The New York herald., 1874-08-14

GENTLEMEN OF TIE CoMAlTTEE-Wnen was last
before you stated that would, at your request,
produce such documents as had. and make such
statement Of facts as had come to my knowledge
on the subject OF your inquiry. fully intended SO
to do and have prepared my statement OF facts as
sustained by the documents. and made an exhibit
OF oil the papers that have come in any way into
my possession bearing on the controversy be-
tween the parties. That statement must, OF
course, bear with more or less force upon one or
the other Of them. On mature rejection, aided
BY THE ADVICE OF MY MOST VALUED FRIENDS,
I have reconsidered that determination and am
obliged to say to You that feel compelled from .
sense of duty TO the parties, to my relation TO
their controversy and to myself, neither to make
the statement nor to produce the documents.
When first became party to the unhappy con-
troversy between Beecher and Tilton mad no per-
sona knowledge nor any document in my posses
sion which could afYect either. Everything that !
know of fact, or have received OF papers.
HAS COME TO NE IN THE MOST SACRED CONFIDENCE,
to be used for the purpose OF composing and set
ing, so far possible any knowledge OF their pri-
vate AFFAIRS being brought to the pubic notice.
ALL THEIR MATTERs HAVE BEEN 1NrRusrRD TO xR
and for none otner. II should now use them is
would be not Tor the purpose Of peace ana recon
citation, but 70 voluntarily take part In c0ntrO-
versy which they have seen ut to renew between
themselves.
HOW IhLtUIulIy, 08Iu6SCly 8uu uOuobhy ! u8Vo
lab0red
TO DO MY DUTY TO TIE PARTIES FOR PEACE
they both know. The question or me to settle for
myself and no other Is now, 0nght to do any
thing to aid either party in q renewed controversy
by use Of that which received and have used
only to promote harmony
ON MY HONOR AND CONSCIENCE I THINK OUGHT
NOT
and, at the risk Of whatever Of misconstruction
and vituperation may come upon me, must ad-
here to the dictates Of my own Judgment and pre-
serve at least my own self-respect.
Anlo ftAY1 IN fant hat fo
mere voluntary tribunal, and Whatever do here
Is done by
VOLUNTARY AND NOT coMpRLLED WITNESS.
Whether before any tribunal having the power to
compel the production Of testimony and statement
OF fact shall ever produce these papers or give
myself TO judge OF the emergency, whicn hope
may never come.
Against my wish-as never have been In sym.
pathy with renewal of this c0nnlct-
PART or THESE DOCUMENTS HAVE BEEN GIVEN 70
In 30 far, confidence in regard to them has ceased.
1t Is but Just, therefore, and due to the parties,
that the whole OF those documents, portions Of
hands, IN response to the thrice renewed request
OF the committee. have, therefore, copies OF them
which produce mere ere ana place IN tne ganos o. the
they have been examined by them they may be re-
turned to me. II any controversy shall arise as to
the
AUTHENTICITY OF THE COPIES
OF the documents, on that point shall hold my
SELF open to speak. With this exceptaOn-except
in defence OF my own honor and the uprigntness
OF my course IN all this unfortunate and unhappy
business, the purity and candor OF which appeal
to the consciences OF both parties to sustain-I DO
not propose, and hope may never be called upon
hereafter to speak either as to tae facts or TO pro-
'A' '-' woo - WV ~ 49, FRANCIS D. MoULToN.
rrhe letters will appear IN MI Beecher's state
ment with an explanation OF each.]
Mr. Moulton's Cross-ExamInati0n.
After the reading Of this statement MIR. Moulton
was subjected TO brief crosse xamin alton, as toL
lows:-
Mr. winslow-Mr Moulton, the committee de-
ing the position you take here in your written
statement. You are well aware, rs you show. by
sne tn1ee % nvtasaons wnica 1de sommittee nave
investigation. You win remember that
WE wEKE APPoNTED BY THE PASTOR or PLYMOUTH
CHURCH
with the sanction and approval OF the Examining
Committee Of that church. to inquire into all these
son letter Of nat to o. Us
not limited, No restrictions are put upon US OF
any kind we are invited to examine all the
sources Of evidence, and we have looked upon you
as one Of the principal sources OF evidence.
We have waited some two or three weeks
press the feeling OF the committee when express
4 SENSE OF DISAPPOINTMENT AT THE POSITION YOU
OF course we know that that we are not court,
with compulsory powers. We are, as you state,
mere voluntary tribunal You can DO exactly as
desire to know is, In behalf OF the committee,
whether you have 80 deliberately formed this pur-
pose - to make 1t beyond recall as things now
stand.
Mr.. Mouton-In reply to what you have said,
and with reference TO my appearance here, 50 far
as you are concerned in this committee, call
your Rttent ton to the language OF your own invi-
tation, namely, this:-
I'VE EARNESTLY REQUEST THAT YOU BRING ALL
LETTERS AND DOCUMENTS
in your possession which are referred TO BY The0-
dore Tilton in his statement before the commit.
tan r
tee and produce copies OF the letters referred to
by Mr.. Tilton, the authenticity Of which am ready
within few moments to establish.
@. DO you mean to have us understand, Mr..
Moulton, that You have personally compared the
so r yTq
mean to state exactly what have stated.
Mr.. Wiasow-You have not stated anything on
Mr.. Moulton-Yes, stated that
THESE ARE COPIES or THE LETTERS
which you requested referred to In MI. Theodore
Q. Do you state Of your own personal knowledge
that they are copies or have you trusted to some
l beg pardon, sir; am willing to authenticate
these copies whenever you wish that they should
be authenticated.
Mr.. wINsLOw's BADGERING.
@. Cannot you now be induced. Mr.. Moulton, TO
60 on, notwlthstanding what has happened, and
give US full statement OF all your knowledge In
these mattersY A. stand upon the cOmmunica-
ti9n which a have ave made to you today Sir W..
without sufficient reason.
Mr.. Winslow-Of course I am now referring to
the present moment A. Yes, sir.
Mr. Wnslow-There Is another point that would
Ike 70 ask you about, Mr. Moulton. Considering
the great Importance OF these letters, submit to
you whether 1t would not be lair and proper that
The ORIGINALS BE PRODUCED,
Notwithstanding your readiness to authenticate the
copies. You know that In q court copies would not
be received where the originals could be produced;
and would you not be willing to produce them long
enough to have them looked at and examinedY A.
In answer to that question Will say, have not
any desire now, nor nave had any DESIRE
TO WITHHOLD THESE ORIGINALS FROM YOU;
and am willing now, or within Q few minutes, to
produce them; you may send any member OF your
committee to see them II you doubt the authenu-
city.
Mr. wnsiow-I do not put II on the ground Of
doubt, but on the ground Of business like regu-
larity.
Mr.. Moulton-Pardon me; can your attention
to the language OF the statement which have just
made:-"And II the authenticity, by either party.
OF these documents is doubted.
"A tn w rrrpy