
| toward the person who accuses him, or toward
any other person, whatever Nor does any
person, whatever, come forward. to offer any
substantial sembance Of proof Of the wo-
| mans charge on the contrary, one unbrokeE
character of Mr.. Matthews, is afforded us by
our long and personal intimacy with him, by
his character and work as a minister Of the Cos
pei for twenty-four years, twelve Of which have
been spent IN Elkton, and during his whole life
from bOyhood to the present hour.
Influenced by these convictions after mature
dehberationi the Presbptery take the following
action.
In view Of all the testimony concerning tn
criminal accusation made against Rev II. Ma
thews, this Presbytery find no ground whateve
for preterring charges or entert aiming a suspi
cion against him. and do declare their continue,
and abiding confidence in him aud most cordial
~ commend him to his congregations, to the
church and public at large, worthy Of all thu
confidence hitherto repOsed in him. and the at
tectlons cherished for him, as fully as if thi
false and malicious charge had never been made
The above was passed unanimously by nsinl
vote twenty-seyen ministers and nineteen rulinl
Elders being present.