Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-08-22
the way, if they were properly dealt with they
could be beaten out of the way. He expressed

his willingness and desire for peace. When
| saw Beecher | made an agreement at his re-
quest to go and see him on Sunday Jat. 1st.
| went to his house in accordance with the
agreement; he took me into his study and
told me of his great surprise that Elizabeth
should have made the confession of his crimi-
nal commerce with her to her husband with
out letting him OBJ know anything about it,
making his destruction at any moment posi-
BILE and without warning to him. He ex-
pressed his great grief at this wrong, which
he had done as minister and friend to Theo-
dore, and at his request took pen and paper,
and he dictated to me the following papers all
of which is my hand writing except the ord 8
81 have trusted this to Moulton in conf
dence" and the signature which latter are Mr..
Beecher's. 1t is here produced.
This has already been published
This was intrusted tn me in confidence to
be shown only to Tilton which l did. 1t has
reference to no other fact or act than the con-
fession of sexual intercourse between Beech
er and Mrs. Triton. which he at that interview
confessed. He also at other interviews held
subsequently between US in relation to this
unfortunate affair, unqualifedly confessed
that he had been guilty of adultery with Mrs.
Tilton ard always in spirit of grief and sor-
row at the enormity of the crime he had COM
mtted against Mr.. Tilton's family. At such
times he would speak with much feeling of
the relation he had sustained towards them as
pastor, spiritual adviser and trusted friend.
His self condemnation at the ruin he had
wrought under such circumstance was fnll
and complete, and at times he was SO bowed
down with grief in consequence of the wrong
he had done that he threatened to put an end
to his life. lie also gave me the irst draft of
which marked ga" is above given in refer
ence to which he said that Bowen had given
it to him that he had told Bowen that Tilton
must be Gravy to write such a letter as that
he did not understand it and that Bowen said
to him 81 will be your friend in this matter y
He then made statement which Tilton had
made 10 me at my house, of the charge that
Bowen had made to him (Titon), said that
Bowen had been very treacherous toward
Tllton as well as towards himself because he
(Beecher) had reconciliation with Bowen.
OF which he told me the terms, and that Bow
en- had never in his (Beecher's) presence spo-
ken of or referred to any allegation of crime
or wrong doing on his part with any woman
whatever.
lie gave me in general terms the reoncila-
ton and afterwards gave me two memoranda
which here produce, which show the terms
of the reconciliation.
The lst, in the handwriting of Bowen, con-
tanning five items, which Beecher assured me
were the terms which Bowen claimed should
be the basis of reconciliation 1t is as fol-
lows
lst, report and publish sermons and lecture
room talks.
I'd, new edition Plymouth collection and
Freelands interest.
3D., explanations to church.
4th, write me letter.
9TH, retract in every quarter what has been
said to my injury.
The second paper is pencil memorandum
of the reconciliation with Bowen in Beecher' 8
handwriting, giving an account of the affair.
In that interview Beecher was very earnest
of expression of regret at what had been done
against Tilton in relation to his business in
connection with Bowen, and besought me to
do everything | could to save him from the
destruction which would come upon him if the
story of his intercourse with Mrs. Tilton
should be divulged. In compliance with the
directions of Beecher, Jan. lst, 1871, took
the paper which he dictated home TO Triton,
detailed to him Beecher's expressions of re-
greet and sorrow, spoke to him Of his agony
of mind, and again appealed to him to have
the whole matter kept quiet if for no other
reason, for the sake of the children. To this
Tilton assented.
| found him writing the letter to Bowen OF
the date which I have before produced. He
told me also of the contracts he had with
Bowen with PENALTY, when he left the indie
pendent to be editor cf the Brooklyn Union
and special contributor to the Independent, a;
a salary of 500 per week, with another sala-
ry of equal amount for his edtorshp to the
Brooklyn Union, and portion of the profits
Copies of these contracts l cannot produce
because both papers were delivered to Bowen
after the arbitration of the controversy of
which am about to speak.
These contracts provided that they could
be terminated by mutual consent, or upon six
months notice, or upon the death of either
party, or at once by the party who wished to
break or annul them to paying the other the
sum of $4,000. Tilton insisted that tina,
sum with his arrears of salary was justly due
him, and that he should bring suit agans,
Bowen unless he settled, and he gave me an
authorization TO settle his affairs with Bowen,
which paper | gave to Mr.. Bowen when
went down to treat with him, retaining this
copy
Acting in the interest of Beecher | told
Tilton that this controversy with Bowen, il
possible should be peacefully settled, lest il
might reopen the other matters relating to
BeecheI's conduct in TiltOn's family, and the
charges made by Bowen against Beecher. To
this Tilton assented, giving me authorization
above quoted.
At my earliest convenience | called upor
Bowen at his office, upon this business, tell
ing him that | wanted him to settle with me
as was authorized by Tlton by this letter
(handing him the letter.. to settle for tn,
breaking Of his contract with Tilton, as con
tributor to the Independent, and as editor o
the Brooklyn Union.
also handed him an article written by
Tilton for the Independent which he clifton
claimed was in part performance of his con
tract which article was subsequently returned
to Tilton by Bowen through me- BoweI
said that he did not consider that he owe,
| Tilton any money at all for breaking the con
tracts that he had terminated them, having il
his opinion sufficient reasons for SO doing
''Well," said, "Mr. Bowen, your contrac
are specific" He said he knew they were bu
! they provided for arbitration in case of an,
differences between the parties. | replied il
substance that the arbitration only referred t
differences between the parties as to the arti
cles to be published as editor and contribute
by Tllton and as to Bowen's conduct as pub
Usher and that that there was q fixed sum a
penalty for breach of the contract.
The interview terminated with his rotu sal
| I ronortpd IN Tilfnn advising him still not I,