Wilmington daily commercial. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1866-1877, 1872-10-17
SECOND EDITION.
3.3O, p. M.
THE MATTHEWS DECISION.


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 communication was received from
the Rev. II. Matthews, stating that false,
malicious and criminal charge had been preferred
against him by woman, formerly living in his
family, as II servant, and asking that a thorough
investigation of them be made by the Presby-
terry. In compliance with this request a COM
mittoo of investigation was appointed consisting
Of Rev. John Patton, ID. D., Rev. j. l.. Vallan-
digham, Rev. ]. II johns, and Elders Hugh
Steele and j. 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 corroborating testimony or cir
cumstancea 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 MIR. Matthews destroys itself by being
positively and materially contradictory in its
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 deliberation, 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 or
five witnesses testitying that she was brought to
the place by a 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 unbroken
mass OF testimony to the unblemished and pure
character of Mr.. Matthews, is afforded us by
our long aud personal intimacy with him, by
his character and work as minister of the gos-
pei for twenty-four years, twelve of which have
been spent in EIkton, and during his whole life
from bnyhood to the present hour.
Influenced by these convictions after mature
deliberation, the Presbptery take the following
action.
In view Of all the testimony concerning the
criminal accusation made against Rev. ii. Ma
thews, this Presbytery find no ground whatever
for preferring charges or entert lining a suspi-
clon against him, aud do declare their continued
and abiding confidence in him aud most cordial
ly commend hlm to his congregations, to the
church and public at large, as worthy Of all the
confidence hitherto reposed in him, and the af-
fections cherished for him, as fully as if this
false and malicious charge had never been made.
The above was passed unanimously by rising
vote twenty-seven ministers and nineteen ruling
Elders being present.