New-York tribune., 1874-12-11

pleased at the result as removing one obstacle to
reaching the main issue IN the City Court.
THE MOULTON COMPROMISE.
NEW MUTUAL FRIEND IN TIE FIELD-COL. JOHN
II. GEORGE, AN OLD FRIEND OF MISS PRoCToRs,
ARRANGEs THE sETTLEMENT-MR. BEECHER IN
DIGNANT AT NOT BEING PERMITTED TO TESTIFY.
The steps which led to the unexpected conclusion
Of the suit against Mr. Moulton for libel are gradu-
ally being uncovered and understood. They have
all been carefully taken, aud as it now appears,
person who has in no way been mentioned in con-
nection with this case heretofore had quite as much
to do with the settlement as any of Mr.. Moulton's
lawyers. In conversation yesterday with persons
who would naturally know the full circumstances,
the following facts were obtained:
Col. John II. George, prominent New-Hampshire
Democrat, and one Of the abest criminal lawyers in
New. England, has been acquainted with Miss Edna
Dean Proctor since she was q child, and they have
always been personal frends he has taken special
interest in her welfare and she has often advised
with him whose judgment she could trust.
When Miss Proctor, by the advice OF friends In
Brooklyn. brought suit against Mr. Moulton, Col.
George is said to have been greatly surprised, and
to have expressed himself to her friends in New
Hampshire as dspeased that any action of the sort
had been taken, and especially that the suit had
been brought in the particular way in which it ap-
peared. He took no immediate measures, however,
to prevent the trial of the case but made such In
quiries as might give him thorough understanding
of its bearing and the exact circumstances IN when
il placed Miss Proctor. He was convinced
that it was highly improper that the lawyers of MI
Beecher should also have Miss proctors case in
charge He heard that their whole conduct of her
case would have first in view the vndication OF Mr.
Beccher, and secondly, her own vindIcation Col.
George was in former years, political friend OF
Gen. Butler and during the interval in which their
political associations have been different personal
or professional friendship has been sustained be-
tween them. Accordingly, at a meeting OF the two
q few weeks since-whether appointed or accldental
does not appear-COl George inquired oil Gen Butter
how the Proctor suit was advancing. and asked him
TO tell him the exact status of the case at the same
time assuring him that he warm friend OF
Miss Proctor and had been highly aggrievcd that
any suit had been brought. Gen. Butler explained
matters as he regarded them. and assured him that
Mr. Moulton had no malice toward Miss Proctor,
and had taken especial pains to give no clue to the
outside world in his published statement
to the name of the lady OF whom
Mr. Beecher had related the story. Gen. Butler
also assured him that he had no personal wish
to injure the lady's reputation. and would gladly
disgrlce IL Col. George could suggest any plan
which he as the adviser of MoutOn, could consist
emily further he was ready to take immediate steps,
Col George then told him that he thought the suit
ought to be Withdrawn, and the case be left to
referee; that it was originally brought, as he be-
heyed at the instance Of Mr.. Beechers friends and
for Mr. Beechers sake, and that the continued dis
cussion in the courts could only tend to cast re-
proach upon her name; at all events that her de-
fense and vindcation should be entirely distinct
from Mr.. Beecher's. If he said she should be vim
dicated by Mr.. Beechers testimony, and then Mr.
Beecher should fail to sustain himself in his later
trial her vindication would be worthless. II, how
ever Moulton should state to Miss Proctor that he
had no malice in repeating the story. and had no
disposition to injure her good name that ho had
no reason to suppose the story true except that
Mr.. Beecher told 1t to him If, then, Miss Proctor
should declare her innocence and not call upon Mr.
Beecher to testify in her behalf her character would
be vindicated and independently of Mr. Beecher.
Gen. Butler was not slow to sanction such plan,
and toQk immediate steps to work IT out while Col
George directed his influence to Miss Proctor and
her nearest friends. 1t was their aim that Mr.
Beechers lawyers should learn nothing of it until
an arrangement should be perfected privately, and
Mr.. Tracy, Mr.. Beecher's counsel, really knew
are said to have been 80 successful that the PROPOSE
ton was surprise to all the other lawyers OF Mr.
Beecher and the settlement without Mr.. Beecher's
testimony a matter of great regret to them. Col.
George was in Brooklyn on Wednesday but was not
present at the court proceedings. He expressed,
privately decided satisfaction at the result OF his
consultations with Gen. Butler and the successful
issue of their united efforts
GEN. PRYoR's VERSION.
Ger Roger A. Pryor, in reply to inquiries as to the
circumstances of the compromise. explained the cir
cumstances of the final arrangement. Tuesday.
about o'clock" said he, Miss Proctors brother
came to my office with gentleman. and in lew
minutes he and / agreed upon general proposition
BE said his sister didn't want penny OF the money
I replied that Mr. Moulton did not desire to harm
Miss Proctor. and if he had supposed that anybody
vonld have known whom he alluded to he would
not have published what lie did. told him that
Mr.. Mouton was O noble. chvalrous fellow. and
would be very prompt to make the amende honorable
But said Mr. Proctor, We are bameless. and GER
tainly ought not TO be put to the expense Of this
trial! Certainly not, ! thought myself, and told
him So Then Gen. Butler was telegraphed for, and
We were to meet at the Astor House Wednesday
morning. was busy that day, and didn't
20 over. and hardly had time TO get
into court 30 / cannot give you the ce-
AL. ~ that ipterviev or whether Ih< GrdpAtc